InspIRCd
Modular IRC server written in C++ for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS.
InspIRCd 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
| InspIRCd | ZNC | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Modular IRC server written in C++ for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS. | Advanced IRC bouncer. |
| GitHub stars | 1,360 | 2,128 |
| Forks | – | – |
| Open issues | – | – |
| Commits (12 months) | 286 | 180 |
| Last activity | 2026-10-24 | 2026-11-01 |
| Latest release | v4.12.1 (2026-09-26) | – |
| Maintenance health | Active | Active |
| License | GPL-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language / platform | C++, 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
- ZNC is more popular on GitHub: 2.1k stars vs 1.4k for InspIRCd.
- InspIRCd had more commits in the last 12 months (286 vs 180).
- InspIRCd publishes GitHub releases (latest v4.12.1); no GitHub release was found for ZNC.
- InspIRCd is licensed under GPL-2.0, ZNC under Apache-2.0. ZNC's license is permissive; InspIRCd's is copyleft (changes you distribute must stay open).
- Both are written in C++.
- Deployment options listed upstream: InspIRCd: Docker; ZNC: deb.
Summary: InspIRCd leads on commit activity; ZNC 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 InspIRCd or ZNC more popular?
ZNC has more GitHub stars (2,128 vs 1,360 for InspIRCd, as of 2026-11-05). Stars measure interest, not quality.
Which is more actively maintained, InspIRCd or ZNC?
InspIRCd had more commits over the last 12 months (286 vs 180). The last recorded activity was 2026-10-24 for InspIRCd and 2026-11-01 for ZNC. Our health labels: InspIRCd is “Active”, ZNC is “Active”.
What licenses do InspIRCd and ZNC use?
InspIRCd: GPL-2.0. ZNC: Apache-2.0. ZNC's license is permissive; InspIRCd's is copyleft (changes you distribute must stay open).
Can I run InspIRCd 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 InspIRCd. Check each project's documentation for install options.
Read more
ZNC
Advanced IRC bouncer.
Browse all self-hosted Communication - IRC apps.