Top 12 Discord Alternative Apps for 2025 Community Building

Looking for the best Discord alternative in 2025? Whether you need better privacy, smoother collaboration, or a more organized Discord template, there are many great alternatives to Discord available. Top picks like Kumospace offer interactive virtual spaces where teams and communities can meet, chat, and collaborate in real time.

• Many users are seeking Discord alternatives due to privacy concerns, lack of monetization options, and challenges in community management.
• Top alternatives like Rocket.Chat, Chanty, and Slack offer various features, including security, usability, and integration, catering to different community needs.
• Choosing the right platform involves assessing community needs, comparing pricing plans, and testing audio/video quality to ensure a seamless communication experience.

Discord has been a go-to platform for many, but it’s not without its flaws. One of the most significant concerns is the lack of encryption for group chats and direct messaging, which raises serious privacy issues. Coupled with a vague privacy policy, users often find themselves questioning how their data is being utilized. These privacy concerns have led many to seek more secure alternatives.

Safety issues and data collection practices have also marred Discord’s reputation. The controversies surrounding these practices have prompted users to look for platforms that prioritize user privacy and data protection. Additionally, Discord does not offer opportunities for users to monetize their communities, which can be a significant drawback for community managers looking to sustain their efforts.

Managing a community on Discord can be a challenge due to the platform’s lack of monetization options and structure. Users often face difficulties in organizing their communities, leading to messy channels and difficult content visibility. The linear role hierarchy and complicated permission management further exacerbate these issues, heightening security risks.

Overall, these limitations in privacy, monetization tools, and features drive users to explore more secure and efficient alternatives. Finding the right platform can significantly enhance your community-building efforts, providing better tools for engagement, security, and growth.

With the increasing demand for robust and versatile communication platforms, several Discord alternatives and the Discord platform have emerged. These platforms offer a range of features tailored to different community needs.

Let’s take a closer look at the top twelve alternatives that can help you build and manage your community effectively.

Kumospace stands out as a leading Discord alternative for remote teams that value real connection and collaboration. Unlike traditional chat only tools, Kumospace creates interactive virtual offices where teams can talk, meet, and brainstorm naturally, just like in a real workspace.

With built-in video, spatial audio, and customizable room layouts, Kumospace helps teams stay engaged and connected throughout the workday. It’s an ideal solution for companies that want a more human, interactive alternative to endless chat threads and video calls.

Chanty is designed with task-oriented collaboration in mind, making it an excellent choice for teams focused on productivity. Chanty’s standout feature is converting messages into tasks with due dates, making discussions actionable.

Chanty also supports various project management features such as to-do lists, document sharing, and prioritizes task management, along with screen sharing. With integrations to third-party apps, Chanty facilitates smoother collaboration, enhancing overall team productivity.

Affordability is another strong point for Chanty, with pricing starting at $4 per user per month. This affordability makes it a budget-friendly alternative to Slack, ideal for smaller teams aiming to enhance collaboration cost-effectively.

Slack is widely recognized for its robust communication features, making it a popular choice for workplace communication. It features discussion channels, huddles for voice and video chats, and Clips for updates, and can scale up to 500,000 users.

Slack supports over 2,500 integrations, significantly enhancing functionality for seamless workflows and increased productivity. It supports various communication methods, including:

• Channels
• Direct messaging
• Audio calls
• Video calls 

However, while Slack is effective for professional settings, it may not provide enough engagement features for casual communities, potentially hindering the growth of member-first spaces.

Microsoft Teams is designed primarily for business communication and team communication collaboration. It offers a range of features including:

• Group chat
• Online meetings
• Calls
• Web conferencing
• File sharing for over 100 participants
• Group meetings
• Microsoft Teams Essentials

The platform supports multiple devices and offers a comprehensive free plan, including voice and video calls for up to 100 participants, making it an all in one solution accessible for various user groups, including those who use Google Calendar.

Its dark mode option and fast client support across multiple platforms further enhance the user experience.

Flock is another excellent option for business collaboration, available on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS apps. It offers core features such as messaging, file sharing, and project management.

Flock’s affordability stands out, with pricing starting at $4.5 per user per month and a free plan for budget-conscious users. It also integrates with third-party apps, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.

However, users should be aware of its cluttered interface and limited messaging history, which can be a drawback for some. Despite these cons, Flock’s easy account creation, one-on-one video calls, and 24/7 support make it a strong contender in the realm of business communication and messaging apps.

Telegram is known for:

• Fast performance
• Robust security features, including end-to-end encryption for secure communication
• Support for large group capacities, making it suitable for extensive community interaction

Despite its strengths in performance and privacy, Telegram lacks structured tools for serious community engagement, which can be a limitation for larger communities. However, its versatility and security features make it a valuable tool for various communication needs.

Steam Chat offers both voice and text communication, making it an ideal platform for gamers. Key features include drag-and-drop invitations and group notifications. Additionally, users can benefit from saved group chats to stay organized with the steam chat mobile app and enjoy instant messaging capabilities.

The platform is free and available on multiple platforms, including:

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux
• Android
• iOS

TeamSpeak is a dedicated VoIP platform tailored for gaming communities. Its features include:

• Military-grade encryption, ensuring robust security for its users
• Lag-free audio quality
• Background noise reduction These qualities make it a preferred choice for esports teams and organizations.

While it lacks video conferencing features, its performance and scalability options make it a reliable communication tool.

Mumble specializes in low-latency VoIP communication with positional audio, providing a crisp and immersive communication experience. Its open-source self-hosted design and encryption ensure data security on its own server.

Being free and easy to use, Mumble is popular among gamers who prioritize secure and immersive communication.

Ventrilo efficiently uses CPU resources, enabling users to run it alongside demanding games without compromising performance. This makes it a suitable choice for gamers who need a reliable and lightweight communication tool.

Element shines as a decentralized communication tool, focusing on security and privacy with end-to-end encryption for files, messages, and calls. This focus on data security makes it an excellent choice for privacy-conscious users.

Element offers the following features and plans:

• Users can create private or public rooms, making it adaptable for different community needs.
• A free plan is available.
• Paid plans start at $5.25 per user per month.
• Paid plans combine affordability with robust security features.

Guilded is tailored for gaming communities, featuring tools for easy community management and organized channel setups in an online community. An intuitive interface and easy channel creation make it user-friendly for gamers.

However, to sign up for Guilded, users are required to have a Roblox account, which might be a limitation for those not involved in the Roblox community. Nonetheless, Guilded’s gaming focus makes it a strong Discord alternative for gaming-centric communities.

When searching for the ideal Discord alternative, it’s essential to consider several key features: security, usability, and integration. These elements ensure that the platform can support your community’s specific needs and provide a seamless user experience.

Security is a critical factor when choosing a communication platform. Many Discord alternatives focus on enhancing data security and user privacy, addressing common concerns about Discord’s handling of sensitive information.

Important security features include two-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and robust privacy measures. For example, Element emphasizes decentralized communication with end-to-end encryption, making it a secure choice. Similarly, Slack provides enterprise-grade encryption and HIPAA compliance, ensuring strong data protection.

Platforms like Rocket.Chat and Chanty also stand out for their strong data protection capabilities, appealing to teams with stringent security requirements. Assessing these security features ensures reliable data protection standards.

Usability and user experience are crucial for a platform’s adoption and effectiveness. Opting for clean, simple platforms with intuitive functionality enhances user experience, especially for teams with varying tech skills.

For instance, Slack offers customizable notification options and real-time collaboration features like instant screen sharing, which enhance user engagement and organization. Flock allows users to easily share notes and reminders, improving usability with productivity tools without needing additional downloads.

Live communication features such as text, voice, and video chat, along with messaging features, are essential for engagement on any platform. Testing a platform with a small group before full commitment helps gauge usability and functionalities. User reviews and social media feedback offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of various platforms.

Integration capabilities and customization options are crucial for enhancing community interactions and meeting specific needs. With integration support for over 2,500 applications, Slack is a versatile solution for workplace productivity.

Microsoft Teams supports integration with tools like Slack and Zoom, enhancing collaborative experiences. Other platforms, like Discourse, provide plugins and dashboards that enhance customization and third party integrations capabilities to help users organize discussions.

Customization options such as customizable templates, user profiles, and white-label options are essential in a Discord alternative. Telegram, for example, offers flexibility and speedy integration, boosting its utility as a community-building tool.

Selecting the right platform involves assessing community needs, comparing pricing plans, and testing voice and video quality. This process ensures that the platform aligns with your specific requirements and provides a seamless communication experience.

Begin by defining your priorities and identifying your needs from a chat app. This understanding helps narrow down suitable mobile apps and ensures the platform aligns with your needs.

User reviews, recommendations, forums, and social media are valuable for gathering feedback on collaboration tools. A streamlined onboarding process for remote employees and responsive design are also crucial for improving the user experience and ensuring that the platform works seamlessly on various devices.

Comparing pricing plans is essential to ensure that the platform fits within your budget while providing the necessary features. Evaluate the number of users, storage limits, and access to premium features when comparing plans.

Telegram offers free or open-source versions, enabling users to trial the platform at no cost. Various platforms also offer budget-friendly plans, simplifying the search for a suitable option. Circle’s Basic Plan, for example, is $39 per month, catering to smaller teams with essential features.

Mighty Networks offers various plans to suit different needs, ranging from the Community Plan at $49 per month to the Path-to-Pro Plan at $430 per month. Exploring these options helps you find a professional plan that fits your specific requirements and budget.

Testing a platform’s audio and video capabilities is crucial for ensuring reliable community communication. Testing beforehand helps determine if the platform meets your group’s communication needs and provides a seamless experience.

Platforms known for their reliable VoIP performance include:

• Steam Chat
• Mumble
• TeamSpeak 

These platforms are excellent choices for communities that prioritize voice communication. High-quality audio and video make a big difference in any real-time voice chat or VoIP app, improving both the overall experience and how community members interact.

Selecting the right Discord alternative is crucial as it addresses the unique needs and requirements of different communities. Each platform has its strengths, and the ideal choice depends on your specific needs, whether focused on security, usability, or integration capabilities.

For example:

• Guilded is recommended for gaming communities due to its gaming-centric features and familiarity to Discord users.
• Element, focusing on decentralized communication, is ideal for privacy-conscious users.
• Microsoft Teams offers robust features for large organizations, particularly those already integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem.

Ultimately, the right choice will enhance your community-building efforts and provide a seamless internal communication experience.

Finding the right Discord alternative means looking at what truly matters: security, usability, and integration features that fit your community’s needs. Platforms like Kumospace make that choice easier by combining real-time video, spatial audio, and interactive rooms that bring people together more naturally. Compare pricing, test voice and video quality, and explore these alternatives to Discord to find the one that best supports your community’s growth and engagement.