👥 community

Discord costs $15/mo.
These cost $0.

12 free alternatives to Discord, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.

⚡ Quick Verdict · 2027 Guide

The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Discord is Macro Chat (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 6 self-hostable tools are available (including Rocket.Chat and Fluxer). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $900/year compared to Discord's $15/mo subscription.

The catch: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

See the 12 picks ↓

Discord vs Free Alternatives

Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $15/mo

Alternative	Type	License	Where It Runs	Stars	Head-to-Head
Macro Chat	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 6.2k	Discord vs Macro Chat →
Rocket.Chat	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 46.4k	Discord vs Rocket.Chat →
Fluxer	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 10.8k	Discord vs Fluxer →
Element	open source	AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+	Self-host	★ 13.6k	Discord vs Element →
Cinny	open source	AGPL-3.0	Self-host	★ 4k	Discord vs Cinny →
Stoat	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 3.5k	Discord vs Stoat →
Quiet	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 2.7k	Discord vs Quiet →
Mezon	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 2k	Discord vs Mezon →
Wire	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 2.6k	Discord vs Wire →
Hazel	open source	Open Source	Self-host	★ 733	Discord vs Hazel →
Valour	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 400	Discord vs Valour →
SAMA	open source	Open Source	Local	★ 161	Discord vs SAMA →

The picks

12 open source · ranked by fit

01
Macro Chat
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
6.2knov 2026
Team chat app with inline threads, mention-based sharing, a unified inbox for chat and email, and an AI agent that works across your full workspace.
The catch vs Discord
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/macro-inc/macro or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit macro.com ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 3 other apps →
02
Rocket.Chat
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
46.4knov 2026
Open source communication platform combining messaging, voice, video, and AI for organizations that need full data control, air-gapped deployments, and zero-trust security.
The catch vs Discord
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Discord.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/rocketchat/rocket.chat or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit rocket.chat ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 4 other apps →
03
Fluxer
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
10.8knov 2026
Free, open-source instant messaging and VoIP platform with full Markdown support, voice/video calls, moderation tools, and self-hosting options for communities.
The catch vs Discord
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Discord.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/fluxerapp/fluxer or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit fluxer.app ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 3 other apps →
04
Element
open sourceAGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+Self-host
13.6knov 2026
Open-source platform for encrypted communication, file sharing, and collaboration based on the Matrix protocol.
The catch vs Discord
Element offers encrypted rooms and proper clients, but it lacks Discord's public friend graph, enormous bot/community ecosystem, and familiar gaming-centric social layer.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopmobilewebself-hostedthey host it
install
Use a free Matrix account in Element Web/mobile/desktop, or deploy Element Server Suite on your own infrastructure
setup
The clean hosted path is easy, but self-hosting the current Element Server Suite means operating a Matrix homeserver and its Kubernetes/Helm-based stack.
your data
Rooms, event history, account data, and media live on the selected Matrix homeserver; encrypted-room keys remain on clients and can be backed up through Matrix's key-backup system.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit element.io ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 10 other apps →
05
Cinny
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host
4knov 2026
Cinny offers a simple, elegant, and secure interface for Matrix-based conversations, protected by end-to-end encryption.
The catch vs Discord
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Microsoft Teams.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/cinnyapp/cinny or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit cinny.in ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 4 other apps →
06
Stoat
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
3.5knov 2026
Self-hostable group chat with servers, channels, voice, and moderation tools. No ads, no data mining, built under EU privacy law.
The catch vs Discord
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Discord.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/stoatchat/stoatchat or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit stoat.chat ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 5 other apps →
07
Quiet
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
2.7knov 2026
Quiet is a peer-to-peer messaging app that syncs messages directly between devices over Tor, with no central server, no phone number required, and no metadata leaks.
The catch vs Discord
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/tryquiet/quiet or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit tryquiet.org ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 2 other apps →
08
Mezon
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
2knov 2026
Build your own community space for gaming, chatting, and hanging out with friends worldwide. Customize your environment for the perfect social experience.
The catch vs Discord
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/mezonai/mezon or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit mezon.ai ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 3 other apps →
09
Wire
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
2.6knov 2026
A comprehensive collaboration platform offering end-to-end encrypted messaging, file sharing, and video calls with enterprise-grade security and compliance features.
The catch vs Discord
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/wireapp/wire or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit wire.com ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 7 other apps →
10
Hazel
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host
733nov 2026
Team chat for developers with threads, full-text search, keyboard-first navigation, GitHub and Linear previews, desktop apps, and message sync with Slack and Discord.
The catch vs Discord
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Discord.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
install
Clone https://github.com/MapleTechLabs/hazel or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
your data
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit hazel.sh ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 1 other app →
11
Valour
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
400nov 2026
Open-source communication platform with multi-window chat, economy systems, and privacy-first approach. Built by communities for superior performance.
The catch vs Discord
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/valour-software/valour or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit valour.gg ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 2 other apps →
12
SAMA
open sourceOpen SourceLocal
161nov 2026
Open source chat server with end-to-end encryption, clustering support, and comprehensive messaging features for building real-time communication apps
The catch vs Discord
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
platforms
desktopcross-platformone-click install
install
Clone https://github.com/sama-communications/sama-server or deploy with Docker Compose
setup
Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
your data
All application data lives locally on your own machine.
checked
2026-11-07
Visit samacloud.io ↗Source Compare vs Discord →also replaces 5 other apps →

Discord Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)

Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 12 free alternatives

Discord vs Macro ChatOpen Source · Local →

Discord vs Rocket.ChatOpen Source · Self-host →

Discord vs FluxerOpen Source · Self-host →

Discord vs ElementAGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+ · Self-host →

Discord vs CinnyAGPL-3.0 · Self-host →

Discord vs StoatOpen Source · Self-host →

Discord vs QuietOpen Source · Local →

Discord vs MezonOpen Source · Local →

Discord vs WireOpen Source · Local →

Discord vs HazelOpen Source · Self-host →

Discord vs ValourOpen Source · Local →

Discord vs SAMAOpen Source · Local →

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers · Discord open-source replacements

What is the best free alternative to Discord?+

The top free alternative to Discord is Macro Chat (open source, Open Source). Team chat app with inline threads, mention-based sharing, a unified inbox for chat and email, and an AI agent that works across your full workspace. Other popular Discord replacements include Rocket.Chat, Fluxer, Element.

Can I self-host a free replacement for Discord?+

Yes. Of the 12 free alternatives to Discord, 6 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Rocket.Chat (Open Source), Fluxer (Open Source), Element (AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+), Cinny (AGPL-3.0), Stoat (Open Source), Hazel (Open Source).

How much does switching from Discord to a free alternative save?+

Discord starts at $15/month per seat ($180/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Macro Chat saves $900 per year in software subscription fees.

Should I vibe-code or build my own Discord clone from scratch?+

Our build verdict for Discord is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Discord or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 12 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Macro Chat.

What is the catch when switching from Discord to Macro Chat?+

Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.