The best Discord alternatives in 2026

Discord tried to expand age verification globally without clear legal requirements and, in the process, leaked around 70,000 government ID photos. As a result, users started looking for the best Discord alternatives to avoid future privacy nightmares.

Now, there’s no catch-all replacement, but Stoat is the closest to Discord-style UI and feel. Telegram is great for large group chats and casual coordination, and Jitsi Meet offers private calls without an account. Meanwhile, Microsoft Teams and Google Chat cover your workplace and school collaboration needs.

These are a good starting point, though we’ll cover more Discord alternatives for gaming, chatting, privacy, work, and school below.

Best Discord alternatives for gaming

Whether you’re jumping ship to bypass age verification and data mining, or just looking for low-latency voice chat and stable screen sharing without shelling out for Nitro, these are the best Discord alternatives for gaming right now.

GameVox

GameVox keeps things simple with lightweight voice chat, overlays, 1080p screen-sharing, and positional audio that works well in things like FiveM and Arma 3. Here’s why I recommend it:

• No sign-up required: All you need is a username and password to get started.
• Native apps: GameVox isn’t built on Electron, so older PCs handle it better than Discord and others that run dozens of background features.
• Import from Discord: With a paid plan, you can clone your Discord server to keep all your channels, emojis, and more.
• Self-hosting available: Only account logins and auto-updates will use GameVox servers.

TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak is still going strong two decades in, thanks to its lower latency and high-quality voice chat. It also (finally) got screen share in 2025, closing one of the biggest feature gaps between it and Discord.

Here’s why it’s worth checking out:

• Low resource usage: Like GameVox, TeamSpeak isn’t Electron-based, so those of you on lower-end rigs will appreciate it.
• Self-hosting support: You can run your own TeamSpeak server and retain full control over your data.
• No account requirement: Join a server directly without a separate TeamSpeak login.

Stoat

If—like me—you groan every time you have to get used to a new app, Stoat is the only Discord alternative you’ll need. Besides the nearly identical layout, Stoat also includes some Nitro-style perks without a subscription. Try Stoat for:

• Larger uploads and free goodies: 20 MB file upload limit (vs Discord’s 10), animated avatars, profile banners, and custom themes (with CSS support) at no extra cost.
• Free, open-source apps: The official site makes it clear Stoat won’t sell your data or include ads. Let’s hope it sticks.
• Self-hosted instances: Possible, though it’s a bit more involved than TeamSpeak and GameVox, and doesn’t include voice and video as of yet.

Note: Stoat is based in the UK so it has to comply with the Online Safety Act and similar regulations in other jurisdictions. Unlike Discord’s worldwide rollout, however, it only verifies ages where legally required.

Mumble

Mumble is a free, open-source alternative to Discord that has great voice quality and low latency. If you don’t care for any bells and whistles and just need straightforward voice chat during a match, this one’s for you. Also includes:

• In-game overlay
• Positional audio
• Self-hosting with support for third-party admin software, scripts, and bots

Steam Chat

You don’t really need a Discord alternative if you mainly game through Steam. From group chats with separate text and voice channels to voice calls with echo/noise cancellation, chat roles and permissions, everything is built right into the app.

The only thing missing is screen-sharing. Steam Broadcasting is limited to gameplay. Otherwise, I let my Discord friends know they can find me on Steam if I ever see an age verification pop-up.

Best Discord alternatives for chatting

Discord expanded well beyond its original gaming days. If you just want a new place for your group chat, voice rooms, or community spaces without having to hand over your ID, here are some options to try out.

Telegram

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app built around large group chats, channels, and fast syncing across devices. It supports both private messaging (“Secret Chats”) and community spaces that can scale to very large audiences.

Here’s what to expect:

• Large groups and channels: Supports massive communities with broadcast-style channels and group chats with thousands of members.
• Bots and automation: Bots can handle moderation, polls, games, and simple workflows inside chats.
• Multi-device access: Messages sync instantly across phones, tablets, and desktop without needing a constant phone connection.

Also read: 7 common Telegram scams (and how to avoid them)

WhatsApp

WhatsApp focuses on free and private communication with built-in end-to-end encryption, phone number-based accounts and simple group messaging. It’s fairly straightforward:

• Group chats and communities: Supports structured group spaces for families, teams, or interest groups.
• Voice and video calls: One-on-one and group calls are available across mobile and desktop.
• Status updates: Temporary posts similar to Instagram stories for quick updates or announcements.

Related: How to recognize and avoid WhatsApp scams

Viber

Viber combines messaging and calling with a strong focus on international communication and group spaces. The Viber Out subscription lets you call landlines and mobile numbers even if they don’t have the app installed. It’s worth using for:

• Encrypted messaging and calls: One-on-one and group chats use end-to-end encryption by default.
• Communities and channels: Public and private communities are available for large discussions and announcements.
• Stickers and media tools: Viber has a large sticker library and built-in media sharing options for chats.

Geneva

Geneva is a group communication app designed around organized “rooms” that combine chat, events, and discussion threads in one place. It’s a bit more dense than your typical Discord server, thanks to features like:

• Room-based structure: Separate spaces for topics, events, and group coordination
• Built-in scheduling: Event planning tools inside group rooms for meetups and discussions
• Multiple chat formats: Supports text, audio rooms, and video hangouts in the same space
• Community-focused design: Works well for clubs, friend groups, and hobby-based groups

Best Discord alternatives for privacy (including self-hosted)

Here are some of the most private Discord alternatives, whether you want encrypted chats, to reduce your digital footprint, or a self-hosted setup you control yourself.

Tox

Tox is a peer-to-peer messaging and voice platform with no central servers or account system, and secured with end-to-end encryption (E2EE). Users connect directly using a Tox ID, and can text, get into audio/video calls (including group audio), or screen-share and transfer files.

Its only real issues are the lack of an iOS app and the fact Tox doesn’t hide your IP when connecting with someone else. This is easily solved by connecting to a VPN first, and only sharing your Tox ID with trusted contacts.

Signal

Signal is a private, encrypted messaging app with minimal data collection. It runs on central servers but keeps content end-to-end encrypted, so not even Signal can access your messages or calls.

A few features worth noting:

• Disappearing messages: Set messages to automatically delete after a set amount of time.
• Minimal account setup: You only need a phone number to get started.
• Automatic Key Verification: Signal can automatically verify encryption keys for contacts to help detect tampering or man-in-the-middle attacks.

Jitsi Meet

Jitsi Meet is a free and open-source video conferencing platform that runs in the browser or through self-hosted instances. You don’t even need an account to chat, share your screen, or join audio and video calls. Some key features:

• End-to-end encryption: Only in their Electron client or browsers based on Chromium 83+ (Chrome, Brave, Opera, Microsoft Edge), however.
• Document collaboration: Jitsi integrates with Etherpad, an open-source, lightweight alternative to Google Docs that you self-host.
• Custom meeting URLs: You can generate simple, shareable links for sessions.

Best Discord alternatives for work

If you need team chat, meetings, file sharing, and project collaboration in a more work-focused setup, these Discord alternatives cover everything from enterprise messaging to self-hosted communication.

Microsoft Teams

Teams is built for workplaces that already rely on Microsoft 365. It brings chat, meetings, file sharing, and document collaboration together in one place, which makes it a natural fit for companies already using Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint.

Here are some things it does well:

• Teams and channels: Keep departments, projects, and ongoing discussions separated.
• Microsoft 365 integration: Open and edit Office files without leaving the app.
• Large meetings: Handles webinars, screen sharing, recordings, and bigger internal calls.

Slack

Slack is a team chat app centered on channels, integrations, and searchable conversations. It works well for teams that want quick communication and a lot of connected tools around it. Try out Slack if you prefer:

• Channel-based layout: Organize work by project, team, or topic.
• Huge app ecosystem: Connect GitHub, Jira, Trello, Google Drive, and more.
• Excellent search system: Find old messages, files, and links quickly.

Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat gives teams an open-source chat platform they can host themselves or use through a managed setup. It’s a solid choice for companies that want more control over their communication infrastructure. Some useful features include:

• Highly customizable interface: Adjust layouts, branding, and workflows to match internal needs.
• Omnichannel messaging: Mix internal chat with customer support workflows.
• Custom roles and integrations: Manage permissions, bots, and automation for your team.

Mattermost

Mattermost is an open-source collaboration platform built for technical teams and organizations that want self-hosted communication. It leans toward security, internal control, and workflow integration. A few highlights:

• Self-hosted deployment: Keep communication inside your own environment.
• Dev-focused integrations: Connect with GitLab, Jenkins, Jira, and other tools.
• Detailed permissions: Control access by team, channel, and project.

Google Chat

Part of Google Workspace, Google Chat is a simple team messaging tool that integrates directly with Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Meet. It works well for teams that already operate inside Google’s ecosystem.

That said, one of the risks of Google Chat is the lack of end-to-end encryption, so we don’t recommend sharing sensitive data through the service.

Zoho Cliq

Zoho Cliq is a team chat platform built for companies that already use Zoho apps or want chat plus automation in one place. It combines messaging, calls, and workflow tools without spreading everything across separate apps.

Choose Cliq if you want:

• Automation tools: Set up bots and actions inside conversations.
• Zoho app connections: Link it to CRM, Projects, Desk, and other Zoho services.
• Built-in collaboration: Includes channels, meetings, files, and task discussions.

Wire

Wire offers secure communication for teams that need encrypted messaging, calls, and file sharing across devices. It’s commonly used in environments with stricter privacy and compliance requirements, such as healthcare organizations handling patient data, financial companies dealing with sensitive customer info, and so on.

Core features include:

• Encrypted communication: Covers chat, calls, and file sharing with end-to-end encryption.
• Timed messages: Set messages to expire automatically after a chosen period.
• Team management tools: Admins can manage users, permissions, and workspace access centrally.

Best Discord alternatives for school

These Discord alternatives help with class communication, group projects, and teacher coordination:

1. Microsoft Teams: Gives teachers a place to share lessons, host classes, and keep student discussion grouped by course.
2. Google Chat: Works well in schools already using Google tools, where teachers share files, discuss tasks, and manage class conversations through Drive and Docs.
3. Slack: Helps older students and staff organize group projects with clear channels, quick feedback loops, and easy sharing of documents during collaborative work.
4. Telegram: Supports large class groups and announcements, with fast messaging and simple file sharing that makes it easy for teachers to reach students directly.
5. Geneva: Fits small study groups that want separate spaces for chats, video rooms, and planning, keeping school discussions split by subject or project.

Frequently asked questions