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US-based service - Your data may be subject to US CLOUD Act and accessed by US authorities

Discord logo

Discord

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธUS Company

by Discord

Discord is a communication platform based in the United States, designed to facilitate voice, video, and text interactions among users. Originally popular among gaming communities, it has expanded to serve a wide range of groups and organizations. Key features include customizable server roles and permissions, which allow for tailored user experiences within communities, and integrated game overlay, enabling seamless communication during gameplay. Discord also offers text and voice channels for structured communication, screen sharing for collaborative activities, and bots for automation and moderation tasks. The platform supports rich presence integration with games, enhancing user interaction by displaying game activity. Community server discovery and promotion are also available, allowing users to find and join servers of interest. Discord operates under US jurisdiction, meaning user data is stored in the US and subject to US data laws, such as the CLOUD Act and FISA 702. The platform is free to use, with optional paid features available through Discord Nitro, which offers enhanced functionalities. Discord's target audience includes gamers, educators, and various online communities seeking organized communication tools.

EU Alternatives to Discord

2 privacy-focused, GDPR-compliant alternatives

Stoat logo

Stoat

๐ŸŒ

by Stoat

Stoat (formerly Revolt) is an open-source, privacy-focused messaging platform from the United Kingdom. It offers a Discord-like experience with servers, channels, and voice chat, but with full GDPR compliance and EU data hosting. Stoat features customizable servers, role-based permissions, rich media sharing, and end-to-end encryption options. As a self-hostable solution, it gives users complete control over their data. Ideal for communities, teams, and individuals who want a feature-rich chat platform without compromising on privacy.

GDPR CompliantEU-hostedSelf-HostableOpen Source
freemiumMigration:โ—โ—โ—Several weeks, including the wait time for data export

Why switch?

  • GDPR compliance ensures EU data protection standards.
  • Open source allows for custom modifications and audits.
  • Story-driven chats offer unique, engaging interactions.

Consider

  • Migration may disrupt existing Discord communities.
  • Learning curve for new features like story-driven chats.
Element logo

Element

๐ŸŒ

by Element

Element is a Matrix-based end-to-end encrypted messenger and secure collaboration app. Itโ€™s decentralised for digital sovereign self-hosting, or through a hosting service such as Element Matrix Services. Element operates on the open Matrix network to provide interoperability and easy connections.

Open SourceSelf-HostableISO 27001EU-hostedGDPR Compliant
freemiumMigration:โ—โ—โ—Several days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your Discord setup

Why switch?

  • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for all chats.
  • Self-hosting allows full control over data and server location.
  • GDPR compliance ensures strict data protection for EU users.

Consider

  • Migration from Discord may require manual transfer of chats and files.
  • Element lacks integrated game overlay for real-time gaming support.

Why switch from Discord?

US CLOUD Act

US authorities can access your data stored by US companies, even if stored in Europe.

Privacy Concerns

US companies may collect and use your data in ways not compliant with EU standards.

EU Alternatives

EU-based services must comply with GDPR, giving you stronger privacy protections.

Other Messaging Apps you might want to replace

Ready to switch to a privacy-focused alternative?

Protect your data by moving to an EU-based service. Our migration guides make switching easy.