About Us

HybridIRC was founded in 2018 following the shutdown of the WebChat IRC network, see in web archive, which occurred shortly after the passing of its founder, Mark Owen. Knowing that WebChat would likely shut down, Berat proposed the name 'HybridIRC', and Gokturk secured the domain. Both had been part of the WebChat staff and began preparing early to build something of their own. From the ground up, they launched HybridIRC as a new IRC network focused on free and open communication.

Having previously operated using the ConferenceRoom IRC daemon, we began searching for modern open-source software that retained a similar approach in terms of usability and features. To ensure stability and maintain a familiar structure for our users, we selected InspIRCd as our IRC daemon and Atheme as our services package. With a clean and efficient setup, a few initial websites were connected to the server. Through ongoing updates and dedicated management, HybridIRC steadily grew and now supports a thriving community of approximately 2,000 active users, with peak simultaneous connections historically reaching 11,423 users. Due to our sustained growth, HybridIRC has consistently ranked within the top 10 of the Top 100 IRC networks on netsplit.de.

HybridIRC is a fully volunteer-driven initiative. We operate without any fees or advertisements, focusing solely on providing free, reliable IRC chat services to support online communities. Our mission is rooted in the principles of open communication, accessibility, and the creation of a space where individuals can freely share their thoughts and ideas. We are committed to maintaining a stable, modern, and inclusive network for all users. We actively contribute to and support open-source projects, fostering collaboration, transparency, and innovation.