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BetterDiscord vs HexChat

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

BetterDiscord icon
BetterDiscord
HexChat icon
HexChat

BetterDiscord vs HexChat: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

BetterDiscord: BetterDiscord is a third-party client modification for the Discord chat app on desktop that allows users to customize and enhance their Discord experience. It adds quality-of-life features, themes, plugins and more.

HexChat: HexChat is an open source, free IRC client for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It supports multiple servers and channels, theming, plugins, and features useful for IRC chat, including notifications, auto-reconnecting, and text styling.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature BetterDiscord HexChat
Sugggest Score — —
Category Social & Communications Social & Communications
Pricing — Open Source

Product Overview

BetterDiscord
BetterDiscord

Description: BetterDiscord is a third-party client modification for the Discord chat app on desktop that allows users to customize and enhance their Discord experience. It adds quality-of-life features, themes, plugins and more.

Type: software

HexChat
HexChat

Description: HexChat is an open source, free IRC client for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It supports multiple servers and channels, theming, plugins, and features useful for IRC chat, including notifications, auto-reconnecting, and text styling.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

Key Features Comparison

BetterDiscord
BetterDiscord Features
  • Custom themes
  • Custom CSS
  • Plugins
  • Emotes
  • Custom fonts
  • Server-specific themes
HexChat
HexChat Features
  • Multi-platform support (Windows, Linux, macOS)
  • Supports multiple IRC networks and channels
  • Highly customizable with scripts and plugins
  • Encrypted communication via SSL/TLS
  • Auto-reconnect and auto-join channels
  • Notification support
  • Text formatting and styling
  • Logging and scrollback
  • Proxy support
  • IPv6 support

Pros & Cons Analysis

BetterDiscord
BetterDiscord
Pros
  • Highly customizable appearance
  • Additional features via plugins
  • Better privacy controls
  • Enhanced chat experience
Cons
  • Against Discord ToS
  • Potential security risks
  • May break with Discord updates
  • Requires technical knowledge to setup
HexChat
HexChat
Pros
  • Free and open source
  • Very customizable and extensible
  • Stable and lightweight
  • Supports all major IRC features
  • Available for all major desktop platforms
  • Active development community
Cons
  • Steeper learning curve than some clients
  • Limited native mobile support
  • Less user-friendly than modern chat apps
  • Some platform versions more outdated than others

Pricing Comparison

BetterDiscord
BetterDiscord
  • Not listed
HexChat
HexChat
  • Open Source

Related Comparisons

Learn More About Each Product

BetterDiscord
BetterDiscord
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
HexChat
HexChat
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →

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