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HexChat vs Mattermost

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

HexChat icon
HexChat
Mattermost icon
Mattermost

HexChat vs Mattermost: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

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.

Mattermost: Mattermost is an open-source, self-hosted online chat service with file sharing, search and integration capabilities. It supports text, images, videos and custom emojis across PCs and phones with instant notifications.

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 HexChat Mattermost
Sugggest Score
Category Social & Communications Social & Communications
Pricing Open Source Freemium

Product Overview

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

Mattermost
Mattermost

Description: Mattermost is an open-source, self-hosted online chat service with file sharing, search and integration capabilities. It supports text, images, videos and custom emojis across PCs and phones with instant notifications.

Type: software

Pricing: Freemium

Key Features Comparison

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
Mattermost
Mattermost Features
  • Team messaging
  • File sharing
  • Search
  • Integrations
  • Cross-platform support

Pros & Cons Analysis

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
Mattermost
Mattermost
Pros
  • Open source
  • Self-hosted
  • Highly customizable
  • Strong security
  • Active development community
Cons
  • Requires technical expertise to setup and manage
  • Limited native mobile apps
  • Less third-party integrations than proprietary options

Pricing Comparison

HexChat
HexChat
  • Open Source
Mattermost
Mattermost
  • Freemium

Ready to Make Your Decision?

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