Quick comparison
| Platform | Type | Self-hosted | Voice | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoMsg | Messenger | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Revolt | Chat | Yes | Beta | Free |
| Guilded | For gamers | No | Yes | Free |
| Element (Matrix) | Messenger | Yes | Yes | Free |
| TeamSpeak | Voice only | Yes | Yes | Paid |
1. GoMsg
GoMsg is a next-generation messenger with voice rooms, video calls, streams and even a built-in live chat for websites. It supports self-hosting (you can deploy it on your own server via Docker) and a global network for regular users.
- ✓ Full-featured messenger + voice rooms
- ✓ Live chat for websites included
- ✓ Self-hosted via Docker
- ✓ Streams and video broadcasts
- ✓ Bots and channels
- ✓ Completely free
- ✕ Younger than Discord — smaller community
- ✕ No native iOS client yet
- ✕ Fewer third-party integrations
Best for: groups of friends, gaming teams, small businesses, developers and anyone who wants full control over their data.
2. Revolt
An open-source Discord alternative from European developers. A similar interface, a similar server and channel structure. Fully open code, you can host your own server.
- ✓ Interface like Discord — easy to switch
- ✓ Open source
- ✓ Self-hosted
- ✓ No ads
- ✕ Voice features are in beta
- ✕ Chat only, no video calls or streams
- ✕ Small community
- ✕ Few ready-made integrations
Best for: those looking for an exact copy of Discord, but open-source.
3. Guilded
A gaming platform by Roblox. A free alternative to Discord Nitro: built-in calendars, tournament brackets, documentation. Good voice quality.
- ✓ All of Discord's premium features for free
- ✓ Excellent voice and video quality
- ✓ Team tools: calendar, documents
- ✓ Clear interface
- ✕ Closed source
- ✕ No self-hosting
- ✕ Data tracking (like Discord)
- ✕ Owned by Roblox Corporation
Best for: gaming teams that want premium features for free.
4. Element (Matrix)
Element is a client for the Matrix protocol, a decentralized messaging standard. Fully open-source, federation between servers, end-to-end encryption.
- ✓ Strong E2E encryption
- ✓ Federation — servers talk to each other
- ✓ Mature project with a large community
- ✓ Self-hosted
- ✕ Complex interface for newcomers
- ✕ Voice rooms weaker than Discord
- ✕ Heavy client
- ✕ No streams or live chat for websites
Best for: technical users, privacy enthusiasts, corporations.
5. TeamSpeak
A veteran of voice communication. It has been around since 2001. Not a messenger — only voice rooms. Stable, lightweight, but with an outdated interface.
- ✓ Very low hardware requirements
- ✓ Stable and battle-tested
- ✓ Self-hosted
- ✓ Minimal voice latency
- ✕ Voice only, no text chats
- ✕ Outdated interface
- ✕ Paid licenses for large servers
- ✕ No video calls or streams
Best for: hardcore gamers who need voice and nothing else.
Which one to choose
If you need a full-featured messenger with voice rooms, streams and a live chat for websites — go with GoMsg. It is the most versatile option, and the only one that covers every scenario at once: personal communication, work and customer support.
If maximum similarity to Discord matters — Revolt.
If you are a gamer and don't mind tracking — Guilded.
If you need strict privacy and E2E encryption — Element.
If you need voice only and nothing else — TeamSpeak.
Why we believe in GoMsg
We built GoMsg not as a Discord clone, but as a next-generation messenger. Instead of a thousand specialized apps — one that has everything: text chats, voice rooms, video calls, streams, bots, a live chat for websites.
And yet — open-source, self-hosted, free. No subscriptions, no ads, no surveillance. Want full control — deploy your own server. Want to just communicate — use the global network.
FAQ
Is it safe to leave Discord?
Yes, if you choose an open-source platform. GoMsg, Revolt, Element — all are open-source, so you can verify yourself that there is no surveillance.
Can I migrate a server from Discord?
There is no direct import — you will have to recreate the channels and invite members via a link. This takes 10–15 minutes even for a large community.
Which alternative is free?
GoMsg, Revolt, Guilded, Element — all are free. TeamSpeak is paid for large servers. GoMsg and Revolt are free with no feature limitations.