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Discord alternatives

Top Team Chat like Discord

The most popular alternative to Discord is Slack, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Discord are Element, Telegram, Mattermost, and Rocket.Chat.

Most alternatives to Discord are in the Team Chat category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Discord alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
11 apps

All Discord alternatives

  1. Slack is a workplace messaging app that organizes conversations into channels by team, project or topic, with threads, direct messages and huddles for quick audio or video calls. A large app directory and an open API connect it to most business tools, and Slack Connect lets companies share channels with clients and partners. AI summaries and search are available on paid plans.

    9 Slack alternatives

    Pros

    • Huge app directory connects to almost any business tool
    • Slack Connect shares channels with clients and partners
    • Huddles make quick audio and video calls effortless

    Cons

    • Free plan hides older message history
    • Paid plans get costly for large teams
    • Constant notifications can hurt focus
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
  2. Element is a messaging app from the team that created Matrix, an open standard for decentralized, federated chat. Rooms, direct messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted, and people on different Matrix servers can talk to each other like email. Individuals can join a public server for free, while organizations and governments self-host or buy Element's enterprise server suite, with bridges to other chat networks.

    12 Element alternatives

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption by default for private rooms and messages
    • Federated Matrix network, so no single company controls your chats
    • Open source and self-hostable, popular with public sector bodies

    Cons

    • Encryption keys and device verification can confuse newcomers
    • Running your own Matrix server takes real technical effort
    • Fewer business integrations than mainstream team chat apps
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
  3. Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that syncs chats across phones, desktops and the web, with very large groups, broadcast channels and an extensive bot platform. Its client apps are open source, but the server is not, and only the optional Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted. Telegram Premium adds extras such as bigger uploads and faster downloads.

    10 Telegram alternatives

    Pros

    • Cloud sync across phone, desktop and web
    • Huge groups, broadcast channels and a powerful bot platform
    • Open source clients that are fast and polished

    Cons

    • Regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted, only Secret Chats are
    • Secret Chats do not sync across devices and are unavailable in groups
    • Server code is closed, unlike the client apps
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
  4. Mattermost is an open-source collaboration platform offering channels, threads, calls and playbooks for structured workflows. Organizations can run it on their own servers or in a private cloud to keep full control of their data, which appeals to engineering teams, public agencies and regulated industries. Plugins, webhooks and an API connect it to DevOps tools like GitLab, Jira and Jenkins.

    8 Mattermost alternatives

    Pros

    • Self-hosting keeps full control over data and infrastructure
    • Strong DevOps integrations with GitLab, Jira and Jenkins
    • Playbooks structure incident response and repeatable workflows

    Cons

    • Self-hosted deployments need ongoing admin work
    • Smaller app ecosystem than Slack
    • Advanced compliance and enterprise features require paid plans
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
  5. Rocket.Chat is an open-source communications platform that can be self-hosted or used as a cloud service. Besides team channels, threads, direct messages and calls, it includes an omnichannel module that routes website chat, email and messaging apps to support agents. Its marketplace and APIs let organizations customize it heavily, and self-hosting suits teams with strict data residency needs.

    9 Rocket.Chat alternatives

    Pros

    • Omnichannel module routes website chat, email and messaging apps
    • Self-hostable open source platform for strict data residency needs
    • Marketplace and APIs allow deep customization

    Cons

    • Self-hosted setups require regular maintenance and upgrades
    • Some features are reserved for paid editions
    • The wide range of settings makes administration complex
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
  6. Zulip is an open-source team chat app whose threading model files every channel message under a named topic, so people can catch up on several discussions without losing context. It supports Markdown, code blocks and LaTeX math, and integrates with common developer tools. It can be self-hosted for free or used through Zulip Cloud, which suits open-source projects, research groups and remote teams.

    8 Zulip alternatives

    Pros

    • Topic-based threading makes catching up on discussions easy
    • Markdown, code blocks and LaTeX suit technical teams
    • Free to self-host under an open source license

    Cons

    • The topic model takes some getting used to after Slack
    • Video calls rely on external services such as Jitsi or Zoom
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
  7. Google Chat is Google's messaging app for direct messages, group conversations and spaces, the shared rooms where teams discuss projects in threads. It sits next to Gmail and works closely with Drive, Docs and Meet, so files and meetings can be shared without switching apps. It is free with a personal Google account, while companies get admin controls and Gemini features through Google Workspace.

    8 Google Chat alternatives

    Pros

    • Built into Gmail, so Workspace users need no extra app
    • Works closely with Drive, Docs and Meet for files and calls
    • Free to use with a personal Google account

    Cons

    • Fewer third-party integrations and bots than Slack
    • Little appeal outside the Google Workspace ecosystem
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
  8. Microsoft Teams combines persistent team chat, channels, video meetings, webinars and calling in one app tied to Microsoft 365. Files live in SharePoint and OneDrive and can be co-edited in Word, Excel or PowerPoint without leaving the conversation. It suits organizations already standardized on Microsoft 365, and Copilot adds meeting recaps and chat summaries on eligible licenses.

    12 Microsoft Teams alternatives

    Pros

    • Chat, meetings and calls in one app tied to Microsoft 365
    • Co-edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files without leaving a conversation
    • Enterprise-grade admin, security and compliance controls

    Cons

    • Can feel heavy and slow, especially on older machines
    • Channels, chats and files can be confusing to navigate
    • Less appealing outside a Microsoft 365 environment
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  9. Chanty is a team messaging app aimed at small and mid-sized teams who want something simpler than larger chat suites. It offers public and private conversations, audio and video calls with screen sharing, and a built-in task manager with a Kanban board, so messages can be turned into tasks. A free plan covers small teams, and integrations connect it to common workplace tools.

    8 Chanty alternatives

    Pros

    • Simple interface that small teams pick up quickly
    • Built-in Kanban task board turns messages into tasks
    • Free plan is enough to get a small team started

    Cons

    • Smaller integration catalog than Slack or Microsoft Teams
    • Task management is basic compared with dedicated tools
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
  10. Signal is a free, open-source messenger run by the nonprofit Signal Foundation. Messages, calls, group chats and media are end-to-end encrypted with the Signal Protocol, and the service is designed to collect as little metadata as possible. Registration requires a phone number, though usernames let you chat without sharing it, and the app has no ads or trackers.

    10 Signal alternatives

    Pros

    • Signal Protocol encrypts messages, calls and groups end to end
    • Run by a nonprofit, with minimal metadata and no ads
    • Usernames let you chat without revealing your phone number

    Cons

    • A phone number is still required to register
    • Fewer of your contacts are likely to use it than mainstream apps
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
  11. Messenger is Meta's chat app for messaging and calling people you know on Facebook, with group chats, voice and video calls, reactions, stickers and media sharing. Personal chats and calls have been end-to-end encrypted by default since late 2023, and disappearing messages are available. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Android as well as in the browser.

    8 Messenger alternatives

    Pros

    • Easy way to reach Facebook contacts without swapping phone numbers
    • Personal chats and calls are end-to-end encrypted by default
    • Rich group chats, video calls, reactions and stickers

    Cons

    • Collects extensive data linked to your Meta profile
    • Requires a Facebook account to use
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories

Discord vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Discord, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Discord vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAPI accessChannelsGroup chatsScreen sharingThreaded conversations
DiscordFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
SlackFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
ElementFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted
TelegramFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
MattermostFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted
Rocket.ChatFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted

Discord alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Discord?

The most popular alternative to Discord is Slack: Channel-based messaging and collaboration for work teams. Other great alternatives are Element, Telegram, Mattermost, and Rocket.Chat.

Is there a free alternative to Discord?

Yes, 11 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Slack, Element, Telegram, and Mattermost.

Is there an open source alternative to Discord?

Yes, 6 open source alternatives are listed, including Element, Telegram, Mattermost, and Rocket.Chat.

Is Discord free?

Discord has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Discord with its alternatives

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