mIRCStats vs. Alternatives: Which IRC Analytics Tool Wins?
Summary verdict
For lightweight, out-of-the-box Windows-friendly log analysis with easy configuration and visual reports, mIRCStats is the best pick. If you need open-source flexibility, cross-platform support, or active community development, choose an alternative (pisg or superseriousstats).
Quick feature comparison
| Feature | mIRCStats | pisg (Perl IRC Statistics Generator) | superseriousstats |
|---|---|---|---|
| License | Proprietary (freeware) | Open Source (GPL) | Open Source |
| Platforms | Windows (native), runs on others via Wine | Cross-platform (Perl) | Cross-platform |
| Setup difficulty | Low–moderate (GUI + config) | Moderate–high (Perl, command line) | Moderate (CLI/tooling) |
| Log format support | Many IRC log formats, configurable | Very flexible; template-driven | Supports multiple chat logs; fast parsing |
| Output | HTML reports with graphs | HTML reports; templateable | HTML + modern outputs (varies by fork) |
| Customization | Good (settings, filters) | High (templates, scripts) | High (code-level) |
| Activity analysis | User counts, traffic, timelines, top nicks | Similar metrics + plugin potential | Similar core metrics; faster on large logs |
| Maintenance & updates | Infrequent (older project) | Community-maintained | Varies by fork; some active forks |
| Ideal for | Admins wanting quick analytics on mIRC logs | Power users, custom workflows,nix admins | Projects needing open-source speed/flexibility |
When to choose mIRCStats
- You primarily use mIRC or standard IRC log formats on Windows.
- You want a GUI-ish, easy-to-configure tool that produces readable HTML reports quickly.
- You prefer a ready-made solution without installing Perl modules or customizing templates.
When to choose pisg
- You want a mature, template-driven open-source tool with strong cross-platform support.
- You need deep customization (templates, scripting) and integration into Unix tooling.
- You’re comfortable with Perl and command-line setup.
When to choose superseriousstats
- You prefer an actively developed open-source alternative optimized for performance.
- You need faster parsing on very large archives or modern output formats.
- You want a tool you can fork and modify under an open-source license.
Practical decision checklist
- Platform: Windows → mIRCStats; Linux/macOS → pisg or superseriousstats.
- License: Need open source → pisg/superseriousstats.
- Customization: High → pisg.
- Performance on huge logs → superseriousstats.
- Quick setup + standard reports → mIRCStats.
Setup pointers (prescriptive)
- mIRCStats: Install on Windows, point to your log folder, choose log format preset, run report generator, schedule with Task Scheduler for periodic updates.
- pisg: Install Perl + required modules, install pisg via package manager or CPAN, create or adapt a template, run pisg with log path and template, cron for automation.
- superseriousstats: Clone repo, build/run per README, point to logs, adjust config, integrate into CI/cron.
Final recommendation
Use mIRCStats for straightforward, Windows-centered needs and fast results. Choose pisg if you require full open-source customization and Unix integration. Choose superseriousstats if performance on large datasets and an actively moddable codebase are priorities.
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