Kiwiirc

What is KiwiIRC

KiwiIRC is a browser-based IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client that runs as a web application or as an embeddable widget for websites. It presents a modern, responsive interface for connecting to traditional IRC networks and supports desktop and mobile browsers without requiring users to install a native IRC client. KiwiIRC is available as both a hosted service and a self-hosted project (open source) so operators can choose between a managed gateway or running it on their own infrastructure.

As a web IRC gateway, KiwiIRC translates standard IRC protocol behavior into a web-friendly UI and handles connection details (including SSL/TLS) on behalf of the browser. That makes it practical for communities that want public chat on a website, temporary meeting rooms, or a low-friction entry point to IRC for newcomers. Projects and communities can embed a chat widget in a page and let visitors join a channel with a nickname from the browser.

KiwiIRC emphasizes privacy and straightforward configuration. The project page and documentation describe configuration options for themes, scripts, plugin hooks, and network/server control for administrators. The codebase and deployment instructions are available for those who want to self-host or contribute; see KiwiIRC's GitHub repository for source and setup documentation: KiwiIRC's GitHub repository (https://github.com/kiwiirc/kiwiirc). For site embedding and widget options consult KiwiIRC's widget documentation (https://kiwiirc.com/widget).

KiwiIRC features

What does KiwiIRC do?

KiwiIRC provides an HTML5-based IRC client interface that supports connecting to multiple IRC networks and channels from the browser. It handles network connections, secure TLS sessions, and offers UI conveniences such as tabbed channels, message formatting, and nick handling so typical IRC usage patterns work in a web environment. The client supports pasting and styling text, keyboard navigation, and basic chat commands familiar to IRC users.

Important features include a website widget for embedding an IRC client on any page, server/network configuration for operators (control which servers and networks are presented to users), and administrative tools such as WebIRC support to preserve user host/IP information when proxied. KiwiIRC also supports themes, user scripts, plugins, multiple languages, and responsive layouts for desktop, phone, and tablet interfaces.

From an operational perspective, KiwiIRC can be deployed as a standalone web service or installed behind a reverse proxy. Administrators can enable SSL, configure which IRC servers are available, and control session behavior. There are options for stat reporting (to see how many users are connecting in real time) and hooks for custom authentication or integration points.

KiwiIRC pricing

KiwiIRC offers flexible pricing tailored to different business needs, from individual users and communities to organizations that need managed hosting and support. The project provides a self-hosted, open-source edition that can be run at no software cost; for teams or sites that prefer a hosted service, KiwiIRC historically offered managed hosting or branded widgets through the official site. Typical commercial offerings for similar web IRC gateways include a free self-hosted option and paid hosted tiers such as Free Plan, Starter, Professional, and Enterprise for incremental features and support.

When organizations evaluate KiwiIRC for hosted usage they should consider: Hosting costs: running the hosted instance on a cloud VM versus using the managed service; Support and maintenance: whether you require vendor support and SLAs; Customization: branded widgets and custom themes often appear on paid tiers; Security and compliance: enterprise deployments may need dedicated TLS, logging, and integration with SSO.

For hosted or enterprise-grade deployments you will typically get usage-based pricing, seat or connection limits, and optional support contracts. Self-hosting reduces recurring licensing costs but requires internal resources for operations, scaling, and upgrades. Check KiwiIRC's deployment and hosting details to determine the best fit for technical and budget requirements. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is KiwiIRC per month

KiwiIRC offers flexible pricing and does not publish a single fixed monthly price for all customers because costs depend on whether you self-host or use a managed hosting plan. Self-hosting the open-source codebase only requires infrastructure costs (for example, a small cloud VM that can cost $5/month–$20/month depending on provider and capacity), while a hosted or supported plan from a vendor will carry a recurring monthly fee that typically scales with concurrent connections and support levels.

Operators considering a hosted plan should estimate monthly costs for traffic, SSL certificates (if not provided), and optional support. If predictable monthly billing is required, request a quote from the KiwiIRC team or an authorized hosting partner and compare the included concurrent user limits and support SLA. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is KiwiIRC per year

KiwiIRC offers flexible pricing for annual billing as an option when choosing a hosted plan; annual commitments often deliver lower effective monthly costs in vendor-hosted scenarios. For self-hosted deployments the yearly price is simply the annualized cost of the infrastructure and any commercial support you purchase (for example, $60/year–$240/year for a low-cost VM plus optional backup and monitoring fees). Hosted plans with enterprise features will typically offer a discounted yearly rate versus month-to-month billing—ask for exact percentages and terms when speaking with sales.

If you need a formal budget figure for a calendar year, include infrastructure, DNS, certificates, monitoring, and a support contract line item to estimate total cost. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is KiwiIRC in general

KiwiIRC pricing ranges from zero cost for the open-source self-hosted edition to managed-hosted plans that charge per concurrent connection or per-site license. Self-hosting the software is the lowest direct software cost because the code is open source and available on GitHub; total cost in that case is driven by server infrastructure and administration time. Managed hosting, support, branding, and enterprise options add recurring fees and possible setup charges depending on the requirements.

When comparing deployments, factor in expected concurrent users, peak usage, retention of logs, and integration needs (SSO, analytics). These variables influence whether a small monthly cloud instance suffices or a larger hosted plan is appropriate. For up-to-date hosted plan options and enterprise terms contact KiwiIRC or review their hosted offering at KiwiIRC's official site (https://kiwiirc.com). Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

What is KiwiIRC used for

KiwiIRC is used to provide an accessible, web-based interface to IRC networks. Website owners commonly embed KiwiIRC as a live chat widget to give visitors immediate access to community channels without requiring downloads or native IRC clients. This is useful for open-source projects, community forums, gaming clans, and public chat rooms that want to reduce the friction of joining IRC.

Network operators and IRC admins use KiwiIRC as a gateway that respects WebIRC headers (so real hostnames can be preserved), offers server and channel control, and exposes stats on how many users are connected. Because it supports SSL/TLS the client is suitable for communities that require encrypted connections between the browser and the gateway.

Developers and integrators also use KiwiIRC for embeddable chat on events, documentation sites, and even ephemeral chat during live streams or releases. The client can be customized via themes and user scripts; operators can restrict which networks/servers users may access and configure a branded experience for their community.

Pros and cons of KiwiIRC

KiwiIRC has advantages for ease of access and embedding. It removes the install requirement for IRC and provides a modern, responsive UI that many web users find more approachable than classic text-mode clients. The widget model allows rapid deployment into a site and provides administrators control over available networks and channels. Because the project is open source, organizations can audit, modify, and self-host the code to meet security or compliance needs.

On the other hand, web-based gateways have limitations relative to native IRC clients. Real-time scaling for large numbers of concurrent connections requires appropriate server resources and engineering attention. Some advanced IRC features (bouncer-like persistent state, advanced scripting, or specific client features) are more mature in dedicated native clients. Browser constraints can also affect certain IRC behaviors (for example, raw protocol features or non-UTF-8 handling) unless handled server-side.

Security and privacy depend on deployment choices. Hosted solutions are convenient but require trust in the provider for handling connection metadata and potential logging. Self-hosting gives full control but shifts responsibility for updates, SSL certificate management, and DDoS resilience to the operator. KiwiIRC documents its privacy approach and provides deployment recommendations; consult KiwiIRC's privacy page (https://kiwiirc.com/privacy) and the project repository for configuration options.

KiwiIRC free trial

KiwiIRC's open-source edition can be run immediately as a free, self-hosted instance, which acts as a practical free trial for most use cases. Because the code is available on GitHub you can deploy a working instance on a development server or local machine to evaluate functionality and integration options. This approach lets teams test UI behavior, theme customization, widget embedding, and network configuration without entering a paid contract.

For hosted offerings where the vendor provides managed instances or branded widgets, trial periods or demo instances are commonly offered on request; contact the KiwiIRC team or an authorized partner to request a time-limited hosted test instance and to verify support and scaling for your needs. Always confirm the available trial terms directly with the provider.

Is KiwiIRC free

Yes, KiwiIRC provides an open-source edition that can be self-hosted at no software cost. The software itself is available on GitHub so you can install and run it without paying licensing fees; however, you will incur hosting, bandwidth, and operational costs for the server that runs the instance. Hosted or managed services, branding, and enterprise support from third parties may carry fees.

KiwiIRC API

KiwiIRC itself is primarily a client-side application that interacts with IRC servers using standard IRC protocol semantics mediated by a web gateway. The project exposes configuration hooks, plugin mechanisms, and user script support to extend client behavior; these extension points serve effectively as an API for client customizations. For operators who want to integrate with back-end systems, KiwiIRC can be configured with server-side connectors that provide authentication, logging, or event hooks.

For custom integrations (for example, SSO, webhooks, or analytics), developers typically modify the server component or add middleware between the browser client and IRC server. The open-source repository and documentation provide guidance on where to add integration code. For programmable control over widget behavior and connection parameters, consult KiwiIRC's documentation and source examples on GitHub: KiwiIRC's GitHub repository (https://github.com/kiwiirc/kiwiirc).

If you require a formal REST or RPC-style API for administrative tasks (user provisioning, connection quotas, or licensing), you will likely implement a management layer around the KiwiIRC deployment; some hosted providers offer admin APIs as part of their paid plans—ask the vendor for exact API offerings.

10 KiwiIRC alternatives

Paid alternatives to KiwiIRC

• The Lounge — Hosted or self-hosted modern web IRC client with persistent bouncer-style functionality and multi-device sync when self-hosted with a backend. Offers commercial hosting in some marketplaces.
• Mibbit — A long-standing web-based IRC gateway with embeddable widgets and a hosted model aimed at website owners who want a quick chat integration.
• Convos — Web IRC client focused on group collaboration and persistent conversations; can be self-hosted or used via hosted services provided by third parties.
• IRCCloud — Commercial web and mobile IRC client with message history, push notifications, and paid tiers for persistent connection and team features.
• Quassel — A distributed IRC client (core + clients) that has hosted and commercial support options from vendors; suited to users wanting persistent bouncer-like features.
• ZNC (commercial hosting variants) — While ZNC itself is a bouncer, commercial vendors offer hosted ZNC and web front-ends that act as a paid alternative to managed KiwiIRC hosting.
• ChatWoot (IRC integrations) — Customer support/chat platform that can integrate IRC networks for teams wanting a web-based support channel with agent features.

Open source alternatives to KiwiIRC

• The Lounge — A self-hosted web IRC client designed for persistent connections and multi-user access; actively maintained and designed for long-running sessions.
• Convos — An open-source web IRC gateway focused on persistent group chats with a self-hosted model and modern UI features.
• KiwiIRC (self-hosted) — The project itself is open source; operators can fork and customize the client and server to meet specific needs (see KiwiIRC's GitHub repository at https://github.com/kiwiirc/kiwiirc).
• qwebirc — A lightweight web IRC client that can be self-hosted and embedded, suitable for smaller deployments or low-footprint deployments.
• Shout — A web IRC client that can be self-hosted and integrated into a site for community chat; provides mobile-friendly views and theming.

Frequently asked questions about KiwiIRC

What is KiwiIRC used for?

KiwiIRC is used to provide a browser-based IRC client and website-embedded chat widget. It lets communities and website owners offer instant IRC access without requiring visitors to install native clients. It is commonly used for open-source projects, community chatrooms, and ephemeral event channels.

How does KiwiIRC handle secure connections?

KiwiIRC supports TLS/SSL for encrypted browser-to-gateway connections. Administrators can enable HTTPS and TLS between the client and the gateway, and the gateway in turn can connect to IRC servers over TLS. Proper certificate management is required for secure deployments.

Does KiwiIRC offer a hosted service?

Yes, KiwiIRC historically offers hosted or managed options in addition to a self-hosted open-source edition. Organizations that prefer not to operate their own servers can inquire about managed hosting, branding, and support from the KiwiIRC team or partners. For current hosting plans and options, consult KiwiIRC's official site.

Can I embed KiwiIRC into my website?

Yes, KiwiIRC provides a website widget for embedding a web IRC client into pages. The widget requires minimal setup and allows visitors to join supported networks and channels directly from the browser without downloads. See KiwiIRC's widget documentation for integration instructions: KiwiIRC's widget documentation (https://kiwiirc.com/widget).

Is KiwiIRC open source?

Yes, KiwiIRC's source code is available under an open-source license. You can review, run, and modify the code from the project's GitHub repository, which includes installation instructions and configuration examples: KiwiIRC's GitHub repository (https://github.com/kiwiirc/kiwiirc).

Why would I self-host KiwiIRC instead of using a hosted plan?

Self-hosting gives you full control over configuration, privacy, and uptime responsibility. It eliminates recurring licensing fees for the client software itself and lets you integrate with internal authentication systems, maintain logs locally, and apply custom themes or scripts. The trade-off is the operational effort for maintenance, security, and scaling.

When should I choose a managed KiwiIRC deployment?

Choose a managed deployment when you need vendor support, simplified operations, or branded widgets without running infrastructure. Managed hosting is useful for teams that lack the capacity to maintain servers, want SLAs, or require vendor-provided backups and scaling. Compare offerings and support levels before committing.

Where can I find KiwiIRC reviews and community feedback?

You can find KiwiIRC reviews on community forums, open-source directories, and GitHub issue discussions. Search technical forums, IRC-related discussion boards, and the KiwiIRC GitHub repository's issues and pull requests to see real-world usage notes and community feedback. For curated reviews, check open-source software directories and comparison posts.

Does KiwiIRC support integrations like SSO or webhooks?

Yes, KiwiIRC can be integrated with external systems via server-side configuration and custom middleware. For SSO you typically configure authentication at the gateway or proxy layer, and for analytics or moderation you can add webhooks or logging hooks. Check the repository and documentation for examples and extension points.

How much does KiwiIRC cost for organizations?

KiwiIRC offers flexible pricing that ranges from free self-hosted usage to managed hosted plans with fees based on connections and support needs. Self-hosting the open-source code incurs only infrastructure and maintenance costs, while hosted/enterprise options include recurring charges for support and additional features. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

KiwiIRC careers

KiwiIRC is primarily an open-source project with a small core team and contributors; hiring and careers are typically listed on the project website or through affiliated companies that provide hosting and commercial services. If you are interested in working on KiwiIRC-related development, check the GitHub repository for contributor guidelines, open issues tagged for help, and the project website for contact or sponsorship information. For formal employment opportunities, look for job listings from companies or organizations that use or offer KiwiIRC hosting.

KiwiIRC affiliate

KiwiIRC does not widely advertise an affiliate program in public documentation; partnerships and sponsorships (such as historical sponsorship announcements) are handled directly with organizations. If you are interested in affiliate or partnership opportunities, contact the KiwiIRC maintainers through the project website or GitHub repository to request partnership details and terms.

Where to find KiwiIRC reviews

User reviews and technical discussions about KiwiIRC appear on software directories, IRC community forums, and GitHub issue threads. For objective feedback, look at the project's repository issues and pull requests, community forums (for example, Reddit communities focused on IRC), and open-source comparison pages. Searching for "KiwiIRC review" in community discussion platforms will surface user experiences and deployment notes.

KiwiIRC API

KiwiIRC's architecture can be extended via client-side scripts, plugin hooks, and server-side middleware rather than a single monolithic REST API. Developers commonly integrate SSO, moderation tooling, or logging by adding components to the gateway layer. For programmatic control over deployments, implement an administrative layer around the deployment or consult hosted vendors for available admin APIs.

Refer to KiwiIRC's source and documentation on GitHub for examples of where to add integrations and how the client and server communicate: KiwiIRC's GitHub repository (https://github.com/kiwiirc/kiwiirc). If you need vendor-provided APIs for hosted instances, ask the provider for the specific API documentation and rate limits.

10 KiwiIRC alternatives

Paid alternatives to KiwiIRC

• IRCCloud — Commercial web and mobile IRC client with message history, push notifications, and paid tiers for persistent connections and team features. Good for teams needing always-on presence.
• Mibbit — Hosted web IRC gateway with embeddable chat options aimed at quickly adding chat to web pages without self-hosting complexity.
• The Lounge (hosted variants) — While primarily open source, several hosting providers sell hosted Lounge instances with commercial support and managed features for teams.
• Quassel (hosted services) — Quassel core + clients can be offered as a hosted service by vendors seeking to provide persistent, multi-device IRC access with commercial SLAs.
• Convos (hosted variants) — Self-hosted web client with some vendors offering paid hosting and customization services.
• ZNC (commercial hosting variants) — ZNC bouncer hosting plus web front-ends available from vendors for teams that want persistence and paid support.
• Freenode/IRC hosting services — Several IRC hosting and consulting providers offer packaged web client integrations as part of paid services for communities.

Open source alternatives to KiwiIRC

• The Lounge — Self-hosted, modern web IRC client with focus on persistent connections and multi-device access; widely used and actively developed.
• Convos — Web-based IRC gateway with a focus on conversation continuity and readable archive-like threading; suitable for communities that want persistent messages.
• qwebirc — Lightweight web IRC client that is straightforward to deploy and embed; suitable for small deployments and low-resource servers.
• Shout — Self-hosted web IRC client with theming and mobile-friendly UI, useful for embedding into websites.
• KiwiIRC (self-hosted) — The project itself is open source and can be customized; for many teams the self-hosted KiwiIRC is the preferred alternative to managed services.

For comparisons and migration tips, consult community guides and the repositories of these projects to see which one matches your feature set and operational preferences.

Frequently asked questions about KiwiIRC

What is KiwiIRC used for?

KiwiIRC is used as a browser-based IRC client and embeddable chat widget. It provides an accessible way for website visitors to join IRC channels, for projects to host community chat, and for operators to present IRC networks via a modern web interface without requiring client installs.

How do I embed KiwiIRC on my website?

You embed KiwiIRC using the provided website widget and configuration snippet. The widget can be added to a page with a small JavaScript snippet and configured to point to a specific network or channel; consult KiwiIRC's widget documentation for exact integration steps: KiwiIRC's widget documentation (https://kiwiirc.com/widget).

Does KiwiIRC support SSL/TLS connections?

Yes, KiwiIRC supports encrypted connections between the browser and the gateway and between the gateway and IRC servers. Administrators should configure HTTPS on the web server and enable TLS for upstream IRC connections to ensure end-to-end encrypted transport where supported by the IRC network.

Can I customize KiwiIRC's appearance?

Yes, KiwiIRC supports theming and custom user scripts to change appearance and behavior. You can provide custom CSS, select built-in themes, or write scripts to modify client-side interactions; these options are available in the self-hosted codebase and in configuration for hosted instances that allow branding.

Is KiwiIRC safe for public deployments?

KiwiIRC can be deployed securely when configured with HTTPS, access controls, and correct server hardening. Public deployments should enforce TLS, keep the software up to date, and monitor for abuse; for enterprise use consider a managed hosted plan or hardened self-hosted setup with proper logging and rate limits.

Why choose KiwiIRC over a native IRC client?

Choose KiwiIRC when you need low-friction browser access or an embeddable chat widget. It reduces barriers for newcomers who may not want to install an IRC client and allows website owners to present chat inline on pages. Native clients still have advantages for advanced features and offline persistence.

When should I self-host KiwiIRC vs use a managed service?

Self-host KiwiIRC when you require full control over data, customization, and integration. Use a managed service if you prefer to offload operations, scaling, and uptime guarantees to a vendor. Consider team size, compliance, and budget when choosing.

Where can I get support for KiwiIRC?

Support is available through the project’s GitHub issues, community forums, and any vendor-provided support plans. For self-hosted instances the GitHub repository and community are the primary support channels; for hosted plans contact the vendor for SLAs and direct support.

Does KiwiIRC provide persistent message history?

KiwiIRC itself is a client and does not always provide persistent bouncer-style history unless paired with server-side components. Persistent history and multi-device synchronization are features more commonly provided by bouncers (like ZNC) or by hosted IRC services; combine KiwiIRC with a persistent backend if you need message history.

How do I evaluate KiwiIRC for large communities?

Evaluate KiwiIRC by load-testing a self-hosted instance and reviewing connection limits and resource usage. Deploy a staging instance, simulate peak concurrent users, and test widget behavior across browsers and devices. If you expect high traffic consider a managed plan or discuss capacity planning with hosting providers.

KiwiIRC careers

KiwiIRC-related job opportunities and contributions are typically coordinated via the project repository and maintainers; if you want to work on the codebase, contribute via GitHub and look for announcements about sponsored development or paid roles on the project site.

KiwiIRC affiliate

For affiliate or partnership inquiries, contact the KiwiIRC team directly through the project site or GitHub to explore sponsorship, co-marketing, or distribution agreements.

Where to find KiwiIRC reviews

Search open-source directories, forums, and GitHub discussions to find user reviews and operational notes; community channels that discuss IRC and web chat integrations are the best places to read real-world experiences.