Comparison

DEF CON Forums vs Igloo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DEF CON Forums

Connect with the hacker and infosec communities. Discuss topics, plan for DEF CON conferences, and access the official forums directly through a streamlined interface. Supports multiple languages and prioritizes user privacy.

Highlights
  • Access DEF CON forums
  • Connect with hacker community
  • Infosec discussions
  • Conference planning
  • Multi-language support
  • Privacy-focused
Features
Read full description

DEF CON Forums are a place to talk with others in the hacker and infosec communities as well as help plan or play at the next DEF CON conference. This app gets you to https://forum.defcon.org/ without the web interface. Multi-language interface is now supported Privacy and Security Notes: - No AdMob - No Google Analytics - The app wants permissions for camera, etc, but seems to work find without them.

About

Igloo

This IRC client has been completely re-engineered for enhanced performance and stability. It offers a refined user experience with a redesigned interface, simultaneous file transfers, and optimized bouncer integration. Enjoy secure communication, versatile file sharing, and extensive customization options.

Highlights
  • Multi-file DCC/XDCC transfers
  • Redesigned user interface with themes
  • Optimized for bouncers (ZNC)
  • Comprehensive network support
  • SSL/TLS encryption
  • Inline media viewing
  • VoiceOver accessibility
Features
Read full description

Introducing the new Igloo: a complete overhaul delivering an IRC Client with enhanced performance and stability. This latest version, reengineered from the ground up, offers a refined user experience while maintaining the simplicity and versatility you expect from Igloo. What's New: • Multi-File DCC/XDCC: Enhanced to support simultaneous file transfers, now conveniently stored locally for immediate access. • Redesigned User Interface: A cleaner, more intuitive UI paired with a selection of themes, elevating your chat experience. • Optimized for Bouncers: Advanced features tailored for a seamless experience with popular bouncers like ZNC. Core Features: • Comprehensive Network Support: Compatible with all IRC networks, including Freenode, Libera, Rizon, EFnet, and more. • Secure Communication: Ensured by SSL/TLS encryption. • ZNC Integration: Seamless integration with ZNC and a Push Notification module (https://push.igloo.app). • Versatile File Sharing: File, image, audio, and video sharing supported through platforms like Arxius.io and Imgur.com. • Enhanced Input Completion: For channels, nicks, and commands. • Inline Media Viewing: Experience inline media display for a more engaging chat environment. • Customization and Compliance: Customize your experience with inline nick coloring, full formatting with 99 color support, and adherence to IRCv3 standards. • VoiceOver Accessibility: Enhanced accessibility features including VoiceOver integration to support our vision-impaired users. We're committed to evolving Igloo based on your feedback. If there are features you'd like to see in future updates, please let us know at contact@igloo.app or join us at #igloo on iglooirc.com. Terms of Service: https://igloo.app/terms Privacy Policy https://igloo.app/privacy

Screenshots

DEF CON Forums3 screens
Igloo3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Igloo at 43% against DEF CON Forums's 0%. Igloo also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and rating (3.7 vs 3.3). DEF CON Forums's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Igloo sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. DEF CON Forums asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Igloo holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Igloo has 119 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of DEF CON Forums's written reviews are positive against 43% of Igloo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DEF CON Forums ships an update every 3 months, Igloo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
DEF CON Forums versus Igloo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDEF CON ForumsIgloo
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (6 ratings)3.7 (119 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews43.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6119 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB19 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperDEF CON, Inc.Eskimo Software

Customer experience

DEF CON Forums

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

Igloo

All ratings119 ratings
Positive68.9%
Neutral2.5%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews79 reviews
Positive43.0%
Neutral3.8%
Negative53.2%

Bugs and requests

DEF CON Forums

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Igloo

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App disconnects when screen turns off or app backgrounded
  • Theme selection not persisting between app launches
  • User list menu jumps unexpectedly on tap
  • Link opening requires multiple taps instead of single tap
  • Copy/paste functionality hidden and unintuitive
Show 5 more
  • Some servers fail to connect
  • Cannot open certain IRC networks
  • Whois/whowas functionality issues with saved conversations
  • Trial license not showing in Apple account for cancellation
  • iPad view support initially broken in V3

Requested features

15 requests
  • Restore /ignore command for blocking users
  • IRCv3 CHATHISTORY extension implementation
  • DCC file transfer support
  • Ability to hide/disable Slap function
  • Color customization for usernames
Show 10 more
  • Disable part/quit message spam
  • Customizable timestamp formats
  • Multi-line copy/paste selection
  • Long-term chat log retention
  • Reorderable server lists
  • Icon selection for servers
  • Hideable user list in portrait mode on iPad
  • Automatic configuration sync across devices
  • Keep screen from timing out during sessions
  • Theme selection persistence

In-app purchases

None

DEF CON Forums

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Igloo

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly License$0.991 Month
  • Yearly License$7.991 Year
One-time3
  • Free TrialFree
  • Lifetime License (Upgrade)$9.99
  • Lifetime License$19.99

Questions

Is DEF CON Forums free?
DEF CON Forums is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Igloo free?
Igloo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DEF CON Forums or Igloo?
Igloo is rated higher. DEF CON Forums averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Igloo averages 3.7 from 119 ratings.
Do DEF CON Forums or Igloo have ads?
Neither DEF CON Forums nor Igloo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DEF CON Forums or Igloo?
DEF CON Forums ships an update every 3 months, and Igloo every 2 weeks. Most recently, DEF CON Forums was updated on September 16, 2026 and Igloo on September 30, 2026.

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