Discord

Discord is a chat service built around servers, which are private or public spaces for groups. Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy launched it in 2015, and it began as a tool for gamers who wanted voice chat while playing. The company is based in San Francisco.

Each server has text channels and voice channels. Members can share screens, stream gameplay and send images. Roles and bots let server owners control access and add features such as moderation and music. Study groups, hobby clubs, open source projects and artists also run communities there.

The free service is supported by Nitro, a paid plan with extras such as larger uploads and custom emoji. Discord turned down a reported purchase offer from Microsoft in 2021. It has dealt with child safety concerns and has added tools for parents and moderators. Discord is available on desktop, web and mobile, with a free tier and a large user base that now reaches well beyond gaming. Server owners can set rules, roles and age limits for their communities.