Open Source Discord Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Discord is Element. 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 Mumble, Tox, Matrix.org and Wire.

Discord alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps but may also be Encrypted Chat Apps or Instant Messengers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Discord.

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Discord

960

Freemium • Proprietary
Group Chat App

Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
BSD
iPad
Epic Games Store
Electron / Atom Shell
FreeBSD
Playstation
Xbox
Flathub

Whether you’re part of a school club, a gaming group, a worldwide art community, or just a handful of friends that want to...

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Element
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Matrix.org
Cloudron
F-Droid
FLATHUB
263 alternatives to Element
Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.
Suggest and vote on features
Element Features
1. DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
7. Dark ModeElement supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Ad-freeElement doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Federated
Matrix Protocol
Direct Messaging
Voice Chat
Federation
Community-based
Per-room avatars
Multiple languages
Custom widgets
Message redaction
Element vs Discord
Most users think Element is a great alternative to Discord.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
nipos
It also has chat rooms which can be combined into groups (like Discords servers) and group voice calls. It's open source and can be hosted on an own server or used on one of many free servers.
Top positive comment• ago

30

willexterminator
It's a great app if you don't need voice rooms. Group calls are nice, but sometimes you want to stay in a voice chat in case someone joins, it's not possible in Element. The only workaround is a dedicated "voice" text channel that you join when you want to hop on a call and leave when you don't, else you will get a ringtone like a normal call.
Top positive comment• ago

0

linjhad
way too slow and too hard to use.
Top negative comment• ago

-3

Guest
The only modern federated messanger out there
Positive comment• ago

0

kaspian
Much better, no censorship, decentralized and End to end encryped!
Positive comment• ago

0

RemovedUser
Element is Good but it feels like a Half-baked Cake. Some features need tight gearing and I hope in 1-2 years this Platform will become the best FOSS Platform for Group Communication.
Positive comment• ago

0

Bruden
While the privacy and self-hosting features are nice, I don't see this becoming a wide-spread alternative to Discord, if only because it's overly complicated for what it is.
Negative comment• ago

-2

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7 of 13 comments
Mumble
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
iPhone
BSD
iPad
Self-Hosted
PortableApps.com
46 alternatives to Mumble
Mumble was the first and is the most successful and wide spread free and open source software for VoIP. It was the first VoIP software to provide low-latency audio suitable for gaming, and at the same time was a pioneer in high audio quality at the same time.
Suggest and vote on features
Mumble Features
1. LightweightMumble consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableMumble can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Ad-freeMumble doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Voice Chat
Group Voice Chat
In-Game Overlay
Self-Hostable decentralized P2P network
Cross-Platform
3D voice
Dedicated Server Hosting
Positional audio
Low Latency
FOSS
Mumble vs Discord
Almost everyone thinks Mumble is a great alternative to Discord.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
D4CX
Free open source software, you can easily host your own server.
Top positive comment• ago

23

Guest
Open source chat and audio call service, but could use a face lift.
Top positive comment• ago

22

Guest
Mumble is a pure voice chat with optional text
Top negative comment• ago

2

Guest
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.
Positive comment• ago

2

Guest
No text chat channels. Mumble is voice oriented
Negative comment• ago

-10

Guest
Opensource and easy-to-create servers. However, you have to host the servers as mumble doesn't do it themselves.
Positive comment• ago

8

Guest
Mumble is a voice chat item. It's closer to teamspeak than discord or slack.
Negative comment• ago

3

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7 of 11 comments
Tox
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
BSD
179 alternatives to Tox
With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.
Suggest and vote on features
Tox Features
1. DecentralizedTox is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedTox is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTox has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tox without registration.
5. Screen SharingYou can use Tox to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. LightweightTox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. No TrackingTox will not track you or use your personal data.
8. Dark ModeTox supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. AES-256 EncryptionTox has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
Peer-To-Peer
Security focused
Multiplatform
P2P Network
Built-in player
GPLv3
White-labeled
Video Conferencing
Client side encryption
VoiP Calls
Tox vs Discord
Almost everyone thinks Tox is a great alternative to Discord.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Tox is general has great ideas, I love the decentralized part, but also miss features of a centralized service like sending messages to offline users. Would be cool if someone manage to make a web client for Tox.
Top positive comment• ago

8

Guest
You can chat via it with audio - and also video, that trumps Discord!
Top positive comment• ago

5

RemovedUser
it is not gaming-oriented
Top negative comment• ago

0

rad1an
It doesn't have servers, is less convenient
Negative comment• ago

0

RemovedUser
Tox is an amazing idea, and when it works, it works well. But it's so buggy that it's unusable for me. When they get the kinks worked out this will be an excellent chat/voice/video client.
Positive comment• ago

7

Guest
The privacy capability gives Tox an edge over most other alternatives to Discord.
Positive comment• ago

11

Guest
Good privacy, same voice codec.
Positive comment• ago

2

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7 of 8 comments
Matrix.org
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
WebRTC
Python
JavaScript
Go (Programming Language)
Cloudron
Java
Perl
130 alternatives to Matrix.org
Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.
Suggest and vote on features
Matrix.org Features
1. DecentralizedMatrix.org is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionMatrix.org has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedMatrix.org is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsMatrix.org allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. No TrackingMatrix.org will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Ad-freeMatrix.org doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Multiple Account supportMatrix.org support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Matrix.org simultaneously.
Federation
Distributed
Security focused
Spaces
Support for Multiple protocols
Chat Bot
Voice Chat
WebRTC
Server side history
Matrix.org vs Discord
Almost everyone thinks Matrix.org is a great alternative to Discord.
somegirlfromit
Matrix.org is a transport protocol. Discord is chat software. Matrix is no more software than Discord is a protocol.
Negative comment• ago

1
Wire
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
Software as a Service (SaaS)
256 alternatives to Wire
Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.
Suggest and vote on features
Wire Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionWire has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. VoiP CallsWire allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
3. Screen SharingYou can use Wire to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
4. Privacy focusedWire is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Multiple Account supportWire support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
Security focused
Encrypted calls
Voice Chat
File Sending
Voice messages
WebRTC
Private Chat
Secure Chat
Integrated File Sharing
Secure File Sharing
Wire vs Discord
Most users think Wire is a great alternative to Discord.
Jami
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Video Calling App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
139 alternatives to Jami
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Suggest and vote on features
Jami Features
1. DecentralizedJami is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedJami is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeJami doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. End-to-End EncryptionJami has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Screen SharingYou can use Jami to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. No TrackingJami will not track you or use your personal data.
Video Conferencing
Peer-To-Peer
Multi Platform
SIP client
Team Messaging
Multiple languages
Distributed
SIP
Intercom Support
Voice Chat
Jami vs Discord
Most users think Jami is a great alternative to Discord.
Guest
Ring lacks most chat features.
Negative comment• ago

0

RemovedUser
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.
Positive comment• ago

6
Mattermost
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Team Collaboration Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
JavaScript
Go (Programming Language)
Cloudron
115 alternatives to Mattermost
Mattermost is a secure, open source platform for communication, collaboration, and workflow orchestration across tools and teams.
Suggest and vote on features
Mattermost Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsMattermost can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Support for MarkDownMattermost supports MarkDown for document formatting.
Chat Bot
On-premises software
Multi Channel
Webhook support
Supports XMPP
Data API
Plugin API
File Sending
Integrated File Sharing
Slack integration
Mattermost vs Discord
Most users think Mattermost is a great alternative to Discord.
Zulip
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
BSD
iPad
Self-Hosted
219 alternatives to Zulip
Zulip is the only modern team chat app that is designed for both live and asynchronous conversations. Zulip topics create a separate space for each discussion, so different conversations will never get in each other's way.
Suggest and vote on features
Zulip Features
1. Support for MarkDownZulip supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Syntax HighlightingZulip supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
Threaded Conversations
Support for Hotkeys
Community-based
Integrated File Sharing
Chat Bot
Code Syntax Highlighting
GitHub integration
Secure Chat
Third party integrations
Chat organizer
RetroShare
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Encrypted Chat App
Video Calling App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
OpenSSL
OpenPGP
97 alternatives to RetroShare
RetroShare is a open source cross-platform, private and secure decentralized communication system. It lets you to securely chat, share photos, videos, and more, using OpenPGP to authenticate peers and .
Suggest and vote on features
RetroShare Features
1. DecentralizedRetroShare is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedRetroShare is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionRetroShare has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. GPG EncryptionRetroShare supports GPG (aka GnuPG) for encryption of things like emails, messages, files, etc.
Serverless
Secure Chat
Anonymous Secure Filesharing
Voice Chat
Revolt
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Team Collaboration Tool
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Flathub
19 alternatives to Revolt
Revolt is a brand new chat platform designed around you.
Suggest and vote on features
Revolt Features
1. Privacy focusedRevolt is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. Ad-freeRevolt doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. VoiP CallsRevolt allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
4. No TrackingRevolt will not track you or use your personal data.
5. End-to-End EncryptionRevolt has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
6. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
7. Screen SharingYou can use Revolt to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
Text chat
Bots
Multiple Servers
Reactions
Custom roles
Voice Chat
Group Voice Chat
Cross-Platform
Push to talk
Public groups chat
Revolt vs Discord
pros, cons and recent comments
all • positive • negative relevance • date
schmebi
In short: Open Source Discord, with special care about privacy. It offers all the basic features + costumization options you only have on Discord with Nitro. Totally free, and has everything you need, so definitly try it out!
Top positive comment• ago

6

Gruak
Revolt has much better privacy policy, is open source, and therefore much more trustworthy.
Top positive comment• ago

2

aragusuku
re-encodes all jpgs to a lower quality. useless to share jpg media as they will get encoded to dust in a few reposts. while it doesnt happen with other files, it's sucky. revolt is also buggy and slow as hell, featuring unhelpful staff - I asked for voice channel bitrate, no one answered me, they all tried to be funny. asked the admin directly and was ignored (he was online and chatting on main channel).
Top negative comment• ago

0

Guest
It's got the same UI, but without any Nitro subscription junk
Positive comment• ago

0

Guest
Revolt is pretty much just Discord but better and open-source. May not have as many features but the privacy makes up for it 100%.
Positive comment• ago

0

catalin560
it does seem like a decent alternative to Discord but it lacks communities and they have taken a bit too much after Discord since they are actively banning people and channels that don't fit their agenda, but at least you can still self host your own server so that's nice, I guess...
Comment• ago

0

Fante
+Design and structure extremely similar to those of Discord, meaning it's very easy to transition into +Role system is almost as viable as that of Discord +Some features that you need to pay for in Discord+ are freely accessible in Revolt (animated custom banners and emojis, for example) +Much more liberal than Discord with it's rules and guidelines +Much better privacy policy +Open Source +Completely free +Acessible through web browser
Positive comment• ago

1

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7 of 9 comments