Discord

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2015
Developer: Discord Inc.
Pricing: Freemium
Open source: No
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

Indexes

Community/Forums Messaging Video Calling

Overview

Discord is a voice, video, and text communication platform designed for communities, particularly gamers and online groups. It supports servers with channels for organized discussions, direct messaging, and group calls. Key distinctions include customizable servers, low-latency voice chat, and an app directory for bots and integrations.

Key Features

Servers and Channels - Organized spaces for communities with text, voice, and video channels.
Voice and Video Calling - Low-latency group voice chats and screen sharing.
Custom Profiles - User-editable profiles with about me section (190 characters), avatar, pronouns, and profile color.
Server Profiles - Customizable server cards showing name, icon, banner, description, games, and traits.
App Directory - Browse and add bots, integrations, and apps to servers.
Nitro Subscriptions - Premium features like animated avatars, larger file uploads, and profile banners.
Profile Privacy - Controls visibility of profile details to other users.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	Free	Basic text, voice, video chat, servers, and standard features.
Nitro Basic	$2.99/mo	Custom emojis, larger file sharing, better streaming quality.
Nitro	$9.99/mo	All Basic features plus animated avatars, profile banners, 4K streaming.

Platforms & Requirements

Discord runs on Windows, macOS, Linux desktops, iOS, Android mobile apps, and web browsers. Mobile supports profile editing via avatar tap and full features like voice chat. No notable minimum requirements beyond standard hardware; web version lacks some desktop-exclusive customizations.

Integrations & Ecosystem

Bots via App Directory
Custom emojis
Screen sharing
File sharing
Activity connections (e.g., Twitch, YouTube)
Server broadcasting
API access for developers
Moderation tools

Alternatives

App	Difference
Slack	Focuses on workplace productivity with threaded messaging over gaming communities.
Microsoft Teams	Enterprise-oriented with deeper Office integration and meeting focus.
Guilded	Gaming-specific with built-in calendars and tournament tools.
Telegram	Emphasizes large group chats and channels without voice server structure.

Reputation

Discord is widely used for gaming communities due to reliable voice chat and easy server setup. Criticisms include moderation challenges in large servers and past privacy concerns. It has expanded beyond gaming with features like profile customization and app integrations.

Sources (9)