Social community platform Discord plans to require users to verify their age by the second half of 2026, with users concerned about their privacy as they upload their government IDs or face scans to the network. Users can still access most features without authentication, but many are nervous about giving more information to a company that suffered a breach last year that exposed the identities of about 70,000 users.
For some users, this is enough motivation to prioritize security, privacy, or simply look for alternative platforms that offer a different experience. Take a look at some of the most promising Discord alternatives, from open source and secure options to voice-first platforms built for hardcore gamers.
marten
Stoat (formerly Revolt) stands out as the closest Discord alternative in terms of 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. Overall, this platform is very easy to choose for Discord users and offers similar text and voice channels as well as community servers.
However, Stoat is a relatively new platform (launched in 2021) and is still experiencing growing pains. Recently, we have been experiencing intermittent delays due to server capacity issues and user surge. Feature support isn’t yet on par with Discord, and onboarding can be slow, especially as the platform soars in popularity. However, for those willing to trade a little stability for increased privacy, Stoat is worth a try.
element
For users who prioritize privacy and control above all else, Element offers a compelling alternative. Built on the decentralized Matrix protocol, Element allows users to self-host their servers, maintain end-to-end encryption, and integrate with other Matrix-based services. This way, no single company controls your data.
Although the setup and interface require slightly more technical knowledge than Discord, Element is a good choice for users who value secure, decentralized communication.
team speak
If your main requirement is high-quality, low-latency voice chat, TeamSpeak is the best alternative to Discord. It’s still popular among competitive gamers for its excellent audio and private server hosting, but text chat and media sharing are very basic. It’s also missing built-in video calls, as well as emojis and GIFs. So if you don’t mind not having a lot of features, it’s a good choice for voice-centric groups that don’t need all the extra features.
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Similar to Stoat, TeamSpeak has seen a surge in new users, expanding the platform’s hosting capacity. Last February, TeamSpeak introduced two new regions for community creation: “Frankfurt 3” and “Toronto 1.”
mumble
Mumble is a free and open source voice chat application. Like TeamSpeak, it offers high-quality audio with low latency and allows users to host and customize their own servers. However, the interface is outdated and lacks some of the features found in Discord, making it more ideal for hardcore gamers focused on voice chat rather than community building through video calling, media sharing, or screen sharing.
discourse
People who prefer long, structured discussions over quick chats may find Discourse more appealing. An open source forum platform, Discourse supports threaded discussions, making it ideal for educational groups, professional teams, and communities that value in-depth conversations. However, for users looking for instant messaging, voice, and general group chat, it may be less familiar than Discord.
Slack, Microsoft Teams, Signal, or WhatsApp
Other notable mentions include Slack and Microsoft Teams, which are great for professional, productivity-focused communication. Signal is also a great choice for those looking for end-to-end encryption and privacy. Meanwhile, WhatsApp also offers free messaging and group voice calls, although it’s not designed for gaming or large communities.
What You Need to Know About Age Verification on Discord
Discord recently announced that it will soon be implementing age verification measures to create a safer environment, especially for younger users. These plans are designed to ensure that users meet the age requirements necessary to access certain features and communities of the Platform. Users may be asked to verify their age through a variety of methods, including providing identification, completing a facial age estimate, or using a credit card.
By default, all users will experience ‘teen-appropriate’ settings, and only users who are verified as adults will be able to modify certain settings or access age-restricted content. Adults must verify their status to blur out sensitive content and access channels and servers designated for older audiences.
After recent backlash, Discord postponed its official launch to late 2026, adding that 90% of users will not require age verification as many users do not engage with age-restricted content and will be able to continue using the platform without changes. The platform initially planned to launch age verification in March.
