# 12 Best Open Source Alternatives for Discord

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/discord
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Looking for the best open source alternative for Discord? Compare 12 verified free and open source alternatives to Discord (Macro Chat, Rocket.Chat, Fluxer) with license details, self-hosting requirements, and practical trade-offs.

## Discord Overview & Subscription Cost
- **Product**: Discord
- **Category**: [community](https://caniforkit.com/category/community)
- **Paid Subscription Price**: $15/month per seat
- **1-Seat Annualized Cost**: $180/year
- **5-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $900/year
- **10-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $1,800/year
- **Can I Vibe-Code / Rebuild It Myself?**: NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens)
- **Rebuild Verdict**: 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.

## Verified Free & Open Source Alternatives

| Alternative | Type | License | Runs On | GitHub Stars | Head-to-Head |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Macro Chat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/macro-chat) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 6.2k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-macro-chat) |
| [Rocket.Chat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/rocket-chat) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 46.4k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-rocket-chat) |
| [Fluxer](https://caniforkit.com/fork/fluxer) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 10.8k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-fluxer) |
| [Element](https://caniforkit.com/fork/element) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+ | Self-host | ★ 13.6k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-element) |
| [Cinny](https://caniforkit.com/fork/cinny) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 4k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-cinny) |
| [Stoat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/stoat) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 3.5k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-stoat) |
| [Quiet](https://caniforkit.com/fork/quiet) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.7k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-quiet) |
| [Mezon](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mezon) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-mezon) |
| [Wire](https://caniforkit.com/fork/wire) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.6k | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-wire) |
| [Hazel](https://caniforkit.com/fork/hazel) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 733 | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-hazel) |
| [Valour](https://caniforkit.com/fork/valour) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 400 | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-valour) |
| [SAMA](https://caniforkit.com/fork/sama) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 161 | [Compare vs Discord](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-sama) |

## In-Depth Alternative Profiles

### Macro Chat
- **Fork Page**: [Macro Chat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/macro-chat)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Macro Chat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-macro-chat)
- **Official Website**: https://macro.com/channels/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/macro-inc/macro
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 6.2k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/macro-inc/macro or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.

### Rocket.Chat
- **Fork Page**: [Rocket.Chat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/rocket-chat)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Rocket.Chat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-rocket-chat)
- **Official Website**: https://rocket.chat/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/rocketchat/rocket.chat
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 46.4k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: 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.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Fluxer
- **Fork Page**: [Fluxer Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/fluxer)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Fluxer](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-fluxer)
- **Official Website**: https://fluxer.app
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/fluxerapp/fluxer
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 10.8k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/fluxerapp/fluxer or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Element
- **Fork Page**: [Element Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/element)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Element](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-element)
- **Official Website**: https://element.io
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/element-hq/element-web
- **License**: AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 13.6k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, mobile, web, self-hosted, they host it
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: 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.
- **Data Storage**: 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.

### Cinny
- **Fork Page**: [Cinny Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/cinny)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Cinny](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-cinny)
- **Official Website**: https://cinny.in
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/cinnyapp/cinny
- **License**: AGPL-3.0
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 4k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/cinnyapp/cinny or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Stoat
- **Fork Page**: [Stoat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/stoat)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Stoat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-stoat)
- **Official Website**: https://stoat.chat/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/stoatchat/stoatchat
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 3.5k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/stoatchat/stoatchat or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Quiet
- **Fork Page**: [Quiet Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/quiet)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Quiet](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-quiet)
- **Official Website**: https://tryquiet.org/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/tryquiet/quiet
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 2.7k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/tryquiet/quiet or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.

### Mezon
- **Fork Page**: [Mezon Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mezon)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Mezon](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-mezon)
- **Official Website**: https://mezon.ai/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/mezonai/mezon
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 2k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/mezonai/mezon or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.

### Wire
- **Fork Page**: [Wire Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/wire)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Wire](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-wire)
- **Official Website**: https://wire.com
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/wireapp/wire
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 2.6k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/wireapp/wire or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.

### Hazel
- **Fork Page**: [Hazel Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/hazel)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Hazel](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-hazel)
- **Official Website**: https://hazel.sh
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/MapleTechLabs/hazel
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 733
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/MapleTechLabs/hazel or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Valour
- **Fork Page**: [Valour Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/valour)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs Valour](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-valour)
- **Official Website**: https://valour.gg
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/valour-software/valour
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 400
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/valour-software/valour or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.

### SAMA
- **Fork Page**: [SAMA Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/sama)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Discord vs SAMA](https://caniforkit.com/vs/discord-vs-sama)
- **Official Website**: https://samacloud.io
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/sama-communications/sama-server
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 161
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: 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.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/sama-communications/sama-server or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### 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.

### 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.

### What is the catch when switching away from Discord?
While Macro Chat replaces core Discord features without subscription fees, the real-world trade-off is: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

## Related

- [community Software Category Hub](https://caniforkit.com/category/community)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Self-Hosted Software Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)