Open-Source Discord Alternatives (2026)

Identifying Discord · Mark source

forkalt Discord-class job graphic listing Element and Rocket.Chat — forkalt comparison graphic (2026-10-25). Source · License: forkalt original.

People look for a Discord alternative when they want self-hosted community chat, Matrix federation, or an auditable messenger. This hub lists tools we verified on 2026-10-25. Discord is named only to identify that product class. Workplace Slack-class chat is a different hub.

Quick take.

Element — Multi-licensed Matrix client (AGPL-3.0 or GPL-3.0 or Element commercial).
Rocket.Chat — Open-core team comms. MIT outside ee/ dirs; Enterprise Edition has its own license.

How we pick

Public GitHub repository we could open (README or API).
License copied from LICENSE files, including multi-license and EE splits.
Community or self-host messenger documented by the project.
No unsourced “beats Discord” claims.

Comparison

Name	License	Stars	Last release	Platforms	Runs locally	Key strengths
Element	AGPL-3.0-or-later	13,611	v1.12.32	Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Yes	Multi-licensed Matrix client (AGPL-3.0 or GPL-3.0 or Element commercial).
Rocket.Chat	other	46,317	8.9.0	Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Yes	Open-core team comms. MIT outside ee/ dirs; Enterprise Edition has its own license.

Two Discord-class jobs: Element for Matrix clients, Rocket.Chat for MIT-plus-EE self-host comms — forkalt comparison graphic (2026-10-25). Not a ranking.

Listed options: Element (Matrix client, AGPL/GPL/commercial) and Rocket.Chat (MIT community plus EE directories). Identification only: Discord is Discord Inc.’s hosted community chat. We did not copy Discord pricing or a feature scorecard. Workplace chat is Slack alternatives (Zulip, Mattermost).

Sourced snapshot (2026-10-25)

Field	Element	Rocket.Chat
Repository	github.com/element-hq/element-web	github.com/RocketChat/Rocket.Chat
Stars / forks	13,611 / 2,802	46,317 / 14,032
License	AGPL-3.0-or-later or GPL-3.0-or-later or commercial	Mixed (`LICENSE`; GitHub NOASSERTION)
Latest release in this check	v1.12.32 (2026-10-16)	8.9.0 LTS (2026-10-05)
Job	Matrix web / desktop client	Self-host comms (open-core)
Self-host	docs/install.md; app.element.io is hosted	Docker / docs.rocket.chat
Quality vs Discord	Not independently tested	Not independently tested

Why Element is the Matrix row

“Open source Discord alternative” is a durable query. The Matrix-client row we could source on 2026-10-25 from a public GitHub README is Element (element-hq/element-web): 13,611 stars, v1.12.32, multi-licensed AGPL / GPL / commercial. Its job is a Matrix client, not a proof that it substitutes for Discord’s servers, Nitro, or stage channels.

Rocket.Chat is the higher-star self-host comms option (46,317 stars, 8.9.0 LTS). We list it because people search it next to Discord and Slack. We do not collapse LICENSE into “MIT.” Content outside ee/ is MIT; apps/meteor/ee/ and ee/ use the Enterprise Edition license. Same honesty pattern as Mattermost.

Who should switch

Need a Matrix client and accept AGPL or GPL or a paid Element license: Element v1.12.32 from element.io or a self-host.
Need a single-server comms stack and accept mixed/open-core licensing: Rocket.Chat 8.9.0 LTS. Read LICENSE and ee/LICENSE before you fork or resell.
Need workplace Slack-class chat: Slack alternatives — Zulip, Mattermost.
Need an LLM chat UI, not a messenger: ChatGPT alternatives (Open WebUI).
Need a document wiki, not chat: Notion alternatives.

What we left out

Revolt / Stoat was not added: the GitHub handle we opened redirected to a discussions repo without a fetchable product LICENSE in this pass. Voice-first Discord clones remain queued until we open those LICENSE files on a dated check.

Element · Rocket.Chat
Slack alternatives
Writing & Office
Notion alternatives · ChatGPT alternatives
Pixel editors (different job): PhotoCraft vs GIMP

Listed options

Element

Multi-licensed Matrix client (AGPL-3.0 or GPL-3.0 or Element commercial).

AGPL-3.0-or-later

Rocket.Chat

Open-core team comms. MIT outside ee/ dirs; Enterprise Edition has its own license.

other

FAQ

What is the best free Discord alternative I can self-host?

Among options we sourced on 2026-10-25, Element v1.12.32 is a Matrix client (13,611 stars) under AGPL-3.0-or-later, GPL-3.0-or-later, or a paid Element commercial license. Rocket.Chat 8.9.0 LTS is the higher-star self-host comms option (46,317 stars) but LICENSE is mixed (MIT outside ee/, Enterprise Edition inside). “Best” depends on Matrix federation versus a single-server comms stack. We have no bake-off.

Is Rocket.Chat fully open source?

Not as a single OSI SPDX. LICENSE (2026-10-25) licenses content outside ee/ as MIT (Expat) and apps/meteor/ee/ plus ee/ under the Rocket.Chat Enterprise Edition license. GitHub’s license field is NOASSERTION. Element’s README is AGPL or GPL or commercial.

Is this the same as Slack alternatives?

No. Slack alternatives lists Zulip and Mattermost for workplace team chat. Discord is community / voice. Element is a Matrix client. The hubs link to each other so the product classes stay distinct.

Can I use these commercially?

Element’s AGPL/GPL path is copyleft; a paid commercial license is the third option on the README. Rocket.Chat’s MIT tree is permissive; EE directories need their subscription terms. Not legal advice.

Sources & verification

Last verified 2026-10-25 · Last updated 2026-10-25· Edited by forkalt editors · Editorial policy

License notes are not legal advice. Read the original LICENSE. Trademark & disclaimer.