Discord is preparing to require some users to verify their age by the second half of 2026. This has raised concerns among users about privacy, as the process may involve uploading a government ID or completing a face scan. While users can still access most features without verification, many are uneasy about providing more information to a company that suffered a data breach last year, which exposed the IDs of around 70,000 users.
For some, this is motivation to seek out alternative platforms that prioritize security, privacy, or simply offer a different experience. Here is a look at the most promising Discord alternatives, from open-source and secure options to voice-first platforms built for gamers.
Stoat stands out as the closest Discord alternative in both design and usability. As an open-source project, it gives users more control over their data and appeals to those who value privacy and transparency. The platform is fairly easy for Discord users to pick up, offering similar text and voice channels and community servers. However, Stoat is a relatively new platform and still faces growing pains, such as server capacity issues and occasional lag during user surges. Feature support is not yet on par with Discord’s. For those willing to trade a bit of stability for increased privacy, Stoat could be worth a try.
For users who prioritize privacy and control above all else, Element offers a compelling alternative. Built on the decentralized Matrix protocol, Element enables users to self-host servers, maintain end-to-end encryption, and federate with other Matrix-based services. This ensures that no single company controls your data. While the setup and interface require more technical savvy than Discord’s, Element is a good choice for users who value secure, decentralized communication.
If your primary need is high-quality, low-latency voice chat, TeamSpeak is the best alternative to Discord. It remains popular among competitive gamers for its superior audio and private server hosting. Its text chat and media sharing are quite basic, and it lacks built-in video calls as well as emojis and gifs. It is great for voice-centric groups that do not need all the bells and whistles. Similar to Stoat, TeamSpeak has experienced a surge in new users and has expanded its hosting capacity with new server regions.
Mumble is a free, open-source voice chat application. Like TeamSpeak, it provides high-quality, low-latency audio and allows users to host and customize their own servers. However, its interface is outdated and lacks some features found in Discord, making it more ideal for gamers focused solely on voice chat rather than community building through video or screen sharing.
Those who prefer long-form, organized discussions over rapid-fire chat may find Discourse more appealing. As an open-source forum platform, Discourse supports threaded discussions, making it ideal for educational groups, professional teams, and communities that value in-depth conversation. However, users looking for instant messaging, voice, and casual group chats may find it less familiar than Discord.
Other notable mentions include Slack and Microsoft Teams, which serve well for professional and productivity-focused communication. Signal is also a top choice for those who want end-to-end encryption and privacy. Meanwhile, WhatsApp offers free messaging and group voice calls, though it is not designed for gaming or large communities.
Regarding Discord’s age verification, the platform announced it will implement measures aimed at creating a safer environment, particularly for younger users. Users may be required to verify their age through methods like submitting an ID, completing a facial age estimation, or using a credit card. By default, all users will experience a teen-appropriate setting, and only those verified as adults can modify certain settings or access age-restricted content. After recent backlash, Discord postponed the official launch to the latter half of 2026, noting that 90% of users will not require age verification and can continue using the platform without changes.