An open-source Discord alternative
If your group lives on Discord, WizardChat will feel familiar. Servers are called spaces, channels are rooms, and voice channels are voice rooms. What’s different is underneath: it’s open source, your messages are end-to-end encrypted, and there’s no paid tier.
Same idea, different names
| On Discord | In WizardChat |
|---|---|
| Server | Space |
| Channel | Room |
| Voice channel | Voice room |
| Roles | Roles and permissions |
| Nitro emojis | Custom emojis, free for everyone |
What’s different
Your messages are encrypted
Discord encrypts voice and video calls, but your messages are stored on its servers in a form it can read. In WizardChat, messages, files and calls are end-to-end encrypted.
No paid tier
Custom emojis in every room, 1080p screen sharing and every other feature are free. There’s nothing to upgrade to.
No single company in charge
Matrix is a network of many servers, like email. You can sign up on a public server, run your own, and still talk to people on other servers and other Matrix apps.
No phone number or ID
WizardChat never asks for your phone number, age or ID. Some servers ask for an email address when you sign up.
Side by side
| WizardChat | Discord | |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes, AGPL-3.0 | No |
| End-to-end encrypted messages | Yes, by default | No |
| End-to-end encrypted calls | Yes | Yes |
| Custom emojis in every room | Free | Nitro |
| 1080p screen sharing | Free | Nitro |
| Run your own server | Yes | No |
| Talk to people on other apps | Yes, any Matrix app | No |
| Bots and integrations | Matrix bots and bridges | Large ecosystem |
| Mobile | Works in the mobile browser | Native apps |
Based on Discord’s public features and plans in 2026. Discord is a trademark of Discord Inc. WizardChat is not affiliated with Discord.
What you’d give up
Discord has a large catalogue of bots and activities, native mobile apps, and most likely the people you already talk to. WizardChat works with Matrix bots and bridges and runs in your phone’s browser, but the selection is smaller. If bots are central to your server, try WizardChat next to Discord before moving.
Moving a community over
- Create a space, then a room for each channel you use and a voice room or two.
- Share an invite link. People can sign up on any Matrix server, matrix.org is fine.
- Run both side by side for a while. A bridge like mautrix-discord can mirror your Discord channels into Matrix rooms in the meantime.
- Switch over once the regulars are settled in.
Questions
Can I keep using Discord while I try it?
Yes. Plenty of groups run both for a while. Create a space, invite a few people with a link and see how it goes.
Can I talk to friends who are still on Discord?
Only through a bridge such as mautrix-discord, which mirrors a Discord server into Matrix rooms. Someone has to set it up and run it. Usually it’s easier to send your friends an invite link.
Do I need my own server?
No. Sign up on a public Matrix server like matrix.org. Running your own server is optional.
Is it free?
Yes, and there’s no paid version. WizardChat is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license.
Try WizardChat
It runs in your browser. Sign in with a Matrix account you already have, or create one in a minute.