Discord is an instant messaging, voice, and video chat app that allows users to communicate with voice calls, video calls, text messaging, media, and files in private chats or as part of communities called "servers". It is a platform for hosting real-time text, video, and voice chat, and it is popular among the gaming community as it offers a way for video game players to communicate with each other and develop a community outside of the games themselves. Discord is centered around managing communities, and communication tools such as voice and video calls, persistent chat rooms, and integrations with other gamer-focused services are present. Discord runs on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Linux, and in web browsers.

Discord servers are organized into topic-based channels where users can collaborate, share, and talk about their day without clogging up a group chat. Users can be invited to servers or find links online to access them. The person who sets up the server usually sets some ground rules about who it is for and the expected behavior. They can also provide strict guidelines for filtering out explicit content and ensuring their moderators’ accounts are secure.

Discord is used by tens of millions of people ages 13+ to talk and hang out with their communities and friends. It is also used by students to connect with other verified students, discover servers for study groups or classes, and share their own servers for fellow students to join. Discord is decentralized and ad-free, so it can be used for businesses as well. Custom Discord emojis are easy to create and add to servers, and businesses can use them to make their Discord content stand out.

Discord offers privacy and security features such as filtering inappropriate content out of direct messages, safe direct messaging, and blocking and reporting features. Most conversations are private and allow live video and location tracking (strictly opt-in) . Discord is a cool, useful way to communicate with friends and perhaps make new ones, and it is a particularly stellar alternative to Nintendo Switch Onlines subpar voice chat app.