Chatterino is a free chat client for Twitch.3 It is a useful choice if you want to follow conversations without keeping the full Twitch website open. Think of its privacy benefit as choosing a narrower way to use Twitch, rather than becoming anonymous.
Last checked October 28, 2026.
At a glance
- What it is: A desktop client for Twitch chat.1
- Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD.1
- Price: Free.3
- Licence: MIT, an open-source licence.4
- Best for: People who want to give chat its own window.
- Official site: chatterino.com
What Chatterino does and how it protects your privacy
Choose Chatterino when the conversation is the reason you are opening Twitch. You might want to keep up with friends while doing something else, or give a busy community a dedicated place on your desktop. Start with one channel and decide whether that simpler arrangement suits you.
Give each conversation enough room to read comfortably. For everyday use, that means less switching between conversations. Keep your layout small at first: adding every channel you follow can make a quiet window feel just as busy as a browser.
Link previews are disabled by default, and enabling them sends additional data to the Chatterino API.5 An API is a connection through which programs request information from another service. Leaving previews off is a sensible starting point if you mainly want to read and reply.
Chatterino key features
- Several chats together: Arrange conversations beside each other.1
- Message filters: Highlight or ignore messages using your own rules.1
- Mention alerts: Get a notification when someone mentions you.1
- Community emotes: Display emotes from BetterTTV, FrankerFaceZ and 7TV.7
- Optional previews: See information about links before opening a browser.5
- Local layout: Your open tabs and chat arrangement are recorded in a local file.6
Chatterino pros and cons
Pros
- A focused workspace is convenient when chatting is your main task.
- The MIT licence permits using, modifying and distributing the software.4
- Several conversations can share one tidy layout.
- Optional previews let you choose whether that extra convenience is worthwhile.
Cons
- Allow time to choose a comfortable layout and useful highlight rules.
- Many Lead Moderator features still require the Twitch website.2
- Version 2.5.6 is a Windows and macOS release; Flathub lists 2.5.5.23
- The settings file includes sensitive login information, so it needs care when sharing backups.6
Is Chatterino safe and private?
Chatterino is made by fourtf, pajlada, and contributors.1 Its open-source licence makes inspection and modification possible, but that alone should not be treated as a safety guarantee. Download from the project, keep the app updated, and treat your chat account with the same care you would in a browser.
The latest release listed in the official changelog is 2.5.6, released October 4, 2026, to fix emote loading.2 Emotes are the small pictures people use in chat. That recent release is a useful sign of ongoing maintenance.
The documentation describes loading emotes from BetterTTV, FrankerFaceZ and 7TV, and badges from FrankerFaceZ and 7TV.7 Do not equate a separate chat window with a connection only to Twitch. Review the emote options and keep the extras that matter to you.
For link previews, the API privacy policy says your IP address is not processed or stored.8 It says requested links and their output data are cached for up to 24 hours.8 This is a statement about the preview service; it should not be stretched into a promise about every connection the desktop app makes.
The settings documentation places configuration, cached network requests and chat logs in folders on your computer.6 Before asking for help, do not upload your whole application folder. Share only the specific information needed, and remove account details from screenshots. If you use OBS Studio, make a short private recording to check what your capture includes before broadcasting.
How to get started with Chatterino
- Open the official Chatterino website and choose your operating system. Prefer the normal release for your first installation.
- On Linux, use the project’s Linux download guidance or the Chatterino Flathub listing. Check the version offered for your platform.
- Install and open the app, then use its account controls to connect your Twitch account if you want to participate. Read the permission request before approving it.
- Add one familiar channel. Read a few messages and send a simple greeting when appropriate before building a larger layout.
- Review link previews and emote options. Start with previews off; add conveniences individually rather than changing everything at once.
- Set a readable font size and one useful highlight rule. Before sharing screenshots or support files, check them for personal information.
Who should use Chatterino, and who might prefer something else?
Chatterino is worth trying if Twitch chat is part of your day and you want to give it a focused workspace. It is especially appealing when you value arranging conversations yourself. Try it alongside your usual routine before deciding whether to make it your main chat window.
If you prefer everything in one place, staying with the Twitch website may suit you better, particularly for the moderator functions mentioned above. If your actual goal is private conversations with friends, consider Delta Chat instead of choosing a Twitch client for that job.
Frequently asked questions about Chatterino
Is Chatterino free?
Yes. Its MIT licence permits use without a licence fee.4 Treat any request to pay for an unofficial download with caution.
Does Chatterino work on iPhone or Android?
The official downloads listed here are for desktop operating systems.1 For a phone, choose a client intended for your device rather than downloading a similarly named app and assuming it is this project.
Does Chatterino make Twitch chat anonymous?
Do not use it with that expectation. Choose it for a dedicated chat workflow, and treat anything you post as something you are sharing with the channel.
Should I enable Chatterino link previews?
Leave them off if you do not need them. Enable them if the convenience is worth sending links to the preview service. Preview information is context, not a guarantee that a link is safe to open.
