Comm vs UnrealIRCd
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted chat & communication options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Comm | UnrealIRCd |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 74 · Good | 75 · Good |
| Category | Chat & Communication | Chat & Communication |
| License | BSD-3-Clause | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | C |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 331 | ★ 521 |
| First released | 2022 | 1999 |
| Replaces | Discord, Slack | Slack, Discord |
What are Comm and UnrealIRCd?
Comm
Comm is an open-source messaging app focused on a personal server model where users can host their own Comm node. It provides end-to-end encryption and is designed for communities and small groups.
- Personal server model
- End-to-end encryption
- Native mobile apps
- Community-oriented
UnrealIRCd
UnrealIRCd is a long-established IRC server daemon known for its rich feature set, advanced security controls, and module system. It is one of the most widely deployed IRCd implementations.
- Extensive module system
- Advanced anti-abuse features
- TLS and IRCv3 support
- Highly configurable
Comm vs UnrealIRCd: key differences
Comm is written in JavaScript, while UnrealIRCd is built with C. Licensing differs — BSD-3-Clause for Comm versus GPL-2.0 for UnrealIRCd. UnrealIRCd is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Comm. UnrealIRCd is the more established project (first released 1999), while Comm arrived in 2022. Comm lists first-class Docker deployment; UnrealIRCd does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Comm if…
- Released under the BSD-3-Clause license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in JavaScript
Choose UnrealIRCd if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- Written in C
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Comm or UnrealIRCd better?
UnrealIRCd is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Comm if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Comm and UnrealIRCd free and open-source?
Yes. Comm is licensed under BSD-3-Clause and UnrealIRCd under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Comm and UnrealIRCd with Docker?
Comm: yes. UnrealIRCd: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Comm or UnrealIRCd?
UnrealIRCd has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Comm. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.