Discord is blowing up in terms of its popularity. The gaming community has become fond of Discord thanks to its myriad of features including file sharing, text messaging, video and voice calls, and so on. But people aren’t a fan of using just a single app/website for all their needs, they usually search for alternatives. Reasons behind why to find Discord alternatives are numerous including privacy issues, no self-hosting, chat bombardment, and so on.
We at MashTips have gathered the best Discord alternatives (apps like discord) to chat and talk while gaming.
Slack
Slack, an app like Discord, is well-integrated with more than 800 third-party software which makes it a must-have for all your needs. The neat UI as well as lag-free chat, voice, and video call support makes it a must-have for gamers in their gaming sessions for conversations in real-time and not after a delay.
Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows
Download: Slack (Free, Premium)
Related:Â How to Enable Push to Talk on Discord
Telegram
Unless you have been living under a rock, you must be knowing what Telegram. A powerful alternative to Discord and WhatsApp, Telegram offers a much protected and encrypted channel between users. The app supports communities, allowing creating channels that can be public or private.
Check out instant chatting, no apparent cap on file size while sharing it on Telegram, and so on. Telegram also supports group calls and video calls which makes it a powerful alternative to try. The app supports scripts for automating queries, bots creation, and the best thing about it, Telegram is free.
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows
Price: Free
Download: Telegram
Related:Â How to Read and Send Telegram Messages Using Siri on iPhone
TeamSpeak
Back when Discord wasn’t a thing, gamers from around the globe relied on TeamSpeak. It is an amazing in-game communication platform offering low-latency communication in real-time. If you are an avid Discord user, you would find TeamSpeak as a decent alternative to Discord.
TeamSpeak uses AES encryption that keeps prying eyes away from the user’s communications with others. T does have a myriad of features including the ability to create dedicated servers where users can join in and discuss topics. If you search for apps like Discord, you will find TeamSpeak as a recommendation for sure.
Supported Platforms: iOS, Linux, macOS, Android, and Windows
Price: Free for macOS, Linux, and Windows; $0.99 for iOS and Android
Download: TeamSpeak
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is another high-quality Discord alternative that offers a platform for a huge team to communicate in real-time. Microsoft keeps a tab on the security aspect providing end-to-end security along with administrative control and more.
Teams is a great tool for web conferencing, calling, online meetings, group chats, and you name it. Enjoy seamless integration to built-in Microsoft Office 365 apps including SharePoint, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows
Price: Free | Pro plan commences at $5/mo
Download: Microsoft Teams
Related:Â How to Fix Microsoft Teams No Sound Issue on Windows 10
Chanty
Another alternative to Discord, Chanty has quite popularity as it is both team communication and task management service. It lets users communicate with the team of members with both chat and voice/video calls on the go.
Chanty well integrates with a tonne of apps including but not limited to Github, Dropbox, Zapier, Google Drive, among others. It offers unlimited message history that you can dig into if you want. A Kanban board on Chanty is something that will boost your team’s productivity irrespective of which industry you belong to.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Debian, Fedora, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Price: Free up to 10 members, Business plan at $3/member/month
Download: Chanty
Element
Element is one of the best Discord alternatives by far for all the games out there. It offers end-to-end encryption that keeps your communications safe and secure. This includes both voice chat and text chat on Element.
Element was earlier known as Riot and it is built on open-source software that aids high-level customizations if you are up to it. You can have a clean user interface to interact with and it is super easy to use as well. You can do group video calls, share files of unlimited size, and more with Element.
Supported Platforms: Web, Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux
Price: Free | Pro plan commences at $2/mo
Download: Element
Tox
If you want end-to-end encryption whilst jamming on a game with your buddies or people who have the same interests as yours, Tox is the answer. Tox gives you military-grade encryption under the hood on a decentralized server setup.
Both these traits ensure that all voice, text, and video chats are fully encrypted and all the data is stored on servers made up of users and not Tox’s servers that can be compromised. Want to share your screen for some purpose? Tox has your back offering you a neat screen-sharing solution right away. Tox is many things, one of which is a great Discord alternative.
Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows
Price: Free
Download: Tox
Troop Messenger
If you are looking for apps like Discord with a varied range of features, check out Tropp Messenger where you can create a team of 10 to 10,000 members. The app has all your needs to make your day productive.
Troop has all the features you would need in an instant communication app like Discord including HD audio and video calls, desktop sharing, group messaging, and so on. Troop Messenger integrates with Dropbox, LDAP, and Google Drive as well. Hey, you can even recall a message sent to the wrong guy/girl just like WhatsApp or Instagram.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
Price: Free | Pro at $1/mo/user (Premium); $4.99/mo/user (Enterprise)
Download: Troop Messenger
Skype
Skype is one of the best alternatives to Discord offering you the ability to communicate with your team or others in-game. You can chat with the users, group chat, or you can do quick voice or video calls without any hassle.
Skype lets you share big files in the middle of everything. It is no doubt an app that facilitates productivity and transparency in communications so if that’s what you need with your gaming buddies, SKype is the answer.
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows
Price: Free | Offers In-app purchases
Download: Skype
Related:Â 7 Best Skype Alternatives for Android, Windows, Mac, & iOS
Google Meet
You can complete a list of communications apps like Discord without listing Google Meet somewhere. It is an amazing app/service to try your hands at although not that better when compared to Microsoft Teams. There’s a free and a paid version available depending upon which one suits you.
Google Meets lets you host video calls, meetings, manage your teams over a myriad of tasks, and so on. It has a max capacity of 250 members so let’s see who’s joining the session once you download it. Get your hands on real-time captions, active noise cancellation, and more.
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Price: Free | $6/mo/user (G Suite – Business), $12/mo/user – Business Standard, $18/mo/user – Business Plus
Download: Google Meet
Steam Chat
If you haven’t heard of Steam Chat, I doubt you have a gamer’s gene in your DNA. Steam Chat from Valve is one of the best voice and messaging services for gamers out there.
Steam Chat is free to use, allows users to create groups on the go. You can create unique links where others can join. It has auto-moderation enabled as well as group administrators can keep an eye on activities as well. Steam Chat has a web client too.
Supported Platforms: Linux, Windows, and macOS
Price: Free
Download: Steam Chat
Related:Â Origin vs Steam vs Epic: Choosing the Best Game Launcher for PC Games
ICQ New
ICQ New is a great app when it comes to group chat with over 25,000 members in a group. You can do a group call with 30 members on-board as well. ICQ New provides users with real-time voice chat services which is what gamers want at this juncture.
The app is easy to understand, there’s no complicated process to use, and offers users the ability to voice, video, and chat with others. It has a suggested response feature that as the name suggests, actually makes suggestions on the response based on the context of the messages received. Use messenger bots on-board, create groups, talk to your team or colleague and so on with ICQ New.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, Ubuntu, macOS, and Web
Price: Free
Download: ICQ New
Mumble
If you want to stay in touch with people you share your interests with but have a weak internet connection, Mumble is at your service. For context, Mumble works at a weak 20Kbps bandwidth as well.
Just like Discord, Mumble has a straightforward user interface. It encrypts all your chats preventing them from prying eyes. It has low-latency audio calling if you are looking for it but has a decent audio quality.
Supported Platforms: macOS, Linux, iOS, Windows, and Android
Price: Free | Paid plan commences at $7.50/mo/15 users
Download: Mumble
Wire
If you are looking for apps like Discord but with file sharing, encrypted communication, video calls, and more on-board, Wire is there for you. Guess what? Wire’s voice and video call quality are unmatched by most of the Discord alternatives even if the internet is slow.
Wire is 100 percent open-source that should enable users to customize it as they will. The app also supports sharing speed on 10 users on multiple devices. Other features include end-to-end encryption for all your chats that includes video, voice, and text messaging.
Supported Platforms: Web, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows
Price: $5.83/mo/user (Pro), $9.5/mo/user (Enterprise)
Download: Wire
Related:Â Lepow Multipurpose Portable Monitor for Work From Home, Gaming and More
HeySpace
HeySpace is like a mutant borne out of Discord and Slack that takes their long list of capabilities to the next level. HeySpace is a simple and easy-to-use project management software that supplies a lot of features for collaboration and communication with the team.
Search messages and files by filters, add push notifications, images, sticky notes, and more with HeySpace. Reply to individual users to avoid any confusion in a group chat. HeySpace has a free tier with an array of features that you can extend with its premium plan.
Supported Platforms: macOS, Ubuntu, Android, iOS, and Windows
Price: Free | Premium at $5/user
Download: HeySpace
Flock
Another high-quality alternative to Discord, Flock is incredibly easy to use. It is more like Slack offering users a varied range of features including shared to-do lists, integrations from Google Suite among others. The free version is sweet enough to offer 5GB of space, 1-1 video calls, unlimited messaging, and more.
A Pro team would expand its support to group video calls, 10GB of space per team member, screen sharing, and whatnot. There’s an enterprise version as well. Flock is also SOC 2 Compliant so all the data and traffic hurtling through Flock’s servers are encrypted.
Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
Price: Free | Pro at $4.50/mo, $8/mo for Enterprise
Download: Flock
Ventrilo
An app/software that doesn’t chug on CPU resources, Ventrilo is lightweight allowing your system to keep it afloat when playing graphics-intensive games on other tabs. It is a VoIP software that enables voice calls promising low latency i.e. real-time communication with others while in the game. The software has a client-server-based connection which keeps all the data and chats exchanged on it completely encrypted and on the client computer.
Supported Platforms: Android, Windows, and macOS
Price: Free
Download: Ventrilo
Rocket.chat
Downsize the tools you would need to communicate with your fellow gamers or a team or group of users with Rocket.Chat. This app like Discord has screen sharing solutions as well as allows guest access as well. You can perform a live chat on the app or indulge in its high-quality audio and video calls without any hassle.
Need not worry as everything that you exchange or someone else does is completely secure with end-to-end encryption. Plus, there’s a two-factor authentication system on-board as well. You can self-manage Rocket.chat or host it on the cloud although the pricing might vary. Try your hands on its free version if you are hesitant on spending without testing it.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
Price: Free | Pro at $3/user/mo, Enterprise Version Available too
Download: Rocket.chat
Zoom
Zoom gained popularity ever since the last year and continues to grow. Zoom lets you text and video call or conference with your friends, group, team, or anyone else. You can set it up with a shared URL so others can join in.
You can mute the audio or take away the camera if you don’t wish to be seen. It may not be a perfect application for gamers given that it has a cap on the number of users in a meeting and the duration of each meeting. However, it is a great communications app with an impressive set of features and more.
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Windows, and Android
Price: Free | Pro at $149.90/year/license, $199.90/year/license, and $350/year/license + additional add-on plans.
Download: Zoom
Related:Â How and Why Hide Yourself from Others on Zoom Calls
AirSend
AirSend is a super powerful team communications app available on mobile, web, and desktop that minimizes the collateral in case someone isn’t able to access it from one platform. Get your hands on cloud storage with up to 100GB storage free with Pro plan, automatic file versioning, and other features. It is designed to make the user’s life easier and doesn’t fail to impress the masses right away. AirSend offers a myriad of features including chat in various channels (groups), share files and organize them, video or video call others, and so on.
Supported Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and Windows
Price: Free | Pro at $4/mo/user (Free for 1 year), Business at $5/mo/user
Download: AirSend
And that’s the end of our list of the best Discord alternatives to Chat and Talk While Gaming. Many of the software/services or apps mentioned above are open-source and thus, highly customized. We hope this list of Apps like Discord would aid you in finding the best alternative for your communication during gaming sessions and more.