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24 alternatives to Discord

Discord is a Communication product. The community recommends 24 alternatives: 24 open source, 24 self-hostable and 24 free to use. They are ranked by community votes, ratings and favorites, with the key differences from Discord highlighted.

Last updated:

D

About Discord

Voice, video and text chat platform organized into community servers and channels, popular with gamers and online communities.

Closed source
Not self-hostable
Freemium
Web
Windows
macOS
Linux
iOS
Android
View detailsVisit website

Quick picks

chatto logo

Best open-source pick

chatto

Open source, AGPL-3.0 license

chatto logo

Best self-hosted pick

chatto

Run it on your own server

chatto logo

Best free pick

chatto

Free to use

All alternatives

  1. 0
    1.

    chatto

    Communication

    A fully-featured team and group chat application that you can easily selfhost.

    Open source · AGPL-3.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  2. 0
    2.

    Chitchatter

    Communication

    Peer-to-peer chat app that is serverless, decentralized, and ephemeral.

    Open source · GPL-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  3. 0
    3.

    clickclack

    Communication

    ClickClackClaw - The chat app with claws.

    Open source · MIT
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  4. 0
    4.

    Conduit

    Communication

    A simple, fast, and reliable chat server powered by Matrix.

    Open source · Apache-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  5. 0
    5.

    Databag

    Communication

    Federated, end-to-end encrypted messaging service for the web, iOS, and Android, supporting text, photos, video, and WebRTC video and audio calls.

    Open source · Apache-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  6. 0
    6.

    Discourse

    Communication

    Advanced forum / community solution based on Ruby and JS.

    Open source · GPL-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  7. 0
    7.

    Element

    Communication

    Fully-featured Matrix client for Web, iOS & Android.

    Open source · Apache-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  8. 0
    8.

    InspIRCd

    Communication

    Modular IRC server written in C++ for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS.

    Open source · GPL-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  9. 0
    9.

    Mattermost

    Communication

    Platform for secure collaboration across the entire software development lifecycle, can be integrated with Gitlab (alternative to Slack).

    Open source · AGPL-3.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  10. 0
    10.

    Mumble

    Communication

    Low-latency, high quality voice/text chat software.

    Open source · BSD-3-Clause
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  11. 0
    11.

    ngircd

    Communication

    Portable and lightweight Internet Relay Chat server for small or private networks.

    Open source · GPL-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  12. 0
    12.

    once-campfire

    Communication

    Super simple group chat, without a subscription

    Open source · MIT
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  13. 0
    13.

    Quassel IRC

    Communication

    Distributed IRC client, meaning that one (or multiple) client(s) can attach to and detach from a central core.

    Open source · GPL-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  14. 0
    14.

    RetroShare

    Communication

    Secured and decentralized communication system. Offers decentralized chat, forums, messaging, file transfer.

    Open source · GPL-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  15. 0
    15.

    Robust IRC

    Communication

    RobustIRC is IRC without netsplits. Distributed IRC server, based on RobustSession protocol.

    Open source · BSD-3-Clause
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  16. 0
    16.

    Rocket.Chat

    Communication

    Teamchat solution similar to Gitter.im or Slack.

    Open source · MIT
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  17. 0
    17.

    SAMA

    Communication

    Next-Gen self-hosted chat server and clients.

    Open source · GPL-3.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  18. 0
    18.

    Synapse

    Communication

    Server for [Matrix](https://matrix.org/), an open standard for decentralized persistent communication.

    Open source · Apache-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  19. 0
    19.

    Tailchat

    Communication

    Next generation noIM application in your own workspace, not only another Slack/Discord/rocket.chat.

    Open source · Apache-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  20. 0
    20.

    The Lounge

    Communication

    Self-hosted web IRC client.

    Open source · MIT
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  21. 0
    21.

    Tigase

    Communication

    XMPP server implementation in Java.

    Open source · GPL-3.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  22. 0
    22.

    Tuwunel

    Communication

    Official successor to conduwuit

    Open source · Apache-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  23. 0
    23.

    UnrealIRCd

    Communication

    Modular, advanced and highly configurable IRC server written in C for Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS.

    Open source · GPL-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite
  24. 0
    24.

    Zulip

    Communication

    Zulip is a powerful, open source group chat application.

    Open source · Apache-2.0
    Self-hostable

    Compared with Discord

    • + Open source (Discord is not)
    • + Self-hostable (Discord is not)
    • + Free to use (Discord is paid)
    DetailsWebsite

Discord vs. alternatives

ServiceOpen sourceSelf-hostedLicensePricingPlatformsRatingVotes
Discord
Current
NoNoproprietaryFreemiumWeb / Windows / macOS / Linux / iOS / Android——
chattoYesYesAGPL-3.0———0
ChitchatterYesYesGPL-2.0———0
clickclackYesYesMIT———0
ConduitYesYesApache-2.0———0
DatabagYesYesApache-2.0———0
DiscourseYesYesGPL-2.0———0
ElementYesYesApache-2.0———0
InspIRCdYesYesGPL-2.0———0
MattermostYesYesAGPL-3.0———0
MumbleYesYesBSD-3-Clause———0
ngircdYesYesGPL-2.0———0
once-campfireYesYesMIT———0
Quassel IRCYesYesGPL-2.0———0
RetroShareYesYesGPL-2.0———0
Robust IRCYesYesBSD-3-Clause———0
Rocket.ChatYesYesMIT———0
SAMAYesYesGPL-3.0———0
SynapseYesYesApache-2.0———0
TailchatYesYesApache-2.0———0
The LoungeYesYesMIT———0
TigaseYesYesGPL-3.0———0
TuwunelYesYesApache-2.0———0
UnrealIRCdYesYesGPL-2.0———0
ZulipYesYesApache-2.0———0

FAQ

What is the best alternative to Discord?

Community-recommended alternatives to Discord include chatto, Chitchatter, clickclack, Conduit, Databag, and Discourse. Compare open source, self-hosting, pricing and platforms to choose.

Is there a free alternative to Discord?

Yes. chatto, Chitchatter, clickclack, Conduit, Databag, and Discourse can be used for free; the open-source, self-hostable ones can be run on your own server at no cost.

Is there an open-source alternative to Discord?

Yes. Open-source alternatives include chatto, Chitchatter, clickclack, Conduit, Databag, and Discourse.

Can I self-host an alternative to Discord?

Yes. chatto, Chitchatter, clickclack, Conduit, Databag, and Discourse can run on your own server, so you keep control of your data.

Other Communication services

Services in the same category that haven't been suggested as Discord alternatives yet. If one fits, add it as an alternative.

  • MT
    Microsoft Teams

    Microsoft's workplace chat and video meeting app, integrated with Microsoft 365 files and calendars.

  • Z
    Zoom

    Video conferencing platform for meetings, webinars and screen sharing, with team chat and phone add-ons.

  • T
    Twilio

    Cloud communications API platform for programmable SMS, voice calls, WhatsApp messaging, email and verification.

  • I
    Intercom

    Customer service platform with live chat messenger, shared inbox, help center and the Fin AI agent.

  • M
    Mailchimp

    Intuit's email marketing platform for newsletters, audience management and automated campaigns.

  • S
    Slack

    Team messaging platform organized into channels, with direct messages, huddles, file sharing and thousands of integrations.

Know another Discord alternative?

Once added, the community can vote and the best suggestions rise to the top.