A modern communication platform for text, voice, media sharing, and managing vibrant community servers
A modern communication platform for text, voice, media sharing, and managing vibrant community servers
This independent review is not sponsored, endorsed or affiliated with Hammer & Chisel Inc.. Discord® is a registered trademark of Hammer & Chisel Inc.. All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Free, with great premium features.
- Ability to be part of multiple servers, and even create multiple servers.
Cons
- Not a lightweight app. Can be very sluggish on outdated computers and old phones. Be sure to check the system requirements.
What is Discord?
Discord is a communications app that allows text chat, voice chat, sharing media such as videos and pictures, and many other methods of communications.
For many people, Discord has become the social media away from social media. Rather than being one big, public platform such as Facebook or Twitter, Discord allows people to make servers with easy ways to get into the action.
One issue with social media after the MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter generation is that the general population is one of the biggest markets. Companies reach for big audiences, then work their way down to specific groups for specific marketing later.
Other platforms struggle with making their sites and services easy for non-technical people, but also acceptable for people who know exactly what they want out of communications. Discord offers a lot of highly technical features, but getting started is as easy as signing up.
Discord's Main Features
Text and Voice Chat
The main features of Discord are the chat and voice channels.
When you start a Discord account, you have an option to join a server or create a server for free. The great part about getting started is even if someone accidentally creates a server instead of joining a friend's server, nothing is lost but time.
Creating a server and making channels is easy. It's not uncommon for a friend who doesn't pay attention and never reads past a few words to create a server, then sit around wondering why no one else is talking.
The solution there is simple: send them a link to your existing server and drag them out. It's also not uncommon for some people to resist, demanding that you join their new server.
Attitude issue, not a technical issue.
Moderation Made Easy
Any community that grows will eventually need moderation. Discord servers can become groups that recruit new people for discussions, gaming groups, fan groups, and other large gatherings Some servers need a way to guide the conversation and keep the style and feel of the community true to purpose.
Even close-knit friend groups may need moderation. Sometimes, a group of friends has one or two people who act completely different on a specific activity. Or, one person might be better at setting everything up, and you wouldn't want others undoing their management.
Discord gives you the power to create multiple types of users with multiple permissions. You can share power with a council and have assistants with fewer, but still important powers.
You could be a total dictator who gives specific permissions for tasks that others can handle. Or, you could give everyone almost every single ability except the power to delete the server entirely.
With Discord, there are many ways to manage leadership. It's inspired by both business computer network best practices and the ways that online game groups handle leadership.
Typically, there is a single admin who is in charge of everything. Then, a team of super moderators or assistant admins who either have the same power, or slightly less permissions to handle almost every issue in the server.
After that, you can have team leads or topic leads who can lead conversations or manage specific channels.
After that, basic users can have the ability to add or remove certain things, invite people, or perform other basic tasks beyond just chatting or joining voice.
And of course, the ability to quarantine users who either need to be verified, or to put people in timeout without removing completely is an option.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Free, with great premium features.
- Ability to be part of multiple servers, and even create multiple servers.
Cons
- Not a lightweight app. Can be very sluggish on outdated computers and old phones. Be sure to check the system requirements.
Pros
- High-quality voice and video chat capabilities
- Wide range of tools and integrations to enhance the user experience
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Robust security measures to protect user data
- Customization options to personalize the user experience
- User-friendly interface
- Large and active community for support and assistance
- Generally free to use, with optional paid features
Cons
- Primarily designed for real-time communication, which may not be suitable for all users
- Can be overwhelming for new users, especially in large and active communities
- Some concerns about the privacy and security of user data
- Potential for negative or toxic interactions within some communities
Discord is a communication platform specifically designed for gamers on Microsoft Windows, but it has evolved to be used by a wide range of communities, including educational institutions, businesses, and social groups. It allows users to connect with each other through voice, video, and text in real-time, making it a powerful tool for online gaming communities and other groups.
One of the main features of Discord is its high-quality voice and video chat capabilities, which use encrypted communication channels to ensure privacy and security. The platform also offers a range of tools to manage voice and video communication, such as the ability to mute or deafen other users or adjust the volume of individual users. The voice and video quality on Discord is generally good, with minimal lag or interruption.
In addition to its communication features, Discord also offers a wide range of tools and integrations that can enhance the user experience. For example, users can connect their Discord account to other platforms, such as Twitch or Spotify, to share content or show their music preferences. Discord also has a range of integrations with popular games, allowing users to track their progress or share in-game achievements with their friends.
One of the key benefits of Discord is its cross-platform compatibility. While it is primarily designed for use on Windows, it is also available on Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, so users can communicate with friends on other devices. Discord also offers a web version, which can be accessed from any device with a web browser. This makes it a convenient choice for users who want to communicate across different devices.
In terms of security, Discord takes the protection of its users' data seriously. The platform uses encrypted communication channels and offers two-factor authentication to help prevent unauthorized access to user accounts. This makes it a secure choice for sensitive conversations or for sharing sensitive information.
Customization is another strength of Discord. Users can create custom emotes that can be used in their server, adding a personal touch and helping to build a unique identity within the community. Discord also offers the ability to set up custom role permissions, which can be used to control who has access to certain channels or who can perform certain actions within the server. This can be useful for creating a hierarchical structure within a community or for maintaining order and organization.
For users looking to create and manage their own communities, Discord offers the ability to create and manage servers. Server administrators have a range of tools at their disposal to manage their servers, including the ability to set up roles, channels, and rules. This can be useful for organizing communities or creating dedicated spaces for specific groups.
In addition to these community-building tools, Discord also has a range of features that can help users connect with others and build communities. Users can join or create groups based on their interests, allowing them to find like-minded individuals and engage in discussions or activities related to their passions. Discord also offers a "Nitro" subscription service, which provides access to a range of perks, such as access to a library of games and special emotes. These features can help users build and strengthen their connections within the Discord community.
For users on the go, Discord has a well-designed mobile app that is available for Windows and Android devices. The app offers all of the same features as the desktop version and is easy to use, making it a convenient choice for staying connected and engaged with communities while on the move.
One of the standout features of Discord is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for users to navigate and find the tools and features they need. The platform also has a wide range of customization options, allowing users to personalize their experience and create a unique look and feel for their server. This can help create a sense of identity and belonging within a community.
In addition to its core communication and community-building features, Discord also offers a range of tools and features that can enhance the user experience. For example, the platform has a built-in voice changer that allows users to alter their voice in real-time, adding an extra layer of fun and creativity to conversations. Discord also has a range of integrations with popular games, allowing users to track their progress and share in-game achievements with their friends.
Another advantage of Discord is its robust community support. The platform has a large and active user base, which means that users can find help and support from other users if they have questions or encounter problems. Discord also has a dedicated support team that is available to help users with any issues they may have.
In terms of pricing, Discord is generally free to use, with some optional paid features such as the Nitro subscription service. The Nitro subscription offers users access to a range of perks, including access to a library of games and special emotes. Overall, Discord is a feature-rich and user-friendly communication platform that is well-suited for gaming and building online communities. It offers a wide range of tools and features to enhance the user experience, as well as strong security measures to protect user data.
One potential drawback of Discord is that the platform is primarily designed for real-time communication, which means that users need to be online and available to participate in conversations. This can make it less convenient for users who are unable to be online all the time or who prefer more asynchronous forms of communication.
Another potential issue with Discord is that the platform can be overwhelming for new users, especially if they are joining a large and active community. The wide range of features and customization options can be confusing for users who are unfamiliar with the platform, and finding one's way around can be challenging.
Some users may also have concerns about the privacy and security of their data on Discord. While the platform uses encrypted communication channels and offers two-factor authentication to protect user data, there have been instances of user data being compromised or misused in the past. Users should be aware of these risks and take steps to protect their data.
Finally, depending on the community one is a part of, there is the potential for negative or toxic interactions on Discord. As with any online platform, it is important for users to be aware of their surroundings and to take steps to protect themselves if they encounter negative or harmful behavior.
Overall, Discord is a feature-rich and user-friendly communication platform that is well-suited for gaming and building online communities. It offers a wide range of tools and features to enhance the user experience, including high-quality voice and video chat, a range of integrations, and customization options. The platform is also cross-platform compatible and offers strong security measures to protect user data. However, it is primarily designed for real-time communication, which may not be suitable for all users, and there is the potential for negative or toxic interactions within some communities. Despite these drawbacks, Discord is a powerful tool for building and maintaining online communities, and is worth considering for those looking for a reliable and feature-rich communication platform.
Pros
- High-quality voice and video chat capabilities
- Wide range of tools and integrations to enhance the user experience
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Robust security measures to protect user data
- Customization options to personalize the user experience
- User-friendly interface
- Large and active community for support and assistance
- Generally free to use, with optional paid features
Cons
- Primarily designed for real-time communication, which may not be suitable for all users
- Can be overwhelming for new users, especially in large and active communities
- Some concerns about the privacy and security of user data
- Potential for negative or toxic interactions within some communities
