Igloo vs MeshCore One
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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
MeshCore One
Communicate off-grid using a dedicated radio network, no internet or cell service needed. Share messages, track contacts on a map, and manage network tools for reliable group communication in remote areas or during outages.
- Off-grid messaging
- Group channels and reactions
- Contact sharing via QR code
- Offline map downloads
- Network path tracing
- Remote node monitoring
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MeshCore One lets you send messages over the MeshCore radio network: long range, low power, and completely off the grid. No cell service, no Wi-Fi, no accounts, and no internet required. Just your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and a small MeshCore radio. Whether you're hiking a back-country trail, working an event, out on the water, or keeping your group connected when the power's out, MeshCore One keeps everyone connected. Messaging - Direct messages with delivery status - Group channels, reactions, and mentions - See the path each message took across the mesh Map - See where your contacts are - Standard, satellite, and hybrid map layers - Download map regions to work offline Contacts - Share contacts by QR code - Favorite the people and nodes you rely on - Automatically discover other radios nearby Network tools - Trace paths your packet takes - Line of Sight and terrain analysis to plan your coverage - Live signal and noise monitoring - CLI to manage repeaters and rooms Remote nodes - Check battery, uptime, and telemetry on your repeaters - Configure and reboot nodes from anywhere on the mesh Your Privacy Comes First MeshCore One works entirely offline. There are no accounts, no servers, and no tracking. Messages route directly between devices and never touch the internet. What You Need - An iPhone or iPad on iOS 18 or later, or an Apple Silicon Mac - A MeshCore-compatible radio (such as a Heltec V3 or RAK WisMesh Tag) running MeshCore firmware Connect over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, pick a radio preset, and start messaging across the mesh.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: MeshCore One at 92% against Igloo's 43%. MeshCore One also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (32 vs 1). Igloo's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Igloo sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and MeshCore One sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Igloo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MeshCore One has 32 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of Igloo's written reviews are positive against 92% of MeshCore One's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Igloo ships an update every 2 weeks, MeshCore One every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Igloo | MeshCore One |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.8 (32 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 43.0% of reviews | 91.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 32 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 40 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Eskimo Software | Nathaniel Chung |
Customer experience
Igloo
MeshCore One
Bugs and 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
MeshCore One
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Igloo
- Monthly License$0.991 Month
- Yearly License$7.991 Year
- Free TrialFree
- Lifetime License$19.99
MeshCore One
- Coffee$5.00
- All Themes$9.99
- Lunch$10.00
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- Dinner$15.00
- Generous Tip$20.00
- Massive Tip$50.00
- Epic Tip$100.00









