HexChat is an open source, feature-rich, multi-network IRC client based on XChat. It offers a wide range of features, including Python/Perl scripting, spellcheck, proxies, SASL, DCC support. With an easy to use interface, it offers a great method of chatting online.
Publisher’s description
What is HexChat?
HexChat by HexChat is open-source Windows software in the chat & messaging category. It ranks 19th by popularity among chat & messaging in this catalogue. It is written in C.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (Inno Setup) installers for 64-bit and 32-bit Windows. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.16.2, released on February 7, 2024. The version history goes back to March 30, 2021: 4 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 1.4 releases a year. The last update is more than a year old. The source repository has been archived, so further updates are unlikely.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 60,428 times. The source code on GitHub (hexchat/hexchat) has 3,226 stars. On Windows it registers 1 file type, including .hct. Similar programs include Signal, Discord and Telegram Desktop.
Project description on GitHub: “GTK+ IRC client”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
- Source repository archived
In short: HexChat is an open-source chat & messaging tool for 64-bit and 32-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is HexChat safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
39DA96A323BA98583E716A7EE5AF1A02A34935DBE3B0865B54C65CE7784E0828· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the hexchat/hexchat repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- No dangerous workflows10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Licence declared10
- Code review4
- Actively maintained0
- Restricted token permissions0
- Pinned dependencies0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Fuzzing0
- Signed releases0
- Security policy0
- Static code analysis0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 4 versions ›4 versions over 3 years · about 1.4 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.16.2Latest | February 7, 2024 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)32-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 2.16.1 | February 12, 2022 | 10.9 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)32-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 2.16.0 | November 28, 2021 | 10.9 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)32-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 2.14.3 | March 30, 2021 | 10.5 MB | 32-bit EXE (Inno Setup)64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id HexChat.HexChat -echoco install hexchat -yscoop install extras/hexchatHexChat.2.16.2.x64.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- HexChat
- Category
- Chat & messaging
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/hexchat/hexchat
- Written in
- C
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, 32-bit
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Version
- 2.16.2
- Released
- February 7, 2024
- Added to the catalogue
- March 30, 2021
- Versions listed
- 4
- Updates / year
- 1.4
- Chocolatey downloads
- 60,428
- GitHub stars
- 3,226
- GitHub forks
- 571
- Website
- hexchat.github.io
- winget ID
- HexChat.HexChat
- Chocolatey package
- hexchat
- Scoop package
- extras/hexchat
File types it opens (1)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to HexChat
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Frequently asked questions
Is HexChat free?
Yes. HexChat is open-source software under the GPL-2.0 licence.
Is HexChat safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install HexChat with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can HexChat be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does HexChat run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit and 32-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of HexChat?
The versions page lists all 4 versions with links to their official installer files, back to March 30, 2021.
What are alternatives to HexChat?
Signal, Discord, Telegram Desktop, Slack and Rocket.Chat. The alternatives page compares them.
