Open Source Privacy focused Discord Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Discord is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Mumble. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Discord and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Discord are Signal, Zulip, Matrix and Jami.

filter to find the best alternatives

Discord alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Video Calling Apps or Instant Messengers 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

     780 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

     480 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.

    53 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

     108 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.

    50 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. 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.

    218 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
  6. 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.

    226 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
  7. 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.

    170 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
  9. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes

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

    162 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
  10. 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.

    137 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.
     
  11. Spacebar icon

    Spacebar

     23 likes

    Open source group chat, voice, and video platform with self-hostable private servers, Discord compatibility, extensible plugin and theme system, end-to-end encryption, support for multiple instances, and community-driven development offering high flexibility.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Spacebar screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Spacebar vs Discord Comments
    Wizzrimp
    0

    Still in development, it wont let me make a new "guild" or add friends

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

    FluffyChat

     37 likes

    Encrypted messenger supporting multi-platform access, unlimited group and private chats, file and voice message sharing, decentralized operation, open-source code, custom themes including dark mode, advanced moderation, push notifications, and no advertisements.

    188 FluffyChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
     
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    1
    FluffyChat vs Discord Comments
    Danilo Venom
    Positive
    0

    Decentralized Matrix client with Spaces support.

    • FluffyChat is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • FluffyChat is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightDiscord is not according to our users
  13. Quiet Chat icon

    Quiet Chat

     19 likes

    Peer-to-peer group chatting over Tor and IPFS, with local-first encrypted messaging and no central servers, offers privacy-focused decentralized collaboration for teams, supporting desktop and mobile. FOSS, open to contributors, and avoids surveillance-based tracking.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Quiet Chat screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Quiet Chat vs Discord Comments
    scottfrost
    Negative
    1

    Quiet Chat is only for text chat and doesn't even have voice chat / group voice calls on their roadmap

    • Quiet Chat is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Quiet Chat is Privacy focusedDiscord is not according to our users
  14. Cinny icon

    Cinny

     20 likes

    Matrix client supporting decentralized, secure chats with end-to-end encryption, open-source development, organized navigation for channels and DMs, minimal clutter, adaptive elegant interface, calm visuals, and continuous feature updates for private, modern messaging.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Cinny screenshot 1
     
12 of 27 Discord alternatives