Open Source Discord Alternatives

Rocket.Chat is an open source communication platform built for organizations that can't hand their data to a third-party cloud. It brings together real-time messaging, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and AI-assisted workflows into a single environment you host and control entirely.

Security is central to the design. It supports on-premises, air-gapped, and secure cloud deployments, and has been used on classified U.S. government networks including NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and JWICS. It holds DoD Authorization to Operate (ATO) up to Impact Level 6. Few commercial team chat tools come close to that clearance level.

Beyond defense and intelligence, it fits any organization where data sovereignty matters: government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, financial institutions, and enterprises subject to strict regulatory requirements. The Swedish Electrical Safety Board and EU agency eu-LISA both use it for secure internal and cross-organizational collaboration.

Core capabilities include fully encrypted conversations, granular access controls, fine-grained data retention policies, and comprehensive audit logs. Federated communication lets teams coordinate across organizational or jurisdictional boundaries without routing data through external services.

The architecture is extensible. Teams can install pre-built apps or build custom integrations to fit specific workflows, without being locked into a vendor's roadmap. If you want something lighter, Mattermost is a comparable self-hosted option worth considering. The built-in AI features handle routine tasks and surface relevant information during active conversations — for teams that want a standalone AI layer instead, LLMChat takes a different approach.

Element is a powerful, open-source communication platform that puts privacy and security at the forefront. Built on the decentralized Matrix protocol, Element offers a comprehensive suite of features for both personal and professional use.

Key benefits of Element include:

• End-to-end encryption: Ensure your messages, calls, and shared files remain private and secure.
• Decentralized architecture: Choose your own server or self-host for complete control over your data.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Seamlessly sync conversations across desktop, web, iOS, and Android devices.
• Rich collaboration tools: Enjoy group chats, voice and video calls, file sharing, and integrations with popular productivity apps.
• Interoperability: Connect with users on other Matrix-based platforms, fostering open communication.
• Customization options: Tailor the interface and features to meet your specific needs or brand requirements.
• Community-driven development: Benefit from continuous improvements and innovations from a global developer community.

Whether you're an individual seeking secure messaging or an organization looking for a flexible, scalable communication solution, Element provides the tools you need to stay connected while maintaining control over your data and privacy.

Fluxer is a comprehensive communication platform that prioritizes user privacy and community building. This free and open-source messaging app offers everything you need to connect with friends, organize groups, and build thriving communities.

Core Features:

• Full messaging suite with Markdown support, private DMs, group chats, and organized channels
• Voice and video calls with screen sharing, noise suppression, and multi-device support
• Advanced moderation tools including granular permissions, audit logs, and webhook support
• Powerful search with message history filtering and quick switcher functionality

Customization & Control:

• Upload custom emojis and stickers to personalize your experience
• Apply custom CSS themes and display options for a tailored interface
• Self-hosting capabilities - run your own instance with full control over your data
• Switch between multiple instances seamlessly

Built for Privacy: Made in Sweden with a focus on transparency, Fluxer is fully open source under AGPLv3 license. The platform supports responsible disclosure through their security bug bounty program and maintains active community involvement through their beta program.

Perfect for individuals seeking Discord alternatives, communities wanting data sovereignty, or organizations requiring secure, customizable communication solutions.

Cinny is an open-source Matrix client that provides a secure and elegant interface for seamless conversations. Built on the Matrix protocol, it offers:

• End-to-end encryption for enhanced privacy and security
• A clean and intuitive user interface for effortless navigation
• Organized conversations, separating DMs from channels
• Adaptive input that adjusts to your actions without disrupting your workflow
• Calm visual design with proper alignment and formatting

Cinny is constantly evolving to create a better communication experience. As an open-source project, it benefits from community contributions and transparency.

Key features:

• Simple and elegant interface
• End-to-end encryption
• Organized conversation management
• Adaptive input system
• Calm visual design
• Open-source development

Whether you're looking for a secure messaging solution for personal use or team collaboration, Cinny offers a refreshing alternative to traditional chat applications. Experience the power of open-source, decentralized communication with Cinny's user-friendly approach to Matrix.

Stoat (formerly Revolt) is a group chat app built for friends and communities who want the features of mainstream platforms without the surveillance business model behind them. It's a direct Discord alternative that covers the basics well: servers, channels, voice chat, file sharing, and markdown support, all without ads or data collection.

Built in Europe under EU data protection law, the codebase is public and the privacy policy is short enough to actually read. There's no investor pressure shaping product decisions, which means features exist because users want them, not because they serve an ad-targeting pipeline.

A few things stand out from the typical chat app:

• Custom emojis and animated avatars are free, with no subscription tier required
• Group DMs support up to 50 members and work with bots, making them useful for project collaboration or ad-hoc voice groups
• Role-based permissions and moderation tools handle communities of any size, from a handful of friends to thousands of members
• Theming ships with built-in options, community themes via a Discover section, and custom CSS for those who want full control
• Cross-platform sync covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and the web
• Self-hosting is supported if you want full control over your own instance
• A public API powers the official apps themselves, so third-party bots and custom clients are first-class citizens

Compared to tools like Rocket.Chat or Twake Chat, Stoat leans toward the consumer end: it's designed to feel familiar to anyone coming from mainstream chat apps, with a lighter footprint and fewer enterprise-focused features. The 20MB file upload limit and server-specific profile pictures are available without paying, which removes friction that similar platforms put behind paywalls.

The issue tracker is public and the team runs a community server, so feedback has a direct path to the people building it.

Quiet is a team chat app built for people who want the convenience of Slack or Discord without handing their data to a company's servers. It syncs messages directly between your devices over Tor, so there's no central server to breach, subpoena, or shut down. It's currently in beta, so it's not yet suited for high-stakes security work, but it's already functional across Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.

The core idea is simple. No server means no server breach. Your community's messages live only on your community's devices. That's a meaningful difference from tools like Signal, which still route traffic through central infrastructure and can expose metadata like who you talk to, when, and from where.

What sets it apart from other private messengers:

• No phone number or email required to create or join a community, unlike Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, or Discord
• Tor built in to hide IP addresses and location, not just encrypt message content
• Metadata protection so even the pattern of who talks to whom stays private
• Unlimited file transfers with no size cap
• Channels for organizing conversations, closer to Slack's model than Signal's
• Private channels readable only by selected members, not the whole community
• Disappearing messages with timed deletion rules
• Fully open source with no vendor lock-in

The channel-based structure makes it a practical fit for teams, activist groups, journalism organizations, or any community that needs ongoing, organized conversation rather than just one-on-one chats. You can run multiple communities simultaneously, share invite links, use @mentions, and react with emojis.

Compared to self-hosted options like Rocket.Chat or Twake Chat, Quiet requires no server administration at all. The peer-to-peer network handles connectivity automatically. That's a real advantage for small teams without technical infrastructure.

Wire delivers military-grade security without sacrificing user experience. The platform features always-on end-to-end encryption for messages, files, and calls, while maintaining an intuitive interface for seamless team collaboration.

Key capabilities include:

• Instant messaging, file sharing, and video meetings with invisible security
• Flexible collaboration tools for internal teams and external partners
• Complete data sovereignty with on-premises deployment options
• Enterprise features like SSO, SCIM, and granular admin controls

Trusted by industry leaders including BMW, ExxonMobil, and government organizations worldwide, Wire ensures your sensitive communications remain private and compliant. The platform is particularly valuable for organizations requiring:

• Zero-knowledge encryption
• Regulatory compliance
• Digital sovereignty
• Scalable secure collaboration

Mezon is a comprehensive community platform designed for gamers and social enthusiasts who want to create their own digital hangout spaces. Whether you're looking to organize gaming sessions, chat with friends, or build a thriving community, Mezon provides all the tools you need.

The platform allows you to create fully customized spaces tailored to your group's interests and needs. You can set up dedicated channels for different games, topics, or activities, making it easy to keep conversations organized and engaging.

Key features include:

• Custom community spaces with personalized layouts and themes
• Multi-purpose chat channels for text, voice, and multimedia sharing
• Gaming-focused tools to coordinate gameplay and tournaments
• Global connectivity to meet and interact with people worldwide
• Flexible privacy settings to control who can join your communities

Perfect for gaming clans, hobby groups, study communities, or casual friend circles, Mezon adapts to any social dynamic. The platform makes it simple to invite friends, discover new communities, and maintain active engagement through intuitive design and robust communication features.

A community-driven communication platform that prioritizes transparency, flexibility, and user privacy. Built entirely by volunteers without corporate funding, this open-source solution offers a refreshing alternative to traditional chat platforms.

Key features include:

• Multi-window chat system - Chat across multiple channels and communities simultaneously with advanced window management
• Integrated economy system - Reward community members and create engaging experiences
• Customizable item system - Show achievements and enhance user immersion
• Blazor & WebAssembly technology - Superior performance without resource-heavy Electron framework
• Node-based backend - Optimized for large communities without sacrificing core features

Privacy and transparency are at the core of this platform. Your data will never be sold, and the entire codebase is open for public inspection. The community-driven development approach ensures features are built for real user needs rather than corporate interests.

Perfect for communities seeking a modern, fast, and ethical communication platform that puts users first.

SAMA is a powerful open source chat server designed for modern mobile and web applications. It offers enterprise-grade security with built-in end-to-end encryption and seamless scalability through out-of-the-box clustering support.

Key features include:

• Advanced messaging capabilities including private/group chats, typing indicators, read receipts, and file attachments
• Robust user management with authorization, profile editing, user search and blocking
• Multi-device support allowing users to stay connected across devices with flexible message delivery
• Real-time presence tracking to monitor online/offline status
• Push notification support for APNS/FCM/Web to reach offline users
• Built for scale with clustering support for handling large user bases

The platform comes with a modern frontend client, clustering-enabled backend, admin dashboard, and comprehensive API documentation - everything needed to build secure and scalable chat applications.