ClassicConnect

VCSMaster · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:43 pm Post subject: Thoughts on Discord alternatives?

Hello all.

In light of the recent announcements from Discord, I've decided to abandon my 3 accounts and transition my 3 communities to another platform. We've seemingly settled on Matrix, but there are a LOT of options out there.

To name a few: Fluxer, Stoat, IRC, XMPP, phpBB, TeamSpeak 3 / 6, and GameVox.

What is everyone else's thoughts on the matter of bailing on mandatory privacy invasions on Discord?

idkwhatnametoputxd · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:53 pm Post subject:

I personally don't think everyone will immediately jump ship. I believe the switch to alternatives will happen much more gradually, though with the stuff that's going on right now I might be wrong.

But let's be honest,a lot of people will still keep using Discord because that's what they're used to. It's like telling an addict to stop what they're doing. It's not gonna be easy. :p
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VCSMaster · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:55 pm Post subject:

Oh, no I'm the only admin on two of those three servers, and the only other admin of the third server has agreed to bail as well. All three servers are going read only March 1st.

Sometimes, we must put the safety and privacy of ourselves above the simply enjoyment of others.

idkwhatnametoputxd · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:58 pm Post subject:

Wait you guys have a Discord server?
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VCSMaster · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 9:02 pm Post subject:

What, me? Yeah I have a Discord for my website and software projects, I have one just for my hardware collections (hard disks, telephony, printing technology), and one for me and my close friends.

I don't think there's a Discord specific to ClassicConnect, if that's what you mean, but an awful lot of the users here are in The Serial Port/clab's server.

idkwhatnametoputxd · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 9:03 pm Post subject:

I see. Well, good luck with the switch.
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VCSMaster · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 9:04 pm Post subject:

Yep. The first two are still public for now but like I said that will be changing soon. The resulting Matrix servers will be public, of course.

Sashi · **Admin** Joined: 03 Sep 2023 Posts: 70

It's most likely going to be goodbye Discord for me.
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I do stuff with things for reasons.
Fuck it, test in prod.

sunnyp4rk · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2026 4:22 pm Post subject:

I'm still using Discord until most of my friends jump ship, but I AM looking at alternatives right now. I just hope I can find a good one to get my friends to jump to.

VCSMaster · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2026 4:41 am Post subject:

Yeah. I've heard that Fluxer is rapidly approaching "good" status and is essentially a direct, drop in replacement, but I've already started the ship-jump to Matrix.

I have no interest in sticking with Discord as a result of their blatant ignorance of user opinion over the years, but if Fluxer can get their junk together before I've fully switched to Matrix I might consider converting there.

nick99nack · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2026 6:21 am Post subject:

I'm very interested in Fluxer. I'd love to host something discord-like for my own community to use. Other than that I've been using IRC and matrix a bit. Still not a fan of matrix, so I want to work on making the IRC experience a bit better until fluxer improves...
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VCSMaster · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2026 6:37 am Post subject:

My problem with IRC is the beauty of it for most people. The utter lack of multimedia support is pretty damning by itself, but the difficulties regarding chat history are another big knock against it. Channelization and discussion organization are also very important to me.

The last thing of utter importance is searchability, even if just within a given channel, which the chat history part excludes.

Fluxer's lack of a mobile app, no released server, and the fact that they're asking for monthly payments on part of their website (NOT donations, payment for features) are all very much not encouraging signs to me. When they release a proper server binary and a couple third party clients get out there, especially a mobile client, I will be much more comfortable going that direction.

Until then, I'm stuck in the Matrix boat! Not a lot of other options for me.

Sashi · **Admin** Joined: 03 Sep 2023 Posts: 70

CsokibacsiHUN · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 12:07 pm Post subject:

IRC and TeamSpeak are reliable alternatives. I actually spend more time on TeamSpeak now than Discord and I have no problems with it. Just like old times... TS6 has p2p screen share too and you can connect to TS3 servers.

If we need to send pictures we upload them to the server or a temporary file host. For videos there is Watch2Gether.

But the true contender would be Xfire (Xf1re now). Voice chat is in the works and soon will be available to everyone.

Last one is CrossTalk, with MSN/WM got Plus! so you can make calls and group chats. Skype is also in the works so more and more options are becoming available.
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VCSMaster · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2026 6:14 pm Post subject: