Always connected
Lurker keeps you connected, even if your own internet connection can be flaky.
You were never not here.
Lurker is a modern, always-on IRC client and bouncer. Your channels stay connected and your history stays with you — even with every window closed. Self-host it for free, or let us run it for you.
Tired of using centralized chat platforms that ask for money, then show you ads anyway? Come back to where it all began. Your friends, both new and old, are waiting for you... on IRC.
02 / Overview
Presence confirmed.
Old IRC went dark the moment you closed the window. Lurker doesn't. It holds your connection open, captures everything said while you were away, and hands it back the next time you look — on any web browser. A clean modern interface in support of a protocol that has outlasted everything sent to replace it.
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Full history
Whether you're online or away, Lurker captures everything said in your channels and makes it available when you return.
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Modern client
A fast web app bringing modern features to IRC — search, uploads, notifications, notes, drafts, smart nick autocomplete, and more.
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Your networks
Connect to as many networks as you like, all from a single interface.
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Open source
The client is free software. The hosted service runs the same code you can read in the repo.
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No lock-in
Paying for Lurker.Chat? You can export your data and import it into any self-hosted instance and cancel your account. No hard feelings.
03 / Self-hosted edition
Run it yourself. Forever. Free.
Lurker is open source and will stay maintained as a self-hosted application for as long as it exists. One container on a small box you control; with all the features. If you'd rather own the hardware, that path is first-class — not a crippled trial.
04 / Hosted service — lurker.chat
Or let us run it.
The hosted service is the same software, run for you. No server to stand up, no upgrades to babysit, no backups to remember — we handle the machine so you can just sign up and start talking.
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Nothing to manage
No server, no Docker, no security alerts, no upgrades. You sign up and you're connected — the machine and security is our problem, not yours.
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Image hosting
Lurker.Chat includes built-in image & text file hosting, so you can share images and large pastes directly in your channels without relying on third-party services.
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History kept safe
Everything in your account is backed up off-site, continuously, and protected by modern security best practices.
$5/month per user. 14-day money-back guarantee, then it renews monthly until you cancel — cancelling is one click. Refund policy →
05 / Get started
Sign up and start talking.
Create your account and you're connected in minutes. $5/month per user, with a 14-day money-back guarantee; cancel any time in one click. Prefer to run it yourself? The open-source edition is free, forever.
Already have an account? Sign in →
06 / Tip jar
Support Lurker.
If Lurker has earned a place in your homelab setup and you'd like to help keep development going, you can leave a tip. It all goes straight back into the project, and it means a lot.