16 Best Discord Alternatives for Brand Communities

Greetings, fellow earthlings! Your quest for the ultimate community platform has led you here, to this comprehensive guide. In this grand odyssey, we shall embark on a journey through the galaxy of online community platforms, leaving no stone unturned, no asteroid unexplored, and no platform unscrutinized.

Now, gather around, weary travelers, for our tale of 16 Discord alternatives. Each will be weighed upon the scales of five mighty comparison criteria: features, pricing, pros, cons, and a detailed overview. Fear not, for this guide shall be your compass, your map, and your guiding star as you navigate the treacherous seas of community platform selection.

But enough with the grandiose introductions! Onward, intrepid explorers, as we delve into our first alternative:

Slack

Slack is the Captain Picard to Discord's Captain Kirk. With a focus on team collaboration, it boldly goes where no platform has gone before, blending messaging, file sharing, and integration with other services.

Features:

Slack is a Swiss Army Knife of features, offering threaded conversations, audio and video calls, custom emojis, and more. Plus, its powerful API lets you integrate with over 2,000 apps.

Pricing:

Slack has a freemium model, with paid plans starting at $6.67/user/month (Standard) and going up to $12.50/user/month (Plus).

Pros:

Slack excels in team collaboration and organization, thanks to its channel and search features. It also boasts robust security measures and a wealth of integration options.

Cons:

The learning curve can be steep for new users, and the pricing may be prohibitive for small businesses or communities.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is the cybernetic offspring of Skype for Business, SharePoint, and a generous sprinkling of Office 365 magic. It's a collaboration hub that unites messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing in one sleek package.

Features:

Teams boasts a plethora of features, such as persistent chat, real-time document collaboration, and integration with Office 365 apps. It also supports third-party app integration, making it a versatile choice.

Pricing:

Microsoft Teams offers a free plan, with paid plans starting at $5/user/month (Business Basic) and going up to $20/user/month (Office 365 E3).

Pros:

Teams is a powerhouse of productivity, seamlessly integrating with the Microsoft ecosystem. Its video conferencing capabilities and real-time collaboration tools are top-notch.

Cons:

Its user interface can be overwhelming for newcomers, and the platform's performance can suffer in large communities.

Zulip

Zulip is the open-source Dumbledore of community platforms, conjuring up a magical blend of team chat and email, with an innovative threaded conversation model.

Features:

Zulip offers features such as private messaging, group chats, drag-and-drop file uploads, and a powerful search engine. It also supports Markdown formatting and offers a wide range of integrations.

Pricing:

Zulip is free for self-hosting, while its cloud-hosted version starts at $6.67/user/month (Standard) and goes up to custom pricing for Enterprise plans.

Pros:

Its unique threaded conversation model helps keep conversations organized, and its open-source nature provides flexibility and customization options.

Cons:

Zulip's user interface might take some getting used to, and self-hosting can be a challenge for non-technical users.

Mattermost

Mattermost is the open-source Iron Man of community platforms, combining sleek design with powerful functionality. It aims to provide a secure, private alternative for team communication and collaboration.

Features:

Mattermost boasts features such as one-on-one messaging, group messaging, file sharing, and video calls. It also offers integration with popular tools like Jira, GitLab, and GitHub, as well as an API for custom integrations.

Pricing:

Mattermost offers a free Team Edition for self-hosting, with paid plans starting at $3.25/user/month (E10) and going up to $8.50/user/month (E20).

Pros:

Its open-source nature allows for customization and control, and its focus on security and privacy makes it an attractive option for businesses with sensitive information.

Cons:

Mattermost's self-hosting requirement may be a barrier for non-technical users, and its video calling functionality is limited compared to other platforms.

Fleep

Fleep is the Doctor Strange of community platforms, blending elements of messaging, email, and project management into one mystical concoction.

Features:

Fleep offers one-on-one and group messaging, file sharing, task management, and integration with services like Google Drive and Trello. It also supports email integration, allowing users to communicate with those outside the Fleep ecosystem.

Pricing:

Fleep has a free Basic plan, with paid plans starting at €5/user/month (Business) and custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Fleep's unique combination of communication and project management tools can boost productivity and streamline workflows.

Cons:

Its user interface may be confusing for some, and it lacks the extensive integration options found in other platforms.

Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat is the open-source Optimus Prime of community platforms, transforming from a humble chat platform into a mighty collaboration tool.

Features:

Rocket.Chat offers features like private messaging, group chats, video and audio calls, file sharing, and screen sharing. It also provides a marketplace of third-party apps and integrations.

Pricing:

Rocket.Chat has a free Community Edition for self-hosting, with paid plans starting at $3/user/month (Bronze) and going up to custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Its open-source nature allows for customization and control, and it offers a wide range of features and integrations.

Cons:

The self-hosting requirement can be daunting for non-technical users, and the platform may be resource-intensive for large communities.

Ryver

Ryver is the Captain America of community platforms, wielding a mighty shield of communication, collaboration, and task management tools.

Features:

Ryver offers one-on-one messaging, team chats, video and audio calls, file sharing, and a built-in task manager. It also supports integration with popular apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Asana.

Pricing:

Ryver has a free plan for up to 6 users, with paid plans starting at $49/month (Startup) and going up to custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Ryver's combination of communication and task management tools can help teams stay organized and on track.

Cons:

Its pricing model can be expensive for larger teams, and the platform lacks the extensive integration options found in other alternatives.

Chanty

Chanty is the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man of community platforms, swinging in to save the day with its simple, user-friendly interface and AI-powered features.

Features:

Chanty offers one-on-one messaging, group chats, audio and video calls, file sharing, and a built-in task manager. Its AI-powered search engine helps users find relevant information quickly.

Pricing:

Chanty has a free plan for up to 10 users, with paid plans starting at $3/user/month (Business) and going up to custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Chanty's user-friendly interface and AI-powered features make it easy to navigate and find information quickly. It also offers a built-in task manager for enhanced productivity.

Cons:

Chanty's feature set may be limited compared to other alternatives, and it lacks the extensive integration options found in more established platforms.

Twist

Twist is the Gandalf of community platforms, conjuring up a world of organized, threaded conversations that help teams communicate effectively.

Features:

Twist offers features like private messaging, group chats, threaded conversations, file sharing, and integration with apps like Todoist, GitHub, and Google Drive.

Pricing:

Twist has a free plan with limited features, with paid plans starting at $5/user/month (Unlimited) and custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Twist's threaded conversation model helps keep discussions organized and reduces information overload.

Cons:

The platform may not be suitable for real-time communication, and its feature set is less extensive than other alternatives.

Gitter

Gitter is the Sherlock Holmes of community platforms, adept at solving the mysteries of developer collaboration with its focus on open-source projects and integrations.

Features:

Gitter offers features like public and private rooms, one-on-one messaging, file sharing, and integration with services like GitHub, GitLab, and Trello.

Pricing:

Gitter is free to use, with paid plans for organizations starting at $2/user/month (Bronze) and going up to $25/user/month (Gold).

Pros:

Gitter is tailor-made for developer collaboration and open-source projects, with tight integration with popular developer tools.

Cons:

The platform may not be suitable for non-technical users or communities that don't revolve around development.

Threema Work

Threema Work is the James Bond of community platforms, providing a secure and encrypted communication solution for businesses.

Features:

Threema Work offers features like one-on-one messaging, group chats, audio and video calls, file sharing, and end-to-end encryption for all communications.

Pricing:

Threema Work starts at €1.90/user/month (Basic) and goes up to custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Its focus on security and privacy makes Threema Work an attractive option for businesses with sensitive information or strict compliance requirements.

Cons:

The platform may not be suitable for large communities, and its feature set is less extensive than other alternatives.

Wire

Wire is the Jason Bourne of community platforms, blending security, privacy, and collaboration features into one covert package.

Features:

Wire offers features like private messaging, group chats, audio and video calls, file sharing, and end-to-end encryption for all communications. It also supports integration with third-party apps like GitHub and Jira.

Pricing:

Wire has a free plan for personal use, with paid plans starting at $5/user/month (Pro) and going up to custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Wire's focus on security and privacy makes it an appealing choice for businesses with strict compliance requirements or sensitive information.

Cons:

Its feature set may be limited compared to other alternatives, and the platform may not be suitable for large communities.

Tribe

Tribe is the Avatar Aang of community platforms, mastering the elements of community building, engagement, and collaboration to create a harmonious online space.

Features:

Tribe offers features like discussion forums, Q&A sections, polls, file sharing, and integration with popular tools like Slack, Google Analytics, and Zapier.

Pricing:

Tribe has a free plan with limited features, with paid plans starting at $85/month (Premium) and going up to custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Tribe's focus on community building and engagement makes it a versatile choice for businesses looking to foster a sense of community around their products or services.

Cons:

The platform may not be suitable for teams requiring real-time communication or extensive collaboration features.

Guild

Guild is the Merlin of community platforms, casting a spell of professional networking and collaboration for businesses and organizations.

Features:

Guild offers features like private messaging, group chats, file sharing, and a powerful search engine. It also focuses on privacy and GDPR compliance.

Pricing:

Guild offers a free plan for up to 50 members, with paid plans starting at £450/year (Premium) and going up to custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Guild's focus on professional networking makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to build a community of like-minded individuals.

Cons:

The platform may not be suitable for large communities or those requiring real-time communication and collaboration features.

Glip

Glip is the RoboCop of community platforms, patrolling the streets of team communication and collaboration with its arsenal of integrated tools.

Features:

Glip offers features like one-on-one messaging, group chats, video conferencing, file sharing, and a built-in task manager. It also integrates with popular tools like Google Drive, Asana, and Trello.

Pricing:

Glip offers a free plan with limited features, with paid plans starting at $14.99/user/month (Standard) and going up to custom pricing for the Enterprise plan.

Pros:

Glip's suite of integrated tools makes it a powerful choice for teams looking to streamline their workflows and boost productivity.

Cons:

Its feature set may be overwhelming for some users, and the platform may not be suitable for large communities.

Telligent

Telligent is the Professor Xavier of community platforms, using its telepathic powers to unite businesses and customers in a world of engagement and collaboration.

Features:

Telligent offers features like discussion forums, blogs, Q&A sections, file sharing, and analytics. It also supports integration with third-party apps and custom development.

Pricing:

Telligent's pricing is available upon request and varies depending on the size and needs of your community.

Pros:

Telligent's focus on customer engagement and community-building makes it a powerful choice for businesses looking to foster a sense of loyalty and connection with their customers.

Cons:

The platform may not be suitable for teams requiring real-time communication or extensive collaboration features, and its pricing model may be prohibitive for smaller businesses or communities.

Final thoughts

And so, dear adventurers, our grand tour of the 16 Discord alternatives comes to a close. Armed with the knowledge of these platforms and their comparison criteria, you can now forge your own path through the digital wilderness, selecting the community platform that best suits your needs.

Remember, young entrepreneur, the choice is yours, and the power to create a thriving community around your product or service lies in your hands. So go forth, and may the spirit of wisdom and discernment guide you on your journey to online community greatness!