Home /
Alternatives to Discord /
Discord vs Element (Matrix)
Discord vs Element (Matrix)
A side-by-side look at Discord (the paid SaaS) and Element (Matrix) (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Discord | Element (Matrix) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Voice, video and text chat — popular with gamers and communities. | Decentralized messaging on the Matrix protocol. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | Apache-2.0 |
| Pricing | Free with Nitro upgrades. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 4/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | iOS, Android |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Decentralized communities that want federation.
Element (Matrix) strengths
- Fully federated — you own your data.
- End-to-end encryption by default.
- Bridges to Slack, Discord, WhatsApp, etc.
Element (Matrix) weaknesses
- Self-hosting Synapse or Conduit server is work.
- E2E encryption UX (device verification) can confuse users.
- Cross-signing and key backup setup is fiddly.
What's the catch with Discord?
- Closed ecosystem — you do not own your community data.
- Ads and promoted servers are growing.
- Moderation tooling can be limited for large communities.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Discord: see Discord alternatives, or learn more about Element (Matrix) on its project page.