Discord logo

Discord

Free

Free voice, video, and text chat for communities.

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Founded
2015
Company
Discord

About Discord

Discord is a free communication platform that provides text, voice, and video chat for communities of all sizes. Originally popular with gamers, it is now widely used by developers, hobbyists, and businesses for real-time collaboration, social interaction, and community management. The platform supports servers with custom roles, channels, and integrations via bots and webhooks.

Key Features

Text chat with rich formatting and reactions
Voice channels with high-quality, low-latency audio
Video calls and screen sharing
Server organization with categories, channels, and roles
Bot and webhook support for automation and integrations
Cross-platform support (desktop, web, mobile)

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free to use with optional paid upgrades
  • High-quality voice and video
  • Extensive customization through bots and roles
  • Large and active user base makes it easy to find communities
  • Cross-platform availability
Cons
  • Free tier limits file uploads to 8 MB
  • Some advanced features (e.g., higher upload limit, animated emoji) require Nitro subscription
  • Can be noisy and distracting with many channels and notifications
  • Privacy concerns due to data collection and third-party integrations

Best For

Gaming communities for voice chat during playDeveloper collaboration and project discussionOnline events and live streaming communitiesSocial clubs and hobby groupsSmall business team communication

FAQ

Is Discord free to use?
Yes, Discord is free. It offers optional paid subscriptions (Nitro) for additional features like higher upload limits and custom emoji.
What platforms does Discord support?
Discord is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and via web browsers.
Can I use Discord for voice and video calls?
Yes, Discord provides both voice channels for continuous communication and direct video calls with screen sharing.