# LimeChat vs Igloo

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.

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.

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.

LimeChat ships an update every 5 weeks, Igloo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LimeChat | Igloo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.1 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/limechat-irc-client/id298766460/reviews) | **[3.7 (119 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/igloo/id6475702560/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **119** |
| Positive reviews | **65.2% of reviews** | 43.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#69** | — |
| Size | 1 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Satoshi Nakagawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/289930656) | [Eskimo Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1037652122) |

## What reviewers say

### LimeChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/limechat-irc-client/id298766460)

**Currently charting:** #69 Top Paid · Social Networking (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Background connectivity and app refresh
- Push/pop-up notifications
- Nick/username autocomplete
- Split view support for iPad
- Landscape mode


### Igloo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/igloo/id6475702560)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly License | $0.99 | per month |
| Yearly License | $7.99 | per year |
| Free Trial | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime License (Upgrade) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime License | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 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)

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Restore /ignore command for blocking users
- IRCv3 CHATHISTORY extension implementation
- DCC file transfer support
- Ability to hide/disable Slap function
- Color customization for usernames


## Frequently asked 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 12, 2026 and Igloo on October 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*