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hack.chat
What hack.chat is
hack.chat is a free, open-source chat service focused on minimal conversations in website channels. It is accountless, and chats are described as logless, with messages disappearing rather than being retained. The hosted client runs on the web, while the project also exposes an API and can be deployed as your own service. LaTeX rendering is provided through KaTeX, and code syntax highlighting through highlight.js. The server supports adding commands and hot-reloading commands and the protocol. A community list links to bots, browser extensions, desktop and terminal clients, Android apps, libraries, and Docker containers. The project uses the MIT License. Self-hosted installation requires Node.js v16.14.0 or newer and npm 8.5.4 or newer; developer instructions clone the repository, install dependencies with npm, and run npm start. Deployment guidance recommends Nginx or Apache for serving the client. The server does not natively support TLS, so SSL deployment requires a reverse proxy. The self-hosted software plan is free.
Who it suits
hack.chat suits people wanting accountless, disappearing web chats or an open-source service they can self-host. Developers can extend the server with commands and use community clients or bots.
What it does well
- Free MIT-licensed software
- Accountless, disappearing chats
- Web, API, and self-hosted options
- LaTeX and code highlighting
- Extensible server with hot-reload
What to know first
- No native TLS support
- Self-hosting requires Node.js and npm
- Messages are not retained
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free / self-hosted software | MIT-licensed project; deploy on your own service | Free |
As hack.chat lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
hack.chat keeps chat simple with accountless channels, disappearing messages, and an open-source self-hosting option. Running your own instance requires the listed Node.js and npm versions plus a reverse proxy for SSL.
Facts from hack.chat's own pages
- Accounts
- The service is accountless. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Chat channels
- website · hack.chat, 20 Sept 2026
- Code formatting
- The client includes code syntax highlighting provided by highlight.js. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Community clients
- The linked software list includes browser extensions, desktop and terminal clients, Android apps, and libraries. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The deployment guide recommends a web server such as Nginx or Apache for serving the client. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Development
- The server includes new commands and hot-reload support for commands and the protocol. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The project says the server has new commands and hot-reload for commands and protocol. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The developer installation instructions clone the repository, install dependencies with npm, and launch with npm start. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Installation requirements
- The project lists Node.js v16.14.0 or higher and npm 8.5.4 or higher as prerequisites. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The current client names KaTeX and highlight.js as included rendering and syntax-highlighting components. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- LaTeX
- The client includes LaTeX rendering provided by KaTeX. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Message retention
- The service is described as logless, with disappearing chat. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The project is licensed under the MIT License. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Open source license
- The project is licensed under the MIT License. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- hack.chat is a minimal, distraction-free, accountless, logless, disappearing chat service. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Rendering
- The client includes LaTeX rendering provided by KaTeX and code syntax highlighting provided by highlight.js. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The service is designed to be deployable as your own service. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Server requirements
- The repository lists Node.js v16.14.0 or higher and npm 8.5.4 or higher as prerequisites. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Support and documentation
- The repository links to documentation and deployment instructions; it does not state a support service or response time. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Third-party software
- The project links to a community-maintained list of bots, clients, Docker containers, and other software for hack.chat. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- TLS limitation
- The deployment guide says TLS is not natively supported by the hack.chat server software and recommends a reverse proxy for SSL. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Where hack.chat stands on Freedom251
- Live chat software#39 of 94