HexDroid IRC vs ProtonVPN - Secure and Free VPN
Side-by-side comparison of two open source alternatives
HexDroid IRC
HexDroid is a clean, fast, open-source IRC client for modern Android. Connect to your favourite networks, chat with friends and communities, and never miss a mention — all from a Material Design interface built for mobile.Connect anywhere * Multiple networks at once, each with independent settings * Auto-connect and auto-join on startup, with optional post-connect commands * Bouncer support: ZNC and soju * Always Connected mode keeps your session alive in the backgroundSecurity * TLS on every connection by default * SASL: PLAIN, EXTERNAL (client certificates), and SCRAM-SHA-256 * Trust-On-First-Use pinning for self-signed certificates * Credentials encrypted with the Android Keystore, never plain text. * Secure Chat end-to-end encryption (AES-256-GCM, with Blowfish/FiSH fallback) * Tor and SOCKS proxy supportModern IRC (IRCv3) * Swipe to reply, with inline quote previews * Typing indicators, chat-history replay, reactions, read markers, account tags and moreChat experience * Instant mention alerts — reply straight from the notification * /command and @nick autocomplete * Colour-coded nicks, consistent across messages and the sidebar * Inline image/video previews, mIRC + ANSI colour, formatting toolbar * In-buffer search, jump-to-unread, channel op and IRCop tools * Ignore list with nick and hostmask support * Mute notifications from usersDCC file transfers * Send and receive files, plus DCC Chat * Passive/reverse DCC and Secure DCC (SSEND/SCHAT) over TLS with RESUME support * Progress tracking on a dedicated Transfers screen * Off by default — enable it in settings when you need itCustomisation * Translations * Per-network character encoding (auto-detect, UTF-8, windows-1251, and more) * Custom nick colours, drag-and-drop network ordering * Settings backup and restore to JSON * Optional on-device chat logging to internal storage or a folder you choosePrivacy No ads, no analytics, no tracking. Your messages and credentials are sent only to the IRC servers you connect to.Permissions * Internet / network state: connect to IRC servers * Notifications: alert you to mentions * Foreground service and wake lock: optional, only used by Always ConnectedIRCv3 features depend on server support. Background connectivity may vary with device and battery settings.Free and open source, licensed under GPLv3.Support: irc.afternet.org #HexDroid Privacy policy: hexdroid.boxlabs.uk/privacy
ProtonVPN - Secure and Free VPN
Proton VPN is the world's ONLY free VPN service that is safe to use and respects your privacy. Proton VPN is created by the CERN scientists behind Proton Mail - the world's largest encrypted email service. Proton’s VPN offers secure and encrypted internet access with advanced security features and access to blocked websites and streaming platforms. Used by millions worldwide, Proton’s secure no-logs VPN offers 24/7 private internet access, and does not record your browsing history, display ads, sell your data to third parties, or limit downloads. Free VPN features available to all users: • Unlimited data access with no bandwidth or speed restrictions • Strict no logs policy; your privacy is our priority • Bypass geo-restrictions: smart protocol selection automatically overcomes VPN bans and unblocks censored sites and content • Full disk encrypted servers protect your data privacy • Perfect forward secrecy: encrypted traffic cannot be captured and decrypted later • DNS leak protection: we encrypt DNS queries to ensure that your browsing activity cannot be exposed through DNS leaks • Always-on VPN/ kill switch offers protection against leaks caused by accidental disconnections Premium VPN features: • Access 3800+ high speed servers across 80+ countries worldwide • Fast VPN: high-speed server network with connections up to 10 Gbps • VPN Accelerator: unique technology increases Proton VPN's speeds by up to 400% for a faster browsing experience • Unblock access to blocked or censored content to get unlimited internet access • Connect up to 10 devices to the VPN at the same time • Ad blocker (NetShield): a DNS filtering feature that protects you from malware, blocks ads, and prevents website trackers from following you across the web • Stream films, sports events, and videos on any streaming service (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer etc) with our fast server network • File-sharing and P2P support • Secure Core servers protect against network-based attacks with multi-hop VPN • Tor over VPN provides automatic integration with the Tor anonymity network • Split tunneling support allows you to select which apps go through the VPN tunnel Why Proton VPN? • No personal data required to sign up • Proton VPN's Secure Core architecture allows our secure VPN service to defend against network-based attacks • Unique VPN Accelerator technology increases your VPN speeds by over 400% • Offers state-of-the-art security and performance using the WireGuard protocol • Independently audited by SEC Consult with all results published on our website • Physical data centres accessible only via biometric verification • Trusted open-source code that can be reviewed for security by anyone • Data protection using AES-256 and 4096 RSA encryption • Multi-platform support for use across Android, Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS and more Join the privacy revolution Your support is important as it allows us to continue our mission to bring online freedom and the right to privacy to people around the globe. Get our private VPN free today and enjoy fast VPN connections and a secure internet, from anywhere. Experts’ opinion: Mozilla: “There are many VPN vendors out there, but not all of them are created equal. Proton VPN offers a secure, reliable, and easy-to-use VPN service and is operated by the makers of ProtonMail, a respected, privacy-oriented email service... As a company they have a track record of fighting for online privacy and they share our dedication to internet safety and security.” PCMag: “[Proton VPN’s] focus on exacting security at an affordable price tag makes it a compelling choice. Plus, its free version is the best we've tested so far.” Follow Proton VPN on social for all the latest news and offers: Facebook: /proton Twitter: @protonvpn Reddit: /protonvpn Instagram: /protonprivacy
| Feature | HexDroid IRC | ProtonVPN - Secure and Free VPN |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0-only | GPL-3.0-only |
| Install sources | GitHubIzzyOnDroid | F-DroidGitHub |
| Categories | MessagingBrowser | VPNMessagingBrowser |
| Features | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking |
| Platforms | Android | Android |
| Website | ||
| Source code |