Hacker News Reader

Just host your own IRC server and migrate to IRC? /s

Or just use a popular, stable, free IRC network such as libera.chat.

A lot of very good IRC clients are available for free.

IRCCloud is a good starting point for a lot of people: excellent UI/UX, a free tier, and a very inexpensive paid tier (around 4 USD/month).

Create as many channels as you like.

This, but without the /s.