Comparison

Mumble vs Igloo

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

Head to head
About

Mumble

This application offers high-quality, low-latency group voice chat for mobile devices. Connect to public or self-hosted servers to communicate with friends and other users globally. Enjoy features like push-to-talk, voice activation, and secure, encrypted connections.

Highlights
  • High quality, low latency voice chat
  • Access to thousands of public servers
  • SSL/TLS encryption
  • Push-to-Talk and Voice Activated modes
  • Text messaging
  • Echo cancellation
  • Bluetooth headset support
Features
Read full description

Mumble - High quality, low latency voice chat Mumble is a free group voice chat application. It allows you to talk to your friends on the go, and has finally arrived on the iOS platform. Simply find a public server and join it to chat with your friends! Mumble requires a connection to a server to function. Servers can be rented from commercial hosting companies. The Mumble server software is also available free-of-charge under and open source license, so individuals are free to create their own servers, without limitations. See https://www.mumble.info for more information regarding Mumble servers. Mumble provides the following features: • High quality, low latency voice chats via WiFi or 3G using state of the art codecs • Access to thousands of public servers -- free for you to use when chatting with friends • Ability to chat with hundreds of thousands of regular users of Mumble around the world • An easily accessible list of all of your favorite servers • Connect to and list available Mumble servers on the local network • SSL/TLS encryption of connections to remote servers; voice data encrypted using OCB2-AES128 • Strong and flexible authentication with remote servers using either passwords or X.509 certificates • Advanced audio configuration, allowing users to configure the quality and bandwidth requirements of their transmitted audio (perfect for 3G connections with slow upload) • Push-to-Talk and Voice Activated audio transmission modes (for hands-free operation) • Flexible user-to-user and user-to-channel text messaging system for sharing links or images while talking • Basic user functionality on Mumble servers (server administration not possible) • Push-to-talk transmission mode. • Echo cancellation for the built-in microphone. • Bluetooth headset support. Mumble is open source software, developed collaboratively on the Internet. Mumble and its server software are available for free, for anyone to use. For more information about Mumble, please visit our website at http://www.mumbleapp.com.

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

Mumble4 screens
Igloo3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Igloo at 3.7 against Mumble's 3.2. Igloo also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). Mumble's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (67% vs 43%). On price, ratings volume, 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. Mumble asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Igloo holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 61 and 119 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Mumble'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

Mumble ships an update every 4 months, Igloo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 12, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Mumble versus Igloo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMumbleIgloo
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (61 ratings)3.7 (119 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.1% of reviews — better43.0% of reviews
Number of ratings61119 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMikkel KrautzEskimo Software

Customer experience

Mumble

All ratings61 ratings
Positive54.1%
Neutral8.2%
Negative37.7%
Written reviews164 reviews
Positive67.1%
Neutral12.8%
Negative20.1%

Igloo

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

User reviews

Mumble

From 61 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app
  • 🚀 Works flawlessly
  • 🚀 Excellent iOS implementation
  • 🚀 Intuitive controls
  • 🚀 Functioning in background

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Audio issues (static, cutting out)
  • 🔋 Heating up device
  • 🔒 Lack of security features (no mute/kick/ban)

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

Mumble

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Incompatible with newer iOS versions
  • Inability to connect to servers
  • Freezing on login screen
  • Disconnects when switching networks

Requested features

7 requests
  • Push-to-talk option
  • Bluetooth headset support
  • Noise cancellation
  • Admin/moderation features
  • iPad-optimized UI
Show 2 more
  • Ability to change username
  • Whisper/shout functionality

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

Mumble

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 Mumble free?
Mumble 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, Mumble or Igloo?
Igloo is rated higher. Mumble averages 3.2 out of 5 from 61 ratings, while Igloo averages 3.7 from 119 ratings.
Do Mumble or Igloo have ads?
Neither Mumble nor Igloo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mumble or Igloo?
Mumble ships an update every 4 months, and Igloo every 2 weeks. Most recently, Mumble was updated on August 12, 2026 and Igloo on September 9, 2026.

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