Discord boasts 150 million monthly active users, yet alternative platforms continue to grow rapidly in 2025. Users have expressed serious concerns about privacy. The lack of end-to-end encryption for group chats remains the biggest problem. New platforms now compete with Discord by offering improved security features, better customization options, and advanced business capabilities.
Why Users Are Switching From Discord in 2025
Discord’s recent policy and feature changes have led users to look for other platforms. Storage limits and privacy issues are the main reasons why users want to change their priorities.
Privacy concerns driving the exodus
Users who care about privacy worry about how Discord collects their data. Discord says it doesn’t sell personal information, but its privacy policy doesn’t clearly explain how it stores video and voice calls. The new AI features that use OpenAI also raise questions about how Discord uses data to train these systems.
Discord’s security history raises red flags. The platform received an €800,000 fine from France’s CNIL in 2022. This happened because Discord violated GDPR rules with poor data storage policies and weak password security. Messages on Discord could be at risk because there’s no end-to-end encryption – the platform only uses HTTPS protocol to protect data.
Limitations of Discord’s free tier
Discord cut the file upload limit from 25MB to 10MB for free users. The company claims that 10MB works fine for 99% of users. Users lost trust when Discord made this change quietly without any announcement.
Discord now wants users to pay for larger file sharing:
- Nitro Basic: 50MB limit at $3.00 monthly
- Nitro: 500MB limit at $9.99 monthly
Free users can only search messages from the last 90 days. This creates problems for communities that need to access older messages.
Need for specialized features
The mobile app misses many features that desktop users enjoy, such as:
- The quickest way to switch accounts
- Better emoji controls
- Cross-platform synchronization
Communities need better tools. Users want:
- Advanced poll systems
- Well-laid-out message organization
- Better comment threading
- Improved event management tools
Business users struggle with Discord’s gaming-focused design. The mobile interface confuses users, which matters a lot in places like India where 95% of people use communities through mobile devices. Making money through Discord is hard because the shop often sends users to external websites.
Mental health has become another reason why users leave the platform. Some people spend up to 15 hours daily on Discord, which affects their ground interactions. The way Discord works can lead to antisocial behavior and dependence on online relationships.
These limits, plus new policies like forced arbitration clauses and staff cuts, have pushed users to find platforms that match what they need and expect in terms of privacy.
Gaming-Focused Platforms Like Discord With Superior Audio
Gamers looking for better sound quality and security features can find great alternatives to Discord. These gaming platforms put voice communication first, which makes them perfect to use in competitive gaming and multiplayer adventures.
TeamSpeak’s military-grade encryption
TeamSpeak shines with its AES-based encryption system that gives unique security to gaming communications. Server administrators can apply encryption at server-wide and channel-specific levels. TeamSpeak lets users host servers anywhere they want, so they retain control of their data.
You’ll get crystal-clear voice quality with the lowest resource usage among VoIP software. TeamSpeak’s hierarchical permission system lets competitive gamers decide who can talk and join specific channels.
The platform’s surround sound capabilities stand out from the crowd. Players get a 360-degree soundscape and hear their teammates’ positions in the game environment, which becomes a great advantage during strategic gameplay.
Mumble’s positional audio technology
Mumble led the way in low-latency voice communication and still leads with its positional audio feature. This tech puts voice chat users in virtual space based on where they are in the game. Players’ voices come from their character’s location, and the volume changes with distance.
Players can customize these settings:
- Maximum hearing distance
- Minimum volume levels
- Position-based sound direction
- Team-specific audio contexts
Mumble’s positional audio works in two ways:
- Direct game integration sharing position data
- Plugin-based memory reading for game context
Audio only travels between players in the same game context, which keeps tactical integrity in team-based games. Large-scale gaming communities love this feature because it supports more than 100 voice users at once.
Steam Chat’s gameplay integration
Steam Chat merges smoothly with the gaming ecosystem. Users can start voice chats right from their friends list or through the microphone icon in chat windows.
Gaming groups get dedicated voice channels that stay active across sessions. These channels work as permanent communication hubs for regular gaming parties, so you won’t need to create new chat rooms every time.
Steam’s mobile app brings a modern touch to the chat experience, though voice features are still growing. The platform creates a unified gaming communication hub by connecting with game purchases and library management.
Each platform stands out in its own way. TeamSpeak’s military-grade security works best for competitive teams that need private communications. Mumble’s positional audio makes tactical shooters and open-world games more immersive. Steam Chat then gives casual gamers a convenient way to connect their communication tools with their game library.
Business Alternatives With Hidden Productivity Tools
Business teams have found powerful productivity features hidden in professional communication platforms. These Discord alternatives come with advanced automation, AI-powered summaries, and task management tools that make workplace teamwork more efficient.
Slack’s workflow automation capabilities
Slack’s Workflow Builder helps teams automate their routine tasks. Team members can create automated processes through simple drag-and-drop actions without coding. The platform’s AI-powered automation builder creates time-saving workflows with basic commands.
Slack runs more than 3 million workflows each day, and 80% of people who create these workflows aren’t technical experts. The platform connects with 65 third-party workflow tools.
Teams can:
- Turn messages into automated tasks
- Set up recurring reminders
- Build custom feedback forms
- Make onboarding automatic
Almost 80% of Fortune 100 companies use Slack daily. Teams can start using the platform at $12.50 per member monthly.
Microsoft Teams’ AI meeting summaries
Microsoft Teams now features advanced AI-powered meeting capabilities with its Intelligent Recap system. This technology picks up spoken names, discussion topics, and creates organized meeting chapters.
The system produces these items minutes after a meeting ends:
- AI-created meeting notes
- Action item suggestions
- Color-coded topic sections
- Personal timeline markers
Teams’ speaker timeline feature organizes participants by their work connections, which helps users find specific discussions quickly. Premium users get extra AI-generated insights, including GPT-powered meeting notes and suggested next steps.
Chanty’s message-to-task conversion
Chanty takes a fresh approach to task management by turning chat messages into action items. Users can create tasks right from their conversations, which makes workflow management simple. The platform includes these task management features:
- Task Creation Options:
- Turn messages into tasks
- Make new tasks from scratch
- Give tasks to team members
- Watch task progress in real time
- Task Visibility Controls:
- Team-wide visibility for public conversation tasks
- Limited access for private conversation tasks
Teams can work on tasks in dedicated spaces away from general chat through Chanty’s discussion feature. This focused method keeps task discussions separate from regular conversations and helps teams stay productive.
Community Building Alternatives With Monetization Features
Community builders looking for platforms with built-in monetization tools have found that there was more than just Discord. These platforms help you create paid courses, manage membership tiers, and run events that bring in revenue.
Mighty Networks’ course creation tools
Mighty Networks stands out with its complete course creation capabilities. The platform’s AI-powered system creates course outlines in just 30 seconds.
Creators can turn their expertise into money through:
- One-time or subscription fees
- Cohort-based learning models
- Course bundles with flexible pricing
- Support for more than 135 currencies
Built-in video hosting makes content delivery simple. The platform also has features for assessments, quizzes, and unlimited course storage.
Creators get automated systems that:
- Create instant course outlines from your topic
- Save livestreams for evergreen course content
- Start promotional campaigns when courses finish through Zapier integration
Circle’s membership tiers
Circle has become a leading platform for membership-based communities with smart subscription management tools. Subscription groups let creators bundle paywalls with tiered pricing. Members can upgrade or downgrade their plans naturally.
Circle’s pricing has three main tiers:
- Basic: $49/month (100 members, 10 spaces)
- Professional: $99/month (unlimited members, 20 spaces)
- Business: $249/month (has workflows, custom profiles)
The platform gives you unique ways to keep members engaged:
- Advanced analytics to track member activity
- Customizable profile fields
- Built-in course migration services
- Workflow automation capabilities
Circle moves active subscriptions from old platforms in 10 business days. Business plan subscribers who pay yearly get free course migration services.
Geneva’s event management system
Geneva transforms community events with its complete management tools. Event creators can:
- Create separate ticketing for online and in-person events
- Set prices based on membership
- Run limited-time offers
- Add merchandise options to tickets
The system helps you make money through:
- Tiered membership packages
- Automatic recurring payments
- Promo code campaigns
- Custom donation pages
Event organizers control access to features, pages, and content. They can also give special ticket prices to specific member groups. The platform shows clear reports on how campaigns perform and attendance numbers.
These platforms give community builders better ways to make money than traditional chat apps. Mighty Networks excels at delivering courses. Circle makes membership management flexible. Geneva simplifies making money from events. Each platform has tools to track engagement, handle subscriptions, and measure community growth.
Security-Focused Discord Alternatives For Privacy-Conscious Users
Privacy-minded users are looking for secure messaging platforms to replace Discord in 2025. These platforms give you robust encryption, self-destructing messages, and decentralized systems to protect your data. Here are three great options that put your privacy and security first.
Telegram’s self-destructing messages
Telegram has become popular with users who want better privacy features. The platform’s secret chats use end-to-end encryption, which means your messages are only available to you and the recipient, not even Telegram’s servers can see them. This security works for conference calls and file transfers too.
Telegram really stands out with its self-destructing messages feature. You can set your messages, photos, and videos to delete after a specific time – anywhere from a second to a week. This feature works great when you’re sharing sensitive information.
Telegram’s self-destructing messages give you:
- Custom timers: Pick deletion times from 1 second to 1 week
- Full coverage: Works with messages, photos, and videos
- Screenshot alerts: You’ll know right away if someone tries to screenshot your disappearing media
It’s worth mentioning that Telegram doesn’t turn on end-to-end encryption for all chats. You need to start a “Secret Chat” to get this protection.
Wire’s end-to-end encryption
Wire is a 5-year old Discord alternative that users love for its detailed encryption. Everything you send – messages, conference calls, and files – gets end-to-end encryption. The encryption stays on all the time and can’t be turned off, which keeps your data safe.
Wire uses an encryption system called Proteus, based on the Axolotl/Double Ratchet protocol. This system gives you some big advantages:
- Forward Secrecy (FS): Your past messages stay safe even if someone cracks your current encryption key
- Post-Compromise Security (PCS): Your future messages remain protected after a security breach
- Easy operation: Encryption runs naturally in the background
Wire shows its commitment to transparency by making its code open source on GitHub. Anyone can check and verify the code. Security experts have given this approach positive reviews, which helps build trust.
Wire also takes a strong stance on data privacy. They don’t sell any analytics or usage data to other companies, which matches what users just need from tech companies today.
Element’s decentralized architecture
Element (previously Riot) has become a compelling Discord alternative for users who want decentralized communication. Built using the Matrix protocol, Element lets you own and control your data while keeping everything private.
Element’s decentralized system gives you some unique benefits:
- Data control: You decide where your data lives – on your servers or in the cloud
- Works with others: The Matrix protocol lets you talk to people using different platforms
- Open source: Both Element and Matrix are open source, so everyone can see how they work
Element protects your conversations with end-to-end encryption. The platform has grown fast – Matrix deployments went up 190% in 12 months, reaching 75,000 deployments and over 35 million potential users.
Organizations that care about data control can get:
- Systems running on their own servers
- Cloud platform options
- Custom settings for governance decisions
- Time-locked security voting
These features make Element a great choice for businesses and government groups who want to control their communication systems while using modern collaboration tools.
Each platform has its strengths, but they all focus on keeping your data private and secure. Telegram lets you send messages that delete themselves, Wire protects everything with encryption, and Element gives you complete control over your data.
As people learn more about privacy risks in digital communication, these Discord alternatives are ready to meet the growing need for secure, private messaging platforms that users control. With features like custom encryption, open-source transparency, and decentralized systems, these platforms enable you to take charge of your digital conversations in ways that regular messaging apps can’t match.
Mobile-First Discord Alternatives For On-The-Go Communities
Mobile-first platforms have changed how communities interact by giving lighter alternatives to Discord. These platforms are great at providing uninterrupted communication, even when network conditions aren’t ideal.
WhatsApp’s lightweight performance
WhatsApp has been a powerhouse in mobile messaging for over 10 years, with about 3 billion monthly active users. The platform handles 140 billion messages every day and still keeps running smoothly thanks to its well-designed system.
The platform runs so well because it uses SQLite database that stores conversations right on your device. This design choice brings several benefits:
- Faster message retrieval
- Reduced server load
- Improved search functionality
- Minimal data consumption
WhatsApp’s team has focused on making the app work better on different platforms. The app uses native programming languages specific to each platform:
- iOS: Swift
- Android: Java
- Windows Phone: C#
- Web app: JavaScript
- Desktop apps: Swift/Objective-C (Mac) and C/C#/Java (PC)
The app’s light nature shows up clearly in its message queuing system. Messages you send during connection problems stay in line until your connection comes back. This feature will give a reliable way to deliver messages without using too many system resources.
Users with limited storage or processing power will find WhatsApp works really well. The platform uses Erlang for backend operations, which lets it handle many users at once while staying stable. Each Erlang process runs on its own, so if one part fails, it won’t affect other conversations.
Viber’s cross-platform synchronization
Viber stands out because of its complete cross-device sync features. The app naturally moves chat histories between devices that run on the same platform (iOS or Android).
This sync works with different types of content:
- Communities and chat history
- Group memberships
- Viber Out plans and credits
- Sticker collections
- Contact lists
The app’s device management system puts connected devices into two groups: primary or secondary. Users can have:
- One primary device (phone or tablet)
- Unlimited secondary devices
- Desktop clients as secondary devices only
Viber makes sure your data stays intact during sync. When you restore content on a new device, the app:
- Moves your basic chat history first
- Continues media restoration in the background
- Lets you use the platform right away during restoration
- Keeps separate notification settings for each device
The platform lets you customize extensively across devices. You can set up different notification and appearance settings on each device. This flexibility gives you customized experiences without messing up the sync.
Viber’s design supports voice calling, instant messaging, and media sharing on all major operating systems. The platform knows users by their phone numbers but works on desktop even without mobile connection. This approach gives you consistent communication options whatever device you choose.
WhatsApp and Viber show how mobile-first platforms can give strong community features while staying fast and efficient. Their ability to handle millions of users while staying quick makes them great options for communities that want mobile access first.
Open-Source Alternatives That Give You Complete Control
Open-source alternatives to Discord give you complete control over your communication platforms with unmatched customization and data ownership. These solutions let you self-host, use peer-to-peer networks, and customize extensively.
Rocket.Chat’s self-hosting capabilities
Rocket.Chat stands out as a versatile, open-source communication platform that puts user control and data privacy first. You can deploy Rocket.Chat on your infrastructure to keep full ownership of your data and conversations.
Rocket.Chat shines with its flexible hosting options. You can deploy the platform:
- On-premises: Set up Rocket.Chat in your data center to use your existing infrastructure and security protocols.
- In the cloud: Use containers and orchestration tools for adaptable cloud deployment.
- Air-gapped environments: Run Rocket.Chat in isolated networks for maximum security.
These options fit organizations with different security needs and infrastructure priorities. Rocket.Chat’s on-premise setups work behind a firewall to meet data sovereignty rules.
Security-focused organizations will appreciate Rocket.Chat’s features:
- End-to-end encryption for private conversations.
- Detailed access control with custom roles and permissions.
- ISO 27001 certification and SOC 2 compliance.
- Support for GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, and HIPAA compliance.
The open-source platform brings extra benefits:
- Transparency: You can check the source code on GitHub.
- Customization: Make changes to match your specific needs.
- Community-driven development: A thriving community helps improve the platform.
Rocket.Chat runs on Linux, Mac OSX, and Windows 10. The platform offers Gitpod for online development, making setup and customization easier.
Teams can deploy self-hosted Large Language Models (LLMs) with Rocket.Chat. This lets you use AI without sharing sensitive data with third parties.
Tox’s peer-to-peer infrastructure
Tox offers a different approach as a decentralized, peer-to-peer communication tool. This open-source protocol puts privacy and security first through its unique design.
Tox’s peer-to-peer system features:
- Decentralized architecture: Direct user connections remove the need for central servers.
- End-to-end encryption: The NaCl library encrypts all Tox traffic.
- Perfect forward secrecy: Past messages stay secure even if keys get compromised.
The decentralized approach brings several benefits:
- No downtime: Users make up the network, removing single points of failure.
- Better privacy: No central servers to compromise.
- Censorship resistance: Messages are harder to block or monitor.
Tox includes essential communication tools:
- Instant messaging
- Voice and video calls
- File transfers
- Group chats
The free software model lets users modify, share, and improve the code. This open approach promotes innovation and keeps the platform focused on user needs.
Keep in mind that peer-to-peer systems have some limits:
- Messages only deliver when both users are online.
- Offline messages stay on the sender’s device.
Despite these trade-offs, Tox works well for users who want full control over their communications.
Discourse’s customization options
Discourse gives you a highly customizable, open-source platform to build reliable online communities. Though it focuses on forum discussions, its extensive customization makes it a good Discord alternative in certain cases.
You can customize Discourse through:
- Theming: Design custom themes that match your brand.
- CSS/HTML customization: Change how the platform looks and works.
- Plugin system: Add features with various plugins.
The theming system lets you change:
- Custom logos and branding elements.
- Color schemes.
- Font choices.
Advanced users can:
- Use the admin panel’s theme creator.
- Load remote themes from Git repositories.
- Modify CSS and HTML code directly.
The open-source approach offers clear advantages:
- Transparency: Review and change the code.
- Community contributions: Access many themes and plugins.
- Self-hosting options: Run Discourse on your servers.
The platform supports different ways to make money:
- Paid memberships
- Tiered access levels
- Payment processor integration
Discourse might not match all Discord’s chat features. But its strong customization and focus on threaded discussions make it perfect for communities that value detailed conversations.
These Discord alternatives – Rocket.Chat, Tox, and Discourse – give you different levels of control and customization. From Rocket.Chat’s complete self-hosting to Tox’s decentralized network and Discourse’s extensive theming, these platforms let you build communication spaces that fit your needs and privacy requirements.
How To Choose The Best Discord Alternative For Your Needs
The process of picking the right platform from many Discord alternatives needs a good look at what you really want. You can find the perfect solution that lines up with your community’s needs by doing this in a well-laid-out way.
Assessing your community’s primary activities
Your community’s core activities and communication patterns deserve a close look. Studies reveal that 91% of businesses use multiple communication tools. This makes it vital to know exactly what you need.
Take a look at these key points:
- Voice calls and video chat frequency
- Text-based discussion volume
- File sharing requirements
- Real-time collaboration needs
Gaming communities should focus on platforms with low latency and better audio quality. Business teams need solutions that provide workflow automation and integration features.
Evaluating necessary integrations
Integration features can affect a platform’s success by a lot. This trend shows up clearly in Fortune 100 companies, where 80% choose platforms like Slack because of their extensive integration options.
Here’s what you should analyze before picking a platform:
- Current software ecosystem requirements
- Third-party tool compatibility
- API availability for custom integrations
- Authentication system requirements
Companies must think about implementation costs since integration projects need substantial resources. A real example shows how one multinational corporation’s team spent three months integrating their communication platform with SAP.
Considering budget constraints
Communication platform costs go beyond basic subscriptions. Teams face growing pressure to make the most of limited resources.
Your platform evaluation should look at:
- Per-user pricing models
- Storage limitations
- Additional feature costs
- Implementation expenses
Note that taxes and surcharges can add 20% or more to service provider costs. You should ask providers for detailed breakdowns of all possible expenses.
Testing platform performance
A platform’s performance directly shapes how users adopt and participate in it. Your testing should give you a full picture of:
Technical Assessment:
- Server response times
- Voice/video quality
- Mobile app performance
- Cross-platform synchronization
User Experience Evaluation:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Feature accessibility
- Learning curve
- Mobile responsiveness
Your organization should team up with HR and upper management to see how employee location affects communications spending. The platform should also handle seasonal usage patterns and meet department-specific needs effectively.
The final step involves checking if the platform’s security features match your requirements. Think about whether you need end-to-end encryption, self-hosting capabilities, or specific compliance certifications. The best Discord alternative will give you the right mix of functionality, security, and cost while supporting your community’s unique communication style.
Conclusion
Discord alternatives provide compelling features that match specific user needs. TeamSpeak’s gaming audio stands out and Element’s security features are reliable. But picking the right alternative depends on your specific needs.
Your community’s requirements need evaluation. You should test several platforms and focus on the key features before making the switch. The best Discord alternative should balance functionality, security, and cost that supports your community’s way of communicating.
FAQs
Q1. What are some popular alternatives to Discord in 2025?
Some popular Discord alternatives in 2025 include TeamSpeak for gamers seeking superior audio quality, Slack for businesses looking for workflow automation, Mighty Networks for community builders wanting monetization features, and Element for users prioritizing privacy and security.
Q2. Why are users switching from Discord to other platforms?
Users are switching from Discord due to privacy concerns, limitations in the free tier (such as reduced file upload limits), and the need for more specialized features that cater to specific community or business requirements.
Q3. What unique features do some Discord alternatives offer?
Some unique features offered by Discord alternatives include TeamSpeak’s military-grade encryption, Mumble’s positional audio technology, Slack’s workflow automation capabilities, and Element’s decentralized architecture for enhanced privacy.
Q4. Are there any open-source alternatives to Discord?
Yes, there are several open-source alternatives to Discord. Some notable ones include Rocket.Chat, which offers self-hosting capabilities, Tox with its peer-to-peer infrastructure, and Discourse, known for its extensive customization options.
Q5. How can I choose the best Discord alternative for my needs?
To choose the best Discord alternative, assess your community’s primary activities, evaluate necessary integrations with other tools, consider your budget constraints, and test the platform’s performance. It’s important to balance functionality, security, and cost while ensuring the platform supports your community’s unique communication style.