15 Best Open Source Discord Alternatives
A curated collection of the 15 best open source and self-hosted alternatives to Discord in 2026.
Looking for a free, privacy-friendly, or self-hosted replacement for Discord in 2026? The top open-source alternative is Macro Chat — Team chat with AI agents and unified workspace.
Other highly rated open-source Discord alternatives include Rocket.Chat, Fluxer and Element.
Team chat with AI agents and unified workspace
Macro is a modern team collaboration platform that unifies chat, email, tasks, and AI agents into a single workspace. Designed for teams that want to reduce context switching, Macro offers inline threads, instant @mention sharing, and AI-powered assistance with full workspace context. - Inline threads & forum discussions: Keep conversations organized with threaded replies directly below messages. - @mention sharing: Instantly share docs, tasks, or email threads with channel members without permission dialogs. - Unified inbox: Combine email, chat, and tasks in one place for streamlined workflows. - AI agents with context: Type @Macro to summon an agent that summarizes missed conversations, drafts replies, or answers questions using your workspace data. - Built-in tasks & docs: Create and manage tasks and documents natively within the chat interface. - Unified search: Search across channels, email, docs, and tasks with a single query. - Open source (AGPLv3): Self-hostable and auditable, ensuring full control over your data. - Enterprise-ready: Includes CRM, calls, and advanced collaboration tools in a single seat. Macro is open source under the AGPLv3 license and can be self-hosted for complete data control. The platform prioritizes security with private, encrypted workspace data and offers flexible deployment options. For teams preferring a managed solution, Macro provides a hosted version with all features included.
Secure team chat with voice, video & AI
Rocket.Chat is a secure, open-source communication platform that centralizes real-time messaging, voice, video, and AI capabilities for teams and organizations. Designed for mission-critical operations, it offers robust data privacy, sovereignty, and compliance features. - Unified Communication: Real-time messaging, voice and video calls in a single platform - Multi-Environment Deployment: Cloud, on-premises, or air-gapped environments - Data Privacy & Sovereignty: End-to-end encryption, access controls, and compliance features - AI Integration: Privacy-first AI capabilities for workflow optimization - Cross-Organization Collaboration: Secure communication across teams and external stakeholders - Governance & Monitoring: Complete messaging governance and audit trails - Integration Hub: Connect tools, custom apps, and processes into one platform - Accessibility Compliance: WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance for regulated procurement Rocket.Chat is fully open-source (MIT license) and can be self-hosted on any infrastructure. The platform supports Docker, Kubernetes, and traditional server setups. Enterprise-grade security features include SSO, 2FA, and granular permission controls. Documentation and developer guides are available for custom deployments and integrations.
Privacy-first open source chat app with voice & video
Fluxer is a privacy-first, open source chat application designed for friends, groups, and communities. It offers a comprehensive suite of communication features including text messaging, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and organized community channels—all while prioritizing user privacy and control. - Messaging: Full Markdown support, private DMs, group chats, and organized community channels with file sharing and link previews. - Voice & Video: Multi-device calls, built-in screen sharing, noise suppression, echo cancellation, and camera control. - Moderation Tools: Granular roles and permissions, audit logs, webhooks, and bot support for transparent community management. - Search & Navigation: Quick search through message history, filter by author or date, and a quick switcher with keyboard shortcuts. - Customization: Upload custom emojis and stickers, save media, apply custom CSS themes, and toggle compact mode. - Self-Hosting: Fully open source (AGPLv3) with no licensing fees. Host your own instance and switch between multiple servers. - Global Voice Regions: Sixteen voice regions across six continents for optimized call quality. - Multilingual Support: Available in over thirty languages with community-driven translations. Fluxer is fully open source under the AGPLv3 license. The backend can be self-hosted on your own hardware, and the same apps are used for both official and self-hosted instances. No license keys or cut-down community editions are required. For setup instructions, refer to the self-hosting guide.
Secure decentralized team messaging & collaboration
Element is a Matrix-based end-to-end encrypted messenger and secure collaboration app. It operates on the decentralized Matrix network, enabling interoperability and easy connections between different services. - End-to-end encryption for all communications - Decentralized architecture built on the open Matrix protocol - Self-hosting capability for digital sovereignty - Interoperability with other Matrix-compatible services - Cross-platform support (web, desktop, mobile) - Group messaging & collaboration tools - File sharing & voice/video calls - Enterprise-grade security with compliance options Element is built on the Matrix open standard and can be self-hosted for complete data control. The platform supports various deployment options including Docker containers and Kubernetes. For organizations requiring managed services, Element Matrix Services provides hosted solutions with enterprise support. Matrix protocol ensures data portability and interoperability across different Matrix clients and servers.
Privacy-focused Matrix client
Cinny is a modern, privacy-focused Matrix client that prioritizes simplicity and performance. Built with web technologies, it offers a clean interface while ensuring your data remains under your control. - Privacy-first: End-to-end encryption and no tracking - Lightweight: Fast and resource-efficient - Cross-platform: Works on web, desktop, and mobile - Customizable: Themes and plugins for enhanced functionality - Self-hostable: Full control over your data - Matrix protocol: Interoperable with other Matrix clients - Open source: Community-driven development Cinny is built with TypeScript and React, making it easy to self-host on any server. The project provides Docker images and detailed deployment guides for seamless setup. All data is stored on your own infrastructure, ensuring maximum privacy and compliance with data protection regulations.
Open-source group chat for communities
Stoat is the open-source group chat app for friends and communities that works the way you always wished it would. Built in Europe under strict data protection laws, it offers servers, channels, voice chat, file sharing, and more—without ads, data mining, or shady partnerships. - Servers & Channels: Organize conversations with dedicated servers and channels. - Voice Chat: Built-in voice chat for real-time communication. - File Sharing: Share files up to 20MB with no subscription required. - Markdown Support: Write messages with rich formatting. - Role-Based Permissions: Intuitive moderation tools for community management. - Cross-Platform Sync: Syncs across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and web. - Custom Themes: Theming options and CSS support for personalization. - Group DMs: Supports up to 50 members in group DMs. - Public API: Developers can build custom clients or bots using the powerful API. - Open Issue Tracker: Community-driven development with an open issue tracker. Stoat is open-source and can be self-hosted for full control over your data. The software is built with privacy in mind, ensuring no ads, data mining, or shady partnerships. Hosting is free and open, allowing you to manage your community without external dependencies. Download | Open Web App | GitHub Repository
Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging without servers
Whether it's for an organization, a community, or a group chat with friends, Quiet lets you control all your data without running your own servers. !Mockup of Quiet app on desktop and mobile - Peer-to-peer messaging: Syncs directly between devices over Tor, eliminating the need for central servers - End-to-end encryption: All data encrypted between member devices - Slack-like interface: Organize chats in channels for structured conversations - No email or phone required: Create or join communities without sharing personal contact details - File sharing: Send and receive files of unlimited size - Tor integration: Built-in Tor network for enhanced privacy and anonymity - Cross-platform support: Available for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS - Community control: Data remains solely on users' devices, ensuring full ownership Quiet operates as a fully peer-to-peer network, meaning no servers are required to run the service. Users can install the app on their devices and create communities directly. The project is open-source and available on GitHub.
Secure end-to-end encrypted messenger for organizations
Wire is a trusted secure communication platform designed for organizations worldwide. Built with invisible end-to-end encryption, Wire ensures all conversations and data remain private and protected at all times. - End-to-End Encryption: All messages, calls, and files are encrypted by default, ensuring complete privacy. - Flexible Deployment: Choose from cloud, on-premises, or hybrid deployment to meet organizational needs. - Enterprise-Grade Security: SSO, granular permissions, and compliance-ready security for regulated environments. - Cross-Platform Support: Available on desktop, mobile, and web for seamless collaboration. - Scalable Collaboration: Designed for teams of all sizes, from SMBs to large enterprises and governments. - Intuitive Interface: User-friendly design that combines speed and simplicity with enterprise security. - Open Source: Transparent development with auditable code available on GitHub. - Compliance Ready: Meets strict regulatory requirements for data protection and sovereignty. Wire offers flexible deployment options including self-hosted solutions for organizations requiring full data control. The open-source server components allow for custom deployment in private cloud or on-premises environments. Technical documentation and developer resources are available for self-hosting and integration.
All-in-one community platform with AI agents
Mezon is an all-in-one community platform designed for live interaction, collaboration, and entertainment. Whether you're gaming with friends, organizing a worldwide community, or building a business hub, Mezon provides the tools to connect, engage, and monetize seamlessly. - Super-Fast Messaging: Zero-limit, instant delivery for seamless communication. - Voice Channels: Engage in real-time voice conversations with friends or community members. - Clan Customization: Create and personalize your own community space for discussions, hobbies, or trends. - In-Community Payments: Send money instantly, reward creators, and shop with zero platform fees. - AI Agents: Voice AI for summarizing conversations, Assistant Mode, and Bot Shadow Mode for text channel summaries. - Enterprise Integrations: Connect with global customers and deliver large-scale experiences. - Cross-Platform Access: Available on mobile (iOS/Android) and desktop. Mezon is a cloud-based platform with no self-hosting option. The open-source components and APIs are available for developers to integrate and extend functionality. For more details, visit the Developer Documentation.
Open-source community platform with chat, wikis, and voice
Valour is an open-source community platform designed to be a complete home for your community. Built with privacy and transparency in mind, it offers real-time chat, thread feeds, community wikis, voice channels, and an economy system—all without ads or data selling. - Multi-window Chat: Open multiple channels across communities with resizable windows, splits, and tabs for a customizable layout. - Thread Feeds: Post feeds with hot, new, and top sorting for lasting discussions that don’t disappear like chat messages. - Community Wikis: Build a knowledge base with revisions and search, publishable to a custom web URL. - Voice Channels: Integrated voice chat or self-hosted options for full control. - Economy System: Launch a community currency, reward members, and integrate with external systems via API. - Themes & Customization: Restyle the app with community-made themes or publish your own to the theme marketplace. - Blazor & WebAssembly: Optimized tech stack for superior speed and performance compared to Electron-based apps. - Node-based Backend: Custom backend system for handling large communities without disabling core features. Valour is built on Blazor & WebAssembly for the frontend and a node-based backend, ensuring high performance and scalability. The platform is fully open-source under the AGPL license, allowing you to self-host your instance with a single Docker command or host your data on your own servers. No corporate funding, no ads, and no data selling—just a transparent, community-driven platform.
Open source chat server for mobile and web apps
SAMA is a next-generation open source chat server designed for mobile and web applications. It provides a secure, scalable, and easy-to-use messaging solution with built-in end-to-end encryption and clustering capabilities. - Messaging: Rich media messages, status indicators, private/group chats, file attachments, and message history API - User Management: Authorization, profile editing, user search, and block list functionality - Multi-Device Support: Seamless connectivity across multiple devices with online/offline message delivery - Last Activity Tracking: Server-side tracking of online/offline status with subscription API - Push Notifications: APNS, FCM, and web push notifications for offline message delivery - Clustering: Built-in support for large-scale deployments and high user loads SAMA is open source and can be self-hosted. The server is built with modern technologies and supports clustering out of the box. Documentation and API references are available for developers looking to integrate or customize the solution. The project provides both backend (sama-server) and frontend (sama-client) components.
Organized team chat for distributed teams
Zulip is a powerful team chat application that organizes conversations into streams and topics, making it easier to follow discussions and reduce noise. Designed for distributed teams, it combines the flexibility of chat with the organization of email threads. - Stream-based organization: Conversations are structured into streams and topics for better clarity - Cross-platform support: Available as desktop, mobile, and web applications - Powerful search: Advanced search capabilities to find any conversation or file - Integrations: Extensive API and integration support for popular tools - Privacy controls: Strong privacy features including end-to-end encryption options - Self-hosting: Full control over your data with self-hosted deployment - Scalability: Suitable for teams of all sizes from small groups to large organizations - Open source: Community-driven development with transparent codebase Zulip is open source and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure. The project provides comprehensive documentation for installation and maintenance. Cloud hosting is also available through Zulip Cloud for teams that prefer a managed solution. The software is built with Python, Django, and PostgreSQL, making it suitable for most server environments.
Secure open-source messenger for professionals
Twake Chat is a secure and private-by-default messenger designed for professional communication. Built on the decentralized Matrix protocol, it ensures high levels of security and privacy while offering features like end-to-end encryption, multi-account support, and cross-device synchronization. - End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Secure conversations with customizable security levels. - Multi-Account Support: Switch between personal and work accounts seamlessly. - Cross-Platform Sync: Synchronize messages and data across all devices (mobile, tablet, laptop). - Matrix Protocol Integration: Communicate across platforms like Telegram, Discord, and Signal via bridges. - Jitsi Integration: Built-in videoconferencing for improved collaboration. - Corporate Directory (SSO): Facilitate communication with contacts from phone books and corporate directories. - On-Premises Deployment: Host Twake Chat on your own infrastructure for enhanced security and performance. - User-Friendly Interface: Simple registration, usage, and maintenance with strong community support. Twake Chat is powered by the Matrix protocol and can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. The open-source server (ToM-server) is available on GitHub, and the project offers technical documentation for self-hosting. Mobile apps are available for both Android and iOS.
Secure collaboration platform for mission-critical teams
Mattermost is an open-source collaboration platform designed for mission-critical work environments where security, compliance, and operational sovereignty are paramount. - Secure Collaboration: End-to-end encrypted messaging with granular access controls and audit logging - Mission-Critical Workflows: Built-in Playbooks for repeatable processes and incident response - AI Integration: Enterprise-grade AI capabilities with agentic workflows and MCP support - Multi-Domain Security: Air-gapped, on-prem, and private cloud deployment options - Interoperability: Native integrations with Microsoft Teams, Atlassian, GitLab, and 1,000+ other tools - Compliance Ready: SOC 2, HIPAA, FedRAMP, and ITAR compliant deployments - Developer Tools: Built-in code review, CI/CD pipelines, and API-first architecture - Global Trust: Deployed by governments, militaries, and Fortune 500 enterprises Mattermost is available as both a cloud-hosted solution and self-hosted open-source software. The self-hosted version can be deployed on any infrastructure with Docker, Kubernetes, or bare metal installations. Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, and enterprise-grade security configurations. Full documentation available at docs.mattermost.com.
Operating system for paid professional communities
Bubble Lab is the operating system for paid professional communities. It eliminates the operational overhead of running a community by consolidating member management, applications, onboarding, matchmaking, and engagement workflows into a single platform. - Member Directory: Centralized database of community members with searchable profiles by name, title, company, role, and location - Membership Management: Handle subscriptions, payments, and access control seamlessly - Automations: Automate repetitive administrative tasks to save time - Matchmaking: AI-powered member matching for meaningful connections - Chat Archive: Persistent conversation history and searchable archives - Multi-Platform Support: Works with Slack, Discord, WhatsApp, and other community tools - Customizable Workflows: Tailor onboarding, engagement, and operational processes to your community's needs - Analytics & Insights: Track community health and member engagement metrics Bubble Lab is a cloud-based SaaS platform with no self-hosting option. The service is built to integrate with existing community infrastructure while providing a unified operational layer. The platform prioritizes security, privacy, and scalability for professional communities of all sizes.
About Discord
Discord is a versatile communication platform designed for creating and managing communities. Whether you're gaming with friends, collaborating on projects, or building a global community, Discord provides the tools to connect seamlessly.
Key Features of Discord
- Voice & Video Chat: High-quality voice and video calls for real-time communication.
- Text Channels: Organize conversations with dedicated text channels for different topics.
- Server Customization: Create and customize your own servers with roles, permissions, and themes.
- Community Servers: Join or create public servers for gaming, hobbies, education, and more.
- Bots & Integrations: Enhance functionality with third-party bots and app integrations.
- Screen Sharing & Streaming: Share your screen or stream games directly within Discord.
- Cross-Platform Support: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
- Security & Moderation: Built-in moderation tools and safety features for community management.
Tech / Self-Hosting
Discord is a proprietary, cloud-based platform and does not offer self-hosting options. It is accessible via desktop, mobile, and web applications.