18 Best Discord Alternatives for 2026 (Free & Paid)

Discord has been a go-to platform for online communities for nearly 11 years. Whether you're running a gaming group, a fan community, or a team at work, it's become one of the most popular places to chat, share updates, and hang out online.

Today, the platform has between 650 and 690 million registered accounts, around 200 to 260 million monthly active users, and more than 32 million servers worldwide.

But as the platform has grown, some of its biggest challenges have become harder to ignore. For instance, most Discord servers are actually quite small, with the average server having 10-20 members, and many servers losing over half their new members within the first week.

Discord has also faced criticism over its latest age-verification policy, with privacy concerns increasing after a data breach exposed identification documents submitted through a related verification process.

For Creators and community builders, it's no surprise that many are looking beyond Discord to platforms that offer a better experience for both them and their audiences.

Below, we'll break down the top Discord alternatives to choose from while offering insights to see which platform is best equipped for your community.

Discord Alternatives at a Glance

18 Best Discord Alternatives in 2026

When it comes to finding a Discord alternative, there really is no single “best” platform for everyone to use.

Each app in the list below caters to specific groups and communities, all equipped with the necessary features and tools to help them grow.

Discord Alternative #1 — Stoat

Stoat (formerly Revolt) is a free, open-source group chat that's very similar to Discord. It's designed for both small groups and large communities, offering features like servers, channels, voice chat, file sharing, and direct messaging.

Since it's funded by donations rather than ads, Stoat doesn't rely on data collection, and developers can customize the platform with bots and other tools via its open API.

Key Features

• Standard community toolkit of servers, text channels, voice chat, and file sharing.
• Powerful moderation tools and bots to manage communities of any size.
• Custom emojis, animated avatars, profile banners, and built-in themes, with more available via the Discover section or custom CSS.
• Group DMs support up to 50 members and are useful for anything from voice hangouts to project collaboration.
• Can self-host or sync your account across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS.

Pricing

Free to use. Stoat is funded by donations rather than investors, making it completely free for everyone, with no paid plans or subscriptions. 

Pros

• No paid plans or subscriptions required
• No ads or data collection, with an open-source codebase
• Supports bots, APIs, and optional self-hosting
• Includes custom emojis, themes, animated avatars, and profile banners
• Available on desktop, mobile, and web with synced accounts

Cons

• Fewer users, communities, and third-party integrations than Discord
• Tools like screen sharing aren't as polished as larger competitors
• Running your own server requires setup and maintenance
• Fewer community-made bots and extensions are available

Discord Alternative #2 — Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat is a secure messaging platform that combines chat, voice calls, video meetings, AI tools, and custom apps in one place and can be hosted on your own servers for added security. 

While it's commonly used by governments, military organizations, and large enterprises handling sensitive information, it's also a popular alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams for businesses that prioritize privacy and data protection.

Key Features

• Choose between self-hosting, cloud hosting, or fully isolated deployments depending on your security needs.
• Supports messaging, threaded conversations, voice calls, and video meetings in one platform.
• Includes end-to-end encryption, detailed access permissions, audit logs, and data protection tools.
• Supports self-hosted AI models, intelligent search, and conversation summaries while keeping data under your control.
• Connect with platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams or build custom apps and workflows.

Pricing

Rocket.Chat offers a free Starter plan for up to 100 users, while its Pro plan uses custom pricing for organizations that need advanced security, deployment, and support options, with discounted rates available for nonprofits, educational institutions, and open-source projects.

Pros

• Comes with enterprise-grade security, compliance, and privacy features
• Supports self-hosted, cloud-hosted, and air-gapped deployments
• Offers a no-cost Starter plan for small teams
• Supports custom apps, integrations, and workflows
• Used by governments, defense agencies, and large enterprises

Cons

• Pro and Enterprise plans require contacting the sales team
• May offer more security features than most communities or small businesses need
• Managing your own deployment takes IT resources
• Certain advanced security tools have not been fully released yet

Discord Alternative #3 — Signal

Signal is a nonprofit-run messaging app built around state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption via the open source Signal Protocol. 

It's intended for everyday consumers, like friends, families, and coworkers who want a private, secure alternative to SMS and mainstream chat apps.

Key Features

• Messages and calls are encrypted by default to help keep conversations private.
• Send text messages, voice notes, photos, videos, GIFs, and files over an internet connection.
• Make encrypted one-on-one or group voice and video calls from anywhere.
• Create group chats to communicate with friends, family, or coworkers.
• Use built-in encrypted stickers or create and share your own sticker packs.

Pricing

Signal is free to use and can be downloaded for mobile and desktop.

Pros

• End-to-end encryption protects messages and calls by default
• Signal doesn't rely on advertising or collect user data
• Operates without a profit-driven business model
• Simple interface that's familiar to most messaging app users
• Available on Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, and Linux

Cons

• You need a phone number to create an account
• Users must rely on Signal's own servers
• Communication works best when your contacts also use Signal
• Lacks advanced moderation and server management tools
• Long-term development depends on ongoing community support

Discord Alternative #4 — Circle

Circle is an all-in-one platform for building branded online communities, letting Creators, coaches, educators, and businesses combine community discussions, courses, events, chat, and payments under their own brand.

Key Features

• Create discussion spaces, host live events, offer courses, track analytics, and organize members in one platform.
• Launch a custom iOS and Android app with your own branding and push notifications.
• Use built-in AI tools and automated workflows to help manage and grow your community.
• Sell memberships, courses, and digital products with integrated payments and flexible pricing options.
• Build landing pages, send email campaigns, and manage your audience from a single dashboard.

Pricing

Circle offers a 14-day free trial and three paid plans, including a Professional plan at $89/month,  a Business plan at $199/month, and Circle Plus, which offers custom pricing for enterprise-level features such as AI workflows, dedicated support, and optional branded mobile apps.

Pros

• Combines community, courses, payments, email, and website tools
• Supports memberships, courses, and integrated payments
• Offers custom iOS and Android apps for your community
• Includes automation features to help manage your community
• Meets major compliance standards and offers migration support

Cons

• Premium features are only available on custom-priced plans
• Can feel overwhelming for simple chat communities
• Payment processing includes platform fees depending on your plan

Discord Alternative #5 — Bettermode

Bettermode is an AI-powered, no-code customer community platform for building branded portals, support forums, and engagement hubs.

It's aimed at marketing and customer success teams at SaaS and enterprise companies who want to drive engagement, retention, and revenue by putting customers, content, and conversations in one place.

Key Features

• Customize your community's layout and features with drag-and-drop tools-no coding required.
• Includes discussions, Q&A, events, polls, private messaging, and member profiles in one place.
• Use built-in AI search, question answering, and spam detection to help manage your community.
• Connect with popular tools like Slack, Discord, Salesforce, HubSpot, Zapier, and more.
• Offers advanced security features, single sign-on, and compliance with major privacy standards.

Pricing

Bettermode offers a 14-day free trial on its Starter and Growth plans, with paid subscriptions starting at $399/month for Starter, $1,500/month for Growth, and custom pricing for the enterprise-level Premium plan.

Pros

• Build a branded community without coding
• Comes with AI search, spam detection, and automated assistance
• Connects with popular business and marketing apps
• Offers enterprise-grade privacy, compliance, and security features
• Known for its intuitive interface and customer support

Cons

• Advanced plans cost significantly more than the entry tier
• Advanced security and admin tools are only available on custom-priced plans
• Better suited for customer communities than casual chat groups
• Member and collaborator caps may require plan upgrades as your community grows

Discord Alternative #6 — Group App

GroupApp is a group learning platform built for coaching, training, and certification programs, combining courses, cohort communities, live events, and payments into a single tool. 

It's intended for course Creators, trainers, and associations who currently juggle separate tools (Zoom, a course platform, a community app, and a payment processor) and want a single platform where students have a single login and a single home for their program.

Key Features

• Create structured courses with lessons, quizzes, drip schedules, workbooks, and progress tracking.
• Organize members into separate groups, each with its own courses, discussions, and events.
• Sell courses, memberships, subscriptions, and digital products with flexible pricing options.
• Launch a custom iOS and Android app with your own branding and push notifications.
• Host discussion channels, direct messages, group chats, live sessions, and member directories on one platform.

Pricing

GroupApp offers a 14-day free trial, with paid plans starting at $24/month for Launch, $64/month for Grow, $144/month for Scale, and $384/month for Organization, with discounted pricing available for annual billing and 0% transaction fees on every plan.

Pros

• Combines courses, community, events, payments, and memberships in one place
• Lower entry cost than many similar community platforms
• Creators keep 100% of their sales on every plan
• Includes tools for structured programs, drip content, and certificates
• Offers a custom app to create a more personalized member experience

Cons

• Less suited for general chat communities or social groups
• Member caps and missing features may require upgrading over time
• Features like SSO, automation, and white labeling are only available on higher-tier plans
• Fewer integrations, resources, and community support than larger competitors

Discord Alternative #7 — Pumble

Pumble is a team messaging app designed to help businesses communicate and collaborate in one place. It offers chat, voice calls, video meetings, and file sharing, making it a good fit for teams of any size. 

One of its biggest advantages is that it includes unlimited users and unlimited message history on its free plan, making it an affordable option for businesses that want to keep everyone connected.

Key Features

• Get unlimited users, channels, and searchable message history at no additional cost.
• Supports public and private channels, direct messages, threaded conversations, mentions, reactions, and scheduled messages.
• Host one-on-one or group calls with screen sharing and collaboration tools.
• Built-in AI can summarize conversations, find files, and help automate routine tasks.
• Invite external collaborators and manage access with user roles and permissions.

Pricing

Pumble offers a free plan with unlimited users, while paid plans start at $2.49 per user/month for Pro, $3.99 for Business, and $6.99 for Enterprise (billed annually).

Pros

• Comes with unlimited users and message history at no cost
• Lower pricing than many competing team chat platforms
• Helps automate tasks and summarize conversations
• Offers tools to import existing Slack workspaces
• Provides 24/7 customer support and enterprise-grade security features

Cons

• Fewer integrations and a smaller user base than larger competitors.
• Features like SSO are only available on Enterprise plans
• Better suited for workplace collaboration than public communities

Discord Alternative #8 — Chanty

Chanty is a collaboration software that helps teams chat, meet, and manage their work.

It includes messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, and built-in task management, making it a practical choice for businesses and work teams that want to keep communication and projects organized.

Key Features

• Communicate in channels or direct messages and turn conversations into trackable tasks with built-in Kanban boards.
• Host audio and video calls with screen sharing and support for large group meetings.
• Store and organize team documents, files, and important information in one central location.
• Includes encryption and compliance with major privacy and security standards.
• Supports calendars, polls, scheduled messages, disappearing messages, and integrations with popular business apps.

Pricing

Chanty is free to use but comes with a Business plan ($4/month) that includes unlimited group chats and calls, screen sharing, task boards, and an employee directory. There's also an Enterprise plan (custom pricing) with unlimited custom roles, enterprise API, unlimited integrations, AI compatibility, and dedicated CSM/support. 

Pros

• Unlimited chat history and built-in task management
• Lower pricing than many competing workplace chat platforms
• Convert messages into tasks without needing another app
• Offers enterprise-grade privacy and compliance features

Cons

• The free plan can only support up to 5 members
• Has fewer integrations than its competitors
• Group video call and screen sharing are only available on the Business plan
• Not designed for public communities or large social groups like Discord

Discord Alternative #9 — Slack

Backed by Salesforce, Slack is an AI-powered work platform that centralizes team chat, project management, and AI agents in one place, aimed at organizations of every size.

Its blend of polish, deep integrations, and a maturing AI agent (Slackbot) has made it the default choice that many teams compare every other chat tool against.

Key Features

• Organize conversations with public and private channels, direct messages, and Slack Connect for collaborating with external partners.
• Use Slack AI to summarize conversations, search across messages and files, and help automate everyday tasks.
• Start audio or video meetings (Huddles), share your screen, or record short updates for teammates to watch later.
• Create shared documents, organize information, and manage tasks without leaving Slack.
• Automate routine processes with no-code tools and connect Slack to thousands of popular business apps.

Pricing

Slack offers a free plan alongside three paid options: Pro starts at $7.25 per user/month, Business+ starts at $15 per user/month (both billed annually), and Enterprise+ is available with custom pricing. 

Pros

• Comes with AI-powered search, summaries, and workflow assistance
• Combines chat, documents, task management, and automation in one platform
• Offers enterprise-grade security and compliance options
• Well-established platform with ongoing support and regular updates
• Connects with thousands of popular business apps

Cons

• Advanced AI features and premium plans can become expensive
• The highest-tier plan requires contacting the sales team
• Per-user pricing can add up for larger organizations
• Advanced security and management tools are only available on the top-tier plan

Discord Alternative #10 — Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a workplace collaboration platform that brings together team chat, video meetings, file sharing, project collaboration, and Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint into a single workspace.

Key Features

• Communicate through direct messages, team channels, and video or audio meetings with screen sharing and breakout rooms.
• Use Microsoft 365 Copilot to summarize meetings, generate content, and help organize notes and action items.
• Collaborate on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and other Microsoft apps without leaving Teams.
• Record meetings, generate transcripts, enable live captions, and use translation features during calls.
• Expand Teams with cloud calling and conference room solutions for hybrid workplaces.

Pricing

Microsoft Teams includes a free plan for personal use, while business plans start at $4 per user/month for Teams Essentials, $7 per user/month for Microsoft 365 Business Basic, and $23.50 per user/month for Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot (all billed annually). 

Pros

• Works with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft apps
• Includes Copilot and AI-powered meeting features to assist with everyday tasks
• Suitable for small businesses, large enterprises, and educational organizations
• Offers enterprise-grade security and compliance features
• Entry-level business plans include meetings for up to 300 participants

Cons

• Multiple plans and add-ons can make it difficult to compare costs
• Some premium tools require additional subscriptions
• The interface may feel more complex than some competing platforms
• Moving back to the free plan may not be supported after upgrading

Discord Alternative #11 — Flock

Flock is a proprietary business messaging and collaboration tool. It's very similar to Slack, with features like instant messaging, channels, file sharing, video and audio calls, and built-in productivity tools like shared to-dos and polls.

Key Features

• Create public or private channels and send direct messages to keep conversations organized by team or project.
• Start one-on-one or group calls with built-in screen sharing.
• Manage tasks, create polls, set reminders, and share notes without using a separate app.
• Connect with popular tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, Zapier, Zoom, and Google Calendar.
• Manage user access, control file sharing, and use built-in security tools to help protect your workspace.

Pricing

Flock offers a free Starter plan for teams of up to 20 members, while its Pro plan starts at around $4.50-$6 per user/month and adds unlimited messaging, group video calls, and more storage. Larger organizations can choose the Enterprise plan with custom pricing for advanced security, administration, and support features, and Pro includes a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.

Pros

• A simple interface that's easy for new teams
• Paid plans cost less than many competing team chat platforms
• Includes messaging and app integrations at no cost
• Offers tasks, polls, reminders, and notes in one app
• Includes business-grade security and admin controls

Cons

• Searchable history is capped at 10,000 messages
• Fewer integrations and a smaller user base than larger competitors
• There's a noticeable jump between the free and paid plans

Discord Alternative #12 — Element

Element is a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration app built on the open Matrix standard, positioning itself as an interchangeable, digitally sovereign alternative to standard chat apps. 

It's primarily designed for governments, defense and mission-partner organizations, and enterprises who need secure, self-hosted communications free from vendor lock-in.

Key Features

• Every conversation is protected with end-to-end encryption by default to help keep your messages private.
• Communicate with people across different Matrix-based servers without relying on a single company or central server.
• Use Element in the cloud, host it on your own servers, or even run it in secure offline environments.
• Chat with teammates, make voice and video calls, share files, create polls, and connect with popular workplace apps.
• Includes single sign-on, user management, data retention settings, and compliance features for organizations.

Pricing

Element offers a free Community plan for individuals and smaller groups that want to self-host their own server. Larger organizations can choose the Enterprise or Sovereign plans for advanced security, management, and support features, with custom pricing available by contacting Element's sales team.

Pros

• Uses end-to-end encryption with security features designed for organizations
• You can self-host Element and avoid being tied to a single provider
• Works for everything from small communities to government organizations
• Its decentralized design helps improve resilience and supports secure offline deployments.
• Includes features like single sign-on, user management, and compliance controls for organizations

Cons

• Designed for large organizations and not casual chats
• Enterprise and Sovereign plans require contacting the sales team for a quote
• Running your own server requires more setup and ongoing maintenance
• Its interface and features can take longer to learn 
• Federation provides flexibility but can make administration more involved

Discord Alternative #13 — Troop Messenger

Troop Messenger is an AI-enhanced, end-to-end encrypted team messaging and collaboration platform available as SaaS or on-premises. It's tailored for security-conscious organizations and startups needing high-trust internal communication.

Key Features

• Chat one-on-one or in groups, make voice and video calls, share files, and use screen sharing from one app.
• Use AI to summarize conversations, suggest replies, find files, translate messages, and help with everyday tasks.
• Includes disappearing messages, guest access, bulk file sharing, and a built-in collaborative code editor.
• Offers encryption, multi-factor authentication, user permissions, and activity logs to help protect your workspace.
• Use the platform in the cloud, host it on your own servers, or choose a custom deployment based on your organization's needs.

Pricing

Troop Messenger comes with three plans, starting with their Premium at $2.50/month, and comes with a ton of messaging features. Higher plans, such as Enterprise ($5/month) and Superior ($9/month), come with additional features like remote sharing, group calling, API's, annotation, and much more. 

Pros

• Lower pricing plans compared to other competitors
• Comes with advanced security features
• Can be used in the cloud or hosted on private servers
• Offers unique collaboration and productivity tools
• Available on desktop, web, and mobile

Cons

• Smaller user community with fewer integrations
• User interface isn't as polished as other apps
• Maybe too advanced for smaller communities

Discord Alternative #14 — Telegram

Telegram bills itself as "SMS and email combined," and true to that pitch, it's built more for networking and broadcasting than for private one-on-one messaging. 

With video calls, voice chats, and channels that can reach hundreds of thousands of people, it's best suited to communities and social users rather than those seeking a dedicated private messenger.

Key Features

• Access your messages, photos, and files from any device, with everything staying up to date automatically.
• Use Secret Chats for end-to-end encrypted messages that can automatically disappear after a set time.
• Create groups with up to 200,000 members, along with admin tools and bots to help manage them.
• Use built-in bots or create your own to automate tasks and add extra features.
• Edit or delete messages, organize conversations with folders, and store files in the cloud for easy access.

Pricing

Telegram is free to use with cloud storage, group chats, and voice and video calls at no additional cost. 

Pros

• Works well even with large file transfers or slower internet connections
• Includes bots, channels, large group chats, message editing, and reactions
• Syncs seamlessly between your phone, desktop, and web browser
• Lets you personalize the app with themes, stickers, folders, and more

Cons

• Telegram's encryption system hasn't undergone the same type of independent public security audits as some other messaging apps
• Some users feel account and channel moderation decisions can be inconsistent.
• If end-to-end encryption is your top priority, other apps may be a better fit

Discord Alternative #15 — Steam Chat

Steam Chat is the built-in messaging and voice communication tool inside Steam. It's designed specifically for gamers who want to coordinate, socialize, and stay connected with friends before, during, and after gaming sessions.

Key Features

• Create group chats for friends or communities that stay active over time, complete with custom names, icons, and invite links.
• Join high-quality voice calls with built-in encryption to help keep conversations private.
• Easily see what your friends are playing, who's online, and who's available to join a game.
• Send GIFs, images, videos, emojis, and formatted messages to make conversations more engaging.
• Keep your chats and friends synced across the Steam desktop app, mobile app, and web browser, with customizable notifications.

Pricing

Free to use. Comes included with every Steam account with no monthly subscriptions. 

Pros

• Uses encrypted voice calls and helps keep users' IP addresses private
• Makes it easy to see what friends are playing and join their games
• Create ongoing group chats for friends, gaming groups, or recurring events
• Offers a mobile app that includes many of the same features as the desktop version

Cons

• Ideal only for gamers using the Steam platform
• Very few customizations and fewer management tools 
• Doesn't include an in-game indicator to show who's speaking
• New features and improvements take time to roll out

Discord Alternative #16 — TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak is a voice-first communication platform that offers high-quality voice chat for gamers, online communities, and businesses, with the option to use free hosted servers or self-host your own for greater customization and control.

Key Features

• Delivers clear, low-latency audio with noise reduction, echo cancellation, and automatic microphone adjustments.
• Uses encryption to help protect conversations, with customizable security settings for servers and channels.
• Host your own server for full control or use TeamSpeak's hosted communities without managing any hardware.
• Share your screen in high resolution and easily send files while collaborating with others.
• Stay connected through voice, direct messages, and group chats across desktop and mobile devices.

Pricing

TeamSpeak's desktop app is free to use, and you can also self-host a server for up to 32 users at no cost. Larger communities can choose from paid cloud-hosted plans, purchase a self-hosting license for more users, or rent a server from a third-party provider, while the mobile app requires a small one-time purchase.

Pros

• Delivers clear, reliable voice chat designed with gamers in mind
• Comes with encryption and privacy features to help protect conversations
• Self-hosted servers give you full control over permissions, channels, and settings
• Choose between free hosted options or self-hosting for more control

Cons

• Licensing for certain self-hosted TeamSpeak 6 features is still being rolled out.
• Setting up and managing your own server can be more complicated than other chat apps
• Text chat and community features aren't as extensive as those of some competing platforms
• Organizations need to contact TeamSpeak directly for some plans

Discord Alternative #17 — Mumble

Mumble is a free, open-source voice chat platform that provides fast, low-latency communication for gamers, communities, and organizations, with a focus on privacy, self-hosting, and customization.

Key Features

• Delivers clear, low-latency audio that's ideal for gaming and real-time conversations.
• Supports positional audio and an in-game overlay so you can see who's speaking while you play.
• Encrypts voice conversations by default to help keep them private.
• Gives server owners detailed permissions for managing users, channels, and access.
• Supports plugins, bots, and custom integrations to expand its features.

Pricing

Mumble is completely free to download and use, with no subscription or licensing fees. If you choose to host your own server, the only costs are whatever you pay for your hosting provider or hardware.

Pros

• Delivers clear, low-latency audio for gaming and real-time conversations
• Voice chats are encrypted by default, and self-hosting gives you full control over your data
• Supports plugins, bots, and custom integrations for advanced users
• Runs efficiently and has a long history of stable performance

Cons

• You'll need to host your own server or use a third-party hosting provider
• The design is more functional than modern compared to many competitors
• Focuses primarily on voice communication rather than community management

Discord Alternative #18 — Ventrilo

Ventrilo is a long-running voice chat platform that provides dedicated voice servers for gaming groups and communities, with a focus on private, lightweight communication.

Key Features

• Choose a server size that fits your group, with support for small teams or larger communities.
• Inactive users can be moved to a separate channel automatically to keep voice channels organized.
• Save and restore your server settings if you need to recover or transfer your setup.
• Choose from multiple server locations and add a custom hostname for easier access.
• Display your server's activity on your website with a live status widget.

Pricing

Ventrilo uses a slot-based pricing model, with plans based on how many people can be connected at the same time. Plans range from 15 to 400 users, and longer subscription terms offer larger discounts than paying month-to-month.

Pros

• Delivers low-latency voice chat that's well suited for gaming
• Hosted servers are available immediately after purchase with no setup required
• Choose a server size that matches your group's needs
• Offers a 30-day refund for new customers

Cons

• Doesn't include modern tools like video calls, screen sharing, or advanced community features
• The company now promotes a newer platform alongside Ventrilo
• Has fewer messaging and community management tools than many competitors

How to Choose the Best Discord Alternative for Your Needs

Since the right Discord alternative depends entirely on why you're using the platform in the first place, choosing one isn't a matter of picking whatever ranks highest on a list, as it's about matching a platform to your actual use case. 

The steps below walk through how to narrow that down, from defining what you need to actually testing a platform with your community before committing to a full migration.

Step 1: Assess Your Needs Beforehand

Start by defining what actually matters most to your community. 

Are you prioritizing voice and video quality? Looking for text-based organization? Or, do you need a built-in task management system? 

From there, you just need to factor in the logistics, such as your budget, your community size, and how much weight you're placing on data privacy. 

Getting specific rather than defaulting to "something like Discord, but better" will save you from evaluating a dozen platforms that were never a real fit to begin with.

Step 2: Compare Prices for Each Platform

Before choosing a Discord alternative, take a close look at how much each platform will actually cost you as your community grows. 

Sure, some options might seem affordable at first, but those prices can increase quickly once you add more members or decide to add extra features.

Some options, like Stoat and Signal, are free to use and can even be self-hosted if you want more control. Telegram is also free, no matter how large your community becomes. 

On the other hand, platforms like Circle and Bettermode charge monthly subscriptions or per-user fees, which can get expensive as your audience grows. 

Take your time when comparing prices and consider where you expect your community to be down the line. Just because something might seem pricey today doesn't mean it won't be worth it in the future. 

Step 3: Choose the Right Platform for Your Community

Once you know your budget and priorities, try matching them to platforms built specifically for your community, since a general-purpose tool will rarely outperform one designed for your exact use case.

Below is a quick look at the top communities and niches, along with the best platforms tailored to their specific needs. 

• Gamers: TeamSpeak, Mumble, Steam Chat, or Ventrilo are purpose-built for low-latency voice chat and hold up better than general chat apps during competitive play.
• Privacy-focused Communities: Stoat or Signal offer end-to-end encryption and data ownership that mainstream platforms, including Discord, don't provide by default.
• Creators and Paid Communities: Circle, Bettermode, or GroupApp are built around monetization and structured content, so you're not stitching together separate apps and extensions for payments and courses.
• Businesses and remote teams: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Rocket.Chat, or Pumble, offer the kind of integrations, permissions, and compliance features that companies and work groups require for communicating online.
• Educators: Platforms with strong video conferencing, like Microsoft Teams or Zoom-integrated tools, provide better support for live instruction and screen sharing than Discord's more casual video setup.

Step 4: Test Voice and Video Quality

If your community relies on voice chat, it's worth testing a few platforms that support it before making the switch. 

Try out apps like TeamSpeak, Mumble, or Steam Chat with a small group and see how they perform during a real conversation. 

Pay attention to things like audio quality, connection stability, and any noticeable delays, especially if you're gaming.

By testing these features in advance, you can avoid choosing a platform that causes frustrating call issues for you later on. 

Step 5: Evaluate Each Platform's Ease of Use

The best platform isn't necessarily the one with the most features. 

If you end up using something that seems too confusing or difficult to use, your community may not stick around long enough to learn it. 

That's why choosing a platform that's easy to navigate is important.

Take your time and evaluate each platform to see if it has simple tools for managing channels, permissions, and members. 

Apps like Stoat and Pumble are often praised for being more beginner-friendly than Discord, making it easier for both you and your community to make the transition.

Step 6: Check Which Apps It Integrates With

Before you commit to any platform, make sure it connects with the tools you already use. 

Whether that's Google Drive, Trello, Zapier, or your payment processor, these integrations can make managing your community much easier. 

If a platform doesn't support the tools you rely on, you may end up creating extra work for yourself after you switch. 

Step 7: Read Recent User Reviews

Don't let outdated information make your decision for you. 

A little bit of research can go a long way, and the best way to go about it is to read recent reviews to see what users are saying today, not a year ago. 

Pricing, free plans, and features can change quickly, so it's always worth comparing reviews with the platform's current website.

Step 8: Test It With a Small Group 

Switching your entire community to a new platform is a big change, so it's smart to test it out first. 

Start by allowing a small group of your most trusted members to use the platform for a few days, and ask for honest feedback so you can find out what's easy, what's confusing, and what's missing. 

Making adjustments with a handful of people is far easier than troubleshooting issues after everyone has already moved.

Boost Your Community Growth with Fourthwall

Choosing a great chat app for your community's engagement is one thing. But if you're looking to grow your community and have them support you, you'll need more than just messaging features. 

That's where Fourthwall comes in handy. It's an all-in-one platform that lets you grow and monetize your community through branded merch, paid memberships, and fan donations. 

It also comes with plenty of community tools like direct messages, polls, public posts, member badges, and the ability to create private Discord servers and channels that let you grant roles based on your membership tiers. 

So, if you're looking to grow your audience in strides, don't just rely on a single chat platform to manage them; sign up with Fourthwall and give your community a place to grow.