The Lounge is a free, open-source, self-hosted web IRC client that keeps you connected across devices. See features, pricing, pros and cons.
The Lounge is a self-hosted web-based IRC client that lets users stay connected to IRC networks and channels from any browser or device, with a modern, responsive interface built on Node.js. Rather than requiring a dedicated desktop IRC client, users log into The Lounge through a web browser and interact with IRC channels much like a modern chat app.
The project began as a community-managed fork of Shout, an earlier IRC client by Mattias Erming, after Shout's development stalled as its author's personal project. A group of contributors forked it around 2016 to establish collegial, multi-maintainer governance, and it has since grown into one of the most popular self-hosted IRC clients available.
The Lounge's signature feature is its always-connected private mode, which acts as a combined IRC bouncer and client: it stays connected to IRC servers even while a user's browser or device is closed, then lets them pick up exactly where they left off across desktop, phone, or tablet with full chat history preserved.
Other features include push notifications for mentions and messages, file uploads, support for multiple simultaneous user accounts on a single self-hosted instance, and an optional public mode that offers open, account-free chat access for community or support channels. Because it runs wherever Node.js runs, it is straightforward to deploy via Docker or directly on a server.
The Lounge is completely free and open source under the MIT license. There is no subscription fee or paid tier from the project itself; users self-host the software on their own server or infrastructure, so the only costs involved are typical hosting expenses.
Yes, The Lounge is completely free and open source under the MIT license.
Yes, The Lounge is self-hosted; you run it on your own server or infrastructure using Node.js or Docker.
Private mode acts like a bouncer and client combined, keeping you connected and letting you resume sessions across devices; public mode offers open chat access to anyone without an account.
The Lounge began as a community-managed fork of Shout, an IRC client originally created by Mattias Erming.
Yes, a single self-hosted instance of The Lounge can support multiple independent user accounts.
Yes, The Lounge has a responsive web interface that works on smartphones and tablets as well as desktops.
The Lounge is built with JavaScript and runs on Node.js.
Yes, in private mode The Lounge remains connected to IRC networks even when your device or browser is closed, and lets you resume where you left off.