Switching from Discord: Top 6 Alternatives to Consider
Discord has been the favored choice for gamers and communities to gather and interact for a long time. Nevertheless, to be honest, it’s not perfect — there are always chances for improvement and sometimes you may look for something slightly different. This is where the wide range of alternative choices to Discord come into the picture. Numerous options exist that might be a more suitable fit for your specific needs.
Community and Engagement
Discord stands out for its excellent community-building tools, exemplified by the Discord HypeSquad. HypeSquad members are eager users who promote Discord, take part in special events, and engage with similar community members. This fosters a lively and involved community that enriches the user’s experience.
1. Slack
Slack is a platform for communication among teams that assists in team collaboration and integrates with various tools.
If you seek a professional and work-oriented chat platform, Slack is a better choice than Discord.
It is filled with tools for increasing productivity such as channels, threaded discussions, and connections to many other applications and tools. The design is simple and easy to understand, allowing you to remain organized as your team or community expands. Slack offers strong security features and administrative controls, which makes it a top pick for companies. The basic plan offers good functionality, but you may consider upgrading to one of the paid tiers for access to the complete range of features.
2. Teams by Microsoft
Another choice in the field of work/productivity communication is Microsoft Teams. This is Slack’s main rival from Microsoft, and it’s closely connected with the other parts of the Office 365 network. This makes it a logical decision if your company is already utilizing other Microsoft products. Teams offers the usual group chat, file sharing, and video call functions, along with special features such as integrated task organization and virtual whiteboard. The unpaid option has restrictions, while the premium subscriptions offer advanced business features.
3. Component
Element (previously known as Riot.im) is a great alternative to Discord for those who prioritize privacy and security. It is a chat platform that is decentralized and open-source, developed using the Matrix protocol. This implies that your messages and data are encrypted from start to finish and you have complete control of your server. Element includes all standard chat features along with connections to other Matrix-compatible applications. While it may take longer to learn compared to alternative options, it is an excellent solution for those who prioritize privacy.
4. Guilded
If you’re looking for a substitute for Discord specifically made for gaming communities, Guilded is a fantastic choice to explore. It provides a feature set that is similar to Discord, including voice/text chat, server organization, and rich media support.
However, Guilded includes distinctive features such as integrated tournament scheduling, team management tools, and advanced moderation controls. The interface has a sleeker, more minimalist aesthetic in comparison to Discord. Guilded can be used for free, but there are paid tiers available for bigger communities.
5. Zulip
Zulip is an open-source platform that also prioritizes privacy. It takes a unique approach to group chats by dividing conversations into “streams” and “topics” rather than solely using text channels. This can provide a more structured and corporate vibe in contrast to Discord’s informal style. Nonetheless, Zulip offers exceptional search capability, threading features, and integrations to guarantee proper organization. The generous plan that is free makes this a great option for those on a budget.
6. Mattermost
Mattermost is an excellent option for people looking for a self-hosted chat alternative that is open-source and can serve as a suitable replacement for Discord.
It offers various features, like video calls, file sharing, and many plugin/integration options. Mattermost is designed with an emphasis on high-level security and compliance with regulations, catering to businesses or organizations looking for enhanced control over data management. Although there is a free option, switching to a paid level unlocks more advanced admin and governance functionalities.
Conclusion
Each alternative to Discord possesses unique strengths and serves specific purposes. If you are looking for a tool that prioritizes work, privacy, gaming, or offers a special method for group chat, there is certainly a choice that will suit your needs. By experimenting with different options, you can determine which one is most suitable for your community.
