Let’s explore the best alternatives to Discord

Social community platform Discord is gearing up to require users to verify their age by the second half of 2026, and users are concerned about the privacy of uploading a government ID or facial scan on the network. While users can still access most features without verification, many are still uncomfortable providing more information to the company, which suffered a hack last year that exposed the IDs of about 70,000 users.

For some users, this is enough incentive to look for alternative platforms that prioritize security, privacy, or simply offer a different experience. Here’s a look at promising Discord alternatives, from open source and secure options to audio-first platforms designed for professional gamers.

Stoat

Stoat (formerly Revolt) stands out as the closest alternative to Discord in terms of design and ease of use. As an open source project, it gives users more control over their data and appeals to those who value privacy and transparency. Overall, the platform is very easy for Discord users to use, as it offers similar text and voice channels as well as community servers.

However, Stoat is a relatively new platform (launched in 2021), and is still experiencing growing pains. Recently, I’ve been experiencing server capacity issues and occasional lag while increasing the number of users. Feature support isn’t on par with Discord yet, and setup can be slow at times, especially when the platform’s popularity soars. For those who want to trade a little stability for a little more privacy, Stoat might be worth a try.

component

For users who prioritize privacy and control above all else, Element offers a compelling alternative. Built on the decentralized Matrix protocol, Element enables users to self-host servers, maintain end-to-end encryption, and federate with other Matrix-based services. This ensures that no company has control over your data.

Although the setup and interface require a bit more technical expertise than Discord, Element is a good choice for users who value secure, decentralized communication.

TeamSpeak

If your primary need is high-quality, low-latency voice chat, TeamSpeak is the best Discord alternative. Although it’s still very popular among competitive gamers due to its premium audio hosting and private servers, text chat and media sharing are absolutely basic. It’s also missing built-in video calling as well as emojis and gifs. So, if you don’t mind not having a lot of features, this is great for audio-focused decks that don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Similar to Stoat, TeamSpeak has seen a surge in new users, prompting the platform to expand its hosting capacity. In February, TeamSpeak introduced two new community creation areas: “Frankfurt 3” and “Toronto 1.”

mumble

Mumble is a free and open source voice chat app. Like TeamSpeak, it provides high-quality, low-latency voice and allows users to host and customize their own servers. However, its interface is outdated and lacks some of the features found in Discord, making it more ideal for hardcore gamers who focus on voice chat rather than community building through video calls, media sharing, or screen sharing.

The speech

Those who prefer long, structured discussions to quick chat may find speech more attractive. As an open source forum platform, Discourse supports threaded discussions, making it ideal for educational groups, professional teams, and communities that value in-depth conversation. However, users looking for instant and voice messaging and informal group chats may find it less popular than Discord.

Slack, Microsoft Teams, Signal, or WhatsApp

Other notable mentions include Slack and Microsoft Teams, which serve well for productivity-focused professional communications. Signal is also the best choice for those who want end-to-end encryption and privacy. Meanwhile, WhatsApp also offers free messaging and group voice calls, although it’s not designed for gaming or large communities.

What to know about age verification on Discord

Discord recently announced that it will soon implement age verification measures aimed at creating a safer environment, especially for its younger users. This initiative is designed to ensure that users meet the age requirements necessary to access certain features and communities on the platform. Users may be asked to verify their age through various methods, which may include providing identification, completing a facial age estimate, or using a credit card.

By default, all users will encounter a “Friendly for Teens” setting, and only those who are verified as adults will be able to edit certain settings or access age-restricted content. Adults will be required to verify their status to remove sensitive content and access channels and servers intended for older audiences.

After recent backlash, Discord postponed the official launch to the latter half of 2026, adding that 90% of users will not require age verification and can continue to use the platform without changes, as many users do not engage with age-restricted content. The platform initially planned to roll out age verification in March.