Social community platform Discord is preparing to require age verification for users by late 2026, with users concerned about the privacy of uploading government IDs and facial scans to the network. Users can still access most features without authentication, but many are worried about giving out more information to a company that suffered a breach last year that compromised the identities of about 70,000 users.
For some users, this is motivation enough to prioritize security, privacy, or simply look for alternative platforms that offer a different experience. Here are the most promising Discord alternatives, from open-source and secure options to voice-first platforms built for hardcore gamers.
Ermine
Image credit: Stoat
Stoat (formerly Revolt) stands out as the closest Discord alternative in terms of design and ease of use. As an open source project, it gives users more control over their data, appealing to users who value privacy and transparency. Overall, the platform is very easy to learn for Discord users and offers similar text and voice channels and community servers.
However, Stoat is a relatively new platform (released in 2021) and is still facing growing pains. We recently experienced server capacity issues that could cause delays during spikes in users. Feature support is still not on par with Discord, and onboarding can be slow, especially as the platform's popularity spikes. However, for those willing to sacrifice some stability for more privacy, Stoat may be worth a try.
element
Image credit: Element
For users who prioritize privacy and control above all else, Element offers an attractive alternative. Built on the decentralized Matrix protocol, Element allows 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.
Although the setup and interface requires a little more technical knowledge than Discord, Element is a good choice for users who value secure, decentralized communication.
team speak
Image credit: TeamSpeak
If high-quality, low-latency voice chat is your primary need, TeamSpeak is the best alternative to Discord. It remains popular among competitive gamers due to its excellent audio and private server hosting, but text chat and media sharing are very basic. There's also no built-in video calling, emojis, or GIFs. So if you don't mind having fewer features, it's perfect for voice-centric groups that don't need all the bells and whistles.
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Like Stoat, TeamSpeak is also experiencing a surge in new users, prompting the platform to expand its hosting capacity. In 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 provides high-quality, low-latency audio and allows users to host and customize their own servers. However, its 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, and screen sharing.
discourse
Image credit: Discourse
Those who prefer longer, structured discussions over rapid-fire chats 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 conversations. However, users looking for instant messaging, voice chat, and casual group chats may find it less familiar than Discord.
Slack, Microsoft Teams, Signal, or WhatsApp
Other notable mentions include Slack and Microsoft Teams for professional, productivity-oriented communication. Signal is also a great choice for those looking for end-to-end encryption and privacy. On the other hand, WhatsApp also offers free messaging and group voice calls, but it is not designed for gaming or large communities.
What you need to know about age verification on Discord
Discord recently announced that it will soon introduce age verification measures aimed at creating a safer environment, especially for younger users. This initiative is designed to ensure that users meet the necessary age requirements to access certain features and communities on the platform. Users may be required to verify their age in a variety of ways, including by providing identification, completing facial age estimation, or using a credit card.
By default, all users experience “Teen Appropriate” settings, and only users who authenticate as adults can change certain settings or access age-restricted content. Adults must verify their status to unblur sensitive content and access channels and servers designated for older viewers.
In response to recent backlash, Discord has delayed its official release to late 2026, adding that 90% of users do not require age verification and can continue using the platform without changes, as many users do not engage with age-restricted content. The platform originally planned to introduce age verification in March.