The Lounge

Modern self-hosted web IRC client that keeps you always connected

About The Lounge

The Lounge is a self-hosted web IRC client that stays connected to IRC networks while users are offline, so conversations resume where they left off on any device. It adds modern touches such as push notifications, link previews, file uploads, and IRCv3 support behind a responsive interface, with multi-user accounts for sharing one server. Free and MIT-licensed, it suits IRC communities and individuals who want a persistent, browser-based chat client.

The Lounge website preview

Live preview of thelounge.chat via the WordPress mShots service — it can take a few seconds to generate on a first visit.

The Lounge: strengths & things to check

Strengths

Completely free to use — this directory lists no paid plan for it.
Covers irc, chat, self hosted, open source — see the focus areas listed in its key facts.
Has 6 close alternatives in the same category on this page, so switching or comparing is easy.

Things to check

Free tools can change their model or shut down — avoid locking critical work into it without an export path.
Current plan prices are not listed here (they change too often to print reliably) — confirm the exact price on the official site.
It is one of 565 tools in the Communication & Collaboration category here — compare it against the alternatives below before you commit.

Derived from this listing's own data (pricing model, focus areas and category) — not a hands-on review score.

The Lounge pricing

Pricing model	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Free access	Yes — fully free
Current plan prices	Listed on the official site — prices change, so this directory links out instead of printing a number that may already be stale.
Official site	thelounge.chat

The Lounge key facts

Category: Communication & Collaboration
Pricing: Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas: irc, chat, self hosted, open source
Official site: thelounge.chat

The Lounge FAQ

How much does The Lounge cost?

Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. Current plans and prices are listed on the official site (thelounge.chat).

What is The Lounge used for?

Modern self-hosted web IRC client that keeps you always connected Its focus areas in the Communication & Collaboration category: irc, chat, self hosted, open source.

Where can I try The Lounge?

On its official site, thelounge.chat — the Visit Official Site button above goes straight there.

The Lounge vs alternatives

	The Lounge	Ergo	InspIRCd	Kiwi IRC
Pricing	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas	irc, chat, self hosted, open source	irc, chat, server, self hosted, open source	irc, chat, server, self hosted	irc, web client, chat, open source
Official site	thelounge.chat	ergo.chat	inspircd.org	kiwiirc.com
Directory status	Listed	Listed	Listed	Listed

Side-by-side from each listing's own directory data. Full alternative cards are below.

About the Communication & Collaboration category

Chat, video meetings, and messaging apps that keep teams connected. The Communication & Collaboration category on Tools Hub currently lists 565 tools. Alongside The Lounge, it includes iRedMail, Asterisk, Simple Machines Forum, FreeScout.

FreeCommunication & Collaborationircchatself-hostedopen-source

Alternatives to The Lounge

Tools in the same Communication & Collaboration category that share focus areas with The Lounge — worth comparing before you commit:

Communication & Collaboration

Ergo

Modern IRC server software for communities

Freeircchatserverself-hosted

Communication & Collaboration

InspIRCd

Modular Internet Relay Chat server written in C++

Freeircchatserverself-hosted

Communication & Collaboration

Kiwi IRC

A web IRC client you can use easily and freely

Freeircweb-clientchatopen-source

Communication & Collaboration

Openfire

Real time collaboration server built on XMPP

Freexmppchatserverself-hosted

Communication & Collaboration

Rocket.Chat

Open-source team chat you can self-host

Freemiumchatopen-sourceself-hostedomnichannel

Communication & Collaboration

Smuxi

User-friendly IRC client with detachable front end

Freeircgnomechatopen-source

More in Communication & Collaboration

Comparing tools in the Communication & Collaboration category? These related listings are worth a look: iRedMail — Full-featured open-source mail server solution based on Postfix and Dovecot; Asterisk — Open-source IP PBX, VoIP gateway and conference server framework; Simple Machines Forum — Free, professional-grade software for running your own online community.