Discord Alternatives
8 Tools Like Discord
Quick answer: Top Discord alternatives include Slack, Element and Telegram. For open source, look at Element and Mumble. Slack and Telegram are free or have free plans.
Discord is a voice, video and text chat platform built around community servers.
People look for Discord alternatives for privacy and end-to-end encryption, self-hosting, a more professional workspace, or after changes to verification and moderation rules.
- 8 alternatives
- 5 with a free plan
- 5 open source
- 4 self-hostable
The best Discord alternatives
#1Slack
slack.com
Team messaging with channels, threads, huddles and thousands of integrations.
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In Slack’s own words: “Boost productivity and save time with Slack – the AI work platform for managing projects, automating workflows and connecting teams securely. Start working smarter today.”
Slack has a free plan.
People switching from Discord and Microsoft Teams often consider Slack.
#2Element
element.io
Secure, decentralised chat and calls built on the open Matrix protocol.
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In Element’s own words: “Element is a Matrix-based end-to-end encrypted messenger and secure collaboration app. It’s decentralised for digital sovereign self-hosting, or through a hosting service such as Element Matrix Services. Element operates on the open Matrix network to provide interoperability and easy connections.”
Element is open source and is built with privacy in mind.
People switching from Slack, Discord, WhatsApp, Telegram and Microsoft Teams often consider Element.
#3Telegram
telegram.org
Fast messaging with large groups, channels, bots and cloud sync.
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Telegram is free to use.
People switching from Discord, WhatsApp and Snapchat often consider Telegram.
#4TeamSpeak
teamspeak.com
Low-latency voice chat, long popular with gamers and clans.
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In TeamSpeak’s own words: “TeamSpeak – Crystal-clear voice communication for gaming, teams, and communities. Secure, private, and fully customizable.”
TeamSpeak has a free plan.
People switching from Discord often consider TeamSpeak.
#5Mumble
mumble.info
Free, open-source, low-latency voice chat you can host yourself.
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Mumble is open source, is free to use and can be self-hosted.
People switching from Discord often consider Mumble.
#6Mattermost
mattermost.com
Open-source team messaging for secure, self-hosted environments.
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In Mattermost’s own words: “Zero-trust collaboration, automation and AI in private cloud, self-hosted, and air-gapped environments. Built for national security, critical infrastructure, and regulated enterprises.”
Mattermost is open source and can be self-hosted.
People switching from Slack, Discord and Microsoft Teams often consider Mattermost.
#7Zulip
zulip.com
Open-source team chat organised by topic-based threads.
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In Zulip’s own words: “Zulip is an organized team chat app for distributed teams of all sizes.”
Zulip is open source, has a free plan and can be self-hosted.
People switching from Slack, Discord and Microsoft Teams often consider Zulip.
#8Rocket.Chat
rocket.chat
Open-source communication platform with full data control.
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In Rocket.Chat’s own words: “Messaging, voice, video, apps, and AI that connect you with allies and partners on any system. Deployed anywhere, entirely under your control.”
Rocket.Chat is open source and can be self-hosted.
People switching from Slack, Discord and Microsoft Teams often consider Rocket.Chat.
Listed for information; LaunchStall isn’t affiliated with these companies. Features and plans change — check each site for current details.
How these Discord alternatives compare
| Tool | Best for | Where it beats Discord | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slack | Work teams | Better for business tools and compliance. | Costs per user and limited history on the free plan. |
| Element | Encrypted, federated chat | Open source, encrypted, built on Matrix. | A less polished experience. |
| Telegram | Very large public groups | Huge groups and channels with a simple app. | Fewer voice-channel features. |
| TeamSpeak | Voice for gaming | Low-latency voice with self-hosting. | A dated experience with little chat. |
| Mumble | Lightweight voice | Open source, low-latency voice, self-hosted. | A dated interface. |
| Mattermost | Self-hosted team chat | Open source and self-hosted. | Less suited to casual communities. |
| Zulip | Topic-based discussions | Open source, with threads by topic. | A different model. |
| Rocket.Chat | Self-hosted chat with channels | Open source and self-hostable. | More to manage. |
Which should you choose?
- You’re a work team: Slack
- You run a broadcast community: Telegram
- You want a private server: Element or Mattermost
Our editorial summary of each tool’s focus, written November 2026. Tools change quickly, so check the details on each site.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best Discord alternatives?
Popular Discord alternatives include Slack, Element and Telegram. The best choice depends on whether you need a free plan, open-source software or specific features.
Is there a free alternative to Discord?
Yes. Slack, Telegram, TeamSpeak and Mumble are free or have free plans.
Is there an open-source alternative to Discord?
Yes — Element, Mumble, Mattermost and Zulip are open source.
Why do people look for Discord alternatives?
People look for Discord alternatives for privacy and end-to-end encryption, self-hosting, a more professional workspace, or after changes to verification and moderation rules.
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