Self-hosted Discord alternatives for small friend groups

Element calls itself the creator of Matrix. For small setups it publishes Element Server Suite Community, which bundles Synapse (the server), Matrix Authentication Service, Element Web and Element Call. Element says it's intended for non-professional use and deployments of roughly 1 to 100 users. It runs on a single machine or an existing Kubernetes cluster using their Helm charts, and it's licensed AGPLv3.

Element is clear about the trade-off: the Community edition has no vendor support or security update management. Someone in your group has to own updates.

If you'd rather not run it on home hardware, a small VPS from Vultr or DigitalOcean is one route. You'll also need a domain name, for example from Namecheap.

Stoat's FAQ says the project began because its "specific genre of chat platforms" had little open source competition (it names Guilded, Discord and Matrix). The FAQ also says Stoat is funded by donations and that federation is not on its roadmap. The official self-hosted repository deploys the whole stack with Docker: back end, web front end, file server and media proxy. It recommends at least 2 vCPUs and 2 GB of memory, and the guide uses Ubuntu Server. It also includes a step for configuring your domain. Besides the web ports, the guide opens TCP 7881 and UDP 50000–50100.

One thing to know before you start: the README says most official Stoat clients don't currently support self-hosted instances. The web client works, and the README says installing it as a PWA gets close to an app.

Fluxer describes itself as free, open source chat for friends, groups and communities, with text, voice, video, screen sharing, roles and moderation tools. The code is AGPLv3, and Fluxer says there's no license key and no reduced edition for self-hosters. It says the official desktop and mobile apps can connect to your own instance. Phone push notifications go through a Fluxer relay, which Fluxer says encrypts them before they reach it. Federation is on its roadmap: an experimental draft in 2026 and a stable release in 2027.

Fluxer's self-hosting page is upfront that you'll be the one keeping the software updated, administering the server and handling moderation.

Mumble describes itself as free, open source, low-latency voice chat. Its site says connections are always encrypted and that it uses public/private-key login by default. It also lists a detailed permission system (ACLs), an in-game overlay and positional audio in supported games. The server, called mumble-server or Murmur, has downloads for Windows and macOS, and Mumble says most Linux distributions package it. There's an official Docker image, and the default port is 64738 over TCP and UDP.

On phones, Mumble's downloads page lists third-party Android apps (Mumla, MumbleWay) and says the official iOS app is unmaintained, with its last update in 2017.

TeamSpeak lets you run your own TeamSpeak 3 server for free, limited to 1 virtual server and 32 slots. That free tier is only for non-commercial groups and individuals. Above 32 slots there's a paid yearly license, starting at $55 a year for 64 slots according to TeamSpeak's support site. The server runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD, and there's a Docker image. Its setup guide says to forward UDP 9987 for voice. A TeamSpeak 6 server is in beta, and TeamSpeak also offers hosted servers through TeamSpeak Communities.

Who it's for: a group where one person has an ordinary 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 PC that can stay on, and nobody wants to rent or run a server. That person buys a Host license. Everyone else joins free. In SILOD's words: "Joining is free: no key, no purchase."

Price: "Host 15 is $9.99 (15 people signed in at once), Host 25 is $14.99 (25 people signed in at once), and Host Unlimited is $19.99 (no signed-in cap). This is a one-time buy." It's not a subscription: "A paid Host license is a one-time buy." (SILOD separately lists a commercial license at $49.99 a year.)

Updates and support: "Early backers get every app update free for life." "Free email support for life."

Joining from a browser: "Friends can join from a web browser without installing anything." They can open the Join page and chat from a phone browser. "Voice in a browser needs Unlimited’s https link, because browsers block the microphone on the plain http link that Host 15 and Host 25 use. Otherwise, use the SILOD desktop app."

We'll be direct: 2-5-2 Technologies makes SILOD and runs this site, so weigh this section with that in mind.

What leaves your PC: SILOD's FAQ answers "What data leaves my PC?" with: "The Host does not send your chats, voice, or files to 2-5-2's servers. The license check sends only your license key and this PC's machine ID (the Windows MachineGuid), never your chats, members, or calls." It also says: "Voice uses Google's STUN servers only (no Twilio). Every voice join, your own Host and LAN included, contacts Google STUN." On the license check: "The Host checks your license key with us when it starts, every 5 minutes while it runs, and when it stops, and also when you press Check or move the key to another PC." "Forever keys never check." SILOD also says: "In Host Settings, under Data and security, the What leaves this PC panel lists every internet service the Host contacts, what each one is for, and what stays on your PC. The SILOD app has no ads, analytics or crash reporting, and SILOD has no age verification or ID checks." SILOD privacy page

SILOD is a desktop app for voice, text chat, file sharing and screen sharing. The Host runs on your own Windows PC: chats, voice and files stay on that PC, not on 2-5-2's servers. It's built for people who don't want to rent a VPS or learn Docker.

• Windows only for the Host. 64-bit Windows 10 or 11. There's no Linux Host. Mac version coming soon. You can't run it on a typical Linux VPS.
• The Host PC has to stay on, with SILOD open, while your group is using it.
• Port forwarding is needed for anyone joining from outside your home. UDP 7882 is needed on every license. If your ISP uses CGNAT or you're behind double NAT, friends outside your home can't connect.
• It's an early access beta. The installer isn't code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen will show a warning.
• The Unlimited license also gives you a private https link on joinsilod.com, which lets people use voice from a browser.

Good fit if one of you has a Windows gaming PC that's on anyway, can log in to the router, and wants a one-time price.
Less good if you're on CGNAT, want a Linux server, or need native mobile apps.

See SILOD's requirements and licenses

• You want it free and someone is comfortable running a server: Element (Element Server Suite Community on a single machine or Kubernetes) or Stoat (Docker, at least 2 vCPUs and 2 GB of memory per its guide). Both are free software (AGPLv3).
• Voice is all you need: Mumble, which is free and open source. Or TeamSpeak, which is free up to 32 slots for non-commercial use.
• You don't want to run a server, and you want voice, chat, files and screen share on an ordinary Windows PC: SILOD. Check first that the PC can stay on, that you can forward ports on your router, and that your ISP doesn't use CGNAT.

Whatever you pick, everyone needs a mic. Headsets on Amazon.

Setting up for a LAN party? See voice chat for a LAN party. Torn between the voice apps? See TeamSpeak vs Mumble vs Discord.