[opan]

I got into XMPP in just the last few years, after already using Matrix (and still using IRC also).

XMPP for me is mostly internet friends. It's quite popular on the fediverse (they also happen to commonly dislike Matrix, although many are on both like me). Lots of people who are into technology and anime, basically.

I've noticed most free software projects don't have an XMPP room unless they are literally XMPP projects like Gajim and Dino. Pine64 (as well as many other places) will have a bridge between IRC and Matrix, but I've only seen one or two IRC channels that also bridge XMPP that I can remember. Many people aren't even really aware of it. I don't know the actual stats, but it often feels like XMPP is actually less popular than IRC these days.

[zaik]

I think XMPP is more popular to use with friends and family rather than public channels. Btw you can join IRC channels from your XMPP client: https://joinjabber.org/tutorials/transports/irc/

[opan]

I'm aware of being able to join IRC from XMPP, but the thing that still makes IRC the best for me is actually the client selection. irssi is just leagues ahead of Gajim, Dino, Profanity, Conversations, Element, Nheko, FluffyChat, etc. I really haven't seen any chat client nearly as good as irssi besides weechat. It's like no one who made good IRC clients left IRC, so there weren't people to make good XMPP or Matrix clients.