Polari

Free plan Linux

What Polari is

Polari is a free IRC client for Linux designed to integrate with GNOME. It supports public channel chat and private one-to-one conversations, with notifications that help users notice messages. More than fifty IRC networks are configured, and users can add a custom network address. The room list allows multiple chat rooms to be selected and joined. A private conversation can start from a channel or its user list. When more than five lines are pasted, Polari offers to send the text to a public paste service and share a link. Dragging in an image offers the same kind of public upload and link sharing. Typing /help lists available IRC commands, while /help commandname explains a specific command. The app page directs users to Flathub for installation, where Polari is listed under the GNU General Public License v2.0 or later. Flathub labels the app potentially unsafe because it can access some files. Feedback and bug reports go through the issue tracker. Polari’s listed plan costs nothing.

Who it suits

Polari suits Linux users who want a GNOME-integrated IRC client for public channels and private chats. It is useful for people who need multiple configured networks, custom network entry, and desktop notifications.

What it does well

Integrates with the GNOME desktop
Includes over fifty configured IRC networks
Supports public and private IRC conversations
Provides notifications for incoming messages
Offers command help inside chat rooms

What to know first

Linux is the only listed platform
Pasted text and images use a public paste service
Flathub labels the app potentially unsafe
Installation is directed through Flathub

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Polari	IRC client · Install from Flathub	Free

As apps.gnome.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Polari offers focused IRC chatting with GNOME integration, network choices, notifications, and simple sharing tools. Linux users should note its public paste-service workflow and Flathub’s file-access warning when evaluating it.

Facts from Polari's own pages

Channels: Yes · apps.gnome.org, 22 Sept 2026
Chat rooms: Users can select and join multiple IRC chat rooms from the room list. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Commands: Typing /help in a chat room lists available IRC commands, and /help commandname provides help for an individual command. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Distribution: The app page directs users to install the latest version from Flathub. · apps.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
File access: Flathub labels the app potentially unsafe and says it can access some specific files. · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · apps.gnome.org, 22 Sept 2026
Image sharing: Users can drag an image into Polari and choose to upload it to a public paste service for sharing by link. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
License: Flathub says Polari is released under the GNU General Public License v2.0 or later. · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
Maintainer: The Apps for GNOME page names Florian Müllner as a Polari maintainer. · apps.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Networks: Polari includes over fifty configured IRC networks and lets users add a custom network address. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Notifications: Notifications help users avoid missing important messages. · apps.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: linux · apps.gnome.org, 22 Sept 2026
Private messaging: Users can start a private conversation with another IRC user from a channel or its user list. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Polari is a simple IRC client designed to integrate with GNOME and support public channel chat and private one-to-one conversations. · apps.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The app page directs users to the issue tracker for feedback, ideas, and bug reports. · apps.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Text sharing: When users paste more than five lines, Polari offers to send the text to a public paste service and share its link. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026

Where Polari stands on Freedom251

Team chat apps#45 of 63