Ergo
Modern IRCv3 server written in Go, combining the features of an ircd, a services framework, and a bouncer.
Ergo vs InspIRCd
Two self-hosted Communication - IRC apps, compared on the facts we track: GitHub popularity and activity, license, language, Docker images and a rough hosting estimate.
Side by side
| Ergo | InspIRCd | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Modern IRCv3 server written in Go, combining the features of an ircd, a services framework, and a bouncer. | Modular IRC server written in C++ for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS. |
| GitHub stars | 3,357 | 1,360 |
| Forks | – | – |
| Open issues | – | – |
| Commits (12 months) | 165 | 286 |
| Last activity | 2026-11-01 | 2026-10-24 |
| Latest release | v2.19.1 (2026-08-05) | v4.12.1 (2026-09-26) |
| Maintenance health | Active | Active |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language / platform | Go, Docker | C++, Docker |
| Docker Hub image | – | – |
| Docker pulls | – | – |
| Est. server size | ~512 MB, 1 vCPU | ~512 MB, 1 vCPU |
| Est. hosting from | $3.5/mo | $3.5/mo |
| Categories | Communication - IRC | Communication - IRC |
| Links | Website · Source | Website · Source |
What the numbers say
- Ergo is more popular on GitHub: 3.4k stars vs 1.4k for InspIRCd.
- InspIRCd had more commits in the last 12 months (286 vs 165).
- InspIRCd published a release more recently (v4.12.1 on 2026-09-26; Ergo's latest is v2.19.1 on 2026-08-05).
- Ergo is licensed under MIT, InspIRCd under GPL-2.0. Ergo's license is permissive; InspIRCd's is copyleft (changes you distribute must stay open).
- Ergo is written in Go; InspIRCd in C++.
- Deployment options listed upstream: Ergo: Docker; InspIRCd: Docker.
Summary: Ergo leads on GitHub popularity; InspIRCd leads on commit activity. The right choice depends on the features you need — read both project descriptions and docs.
This summary is generated from GitHub, Docker Hub and awesome-selfhosted data as of 2026-11-05. It does not rate features or quality.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ergo or InspIRCd more popular?
Ergo has more GitHub stars (3,357 vs 1,360 for InspIRCd, as of 2026-11-05). Stars measure interest, not quality.
Which is more actively maintained, Ergo or InspIRCd?
InspIRCd had more commits over the last 12 months (286 vs 165). The last recorded activity was 2026-11-01 for Ergo and 2026-10-24 for InspIRCd. Our health labels: Ergo is “Active”, InspIRCd is “Active”.
What licenses do Ergo and InspIRCd use?
Ergo: MIT. InspIRCd: GPL-2.0. Ergo's license is permissive; InspIRCd's is copyleft (changes you distribute must stay open).
Can I run Ergo and InspIRCd with Docker?
We did not detect a Docker Hub image for either app. The upstream listing mentions Docker as a deployment option for Ergo and InspIRCd. Check each project's documentation for install options.
Read more
InspIRCd
Modular IRC server written in C++ for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS.
Browse all self-hosted Communication - IRC apps.