Discord
Discord: A broad, free game-chat platform with optional Nitro upgrades for larger limits. Ranked #1 of 22 in Game Voice Chat Software by our editors (9.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for most gaming communities and friend groups.
At a glance
- Editor score9.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forMost gaming communities and friend groups
- Free planYes
- Paid from$29.99/user/yr
- Hosting modelHosted
- Founded2015 · San Francisco, California, United States
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free voice, video, text chat, and community servers
- Works across web, desktop, Linux, iOS, and Android
- Adds Krisp noise suppression, streaming, roles, and overlay features
Where it doesn't
- Nitro pricing varies by region
- Some larger limits and premium features require Nitro
- Console support is limited to selected platforms
Our verdict on Discord
Discord brings voice channels, direct and group calls, video, text chat, screen sharing, game streaming, and community servers into one hosted platform. It is designed for gaming communities and friend groups that need both live conversation and persistent spaces for messages, roles, permissions, and shared activity. Access is available through browsers and apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, with console support on selected platforms. The free plan includes voice, video, and text chat, community servers, and browser, desktop, and mobile access.
Its pricing structure keeps the core product available without a subscription, while Nitro adds capacity and customization. Nitro Basic costs $2.99 per user per month or $29.99 per user per year, adding custom emoji and stickers, 50 MB file uploads, custom video backgrounds, and Super Reactions. Nitro costs $9.99 per user per month or $99.99 per user per year, adding HD video streaming, two Server Boosts, larger file uploads, custom emoji and stickers, and access to up to 200 servers. These listed prices are in US dollars, and Nitro pricing varies by region.
The strongest fit is for groups that want more than a standalone voice call: Discord combines server communities, direct messages, game activity, in-game overlay features, soundboard audio clips, and screen sharing in one service. Krisp noise suppression is included among its communication features, while paid plans focus on larger limits and added customization rather than replacing the free chat experience. Choose Discord for a flexible community-centered setup across major operating systems. Groups seeking a narrower voice-only tool, or users who need every premium limit without a subscription, should consider an alternative.
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Discord pricing
All 3 Discord plans and prices →
Discord fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $29.99/user/yr |
| Maximum users | 2.5e+07 users |
| Hosting model | Hosted |
| Mobile apps | Yes |
| Screen sharing | Yes |
| Noise suppression | Yes |
| Supported platforms | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | discord.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Discord
- MumbleA free, self-hosted gaming voice platform with positional audio and strong controls.8.9
- TeamSpeakA long-running voice platform for communities that need control over server structure and access.8.7
- Bedrock Voice ChatA free, self-hosted voice system built primarily for Minecraft communities.8.6
See all Discord alternatives →
Discord vs the competition
- Discord vs Mumble
- Discord vs TeamSpeak
- Discord vs Bedrock Voice Chat
- Discord vs Lag
- Discord vs Sloga
- Discord vs GameVox
Compare Discord with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Discord is ranked in 7 of our directories.
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Discord for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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