The Best Discord AlternativesTop Group Chat Apps & Instant Messengers like Discord

Discord is described as 'A versatile platform for text and voice communication, featuring topic-specific channels, customizable moderation, and smooth low latency interactions' and is a leading Group Chat app in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Discord for a variety of platforms, including Web-based, Android, iPhone, Windows and Linux apps. The best Discord alternative is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Mumble. Other great apps like Discord are Signal, Telegram, TeamSpeak and Zulip.

filter to find the best alternatives

Discord alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Video Calling Apps or Team Collaboration Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Online, iPhone, Open Source, Self-Hosted, Chrome OS, EU and Screen Sharing. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Discord.
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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     781 likes

    Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.

    307 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    17
    Element vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    kaspian
    6

    Much better, no censorship, decentralized and End to end encryped!

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    38

    Voice features are just lacking too far behind or practically non existent compared to discord. No channels, no audio wizards setup or even basic settings like volume control or open mic threshold settings, no push to talk. It's very very barebones. If it were to have Mumbe's voice features instead of Jitsi's it would be a discord killer.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Martin N.
    Positive
    0

    Decentralized, not dependent on a company.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 17 comments
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Element is Privacy focused and LightweightDiscord is not according to our users
  2. Mumble icon

    Mumble

     481 likes

    Free, open source voice chat featuring low-latency, high quality audio, secure encrypted communication, self-hosting options, in-game overlays, positional audio, scripting support, low resource usage, and robust user permission controls for gaming and collaboration.

    51 Mumble alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    Mumble 1.2.3 Release Candidate – some users in different channels
     
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    12
    Mumble vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    scottfrost
    3

    Mumble doesn't support screen sharing, which is a critical feature of Discord

    Top Negative Comment
    Julien Beauvais
    3

    Mumble are for real time communication not differed and persistent chat like Discord.

    Guest
    Positive
    5

    The audio quality is great and has less latency than Discord. The server is self-hosted so there is more flexibility as well. But that's the only expect that is better than Discord. Discord has much more functionality like video calling, rich text server chat, etc.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 12 comments
    • Mumble is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Mumble is Lightweight and Privacy focusedDiscord is not according to our users
  4. Stoat Chat icon

    Stoat Chat

     109 likes

    Instant messaging platform supporting text and voice channels, live video calls, secure screen sharing, private group chats, customizable permissions, moderation tools, bot integration, privacy-focused design, open-source development, and cross-platform use.

    51 Stoat Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    User settings page, on "Appearance" tab
     
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    12
    Stoat Chat vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Gruak
    7

    Revolt has much better privacy policy, is open source, and therefore much more trustworthy.

    Top Negative Comment
    Wizzrimp
    -1

    cant make a damn invite link

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Looks and feels like Discord to use, plus being FOSS

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 12 comments
    • Stoat Chat is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Stoat Chat is Privacy focused, Lightweight and CustomizableDiscord is not according to our users
  5. Ad
  6. Signal icon

    Signal

     1372 likes

    An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.

    217 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
  7. Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2082 likes

    Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain free.

    286 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play
    Telegram Desktop
     
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    10
    Telegram vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    Telegram DOES HAVE voice chat. It has no premium features, it's all free. Plus stickers.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Rizowski
    5

    Telegram is more akin to whatsapp than discord. Discord would be closer to mumble, teamspeak or ventrilo.

    MrLegit
    Positive
    1

    Telegram is NOT privacy focussed!

    3 of 10 comments
    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryDiscord is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Telegram is LightweightDiscord is not according to our users
  8. TeamSpeak icon

    TeamSpeak

     209 likes

    Embrace lag-free, secure voice chats with TeamSpeak, offering cross-platform compatibility and low CPU usage. Enjoy advanced audio controls, push-to-talk, in-game overlay, and security-focused privacy features, tailored for gamers seeking seamless communication.

    58 TeamSpeak alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Cloudron
    TeamSpeak screenshot 1
     
    |
    6
    TeamSpeak vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    usernamehere
    5

    Choose whether you want to host your own server for free or rent. Better permission system than discord.

    Top Negative Comment
    RemovedUser
    6

    servers are self-hosted, it focuses on voice chat, android app is paid

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Bananas
    Negative
    -10

    garbage, too complex compared to discord. nothing beats discord when it comes to chat and vc

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 6 comments
    • TeamSpeak is Freemium and ProprietaryDiscord is also Freemium and Proprietary
  10. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     267 likes

    Threaded group conversations combine live and asynchronous messaging, separating topics for organized collaboration, supporting open-source, cloud, and self-hosted deployments, secure communication with encryption, and multi-platform access for diverse teams.

    225 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
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    13
    Zulip vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Geobomatic
    1

    Zulip approach instant messaging in an innovative way, a hybrid between pure IM and old fashioned forum. It helps keeping the messages organized and not jumble around many discussion in the same flow

    Nakul Verma
    Positive
    1

    Zulip is a very good free and open source software that helps people to conversation to each other on random and some important topics separately. A usercan see who is online or ofline at the real time that is awesome.

    jvoight
    Positive
    2

    I like Zulip because it treats conversation structure as first-class, not an afterthought. The topic model forces messages to live somewhere stable. When you come back after a day—or a week—you can read what matters without wading through a firehose.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 13 comments
    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zulip is Privacy focusedDiscord is not according to our users
  11. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     388 likes

    Open standard protocol enabling decentralized, encrypted instant messaging, VoIP signaling, IoT device connectivity, and persistent data management across federated servers without central control or single points of failure, bridging communication platforms.

    169 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page
     
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    3
    Matrix vs Discord Comments
    somegirlfromit
    Negative
    8

    Matrix.org is a transport protocol. Discord is chat software. Matrix is no more software than Discord is a protocol.

    luananeder
    Positive
    1

    The protocol has the potential to be a good Discord alternative.

    Issue is the clients are almost all awful, which makes the UX horrible. So not a feasible alternative, at least not until a good app appears.

    brickelt963-altto
    Positive
    -1

    The advantage of Element for me is that it's open source. I really appreciate the fact that it's a flexible solution that isn't polluted by foreign investment and the profit rationale that is becoming increasingly prevalent in Discord. Especially since I've seen documentaries showing financial relations with Chinese companies already well known for their government ties. It's like creating a Discord ‘server’ with rooms from lots of different places ^^.

    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Matrix is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightDiscord is not according to our users
  12. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes

    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

    161 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
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    1
    Jami vs Discord Comments
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    8

    Decentralized, end-to-end encrypted, and ironically works better than other services that I have used. I'm not sure if it has group calls, though.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Jami is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Jami is Privacy focusedDiscord is not according to our users
  13. Slack icon

    Slack

     861 likes

    Offers unified communication for teams with advanced real-time messaging, contextual features, versatile chat tools, and organized conversations in dedicated channels with integrated file sharing on Mac, Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms for enhanced productivity.

    229 Slack alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Electron
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Slack screenshot 1
     
    |
    7
    Slack vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    OAKSIF0
    0

    Has the same chat features, is more secure than discord, lets you call.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    28

    Many features discord has are paid in Slack, it's a horrible alternative targeted for businesses

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    11

    Slack = business Discord = Gaming

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 7 comments
    • Slack is Freemium and ProprietaryDiscord is also Freemium and Proprietary
  14. Mattermost icon

    Mattermost

     254 likes

    Self-hosted collaboration platform featuring chat, workflow automation, voice and video calling, screen sharing, AI capabilities, broad third-party integration support, cross-platform apps, compatibility with Slack imports, and flexible deployment options for secure team communication.

    134 Mattermost alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • JavaScript
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    Mattermost screenshot 1
     
  15. RetroShare icon

    RetroShare

     163 likes

    Open source, decentralized platform enabling encrypted chat, secure voice and video calls, anonymous file sharing with swarming, censorship-resistant forums, channels, link sharing, and offline messaging. Uses OpenPGP and OpenSSL for robust privacy and security.

    136 RetroShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • OpenPGP
    Network tab with contact list and broadcast subtab open. The subtab shows text and image sent by one contact to all connected contacts.
     
12 of 171 Discord alternatives