Social community platform Discord is preparing to require users to verify their age by the second half of 2026, and users are concerned about the privacy of uploading a government ID or face scan on the network. While users can still access most features without verification, many remain wary of giving more information to a company that suffered a breach last year that exposed the credentials of around 70,000 users.
For some users, this is motivation enough to look for alternative platforms that prioritize security, privacy, or simply offer a different experience. Here’s a look at Discord’s most promising alternatives, from open source and secure options to voice-first platforms designed for hardcore gamers.
Ermine
Ermine (formerly Revolt) stands out as the closest Discord alternative in both design and usability. As an open source project, it gives users more control over their data and appeals to those who value privacy and transparency. Overall, the platform is fairly easy for Discord users to pick up, offering similar text and voice channels as well as community servers.
However, Stoat is a relatively new platform (launched in 2021) and is still experiencing growing pains. Recently, he experienced server capacity issues and the occasional lag during user surges. Feature support isn’t yet on par with Discord, and integration can be slow at times, especially as the platform grows in popularity. However, for those willing to trade a bit of stability for increased privacy, Stoat could be worth a try.
Element
For users who prioritize privacy and control above all else, Element offers an exciting alternative. Built on the Matrix decentralized protocol, Element allows users to self-host servers, maintain end-to-end encryption, and integrate with other Matrix-based services. This ensures that no company controls your data.
While the setup and interface require a bit more technical knowledge than Discord, Element is a good choice for users who value secure, decentralized communication.
TeamSpeak
If your primary need is high-quality, low-latency voice chat, TeamSpeak is the best Discord alternative. While it remains popular among competitive players for its superior audio and private server hosting, text chat and media sharing are pretty basic. Also missing are built-in video calls, as well as emojis and gifs. So if you don’t mind not having as many features, it’s perfect for voice-centric teams that don’t need all the bells and whistles.
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Similar to Stoat, TeamSpeak has experienced one increase of new usersprompting the platform to expand its hosting capacity. In February, TeamSpeak introduced two new areas for community building: “Frankfurt 3” and “Toronto 1”.
Mumble
Mumble is a free and open source voice chat app. Like TeamSpeak, it provides high-quality, low-latency audio and allows users to host and customize their own servers. However, its interface is dated and lacks some of the features found in Discord, making it more ideal for hardcore gamers who focus on voice chat rather than building community through video calls, media sharing, or screen sharing.
Speech
Those who prefer long, structured discussions to rapid fire chat may find Speech more attractive. As an open source forum platform, Discourse supports threaded discussions, making it ideal for educational groups, professional groups, and communities that value in-depth discussion. However, users looking for instant messaging, voice, and casual group chats may find it less familiar than Discord.
Slack, Microsoft Teams, Signal or WhatsApp
Other notable mentions include Slack and Microsoft Teams, which serve well for business and productivity-focused communication. Signal is also a top choice for those who want end-to-end encryption and privacy. Meanwhile, WhatsApp also offers free messaging and group voice calling, though it’s not designed for gaming or large communities.
What you need to know about age verification on Discord
Discord recently announced that it will soon implement age verification measures with the goal of creating a safer environment, especially for its younger users. This initiative is designed to ensure that users meet the necessary age requirements to access certain features and communities on the platform. Users may be asked to verify their age through various methods, which could include submitting an ID, completing a face age estimate, or using a credit card.
By default, all users will have a “teen-friendly” setting, and only those verified as adults will be able to modify certain settings or access age-restricted content. Adults should verify their status to unblock sensitive content and access channels and servers intended for a larger audience.
After a recent backlash, Discord postponed the official launch to the second half of 2026, adding that 90% of users will not require age verification and can continue to use the platform without changes, as many users do not engage with age-restricted content. The platform originally planned to launch age verification in March.
