Best Self-Hosted Discord Alternatives in 2026
Discord is a communication platform with text, voice, and video channels originally built for gaming communities. Free tier available; paid plans start at $2.99/mo.
37 Self-Hosted Alternatives to Discord
Rocket.Chat
45KRocket.Chat is an open-source team communication platform that combines messaging, video conferencing, and omnichannel customer engagement in a single self-hosted deployment.
Mattermost
36KSecure collaboration, workflow and AI on sovereign infrastructure. Operational sovereignty for national security and critical infrastructure.
Mattermost
36KSecure collaboration, workflow and AI on sovereign infrastructure. Operational sovereignty for national security and critical infrastructure.
Zulip
25KReleased under Apache-2.0, Zulip provides team chat app that uses threaded conversations to keep communication organized and efficient on self-hosted...
Element
13KSelf-hosted communication & messaging tool that provides platform for encrypted communication, file sharing, and collaboration based on the Matrix protocol.
Element
13KElement lets you run secure, communication platform by Matrix creators entirely on your own server.
SimpleX Chat
11KSimpleX Chat is a Haskell-based application that provides most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption.
Mumble
7.8KMumble handles low-latency, high quality voice/text chat software as a self-hosted solution.
Fluxer
7.1KFluxer is a TypeScript-based application that provides , instant messaging and VOIP platform.
Fosscord
6.6KFosscord is a self-hosted communication & messaging replacement for Discord.
Spacebar
6.6KSpacebar is a self-hosted team chat & messaging replacement for Discord and Zoom.
The Lounge
6.2KThe Lounge lets you run modern web-based IRC client entirely on your own server.
Synapse
3.9KSynapse handles server for, an open standard for decentralized persistent communication as a self-hosted solution.
Cinny
3.5KCinny is a self-hosted communication & messaging tool with support for reactjs, client, matrix.
Converse.js
3.2KConverse.js lets you run web-based XMPP/Jabber chat client entirely on your own server.
Ergo
3.1KErgo is a self-hosted team chat & messaging tool that provides modern IRCv3 server written in Go.
Stoat
2.9KSelf-hosted team chat & messaging tool that provides modern chat platform featuring text channels.
Wire
2.5KReleased under GPL-3.0, Wire provides comprehensive collaboration platform offering end-to-end encrypted messaging on self-hosted infrastructure.
Revolt
2.3KRevolt is a self-hosted communication & messaging replacement for Discord, Microsoft Teams, and more.
Stoat
2.3KStoat handles user-first chat platform built with modern web technologies as a self-hosted solution.
Chitchatter
2.2KFor team chat & messaging, Chitchatter is a self-hosted solution that provides peer-to-peer chat app that is serverless, decentralized, and ephemeral.
Nextcloud Talk
2.1KNextcloud Talk is a self-hosted team chat & messaging replacement for Discord and Zoom.
Movim
2KMovim offers unified communications, device compatibility, xmpp standard as a self-hosted blogging platforms.
Twake
1.9KTwake is a self-hosted communication & messaging tool that provides platform for secure, productive collaboration.
Databag
1.4KDatabag gives you federated, end-to-end encrypted messaging service for the web, iOS, and Android, supporting text, on your own infrastructure.
Mezon
1.4KMezon handles build your own community space for gaming as a self-hosted solution.
Sharkord
1.2KSharkord is a self-hosted team chat & messaging replacement for Discord.
Convos
1.2KConvos is a self-hosted team chat & messaging tool that provides multi-user IRC client in the browser.
Cabal-desktop
911Cabal-desktop is a JavaScript-based application that provides experimental P2P community chat platform.
SchildiChat
461For communication & messaging, SchildiChat is a self-hosted solution that provides schildiChat: Enhanced Matrix client with extras.
Snikket
401Snikket lets you run all-in-one Dockerized easy XMPP solution, including web admin and clients entirely on your own server.
Valour
375Valour handles communication platform as a self-hosted solution.
positive-intentions Chat
303For team chat & messaging, positive-intentions Chat is a self-hosted solution that provides decentralized chat in the browser.
SAMA
150For communication & messaging, SAMA is a self-hosted solution that provides chat server with end-to-end encryption.
Continuwuity
79For team chat & messaging, Continuwuity is a self-hosted solution that provides community-driven Matrix homeserver.
TrueConf Server
For team chat & messaging, TrueConf Server is a self-hosted solution that provides corporate messenger for up to 1,000 users.
Virola
Virola gives you secure messaging and collaboration tool on your own infrastructure.
Why Look for Discord Alternatives?
Discord is a communication platform with text, voice, and video channels originally built for gaming communities. Free tier available; paid plans start at $2.99/mo.
Self-hosted alternatives give you full data ownership, predictable costs, and zero vendor lock-in. You run the software on your own infrastructure and control everything.
37 Best Open-Source Alternatives to Discord
Rocket.Chat
Discover the new features and enhancements in Rocket.Chat v7.0. — 44,917 GitHub stars. Licensed under MIT.
Element
Fully-featured Matrix client for Web, iOS & Android — 12,832 GitHub stars. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
Fluxer
Instant messaging and VoIP platform — 6,438 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
Cinny
Elegant, secure Matrix client with e2ee. — 3,431 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
Stoat
Stoat is a user-first chat platform built with modern web technologies. Licensed under AGPL-3.0/MIT.
Wire
End-to-end encrypted chats, voice, and video. — 2,529 GitHub stars. Licensed under GPL-3.0.
Mezon
Build your own community space for gaming, chatting, and hanging out with friends worldwide. Customize your environment for the perfect social experience. — 1,409 GitHub stars. Licensed under Open Source.
Valour
Open-source communication platform with multi-window chat, economy systems, and privacy-first approach. Built by communities for superior performance. — 377 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
SAMA
Next-Gen self-hosted chat server and clients — 150 GitHub stars. Licensed under GPL-3.0.
Mattermost
Internal chat and collaboration for organizations — 35,837 GitHub stars. Licensed under Custom.
Mattermost
Open-source platform for secure, mission-critical collaboration. — 35,832 GitHub stars. Licensed under Open Source.
Zulip
Open-source team chat for productivity. — 24,857 GitHub stars. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
Element
A secure, open-source communication platform by Matrix creators. — 12,831 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
SimpleX Chat
The first messaging network operating without user identifiers of any kind — 10,675 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
Mumble
Low-latency, high quality voice chat software — 7,832 GitHub stars. Licensed under BSD-3-Clause.
Fosscord
Open source, self-hostable communication platform. — 6,612 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
Spacebar
Discord-compatible chat, voice, and video app — 6,612 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
The Lounge
Modern web-based IRC client — 6,185 GitHub stars. Licensed under MIT.
Synapse
Open source Matrix homeserver — 3,863 GitHub stars. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
Converse.js
Web-based XMPP/Jabber chat client — 3,226 GitHub stars. Licensed under MPL-2.0.
Ergo
Modern IRC server written in Go — 3,134 GitHub stars. Licensed under MIT.
Stoat
Open source, user-first chat platform — 2,837 GitHub stars. Licensed under Custom.
Revolt
Stay connected with friends securely. — 2,345 GitHub stars. Licensed under Open Source.
Chitchatter
Secure, serverless peer-to-peer chat — 2,200 GitHub stars. Licensed under GPL-2.0.
Nextcloud Talk
Chat, video, and audio calls for Nextcloud — 2,071 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
Read full Nextcloud Talk review
Movim
Movim centralizes all your communications in one place. — 1,972 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
Twake
Open source platform for secure, productive collaboration. — 1,908 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
Databag
Fast and lightweight messenger — 1,430 GitHub stars. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
Convos
Multi-user IRC client in the browser — 1,160 GitHub stars. Licensed under Artistic-2.0.
Sharkord
Lightweight real-time communication platform — 1,137 GitHub stars. Licensed under MIT.
Cabal-desktop
Experimental P2P community chat platform. — 911 GitHub stars. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.
Read full Cabal-desktop review
SchildiChat
SchildiChat: Enhanced Matrix client with extras. — 461 GitHub stars. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
Snikket
Run your own secure messaging service. — 396 GitHub stars. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
positive-intentions Chat
Decentralized chat in the browser — 301 GitHub stars. Licensed under GPL-3.0.
Read full positive-intentions Chat review
Continuwuity
Community-driven Matrix homeserver — 79 GitHub stars. Licensed under Open Source.
TrueConf Server
Corporate messenger for up to 1,000 users. Licensed under Open Source.
Read full TrueConf Server review
Virola
Secure messaging and collaboration tool. Licensed under Open Source.
Why Self-Host Instead of Discord?
- Data ownership. Your data stays on your server, not on Discord’s infrastructure.
- Predictable costs. Pay a fixed VPS cost instead of growing per-user or per-usage fees.
- No vendor lock-in. Export and migrate your data anytime. You control the database.
- GDPR and compliance. Hosting your own tools simplifies data residency and compliance requirements.
How much can you save?
Discord (Nitro Basic)
$3/mo
Billed monthly
$36/year
Rocket.Chat (self-hosted)
$10/mo
VPS hosting only. $0 per-user fees.
$320 year 1 (incl. $200 setup)
Your annual savings
$0
At this scale the setup cost offsets savings in year 1. Year 2+: -$84/year.
Rocket.Chat runs on a $10/mo VPS with unlimited users. Setup by upready.dev starts at $200 (one-time). Discord pricing as of March 2026.
Why teams switch from Discord
- → Data ownership. Your data stays on your server -- not on Discord's infrastructure.
- → Predictable costs. Pay a fixed VPS cost instead of growing per-user or per-usage fees.
- → No vendor lock-in. Export and migrate your data anytime. You control the database.
- → GDPR and compliance. Hosting your own tools simplifies data residency and compliance requirements.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Chatwoot is purpose-built for customer support (live chat, ticketing, omnichannel). Rocket.Chat is a team messaging platform that also offers customer-facing features. Choose Chatwoot for customer support, Rocket.Chat for team communication.
Both are communication tools. Ergo has 3 unique features, LobeChat has 3.
Both are communication tools. Fluxer has 3 unique features, LobeChat has 4.
Both are communication tools. Gotify has 2 unique features, Mattermost has 3.
Both are communication tools. Gotify has 2 unique features, Mattermost has 3.
Both are communication tools. LobeChat has 3 unique features, Mattermost has 3.
Both are communication tools. LobeChat has 3 unique features, Mattermost has 3.
Both are communication tools. LobeChat has 4 unique features, Stoat has 3.
Both are communication tools. LobeChat has 3 unique features, Stoat has 6.
Both are social tools. Mastodon has 4 unique features, Valour has 1.
Both are social tools. Mastodon has 4 unique features, Valour has 1.
Both are communication tools. Mattermost has 2 unique features, MiroTalk P2P has 4.
Both are communication tools. Mattermost has 2 unique features, Tiledesk has 3.
Both are communication tools. Mattermost has 2 unique features, MiroTalk P2P has 4.
Both are communication tools. Mattermost has 2 unique features, Tiledesk has 3.
Mattermost for teams that want a Slack-like experience with enterprise features. Zulip for teams that value organized, topic-based conversations over noisy channel-based chat.
Both Rocket.Chat and Zulip are strong open-source options in the communication space. Rocket.Chat has 45k GitHub stars and Zulip has 25k. Compare their features, deployment, and community to choose the right fit for your needs.
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