Comparison

LimeChat vs Igloo

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

Head to head
About

LimeChat

This app provides a comprehensive IRC chat experience on mobile devices. It offers quick navigation, message highlighting, and support for multiple servers and channels. Enjoy seamless communication with features like automatic authentication and a built-in browser for links.

Highlights
  • Quick navigation with arrow buttons
  • Event indicators for other channels
  • Message highlighting and vibration
  • Visual user information (whois)
  • Built-in browser for URLs
  • Multiple server and channel support
  • Automatic Nickserv authentication
Features
Read full description

LimeChat for iOS is a full featured IRC client. It allows you to chat on the go in the same way as you do on desktop. Features: ・Quick navigation. You can move around channels quickly by arrow buttons or tapping on the left/right side of log views. ・Arrow buttons indicate events (highlight, new message coming or new PM coming) happened in the other channels. So you can recognize it easily while chatting in another channel. ・Highlights messages and optionally vibrates for your specific words. ・Visual interface for user information (whois). ・Built-in browser for clickable URL links. ・Full support for landscape mode. ・Multitasking support. Connections are kept up for a while (2-7 minutes) after going to background. ・Multiple servers and channels. ・Automatic Nickserv authentication support. ・Full support for many text encodings. ・SSL support. (Self-signed certificates are NOT supported) ・VoiceOver support. Notes: ・DCC is NOT supported currently. **** ATTENTION **** I can't provide support to people leaving reviews on App Store. There is no way to reply to you here. If you have a problem or suggestion, please send a mail to psychs@limechat.net.

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

LimeChat4 screens
Igloo3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Igloo at Free against LimeChat's $4.99. Igloo also leads on rating (3.7 vs 3.1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). LimeChat's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (65% vs 43%). On 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

Igloo is free to download; LimeChat costs $4.99 up front. Igloo sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. LimeChat asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Igloo holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Igloo has 119 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of LimeChat's written reviews are positive against 43% of Igloo's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LimeChat ships an update every 5 weeks, Igloo every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
LimeChat versus Igloo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLimeChatIgloo
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.1 (11 ratings)3.7 (119 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.2% of reviews — better43.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11119 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#70 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSatoshi NakagawaEskimo Software

Customer experience

LimeChat

All ratings11 ratings
Positive45.5%
Neutral9.1%
Negative45.5%
Written reviews230 reviews
Positive65.2%
Neutral12.6%
Negative22.2%

Igloo

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

User reviews

LimeChat

From 11 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and lightweight IRC client
  • 👍 Clean, intuitive, and simple user interface
  • 🔒 Supports SSL connections and security features
  • 📱 Works well on both iPhone and iPad
  • 🎯 Reliable and stable performance

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Keyboard jumping/positioning issues on iOS
  • 🔌 Disconnects when app is backgrounded
  • 🐛 Connection drops on WiFi and VPN
  • ❌ No background connectivity/refresh
  • 🐛 Scrolling issues after sending messages

Igloo

From 119 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Clean, minimalistic, and modern interface
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive app performance
  • 🔗 Seamless bouncer integration with IRCv3 support
  • 📱 Best IRC client available for iOS/iPadOS
  • 💬 Active developer with responsive support

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive pricing compared to competitors
  • 🔄 Forced upgrade from previous version with license non-transfer
  • 😤 Developer has dismissive and snarky attitude in responses
  • 📵 Cannot stay connected in background (Apple limitation)
  • 🚫 Misleading 'free' app store listing (trial only)

Bugs and requests

LimeChat

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Keyboard jumps when sending messages (iOS 26.1)
  • Scrolling breaks after message send
  • App disconnects when backgrounded
  • Connection drops on WiFi/VPN
  • Keyboard doesn't appear on iPhone X
Show 9 more
  • Keyboard positioning issues with external keyboards
  • App crashes with multitasking
  • Screen lock causes disconnection
  • EOF errors disconnecting from server
  • Channels don't open when using ZNC bouncer
  • Long connection times over 3G
  • Fuzzy/blurry icon on retina displays
  • Input area moves up with external keyboard
  • App becomes unresponsive intermittently

Requested features

20 requests
  • Background connectivity and app refresh
  • Push/pop-up notifications
  • Nick/username autocomplete
  • Split view support for iPad
  • Landscape mode
Show 15 more
  • Dark theme option
  • Color text support
  • DCC file transfer support
  • Timestamps on messages
  • Command history
  • Swipe gestures between channels
  • Hardware keyboard support
  • Channel search feature
  • More built-in server list
  • Copy/paste improvements
  • Scripting support
  • Dynamic type for accessibility
  • Nick completion with tab key
  • Hide join/quit messages option
  • Larger font size options

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

LimeChat

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 LimeChat free?
LimeChat costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Igloo free?
Igloo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, LimeChat or Igloo?
Igloo is rated higher. LimeChat averages 3.1 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Igloo averages 3.7 from 119 ratings.
Do LimeChat or Igloo have ads?
Neither LimeChat nor Igloo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LimeChat or Igloo?
LimeChat ships an update every 5 weeks, and Igloo every 2 weeks. Most recently, LimeChat was updated on October 7, 2026 and Igloo on October 7, 2026.

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