TurboIRC vs Igloo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TurboIRC
Connect to Internet Relay Chat (IRC) networks with this comprehensive iOS client. Enjoy unlimited channel access, rich text formatting, and advanced control features. Save chat logs and utilize various network protocols for a full IRC experience.
- Unlimited channels
- Rich text formatting (bold, italic, color)
- Save HTML logs
- Channel and Nick control
- DCC support
- UTF-8 and other encodings
- Smileys
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The Ultimate IRC Client, now for iOS. * Unlimited channels * Bold,Italic,Color recognition in chat * Save HTML Logs * Channel and Nick control * Queries * UTF-8 encoding and other encodings. * UPnP Support * Ident Support * DCC support * Smileys InApps: * No Ads * Multiple Servers * File Sending/Receiving Ability * TurboIRC Exclusive Features * Scripts
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Igloo at 3.7 against TurboIRC's 2.7. Igloo also leads on ratings volume (119 vs 33). TurboIRC's advantage is review sentiment (53% vs 43%) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. TurboIRC sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Igloo sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Igloo holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 119 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of TurboIRC'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.
TurboIRC ships an update every 3 weeks, Igloo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TurboIRC | Igloo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (33 ratings) | 3.7 (119 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.9% of reviews — better | 43.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 33 | 119 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 5.1.1 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Michael Chourdakis | Eskimo Software |
Customer experience
TurboIRC
Igloo
Bugs and requests
TurboIRC
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
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- 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
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- 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
TurboIRC
- Files Support$0.99
- Multiple Server Support$0.99
- No Ads$0.99
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- Scripting$0.99
- Exclusive features$0.99
- All In One$2.99
Igloo
- Monthly License$0.991 Month
- Yearly License$7.991 Year
- Free TrialFree
- Lifetime License (Upgrade)$9.99
- Lifetime License$19.99
