Discord, the United States-based communications platform widely used for group text and voice chat, is rolling out a global age verification and safety system that the company describes as “teen by default.” The changes are scheduled to begin rolling out globally from March 2026 and are designed to place younger users into stricter safety settings while limiting access to spaces or features meant for adults. This has prompted users to search for the best Discord alternatives.
Discord is used by millions of people for gaming communities, study groups, hobby clubs, and professional collaboration. Its server-based structure allows users to join topic-focused communities that can range from small private groups to very large public servers. Because many of these spaces mix adults and minors, regulators and child safety groups have scrutinised how the platform protects younger users.
Discord has said the new system aims to align user experiences with age-appropriate protections. The company has presented the rollout as a safety measure rather than a redesign of its core service. Still, the announcement has drawn strong reactions from parts of its user base, particularly around privacy and the handling of biometric or identity data.
How Discord’s age verification is going to work
Discord’s approach combines default safety settings with age assurance methods. Under teen by default, accounts that are not confirmed as belonging to adults are placed into more restrictive settings. These settings can affect who can message a user, what types of content are visible, and which communities or channels can be joined.
When a user seeks to access age-restricted areas or change certain safety settings, Discord may require age confirmation. According to Discord’s public explanations, this can happen through facial age estimation or through submission of a government-issued identity document. Both methods are handled through third-party providers that specialise in age verification.
Facial age estimation involves recording a short video selfie or image that is analysed to estimate whether a user is above or below a certain age threshold. Discord has said this process is used to estimate age range rather than to identify a person. The company has also stated that the data is processed for verification and not kept longer than needed to confirm the age group.
ID-based verification involves uploading a photo of a government-issued identification document, such as a passport or national ID card. This method is intended to provide a higher confidence check when needed. Discord has said that identity documents are not stored permanently and are deleted after the verification result is produced.
Discord has also said that not every user will be asked to complete these checks. In many cases, the company expects to rely on other signals or on the fact that users do not attempt to enter age-restricted spaces. However, for users who do seek access to adult-designated areas, age confirmation may be required.
The company has framed the system as a way to separate adult and teen experiences on the platform. Teen accounts are meant to have stronger protections against unwanted contact and exposure to sensitive content. Adult accounts can access the full range of communities and features, subject to normal platform rules.
The use of face scans and identity documents has led to debate among users and digital rights advocates. Concerns often focus on how biometric data is processed, how long it is retained, and whether it could be reused. Discord has responded to these concerns by emphasising limited retention and the use of specialised verification vendors.
Discord has stated that verification data is used only for age confirmation and that it is not repurposed for advertising or profiling. The company has also published safety materials that describe how verification works and when it may be triggered.
Even with these assurances, some users remain cautious about sharing sensitive information with any online service. This caution is not unique to Discord and has appeared in debates about age verification laws and systems in several countries.
5 best alternatives for Discord
Following reports about Discord’s age verification plans, several media outlets reported a sharp increase in online searches for “Discord alternatives.” These reports linked the spike to users who prefer platforms that do not use similar age assurance methods or that have different privacy models.
Different users have different priorities. Some look for stronger privacy guarantees. Others look for simpler onboarding or fewer checks tied to age. Some communities also consider moderation tools, voice quality, and reliability when comparing platforms.
Here are the top 5 alternatives to Discord:
Slack
Slack is a messaging platform owned by Salesforce that is widely used in workplaces and organisations. It offers channels, direct messages, voice and video calls, and a large ecosystem of integrations. Slack is structured around workspaces rather than open public communities. This makes it suitable for teams, clubs, and invite-only groups. It provides strong administrative controls and message history management. However, it is not designed primarily as a public community platform in the way Discord is.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is part of Microsoft’s productivity suite and combines chat, meetings, and file collaboration. It is commonly used by companies and schools. Teams accounts are often tied to managed identities, especially in organisational settings. For groups already using Microsoft 365, Teams can replace some Discord functions, such as group chat and voice calls. Its structure is more formal and less oriented toward large open communities.
Telegram
Telegram is a messaging app that supports large groups, broadcast channels, and bots. It is popular for communities that want easy access through links and mobile friendly design. Telegram allows very large group sizes and has flexible moderation tools. Its default chats are cloud-based rather than end-to-end encrypted, though secret chats use stronger encryption. Telegram is often used for announcements, fan groups, and interest communities.
Element
Element is a client built on the Matrix protocol, an open standard for decentralised messaging. It supports public and private rooms, moderation roles, and bridging to other platforms. Because Matrix can be self-hosted, some organisations choose it for greater control over data. Element can be more complex to set up than mainstream apps, but it appeals to users who value open standards and decentralisation.
Guilded
Guilded is a community chat platform with features aimed at gaming and online groups. It offers text and voice channels, event scheduling, and organisational tools. Its design is closer to Discord’s community server model than most workplace tools. Groups that want similar functionality to Discord often look at Guilded when exploring alternatives.
Discord’s age verification to roll out in March
Discord has said the age verification rollout will happen in phases starting in March 2026. Users are expected to see in-app notices as features become active in their region. The company has presented the system as part of long-term safety work focused on younger users.
No major redesign of Discord’s core chat and server structure has been announced alongside the age checks. The main change is how age-restricted areas are gated and how default settings are applied to accounts that are not confirmed as adult.
For many users, day-to-day use of Discord may not change if they remain in general community spaces and do not seek access to adult-designated areas. For others, especially those who run or join age-restricted servers, verification may become a more visible part of the experience.
Discord continues to position itself as a platform for a wide range of communities. Its challenge is balancing open social interaction with age-appropriate protections. The age verification rollout is one of the most visible steps the company has taken in that direction.
As the system rolls out, user response and adoption patterns will likely shape how Discord refines its approach. For now, the company’s focus is on separating teen and adult experiences while maintaining its core community features.