Open Source Self-Hosted Discord Alternatives

Discord is not available as a self-hosted solution but there are plenty of alternatives for power users and business that want to host a solution on-premise. The best open source Self-Hosted alternative is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Mumble. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Discord and many of them are open source and available as a self-hosted solution so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source Self-Hosted alternatives to Discord are Matrix, Jitsi Meet, Fluxer and Spacebar.

filter to find the best alternatives

Discord alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Video Calling Apps or Instant Messengers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Online, iPhone, Open Source, Chrome OS, Self-Hosted, Screen Sharing and EU. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Discord.
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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     802 likes

    Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.

    317 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    20
    Element vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    kaspian
    8

    Much better, no censorship, decentralized and End to end encryped!

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    40

    Voice features are just lacking too far behind or practically non existent compared to discord. No channels, no audio wizards setup or even basic settings like volume control or open mic threshold settings, no push to talk. It's very very barebones. If it were to have Mumbe's voice features instead of Jitsi's it would be a discord killer.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    coffee415
    Positive
    0

    Element is an excellent alternative for highly technical users that would like to migrate away from Discord. It is not for your average user. I strongly advise against Element if you're just an average Joe using Discord. I work in the technical department, and I still find it frustrating to set up.

    3 of 20 comments
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Element is Decentralized, Privacy focused and LightweightDiscord is not according to our users
  2. Mumble icon

    Mumble

     488 likes

    Free, open source voice chat featuring low-latency, high quality audio, secure encrypted communication, self-hosting options, in-game overlays, positional audio, scripting support, low resource usage, and robust user permission controls for gaming and collaboration.

    61 Mumble alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    Client (Mumble 1.3.0)
     
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    15
    Mumble vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    scottfrost
    5

    Mumble doesn't support screen sharing, which is a critical feature of Discord

    Top Negative Comment
    Julien Beauvais
    5

    Mumble are for real time communication not differed and persistent chat like Discord.

    coffee415
    Positive
    0

    Mumble is an excellent alternative to Discord for gamers who need a lightweight VoIP app. It doesn't support all of the features that Discord has. It's not exactly a 1:1 alternative, but if you need something to talk to your gaming buddies, this is the one.

    3 of 15 comments
    • Mumble is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Mumble is Lightweight and Privacy focusedDiscord is not according to our users
  4. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     268 likes

    Threaded group conversations combine live and asynchronous messaging, separating topics for organized collaboration, supporting open-source, cloud, and self-hosted deployments, secure communication with encryption, and multi-platform access for diverse teams.

    233 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
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    15
    Zulip vs Discord Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Geobomatic
    1

    Zulip approach instant messaging in an innovative way, a hybrid between pure IM and old fashioned forum. It helps keeping the messages organized and not jumble around many discussion in the same flow

    Top Negative Comment
    Raygen
    0

    Business oriented, Slack alternative not Discord alternative. No native voice calls, no native video calls , no screensharing, no bots or gamery customizations, etc...

    coffee415
    Negative
    0

    Zulip is a business/enterprise platform, more relevant to being an alternative to Slack and the like. Not Discord.

    3 of 15 comments
    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zulip is Privacy focused and LightweightDiscord is not according to our users
  5. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     400 likes

    Open standard protocol enabling decentralized, encrypted instant messaging, VoIP signaling, IoT device connectivity, and persistent data management across federated servers without central control or single points of failure, bridging communication platforms.

    177 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page
     
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    4
    Matrix vs Discord Comments
    somegirlfromit
    Negative
    10

    Matrix.org is a transport protocol. Discord is chat software. Matrix is no more software than Discord is a protocol.

    luananeder
    Positive
    1

    The protocol has the potential to be a good Discord alternative.

    Issue is the clients are almost all awful, which makes the UX horrible. So not a feasible alternative, at least not until a good app appears.

    brickelt963-altto
    Positive
    -1

    The advantage of Element for me is that it's open source. I really appreciate the fact that it's a flexible solution that isn't polluted by foreign investment and the profit rationale that is becoming increasingly prevalent in Discord. Especially since I've seen documentaries showing financial relations with Chinese companies already well known for their government ties. It's like creating a Discord ‘server’ with rooms from lots of different places ^^.

    3 of 4 comments
    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Matrix is Decentralized, Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightDiscord is not according to our users
  6. Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

     292 likes

    Open-source video conferencing platform with encryption by default, up to 75 participants, live group chat, HD audio, screen and document sharing, Etherpad editing, mobile and browser support, custom deployment options, privacy-first features, and community-driven development.

    157 Jitsi Meet alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Jitsi Meet vs Discord Comments
    brickelt963-altto
    Positive
    0

    Jitsi is a great videoconferencing software, the only thing that's a shame is the connection is only possible either via Google or Github (Microsoft). It's not even possible to create an account directly on Jitsi. Fortunately I go through Framatalk (from Framasoft). At least I know where my data is.

    • Jitsi Meet is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Jitsi Meet is Security-focused, Privacy focused and LightweightDiscord is not according to our users
  7. Fluxer icon

    Fluxer

     32 likes

    Free and open-source instant messaging and VoIP platform with private DMs, group chats, markdown, file sharing, video calls, screen sharing, moderation tools, quick search, custom emojis, CSS themes, AGPLv3 self-hosting, and multi-device access.

    16 Fluxer alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Fluxer screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Fluxer vs Discord Comments
    Oli-6253
    Positive
    1

    only open-source app that has almost all the features of Discord

    • Fluxer is Freemium and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Fluxer is Privacy focused and CustomizableDiscord is not according to our users
  9. Spacebar icon

    Spacebar

     24 likes

    Open source group chat, voice, and video platform with self-hostable private servers, Discord compatibility, extensible plugin and theme system, end-to-end encryption, support for multiple instances, and community-driven development offering high flexibility.

    29 Spacebar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Spacebar screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Spacebar vs Discord Comments
    Wizzrimp
    0

    Still in development, it wont let me make a new "guild" or add friends

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Spacebar is Free and Open SourceDiscord is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Spacebar is Privacy focused and DecentralizedDiscord is not according to our users
  10. Rocket.Chat icon

    Rocket.Chat

     160 likes

    Open-source chat server supporting real-time group, direct, and private messaging, video calls, file sharing, helpdesk chat, API integrations, desktop notifications, emojis, LDAP authentication, cross-platform apps, and customizable extensions for teams.

    148 Rocket.Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Rocket.Chat screenshot 1
     
  11. Movim icon

    Movim

     53 likes

    Decentralized social and blog platform based on XMPP, enabling self-hosting, cross-network chat, video calls, and group collaboration. Users control and migrate their data, communicate across various networks, and access services from any node while preserving privacy and open-source principles.

    100 Movim alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Website (new)
     
  12. Strafe icon

    Strafe

     8 likes

    Open source chat platform offering end-to-end encrypted messaging, uncensored communication, markdown support, file sharing, self-hosting, multi-device sync, server management, voice or video calls, no data tracking, transparent codebase, and community-driven development.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Strafe screenshot 1
     
  13. Nerimity icon

    Nerimity

     13 likes

    Open-source chat platform providing community-focused group messaging, video calls, profile customization with animated avatars, custom emojis, tags, post creation, discovery of communities, and full source code access on GitHub. Entirely donation-funded.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    Profile Interface [PC - 2025]
     
  14. Mezon icon

    Mezon

     6 likes

    The best Discord alternative. Mezon is a Live, Work, and Play platform. It’s perfect for gaming and chilling with friends, or even building a global community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Mezon screenshot 1
     
12 of 32 Discord alternatives