The social community platform Discord is set to implement age verification requiring users to confirm their age by mid-2026, raising concerns among users regarding the privacy implications of sending a government ID or facial scan to the platform. While most functionalities remain accessible without verification, many users express discomfort in sharing additional personal information with a company that experienced a data breach last year, exposing the IDs of approximately 70,000 users. 

For certain users, this serves as a sufficient reason to look for other platforms that emphasize security and privacy, or simply provide a different user experience. Here’s a review of the most notable Discord alternatives, ranging from open-source secure options to voice-centric platforms tailored for serious gamers. 

Stoat

Stoat (formerly known as Revolt) is recognized as a leading alternative to Discord in terms of layout and functionality. As an open-source initiative, it empowers users with enhanced control over their data, appealing to those who prioritize privacy and openness. In general, the platform is straightforward for Discord users to navigate, featuring comparable text and voice channels, along with community servers. 

Nonetheless, Stoat is a relatively nascent platform (established in 2021) and currently grapples with initial developmental challenges. Recently, it faced issues with server capacity and occasional lag during peak user times. Its feature support still lags behind that of Discord, and user onboarding can sometimes be slow, particularly during spikes in popularity. For users willing to exchange a degree of reliability for enhanced privacy, Stoat may be worth considering.

Element

For users who value privacy and autonomy above all, Element presents an attractive choice. Based on the decentralized Matrix protocol, Element allows users to host their own servers, uphold end-to-end encryption, and interact with other Matrix-related services. This setup guarantees that no singular entity holds dominion over your data. 

Although the setup process and interface requires more technical knowledge compared to Discord, Element is well-suited for individuals who prioritize secure and decentralized communication.

TeamSpeak

For those whose main requirement is high-quality, low-latency voice communication, TeamSpeak represents the premier alternative to Discord. It remains favored among competitive gamers for its superior audio quality and private server capabilities, although its text chat and media sharing functionalities are relatively basic. Furthermore, it lacks built-in video calling and features like emojis and gifs. Thus, for groups that focus heavily on voice without the additional features, it serves as an excellent option.

Similar to Stoat, TeamSpeak has seen an influx of new users, prompting the platform to boost its hosting capabilities. In February, TeamSpeak launched two additional community creation regions: “Frankfurt 3” and “Toronto 1.”

Mumble

Mumble is a complimentary, open-source voice communication application. Like TeamSpeak, it delivers high-quality, low-latency audio and allows users to host and personalize their own servers. However, its interface appears dated and lacks several features available in Discord, making it more suitable for dedicated gamers who prioritize voice communication over community engagement through video calls, media sharing, or screen sharing.

Discourse

Individuals who appreciate lengthy, well-structured discussions over rapid chat may find Discourse more attractive. As an open-source forum platform, Discourse accommodates threaded exchanges, making it ideal for educational groups, professional teams, and communities that emphasize detailed conversations. However, those seeking instant messaging, voice, and more casual group chats may find it less intuitive than Discord.

Slack, Microsoft Teams, Signal, or WhatsApp

Other significant mentions include Slack and Microsoft Teams, which are well-suited for professional and productivity-centered communication. Signal is another excellent option for those seeking end-to-end encryption and privacy. On the other hand, WhatsApp provides free messaging and group voice calls, though it is not tailored for gaming or expansive communities.

What to know about age verification on Discord 

Discord recently revealed plans to introduce age verification protocols aimed at fostering a safer environment, particularly for younger users. This effort is intended to confirm that users meet the appropriate age requirements to access specific features and communities on the platform. Users might need to verify their age through various methods, which may involve submitting an ID, undergoing a facial age estimation, or utilizing a credit card. 

By default, all users will start with a “teen-appropriate” setting, and only those verified as adults will have the capacity to adjust certain settings or navigate age-restricted content. Adults will need to verify their status to view sensitive content and to access channels and servers catered to an older audience. 

Following a recent backlash, Discord has postponed the official rollout to the second half of 2026, noting that 90% of users will not need to undergo age verification and can continue utilizing the platform without alterations, as many users do not interact with age-restricted content. The platform had initially intended to implement age verification in March.