Real-time text, voice, and video communication are core to how communities form, teams collaborate, and creators build audiences. When people talk about discord chat software, they usually mean platforms that support persistent text channels, voice rooms, roles and permissions, and integrations that glue conversations to tools and workflows. Discord popularized that model for gaming communities, but the pattern has broader application: from teacher-run study servers to enterprise collaboration hubs.
Communities and teams choose discord chat software for clear reasons: low-latency voice for synchronous hangouts, threaded text channels for organized discussion, persistent histories for knowledge, and bot ecosystems for automation and moderation. In 2025 those capabilities matter more than ever because remote and hybrid work is normal, creators monetize communities, and live events (AMAs, watch parties, training sessions) depend on platforms that handle voice and video at scale.
Key benefits of modern discord chat software include community building (roles, moderation, member onboarding), integrated voice and video with low latency, and extendability through bots and APIs. Many platforms now include threaded conversations, rich reactions, live streaming or stage channels, and first-class mobile apps—features that make communities feel alive and keep members returning.
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What Is Discord Chat Software?
When people ask what is discord chat software, they’re asking about a class of platforms combining real-time messaging, voice, video, and community management into a single place. Discord made the model popular: persistent topic channels, voice rooms that anyone can hop into, roles for access control, and an extensible bot ecosystem. But “discord chat software” today refers more broadly to any platform that delivers those core capabilities—sometimes with extra focus on enterprise security, federation, or ultra-low-latency voice.
Core features you should expect from modern discord-like systems include text channels (public and private), voice channels, direct messages, pinned messages and threads, file uploads, searchable history, and presence indicators. Advanced platforms add integrations (calendar, streaming, CI/CD), bot support, moderation tools (automod, role hierarchies, sanctions), and content filters. Persistent invites, welcome flows, and role-based access control help scale large communities while maintaining safety.
15 Best Discord Chat Software Alternatives
1. Slack
Slack is a workplace-first chat platform that brought channel-based messaging to mainstream enterprise users. Acquired and integrated into the Salesforce portfolio, Slack focuses on structured team collaboration, searchable history, and deep integrations with productivity and developer tools.
Slack offers channels, threads, and huddles (lightweight voice/video), plus file sharing and rich app integrations through its API and App Directory. The platform supports single sign-on (SSO), enterprise key management, compliance exports, and data residency options—features attractive to regulated organizations. Slack’s searchable history and message threading make it excellent for organized, persistent conversations and for teams that require traceability.
Key Features
- Channel-based messaging with threads and huddles
- File sharing and searchable history
- Rich app ecosystem with integrations (Jira, GitHub, Google Drive, Zoom)
- Enterprise-grade security with SSO and compliance exports
- Clean UI and easy onboarding for teams
Pricing
- Free Plan: Limited history and integrations
- Paid Plans: Unlock longer retention, advanced integrations, and compliance features
- Enterprise Grid: Custom pricing for large organizations with advanced governance
Pros
- Strong integrations with enterprise tools
- Excellent search and threaded conversations
- Enterprise-level compliance and security
Cons
- Less community-native than Discord
- Voice features are limited compared to Discord’s persistent rooms
Ideal users: Enterprises, product/engineering teams, and organizations prioritizing integrations and compliance.
2. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a full-featured collaboration platform that combines chat, video conferencing, file collaboration (via SharePoint/OneDrive), and app integrations. It is widely adopted in enterprise and education because it ties into existing Microsoft identity, compliance, and document ecosystems.
Teams offers persistent channels, threaded chat, scheduled meetings, and channel-based video calls that scale to large groups. Its deep integration with Office apps allows co-editing documents in context, and Teams Rooms extend video and voice into meeting spaces. Admins get centralized governance, DLP, retention policies, and advanced security controls (conditional access, eDiscovery).
Key Features
- Persistent channels with threaded conversations
- Integrated video meetings and Teams Rooms
- Deep integration with Office apps for co-editing
- Enterprise governance, retention, and security tools
- Directory sync and single sign-on with Microsoft 365
Pricing
- Included: With most Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise plans
- Standalone: Limited free version available with basic chat and meetings
- Enterprise tiers: Custom pricing with advanced compliance and security
Pros
- Excellent Office integration
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- Scalable meetings for large organizations
Cons
- Heavier, more formal UI compared to community platforms
- Less emphasis on persistent voice/social hangouts
Ideal users: Enterprises, educational institutions, and teams embedded in Microsoft ecosystems.
3. Telegram
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app known for speed, large-group channels, and a strong focus on privacy and developer-friendly bots. While not a full Discord clone, Telegram’s Channels, Groups, and Voice Chats (Voice Chat 2.0 with streaming features) make it a capable social chat platform.
Telegram supports public channels with large follower counts, group chats with fine-grained admin controls, and voice/video streaming in groups. Its bot API is powerful — creators build moderation bots, polls, payment integrations, and content bots. Telegram’s cloud sync ensures messages and media are available across devices, and secret chats enable end-to-end encryption for one-to-one conversations.
Key Features
- Public channels with unlimited followers
- Large-group chats with advanced admin tools
- Voice Chats 2.0 with streaming support
- Powerful bot API for automation and integrations
- Cross-device cloud sync with end-to-end secret chats
Pricing
- Free: Full-featured for most users
- Creator Monetization: Optional premium features and ad revenue opportunities
Pros
- Fast, lightweight, and free
- Robust admin tools for large groups
- Strong privacy features with secret chats
- Powerful bot ecosystem
Cons
- Less persistent voice room customization compared to Discord
- Not focused on enterprise collaboration
Ideal users: Creators, influencer communities, public broadcast audiences, and groups prioritizing speed and bot customization.
4. Element (Matrix)
Element is a client for the Matrix protocol — a decentralized, open standard for real-time communication. Matrix and Element (the flagship client) are attractive to organizations and communities that want federation (self-hosted servers that can interoperate with others) and strong privacy options.
Element provides persistent rooms (channels), voice and video calling (via WebRTC), message history, and rich moderation features. Since Matrix is federated, you can run a self-hosted homeserver under your organization’s control or use hosted services. The open protocol enables bridges to other networks (Slack, IRC, XMPP), making Element a flexible hub in mixed ecosystems. Element also supports end-to-end encryption for rooms where privacy is required.
Key Features
- Federated protocol with self-hosting options
- Persistent rooms with chat history
- Voice and video calling via WebRTC
- Bridges to other networks (Slack, IRC, XMPP)
- End-to-end encryption for private rooms
Pricing
- Free: Open-source client and self-hosting
- Hosted Options: Paid hosting services available
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for managed Matrix solutions
Pros
- Open standard with federation and self-hosting
- Strong privacy and security options
- Interoperability via bridges to other platforms
Cons
- Higher setup complexity for self-hosting
- Less polished UX compared to commercial apps
Ideal users: Privacy-minded communities, public institutions, and organizations needing self-hosted, federated chat.
5. Guilded
Guilded is a platform designed specifically for gamers and gaming communities, positioned as a feature-rich alternative to Discord. Founded to serve esports teams, guilds, and content creators, Guilded emphasizes tournament tools, calendar scheduling, recruitment systems, and advanced voice chat.
Guilded provides text channels, voice and video rooms, event calendars with RSVPs, tournament brackets, and integrated streaming support. It also supports roles, permission hierarchies, and an API for automation. Compared to Discord, Guilded adds deeper niche features for competitive teams: integrated scheduling, team rosters, and recruitment forms that simplify organizing large competitive communities.
Key Features
- Text, voice, and video channels
- Event calendars with RSVPs
- Tournament brackets and recruitment tools
- Roles, permissions, and API support
- Integrated streaming features
Pricing
- Free: Core community and chat features
- Premium: Add-ons and monetization for creators
Pros
- Gaming-first features like tournaments and rosters
- Polished interface with mobile and desktop clients
- Strong built-in event and scheduling tools
Cons
- Smaller ecosystem compared to Discord
- Not designed for enterprise collaboration
Ideal users: Esports teams, gaming guilds, competitive communities, and streamers.
6. Mumble
Mumble is an open-source, low-latency voice chat application popular with gamers and communities where audio quality and minimal delay are paramount. It’s been used for years by teams that require reliable voice channels without the overhead of modern consumer apps.
Mumble’s strengths are very low latency, positional audio (useful for immersive setups), and lightweight client/server architecture. It is typically self-hosted on inexpensive servers, giving communities total control over infrastructure. The admin controls are straightforward for voice channels and users, but Mumble lacks modern text and media features out of the box.
Key Features
- Extremely low-latency voice communication
- Positional audio for immersive experiences
- Lightweight client/server model
- Self-hosting with full infrastructure control
Pricing
- Free: Open-source software for client and server
- Hosting Costs: Minimal, depends on chosen server setup
Pros
- Extremely low-latency and reliable voice
- Open-source with self-hosting flexibility
- Lightweight and resource-efficient
Cons
- Lacks modern text and media features
- Requires server setup and some technical skill
Ideal users: Competitive gamers, sim communities, or teams prioritizing voice quality and low latency.
7. TeamSpeak
TeamSpeak is a veteran low-latency voice chat platform, favored by gaming and professional simulation communities that need dependable voice communications. It offers server-based voice infrastructure, advanced codec options, and granular role/permission controls.
TeamSpeak supports large voice servers, detailed permission hierarchies, and high-quality audio with configurable bandwidth and codec settings. It’s known for stability on constrained networks and for giving admins deep control over server behavior. While TeamSpeak’s text features are minimal compared to Discord, it excels at voice-first experiences.
Key Features
- High-quality, low-latency voice communication
- Advanced codec and bandwidth tuning
- Granular permissions and role controls
- Large server capacity and stability on poor networks
- Server-based architecture for self-hosting or managed hosting
Pricing
- Self-hosted: Open-source client; hosting costs depend on your server
- Hosted tiers: Paid managed hosting and commercial licensing options
Pros
- Stable, configurable voice with fine admin control
- Low latency and optimized audio quality
- Trusted by professional simulation and large clans
Cons
- Minimal native text/community features
- Requires hosting and some technical setup
Ideal users: Large gaming clans, professional simulation groups, and teams prioritizing voice robustness.
8. Zoom
Zoom is primarily a video conferencing platform, but its persistent chat channels, channels & chats features, and webinar/stage capabilities make it a viable alternative when organizations prioritize large-scale events, meetings, and recorded sessions.
Zoom provides durable chat channels, one-click meeting creation, breakout rooms, webinar staging, and high-quality audio/video. For communities focused on live events, AMAs, or large town-halls, Zoom’s webinar and streaming features are powerful. The platform integrates with calendars, LMS systems, and streaming services, making it suitable for virtual events and education.
Key Features
- High-quality video conferencing and audio
- Webinars, staging, and breakout rooms
- Persistent chat channels and direct messaging
- Cloud recording, transcription, and streaming integrations
- Calendar and LMS integrations
Pricing
- Free: Basic meetings with time limits and limited features
- Paid Plans: Per-host subscriptions unlocking longer meetings, larger participant caps, and webinar features
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organizations and webinar-heavy usage
Pros
- Best-in-class video conferencing and webinar tools
- Scales well for large events and recorded sessions
- Strong streaming and LMS integrations
Cons
- Not community-native for always-on chat or social hangouts
- Cost scales with hosts and capacity for webinars
Ideal users: Event organizers, educators, and communities that emphasize scheduled live sessions and webinars.
9. Chanty
Chanty is a lightweight team chat and collaboration tool focused on simplicity and productivity. It offers channels, direct messaging, task management, and voice/video calls in a streamlined interface that appeals to small teams.
Chanty includes threaded conversations, a Teambook for pinned items and bookmarks, and a built-in task manager that turns messages into actionable tasks. The product emphasizes ease of use and fast onboarding. Chanty’s voice and video are designed for ad hoc calls, not large-scale streaming or events.
Key Features
- Channels and direct messaging with threads
- Teambook for pinned messages, bookmarks, and files
- Built-in task manager to convert messages to tasks
- Voice and video calling for ad hoc meetings
- Simple, minimal learning curve
Pricing
- Free: Basic features suitable for small teams
- Paid: Affordable per-user or per-team pricing unlocking advanced features
Pros
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Built-in task conversion for message-driven workflows
- Affordable for small teams and startups
Cons
- Not designed for large communities or gaming
- Less extensible and fewer integrations than Slack
Ideal users: Small businesses, startups, and internal teams wanting a distraction-free chat + task tool.
10. Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is an open-source, enterprise-grade communication platform offering chat, voice, video, and deep customization. It’s designed for organizations that need self-hosting, data residency controls, and enterprise integrations.
Rocket.Chat supports channels, direct messages, threads, federation options, role-based permissions, and omnichannel support (email, social, live chat) for customer-facing communication. Admins can customize UI, workflows, and authentication, and integrate with identity providers and CRMs. The platform is extensible through apps and a robust API.
Key Features
- Channels, direct messages, and threads
- Omnichannel support (email, social, live chat)
- Federation options and role-based permissions
- Customizable UI and workflows
- Extensible with apps and robust API
Pricing
- Free: Open-source community edition
- Paid: Enterprise editions with advanced governance and support
- Cloud: Managed hosting tiers for organizations
Pros
- Self-hosting for full data control
- Extensible with apps and APIs
- Enterprise-level governance and omnichannel support
Cons
- Requires admin resources for self-hosting
- Less consumer-friendly UX than mainstream apps
Ideal users: Enterprises, regulated industries, and teams needing full control over data and customization.
11. Wire
Wire is a privacy-first messaging platform offering end-to-end encrypted chat, voice, and video. It caters to organizations and teams that prioritize confidentiality, compliance, and strong encryption standards.
Wire supports group messaging, voice/video calls, file sharing, and guest rooms for external collaborators. It provides enterprise-grade controls such as compliance exports (where permitted), SSO, and deployment options including cloud or self-hosted enterprise deployments. Wire’s security model is attractive to sectors like legal, healthcare, and finance where privacy is critical.
Key Features
- End-to-end encrypted chat, voice, and video
- Group messaging and file sharing
- Guest rooms for external collaborators
- Enterprise controls including SSO and compliance exports
- Cloud or self-hosted deployment options
Pricing
- Subscription-based: Per-user pricing
- Enterprise tiers: Admin controls, provisioning, and compliance features
Pros
- Strong end-to-end encryption
- Enterprise compliance options
- Polished, professional user experience
Cons
- Less focused on community building or creator monetization
- Fewer integrations compared to Slack or Teams
Ideal users: Legal teams, healthcare, finance, and privacy-conscious organizations seeking secure chat.
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12. Mattermost
Mattermost is an open-source, self-hostable collaboration platform popular with engineering teams that want Slack-like interfaces with full control over data and compliance. It offers channels, threaded messaging, and integrations with CI/CD tools.
Mattermost provides team chat, playbooks for incident response, and deep integrations with DevOps tooling (Git, Jenkins). Self-hosting and enterprise options allow data residency and strict access controls. Mattermost is built to be extended — organizations can integrate it into corporate single sign-on and monitoring stacks.
Key Features
- Slack-like team chat with channels and threads
- Playbooks for incident response and workflows
- Integrations with CI/CD and DevOps tools
- Self-hosted or enterprise deployment options
- Support for SSO and enterprise access controls
Pricing
- Free: Community edition for small teams
- Enterprise: Paid subscriptions with advanced compliance, support, and scalability
Pros
- Self-hosting with full data control
- Deep integrations with DevOps and CI/CD tools
- Incident response and workflow automation features
Cons
- Requires technical resources to deploy and manage
- Less consumer polish compared to Slack or Teams
Ideal users: Engineering teams, government agencies, and organizations needing secure, extensible collaboration.
13. Flock
Flock is a messaging and collaboration app aimed at small-to-medium teams, offering channels, video conferencing, file sharing, and productivity integrations. It positions itself as a simple, cost-effective alternative to larger enterprise collaboration suites.
Flock supports channels, direct messages, polls, and integrated task boards. Its app ecosystem and integrations cover common office tools, and it provides search and message pinning for easy retrieval. Pricing typically follows an affordable per-user model with a freemium entry tier.
Key Features
- Channels and direct messaging
- Integrated task boards and polls
- File sharing and searchable history
- Video conferencing support
- App ecosystem with common office tool integrations
Pricing
- Free: Entry tier with basic features
- Paid: Affordable per-user subscription with advanced features
Pros
- Affordable and simple UI
- Built-in task and productivity features
- Easy for small businesses and startups
Cons
- Not optimized for large public communities
- Lacks gaming voice/community focus
Ideal users: Small businesses and startups seeking a straightforward team chat solution.
14. Zoho Cliq
Zoho Cliq is part of the Zoho suite and offers real-time messaging, audio/video calls, channels, and bots integrated with Zoho’s CRM, Projects, and other apps. It’s a practical choice for teams already using Zoho’s ecosystem or for organizations seeking integrated business workflows.
Cliq supports persistent channels, message threads, customizable bots, and seamless handoffs to Zoho apps for CRM or project tasks. Admin controls and SSO are available for enterprise settings. Pricing is competitive, especially for organizations that adopt the broader Zoho suite.
Key Features
- Channels with persistent chat and threads
- Audio/video calls and file sharing
- Bots for automation and customization
- Integration with Zoho apps (CRM, Projects, Desk)
- Enterprise controls including SSO
Pricing
- Free: Entry-level features for small teams
- Paid: Affordable per-user pricing; competitive within Zoho suite
Pros
- Tight integration with Zoho ecosystem
- Business workflow automation features
- Competitive pricing for SMBs
Cons
- Not designed for public community growth
- Lacks gaming or social-first features
Ideal users: Businesses using Zoho apps or teams needing chat connected to CRM and project management.
15. Google Chat
Google Chat is Google Workspace’s messaging component, offering rooms (spaces), threads, and integrated collaboration with Google Docs, Drive, and Meet. It’s designed for organizations that want lightweight chat deeply integrated into their document workflows.
Chat supports persistent spaces with threaded conversations, bot integrations, and the ability to create tasks from messages. Google Meet handles video and larger calls. The platform benefits from Workspace single sign-on and Drive file access, making it easy to co-edit documents directly from chat.
Key Features
- Persistent spaces with threaded messaging
- Integration with Google Docs, Drive, and Meet
- Bot integrations and task creation from messages
- Single sign-on and access control with Workspace
- Cross-platform apps with reliable mobile support
Pricing
- Included: With Google Workspace subscriptions
- Business/Enterprise tiers: Advanced features tied to Workspace plans
Pros
- Native integration with Google Workspace apps
- Simple and reliable user experience
- Strong search and collaboration workflows
Cons
- Not designed for gaming or public community platforms
- Limited role-based moderation features
Ideal users: Organizations and teams using Google Workspace for documents and collaboration.
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How to Choose the Right Discord Chat Software
Choosing the right discord chat software alternative begins with defining what your community or team needs most. Below is a practical, prioritized checklist to evaluate options and match capabilities to use cases.
1. Define Your Primary Use Case
Start by clarifying your main goal:
- Public community with thousands of members and event streams: Prioritize discoverability, moderation tools, and scalable voice (e.g., Discord, Guilded, Telegram).
- Internal engineering or product team: Focus on integrations (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Mattermost) and incident/playbook workflows.
- Privacy and data control: Favor federation or self-hosting with Element (Matrix), Rocket.Chat, or Mattermost.
- Ultra-low-latency voice for competitive play: Consider Mumble or TeamSpeak.
2. Prioritize Moderation and Safety Controls
If you anticipate rapid growth or public exposure, evaluate automated moderation (rules, anti-spam, profanity filters), role-based permissions, audit logs, and strong admin tooling. Platforms with robust bot ecosystems (Discord, Telegram, Slack) help automate onboarding, muting, and content scanning.
3. Check Voice & Video Requirements
For persistent, always-on voice rooms and low-latency audio, measure round-trip latency, concurrency limits, and mobile performance. If video and webinars are key, Zoom and Microsoft Teams excel in structured events, while Discord and Guilded specialize in social, always-on voice.
4. Evaluate Integration Needs
Integrations define whether a platform fits collaboration or community contexts:
- Enterprise teams: Need connectors to Jira, GitHub, Zendesk, or SSO providers.
- Creators: May require integrations with Twitch/YouTube, Patreon, or analytics bots.
5. Decide on Hosting & Data Control
Self-hosted options (Matrix/Element, Rocket.Chat, Mattermost) provide compliance and control but require technical overhead. Cloud/SaaS options reduce admin costs and deliver managed scaling, making them attractive for creators and smaller teams.
6. Assess Discoverability vs. Privacy
Public communities benefit from platforms with public channels and easy invites (Discord, Telegram). If confidentiality is essential, private workspaces with SSO and invitation-only access (Slack, Teams, Wire) are more appropriate.
7. Scalability and Pricing Model
Pricing models vary widely:
- Community-first platforms: Often free for large audiences (Discord, Telegram).
- Enterprise platforms: Charge per user or seat (Slack, Teams).
For public communities, per-user pricing may become expensive; free public channels or sponsorship features may be more sustainable.
8. Mobile Parity and Offline Behavior
Mobile support is critical. Ensure chat, voice, and moderation work reliably on mobile apps, with dependable notifications. Features like offline sync and low-bandwidth modes are essential for global or mobile-first audiences.
9. Ecosystem & Extensibility
A vibrant ecosystem with bots, SDKs, and APIs supports growth. Bots can automate moderation, welcome flows, analytics, and integrations with external tools. If you expect to scale workflows, prioritize platforms with robust developer communities.
10. Pilot with Representative Scenarios
Test platforms in real-world use cases: host a voice hangout, run a moderated Q&A, schedule a streamed event, and practice moderation. Observe usability, performance, and admin overhead to validate which platform truly fits your needs.
11. Consider Future Roadmap and Vendor Stability
Finally, evaluate product roadmaps and vendor reliability. Look for upcoming features like AI moderation, advanced analytics, or new privacy controls. Stability and active adoption are key indicators of long-term viability.
By aligning features with your community’s goals, carefully weighing integration needs, and running pilot tests, you can confidently choose the discord chat software alternative that balances usability, security, and scalability for your unique audience.
Final Thoughts on Discord Chat Software
Discord chat software alternatives span a wide spectrum—from open-protocol federation to enterprise-first collaboration suites to ultra-low-latency voice services. The right platform depends on what you value most: open standards and data control, rich community features, or seamless integration with your productivity stack.
Emerging trends include AI-assisted moderation that automatically detects and mitigates toxic behavior, context-aware bots that generate summaries and highlights from channels, and deeper AR/VR chat experiences blending voice rooms with immersive presence. Another strong theme is composability: communities increasingly stitch together a stack—using Matrix for federation, a hosted voice provider for low-latency audio, and Slack or Microsoft Teams for internal work—rather than depending on a single monolithic platform.
The most practical approach is to begin with the smallest viable platform that addresses your core needs and test it with real users. Large public communities should prioritize moderation, onboarding, and discoverability. Teams should focus on integrations, compliance, and productivity alignment. Gaming groups should prioritize latency, scheduling tools, and reliable voice.
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