bIRC 1.2.6
bIRC is a native macOS IRC client from developer Fredrik Blank with extensive IRCv3 support, including SASL authentication, CHATHISTORY, message reactions, threaded replies, and typing indicators. It supports ZNC/soju bouncers, SOCKS5/Tor proxies, DCC file transfers, iCloud sync, and a sandboxed JavaScript scripting API.
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About bIRC 1.2.6 for Mac
bIRC is a native IRC client for macOS developed by Fredrik Blank, built with extensive IRCv3 support and positioned as a modern successor now that the long-time favorite client Textual has been sunset. bIRC requires macOS 14.6 or later, runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and is free to download and use from the Mac App Store, with a suite of additional fun and pro features available as a one-time in-app purchase. Version 1.2.6 continues the app's active update cycle following its official launch, which received a notable public endorsement from tech commentator John Gruber on Daring Fireball, who called it "very Mac-assed in a modern way." What distinguishes bIRC from many IRC clients is the sheer breadth of IRCv3 protocol support packed into a genuinely native, non-web-wrapper interface. Beyond the basics, it implements a long list of modern IRCv3 features including SASL authentication (PLAIN, EXTERNAL/CertFP, SCRAM-SHA-256, OAUTHBEARER), CHATHISTORY with event playback and read markers, multi-line messages, message redaction, typing indicators, threaded replies, reactions, and metadata support for avatars, colors, pronouns, and status. It also supports IRC bouncers like ZNC and soju, SOCKS5/SOCKS4/HTTP proxies including Tor with remote DNS, DCC file transfers and chat, and a sandboxed JavaScript scripting API for automation — all while connecting only to the servers a user explicitly configures.