The Path to SPChat: Status and Pre-registration
Information about the current development status of SPChat, the advantages of a modern self-hosted chat, and the waitlist.
Running a web radio today requires more than just broadcasting audio. Listener interaction is crucial. However, current solutions often force operators to redirect listeners to external platforms like Discord or to use outdated chat systems like ETChat and PCPin Chat. These legacy systems are built on obsolete technologies, are often encrypted (e.g. via ionCube), and are difficult to visually integrate into modern websites.
SPChat is being developed as an open-source, unencrypted, and modern software that runs directly on your existing PHP and MySQL web space.
Current Development Status and Waitlist
The system is currently in its final testing phase before release. To coordinate the launch and ensure a smooth start, we have set up a pre-registration form.
What this means for you:
- You can sign up with your email address on our Pricing Page without obligation.
- As soon as the ZIP package is released, you will receive an email notification containing the download link.
- For active SPCast customers, the software is permanently free. The license will be unlocked directly in your STREAMPANEL client area.
Technical Foundations
Our development focused on stability on shared hosting packages and privacy for your listeners:
- Real-time without extra costs: SPChat uses Server-Sent Events (SSE). Messages are transmitted in less than a second. You do not need a VPS or a Node.js server, standard web space is sufficient. If your server does not support SSE, a resource-efficient HTTP polling automatically acts as a fallback.
- Transparent Privacy: No external trackers are loaded, and no third-party connections are established in the listeners’ browsers. The GIPHY search runs through a proxy on your own server, keeping your listeners’ IP addresses secure.
- Integrated Moderation: Bans (including IP bans) and kicks can be executed directly from the chat window. A word filter blocks or replaces unwanted terms.
- Radio Features: An audio player integrated directly into the chat allows listeners to listen to the stream without interruption. Scheduled messages enable automated announcements (e.g., for show starts).
- Webinstaller: The installation runs via a guided web interface in your browser. After entering your database credentials, the system is ready to use in a few minutes.
If you are interested, please sign up for the waitlist on our Pricing Page to be notified immediately upon release.