If you’re looking for open-source alternatives to Discord, some of the best options are Revolt, Mumble, Matrix (with Element), Rocket.Chat, and Guilded. These platforms give you chat, voice, and community features but without the data tracking or closed-source control of Discord.
Let’s dive deeper into what makes each one stand out and whether they’re actually practical to use in 2025.
Why Look for a Discord Alternative?
Discord is great fast, feature-rich, and simple to use. But it’s not perfect. Many users (especially developers, gamers, and open-source enthusiasts) have concerns such as:
- It’s proprietary software — no control over data or backend.
- Privacy issues — messages and voice data go through Discord’s servers.
- No self-hosting — you can’t run your own instance.
- Heavy app — resource usage can be high, especially on Linux.
That’s where open-source alternatives come in. They allow you to host your own servers, customize everything, and stay in control of your data.
1. Revolt – The Closest Open Source Alternative to Discord
If you’re looking for a Discord-like experience, Revolt is your best bet.
It’s a modern, open-source chat platform that almost mirrors Discord in layout and functionality — with text channels, voice calls, DMs, servers, and even custom themes.
Key Features:
- Open source and privacy-friendly.
- Voice and text chat with server structure.
- Custom avatars, themes, and user profiles.
- Active development and web-based interface.
- Works on browsers, desktop, and mobile.
Pros:
- Looks and feels like Discord — minimal learning curve.
- Lightweight and responsive.
- Great for small gaming or community groups.
Cons:
- Smaller community and fewer integrations.
- Some features (like streaming) are still in development.
Verdict:
If you want a Discord clone that’s open source, Revolt is your best realistic option.
Website: https://revolt.chat
2. Matrix + Element – The Most Powerful Option for Developers and Privacy Users
Matrix isn’t just a chat app — it’s an entire open communication protocol.
Think of it as the open-source backbone that can power messaging apps, communities, or even entire Slack-like systems.
To use it easily, you can install Element, a clean and modern Matrix client.
Key Features:
- End-to-end encryption.
- Text, voice, and video calls.
- Supports bots, bridges, and integrations (Slack, Discord, Telegram).
- Federated — meaning you can host your own server or join others.
Pros:
- Extremely secure and privacy-focused.
- You can run your own homeserver (Synapse).
- Active community and development.
Cons:
- Setup can be a bit technical.
- Not as visually polished as Discord.
Verdict:
If privacy, decentralization, and control matter most, Matrix + Element is the strongest open-source Discord alternative.
Website: https://element.io
3. Mumble – Best for Voice Chat and Low Latency
Mumble has been around long before Discord — and it’s still one of the best open-source voice chat tools for gaming and communities.
It’s a lightweight, low-latency VoIP app focused purely on voice communication (and not full chat communities).
Key Features:
- Ultra-low latency audio.
- Self-hosted server option.
- Positional audio for games.
- Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
Pros:
- Open source and secure.
- Great sound quality and minimal lag.
- Ideal for gaming groups and small teams.
Cons:
- No modern text chat or media sharing.
- Interface feels outdated.
Verdict:
If all you care about is voice chat that just works, Mumble is unbeatable.
Website: https://www.mumble.info
4. Rocket.Chat – Great for Teams and Communities
Rocket.Chat is an open-source team communication platform — like Slack, but can also serve as a Discord alternative for community chats.
It’s highly customizable, supports real-time messaging, voice and video, and can be hosted on your own server.
Key Features:
- Text, voice, and video chat.
- Threaded conversations.
- Integrations with GitHub, Jira, and more.
- Mobile and desktop apps.
Pros:
- Enterprise-ready and self-hostable.
- Excellent security and compliance controls.
- Easy to integrate with existing tools.
Cons:
- More suited for professional use than casual communities.
- Interface feels “corporate” compared to Discord’s casual vibe.
Verdict:
If you’re managing a company, open-source team, or developer community — Rocket.Chat offers professional-level communication with full control.
Website: https://rocket.chat
5. Guilded – A Gamer-Friendly Alternative (Not Fully Open Source)
Guilded started as a gaming alternative to Discord, focused on esports teams and communities.
While not fully open source, it’s worth mentioning because of its Discord-like layout, free voice servers, and team management tools.
Key Features:
- Channels, voice, and streaming.
- Event scheduling and tournament tools.
- Advanced moderation options.
- Free and ad-free.
Pros:
- Modern, Discord-style UI.
- Great for gaming clans, teams, and communities.
- Reliable performance.
Cons:
- Closed-source (owned by Roblox).
- Not ideal for privacy-focused users.
Verdict:
If open-source isn’t a strict requirement, Guilded is a practical and polished Discord alternative — especially for gamers.
Website: https://www.guilded.gg
Bonus Mentions (If You Want to Explore More)
- Zulip – Threaded chat system, great for developers.
- Mattermost – Open-source Slack alternative that can work as a private community platform.
- Jami – Peer-to-peer messenger with video calls and complete decentralization.
- Wire – Secure, open-source messenger with end-to-end encryption.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick summary based on your needs:
| Use Case | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Discord-like UI & features | Revolt |
| Privacy & decentralization | Matrix + Element |
| Voice-only communication | Mumble |
| Team or organization chat | Rocket.Chat |
| Gaming communities | Guilded |
If you’re someone who values open-source freedom and privacy, go with Matrix or Revolt.
If you just want something that “feels” like Discord, Revolt gives you 90% of the experience without the tracking.
Wrapping Up
Running your own communication platform today isn’t as difficult as it used to be. With tools like Revolt and Matrix, anyone can set up a community server completely free and open source.
Discord might still be the most popular, but open-source alternatives are catching up fast. They’re cleaner, privacy-friendly, and give you complete control over your community.
So if you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could host my own Discord,” — now you actually can.
