Discord is ideal for instant messaging with friends and communities. It is most popular among gamers as it lets them create their own gaming group, collaborate with gamers in real time, create low-latency voice and make video calls. The app is built around servers, each server is dedicated to specific topics where users can chat and communicate with people of similar interests.
However, the app is not the greatest choice when it comes to instant messaging due to limited file sharing size, character limit for messages, support for up to 200 servers only, and more. Further, it takes up a lot of space on your PC while running.
Here are some of the best Discord alternatives you can consider for team collaboration, gaming, and more.
Why Switch to Apps Similar to Discord?
There are multiple reasons why people are switching to Discord alternatives, such as-
- Limited file sharing up to 250 MB
- Joining 200 servers or channels
- Character limit up to 4000
- Limited features for business communication
- Not exactly end-to end encryption support
- Self-destruct messages feature is not supported
Comparison of Apps Like Discord
Product | Best for | Pricing | Ease of Use |
Telegram | Instant messaging | Free | Easy |
Microsoft Teams | Chatting and collaboration | INR 100.00 per user per month | Easy |
Skype | one-to-one free video and audio calling | Free | Very easy |
Slack | Public and private communication channel | INR 218 per month | Not very easy |
Element | Messaging and collaboration | INR 412.07 per month for hosting and bridging | Difficult |
Wire | Messaging and collaboration | INR 630.65 | Easy |
Chanty | Team communication and collaboration | INR 247.20 per user per month | Very easy |
Confluence | Project collaboration and communication | INR 474.02 per month | Easy learning curve |
Flock | Team messaging and online collaboration | INR 249 per user per month | Easy |
Viber | Instant messaging | Free | Very easy |
Tox | Instant messaging | Free | A bit difficult |
Mumble | High-quality video chat | Free | Difficult |
Kakao Talk | Free instant messaging | Free | Very easy |
Jami | Peer-to-peer communication | INR 20,493.57 per year | Average |
TeamSpeak | Voice-over-Internet Protocol communication | INR 4,524.41 annual renewal cost | Difficult |
15 Best Discord Alternatives for Gaming, Work, Video Calls and More
Here is the list of the Discord alternatives you can consider chatting, gaming, calling, and much more.
Telegram
Telegram is a messaging software which is free and very easy to use. With this Discord alternative, you can easily send files, photos, videos, etc., in any format. It lets you create channels or groups with 200, 000people. The best thing about Telegram is that it does not have any file sharing limit like Discord where you can only share files up to 500 MB in its Nitro plan. Moreover, it lets you easily find people through their usernames.
Telegram Features
- Fast message delivery
- Message encryption
- Multi-device data synchronization
- No media files limit
Supported Platforms
iPhone/iPad, Android, Mobile Web, PC/Mac/Linux, macOS, Web-browser
Pricing: Free to use
Free Trial: Free to use
Rating: 4.3
Suggested Read: 7 Best Messaging Apps for Android
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a group chat software where users can chat, communicate, do video conferencing, etc. It a great software to create breakout rooms for small conversations, record meetings, manage guest access, conduct HD conferencing, and much more. If you are facing issues with file attachment in Discord, then this alternative lets you attach files up to 1 TB.
Microsoft Teams Features
- 1 TB cloud storage
- Chat history
- Data encryption for security
- Webinar hosting
- Customized backgrounds
- Screen share
Supported Platforms
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Web
Pricing
Free plan available | Paid plan starts from INR 100.00 per user per month.
Free Trial: Available for business basic plan
Rating: 4.7
Skype
Skype is a telecommunication application that allows users to conduct one-on-one free video and audio calling. It lets users conduct group calls, message instantly, and share files. Additionally, Skype also allows you to change the chat background, customize your reaction, translate your voice, share your screen in real time, and more.
Skype Features
- HD audio and video calling
- Call recording
- Tags and mention support
- End to end encrypted private conversations
- Screen share
Supported Platforms
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Web, Amazon Kindle Fire, etc.
Pricing
Free to use | Charges for calling to non-Skype users and for international calls.
Free Trial: Free to use
Rating: 4.1
Slack
Slack is a messaging software that helps businesses to communicate and share information with teams effortlessly. It simplifies the workflow by creating public or private communication for specific people to share relevant information. Further, it is one of the best discord alternatives for business because you can also secure your chats, record video clips, customize your projects, and collaborate in real time.
Slack Features
- Shows messaging history
- Robust data security
- Group archiving
- Guest access
- HIPPA compliance support
Supported Platforms
Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge
Pricing
Free plan available | Paid plan starts from INR 218 per month.
Free Trial: Available
Rating: 3.8
Element
Element is a matrix-based messaging and collaborating application that enables users to conduct HD video and audio calling. With its Element One plan, users can chat with anyone on the open matrix network, unlike Discord, where you can join only 200 channels.
Additionally, you can chat with people on WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal from Element without any need of shifting between multiple apps.
Element Features
- No phone number messaging
- Communities and groups structuring
- Private and public rooms
- End to end encrypted messaging
- Unlimited audio and video calling and chatting
Supported Platforms
Web, iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux, Windows, etc.
Pricing
Free to use | Paid plan Element One starts from INR 412.07 per month for hosting and bridging.
Free Trial
Free to use
Rating: 4
Suggested Read: Best Instant Messaging Software for PC & Mobile that are Alternative to Skype
Wire
Wire is a messaging and collaborating software that assists users with secure messaging, high quality conferencing, files sharing, etc., through end-to-end encryption.
This discord alternative does not have any character limit unlike Discord that allows messaging with only 4k characters in its Nitro plan. Moreover, Wire also suppresses background noises for smoother audio and video conferencing.
Wire Features
- Audio and video conferencing
- Guests messaging
- Team management
- Single sign-on and SCIM support
- Seamless collaboration
Supported Platforms
Web, iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux, Windows, etc.
Pricing
Free plan available | Paid plan starts from INR 630.65
Free Trial
Not available
Rating: 2.9
Chanty
Chanty is a communication and collaboration platform that lets you share different content types like GIFs, videos, data files, etc., all from a single solution. Further, you can create private chat groups to share relevant information with specific people.
This Discord alternative also lets users tag members with their username. It is highly popular for creating, managing, and collaborating on tasks. If you want a professional platform for team communication and collaboration, then Chanty is a better option.
Chanty Features
- Supports both public and private conversations
- Built-in task management
- One-on-one audio calls
- Screen sharing
- Kanban-style project management
Supported Platforms
Windows, iOS, Mac OS, Android, Linux
Pricing
Free plan available | Paid plan starts from INR 247.20 per user per month
Free Trial: Not available
Rating: 3.7
Confluence
Confluence is a project collaboration software to help organizations systematically manage and collaborate on projects. Users can easily organize all the project content into a page tree for quick and easy content view.
With Confluence, you can create spaces where specific people can work on the assigned project. If you are looking for a discord alternative for work with professional collaboration features, Confluence is the right choice.
Confluence Features
- Unlimited content and page creation
- Teams calendar
- Page and space permissions management
- Customizable templates for project strategies
- Real-time editing
- Real time mentions and tags
- Pictures and videos addition
Supported Platforms
Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, iOS 11 or later, Android 4.4, Windows, Linux, etc.
Pricing
Free plan available | Paid plan starts from INR 474.02 per month
Free Trial: Available
Rating: 4.4
Flock
Flock is a team messenger and online collaboration platform that lets businesses create private channels for communication and collaboration. This alternative of Discord helps businesses to work systematically by creating different channels to share project info with the people concerned. Further, you can use it for audio and video conferencing, project management, file sharing, adding members with similar email domains, etc.
Flock Features
- One to one chat
- Group messaging
- Chat history record
- HD audio and video calling
- Screen sharing option
Supported Platforms
Windows, Mac, Chrome, Linux, iOS, Android
Pricing
Free plan available | Paid plan starts from INR 249 per user per month
Free Trial: 30 days
Rating: 4.0
Suggested Read: 15 Best Free Live Chat Apps in 2022
Viber
Viber is a free messaging software to chat, send files and pictures, make audio and video calls, etc. It is one of the similar apps like Discord that also let users join communities of their interests to chat and share content apart from just messaging. Further, Viber also lets you create your community and share the screen during video calls in its desktop application.
Viber Features
- HD audio and video call
- Stickers and GIFs creation
- Self-destruction messages
- Public communities
Supported Platforms
Windows 10 and 11, Mac 10.14 and above, Linux Fedora and Ubuntu, Android, iOS, etc.
Pricing
Free for calling for Viber to Viber users| Charges applicable for calling non-Vibers users.
Free Trial: Free to use
Rating: 4.5
Tox
Tox is an instant messaging application that lets users securely chat and connect with friends and family. Just like Discord, it is also offering files sharing option to its users but does not have any limit for sharing files. Moreover, it is open source, making it a great alternative of Discord for calling and chatting without spending money.
Tox Features
- Instant messaging
- Audio and video calling
- Screen sharing
- Files sharing
- Group chatting
Supported Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, FreeBSD
Pricing: Free to use
Free Trial: Free to use
Rating: 3.8
Mumble
Mumble is a high-quality video chat application specially designed for gaming. It is one of the most popular apps like Discord that offer low latency video chat and gaming. Further, all the conversations are end to end encrypted to keep all the user’s data safe and secure.
Mumble Features
- Low-latency audio and video calling
- Audio positioning for gamers
- HD audio and video quality
- Custom chat commands
Supported Platforms
iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, etc.
Pricing: Free to use
Free Trial: Not available
Rating: Not available
Kakao Talk
Kakao Talk is a free instant messaging software that lets users to do text messaging, group chats, audio and video calls, and much more. By offering features like chat customization, unlimited stickers, and live streaming, Kakao Talk is quite popular among users.
It is a wonderful app as you can also create and edit calendars for events and share the chatroom location with others.
Kakao Talk Features
- Email integration supported
- Multiple emojis and stickers
- Group chat with unlimited users
- Open chat to talk with anyone globally
- Live streaming
Supported Platforms
Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Pricing: Free to use
Free Trial: Free to use
Rating: 4.3
Jami
Jami is an SIP-based instant messaging software that lets users make free audio and video calls globally. It is a peer-to-peer communication platform where users do high quality audio and video calling in a hassle-free manner. Further, Jami can also be used to conduct a conference call with much ease.
Jami Features
- Work on multiple devices from a single account
- Files sharing option
- End to end encrypted messaging
- Calling support via entering username
Supported Platforms
MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Windows,
Pricing
Free to use | Enterprise plan starts from INR 20,493.57 per year
Free Trial: Free to use
Rating: 3.7
Suggested Read: 11 Best Indian Messaging Apps that are Made in India
TeamSpeak
TeamSpeak is an advanced proprietary voice-over-Internet Protocol application for communication. It lets users talk and communicate with each other through private networks over the internet. In addition to that, it is ideal for online gaming, making it one of the best discord alternatives for gaming. Unlike Discord, it also supports 3D immersive user positioning for users. Moreover, TeamSpeak lets you transfer files without any limit.
Features
- Multi-server connectivity
- Synchronized bookmarks
- Contacts management
- Online game streaming
- Player status and information management
Supported Platforms
Android, MacOS, iOS, Linux, Web, etc.
Pricing
You need to buy a gamer’s license with INR 4,524.41 annual renewal cost if you do not have your own hosting server.
Free Trial: Not available
Rating: 3.1
How to Choose Discord Alternative Free?
- Keep the following factors in mind to choose the right free Discord alternatives:
- Choose an alternative offering cheaper pricing than Discord.
- The Discord alternatives should offer maximum features in its free plan.
- The file transferring capacity should be more than 250 MB.
- Ensure that it does not have any character limit for sending messages.
- The alternative must support live streaming along with video conferencing.
- Ensure it has strong security protocols for data security
What is the Best Alternative to Discord?
No doubt, Discord is a wonderful application for audio and video calls, gaming, instant messaging, and more. However, if you need more advanced features like higher file storage space, audio positioning, and data security, then Wire and Mumble are great options.
If you are looking for Discord alternatives for gaming purposes, then TeamSpeak is better. You get online game streaming, multi-server connectivity, gaming player information management, etc., with TeamSpeak
Related Categories: Instant Messaging Software | Video Conferencing Software | Web Conferencing Software | Screen Sharing Software | Remote Desktop Software
FAQs
Why is Discord better than Slack?
Discord is better for gaming while Slack is designed for business communication. The reason why Discord is preferred over Slack is because it offers basic communication features in its free plan.
Is Discord Free?
Yes, Discord software is free to use with basic functionalities like audio and video calling, instant messaging, community joining, etc. However, to unlock more advanced features like custom emojis and longer messages, you can buy Nitro Basic or Nitro version of Discord.
Is TeamSpeak Better Than Discord?
TeamSpeaks’ texting features are limited as compared to Discord. However, TeamSpeak is preferred for online game streaming, unlimited file transfer, 3D immersive user positioning, etc.
Is Mumble Better Than Discord?
Yes, Mumble is better than Discord because it offers lower latency audio and video calling than Discord. Moreover, it also offers audio positioning feature for gamers, thus a better option for game streaming than Discord.
Is there a Discord alternative?
Yes, you can choose from multiple Discord alternatives available for instant messaging, online gaming, video calling etc. Some of the best for you are
Are Discord and Slack the same?
No Discord and Slack are not the same and they serve different purposes. Discord is generally preferred for joining online communities and gaming. Whereas Slack is used for business communication and collaboration.
Does Discord allow alt accounts?
Yes, Discord allows us to create one alternative account to check channels or servers.
Does Discord allow multiple accounts?
Yes, Discord lets users create and manage multiple accounts with different email addresses. They can easily switch between these accounts with the Discord account switcher.
Is Discord similar to Slack?
Discord and Slack are very similar to each other as both can be used for audio and video calling, sharing files, text messaging. However, Discord is a popular app for gaming unlike Slack which is a professional communication and collaboration platform.
Is Discord better than Reddit?
Reddit is a social networking site to connect and chat with people in communities having similar interests or hobbies. However, Discord also lets users join similar communities, but it is specially designed for gamers for chatting during live streaming. This option is not available for Reddit, and therefore, Discord is better.
When did Discord come out?
Discord was developed by Stan and Jason and released in May 2015 as discordapp.com.
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