Ergo
Modern IRCv3 server written in Go, combining the features of an ircd, a services framework, and a bouncer.
Ergo vs ZNC
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 | ZNC | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Modern IRCv3 server written in Go, combining the features of an ircd, a services framework, and a bouncer. | Advanced IRC bouncer. |
| GitHub stars | 3,357 | 2,128 |
| Forks | – | – |
| Open issues | – | – |
| Commits (12 months) | 165 | 180 |
| Last activity | 2026-11-01 | 2026-11-01 |
| Latest release | v2.19.1 (2026-08-05) | – |
| Maintenance health | Active | Active |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language / platform | Go, Docker | C++, deb |
| 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 2.1k for ZNC.
- Ergo publishes GitHub releases (latest v2.19.1); no GitHub release was found for ZNC.
- Ergo is licensed under MIT, ZNC under Apache-2.0.
- Ergo is written in Go; ZNC in C++.
- Deployment options listed upstream: Ergo: Docker; ZNC: deb.
Summary: Ergo leads on GitHub popularity. 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 ZNC more popular?
Ergo has more GitHub stars (3,357 vs 2,128 for ZNC, as of 2026-11-05). Stars measure interest, not quality.
Which is more actively maintained, Ergo or ZNC?
Commits in the last 12 months: Ergo 165, ZNC 180. Both had repository activity on 2026-11-01. Our health labels: Ergo is “Active”, ZNC is “Active”.
What licenses do Ergo and ZNC use?
Ergo: MIT. ZNC: Apache-2.0.
Can I run Ergo and ZNC with Docker?
We did not detect a Docker Hub image for either app. The upstream listing mentions Docker as a deployment option for Ergo. Check each project's documentation for install options.
Read more
ZNC
Advanced IRC bouncer.
Browse all self-hosted Communication - IRC apps.