Launched in 2015, Discord currently has 150 million monthly active users and has easily become one of the most popular ways for gamers to communicate online.
But what actually is the online communication platform and how does it work? Read on to find out more about Discord, how to use it and where you can find it.
What is Discord?
Discord is a social platform designed for gamers, which lets users communicate by voice and video calls, instant messaging and file sharing.
This communication takes place in a virtual community, known in Discord as a ‘server.’ Servers are a collection of chat rooms and voice channels, which can be accessed through invite links or public servers that can be accessed through search. Any user can create or join and interact with a server for free.
While servers generally can hold up to a massive 250,000 members, you can create a private server for just you and a few others to make online gaming, chatting with friends or even keeping up to date with your local community much easier. You can also view live streams, download apps and games and join servers based on your interests.
As long as you’re over thirteen years old, you should be able to create and use Discord.
Why should I use Discord?
While you don’t necessarily need to use Discord at all, even if you are a PC gamer, it’s handy since you can create so many different types of chats and meet so many people who share your interests.
When you set up a server you can also dish out roles for members, like moderators and administrators, which can make them easier to manage and safer for users, as there are members checking that everyone in the server is acting as they should.
It’s also completely free, which is another huge incentive and can be downloaded via a laptop or mobile, as previously mentioned, which makes it quite accessible.
Where can I find Discord?
The Discord app can be downloaded on most platforms you’d expect, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and iPadOS. Discord can also be accessed by logging in through web browsers too.
Is Discord free?
It is currently free to create an account, use Discord and download the app on any of the above platforms. There is an option, however, for users in select markets to upgrade to Discord’s premium subscription, Nitro.
Nitro is split into two plans, Nitro Basic and Nitro Premium, and like other subscription plans can be paid for either monthly or yearly. The benefits of a Nitro subscription include access to more servers, customisable avatars and larger file sharing.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
