Discord vs Mastodon
Discord
discord.comMastodon
joinmastodon.orgSide by side
| Figure | Discord | Mastodon |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2.50/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 2 |
| Spec score · Social Media APIs | 8.8 (#1) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Apps | The App Directory lets users search for apps to add to a server or account, and it is available on desktop and browser. | Mastodon provides official iOS and Android apps, a progressive web app, and a directory of third-party apps for mobile, web, and desktop. |
| Founded | 2015 | 2016 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | Berlin, Germany |
| Security | Discord says audio and video calls use end-to-end encryption, while messages are not encrypted and remain subject to its content moderation approach. | Mastodon requires HTTP signatures to validate that received activity was authored by the actor generating it. |
| Support | Discord directs customers to its Help Center and provides a customer support request form. | Mastodon lists separate contact addresses for business hosting, security reports, legal matters, and general inquiries. |
Plans
Discord
- FreeFree
- Nitro Basic$2.99 a month
- Nitro$9.99 a month
- FreeFree
- Nitro Basic$2.99 a month
- Nitro Basic$29.99 a year
- Nitro$99.99 a year
In their own words
Discord
Discord is a communications platform for voice, video, and text, with communities organized into servers and channels. People can create servers for groups to talk and spend time together, and use calls in direct messages, group direct messages, or voice channels. The service supports streaming games to friends, and supported consoles can stream gameplay directly. On desktop and in a browser, the App Directory lets users find apps to add to a server or account. Account Connections can link services such as Spotify, Xbox, and PlayStation to a profile; developers can use the Embedded App SDK to build interactive experiences inside Discord. It runs on the web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The free plan includes voice, video, and text chat, community servers, and browser, desktop, and mobile access. Nitro Basic is $2.99 a month and includes 50 MB file uploads; Nitro is $9.99 a month and includes custom emoji and stickers, HD video streaming, and two Server Boosts. Discord says calls use end-to-end encryption, but messages are not encrypted and remain subject to its content moderation approach.
Mastodon
Mastodon has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.