# Discord

> instant messaging and VoIP software

**Wikidata**: [Q22907849](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22907849)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discord)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discord

## Summary

Discord was established on May 13, 2015.[1]

## Summary
Discord is a proprietary instant messaging and VoIP (Voice over IP) software launched in 2015. It functions as a social networking service and online community platform, enabling users to communicate via text, voice, and video across various operating systems.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** Discord was founded on May 13, 2015.
- **Nature:** It is an instant messaging client, VoIP software, video-conferencing software, and social networking service.
- **License:** The software is proprietary.
- **Operating Systems:** It runs on macOS, iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox system software, and PlayStation.
- **Programming Languages:** Discord utilizes Elixir, Python, Rust, and C++.
- **Software Engine:** The desktop client is built using the Electron framework.
- **Website:** The official website is `https://discord.com/`.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Investors:** Notable investors include Greenoaks, Tencent, and Greylock Partners.
- **Competitors:** Telegram is a direct competitor in the instant messaging space.

## FAQs
### Q: What platforms can I use Discord on?
A: Discord is available on a wide range of platforms including Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, web browsers, Xbox, and PlayStation.

### Q: Is Discord free to use?
A: Yes, Discord is generally free to use, though it operates under a proprietary license. The core functionality is available at no cost, with optional premium features available.

### Q: When was Discord created?
A: Discord was founded and initially released on May 13, 2015.

### Q: What programming languages is Discord built with?
A: Discord is built using a combination of Elixir, Python, Rust, and C++ to handle its various services and scaling requirements.

## Why It Matters
Discord has transformed from a simple chat application for gamers into a comprehensive communication platform utilized by diverse communities worldwide. Originally branded with the motto "Chat for Gamers," it has evolved to "Group Chat That's All Fun and Games," reflecting its broader adoption for social interaction, education, and professional collaboration. Its significance lies in its ability to support large-scale, real-time communication through servers and channels, offering robust voice, video, and text capabilities that rival traditional VoIP services. By providing a stable and feature-rich environment that integrates with gaming consoles and supports bots for automation and news updates, Discord has become a central hub for online communities, influencing how people connect and interact on the internet.

## Notable For
- **Versatile Platform Support:** Unlike many competitors, Discord offers native applications across virtually all desktop and mobile operating systems, as well as integration with gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation.
- **Scalable Architecture:** The use of Elixir and Rust allows Discord to handle over 11 million concurrent users, demonstrating significant technical scalability.
- **Community Focus:** It is distinguished by its server-based structure, which allows for the creation of highly customized online communities with granular permission settings.
- **Evolution of Purpose:** Successfully rebranded from a gaming-centric tool to a general-purpose communication platform for friends and communities.
- **Bot Integration:** Supports a rich ecosystem of bots, such as the News.gg Discord Bot, which enhances functionality by delivering real-time updates directly into chat servers.

## Body

### Platform and Availability
Discord is accessible as a digital download across multiple platforms. It offers dedicated clients for **Microsoft Windows**, **macOS**, and **Linux**, where it is available via repositories like Flathub (`com.discordapp.Discord`) and AUR (`discord`). Mobile users can access the platform through **iOS** and **Android** apps. Additionally, Discord functions as a web application in any standard **web browser**.

Console integration has expanded its reach, with support for **Xbox system software** beginning September 13, 2022, and **PlayStation** support commencing June 19, 2025.

### Technical Architecture
Discord is built using a robust technology stack designed for high concurrency. The backend utilizes **Elixir** (inception 2011) and **Python** (inception 1991) to manage messaging and services. To handle massive scaling, specifically for 11 million concurrent users, Discord incorporated **Rust** into its architecture. The desktop client application is built on the **Electron** framework, which uses web technologies like HTML5. The software uses the **gg sans** typeface.

### History and Branding
The platform was launched on **May 13, 2015**, in the United States. Over the years, its branding has evolved:
- **Motto (Early):** "Chat for Gamers" (ended March 2020)
- **Motto (2020–2022):** "Chat for Communities and Friends"
- **Motto (Current):** "Group Chat That's All Fun and Games" (started May 29, 2024)

Its logo and icon have undergone updates, with the current color logo and text logo in use since May 13, 2021.

### Business and Corporate Structure
Discord is developed and published by the entity **Q30753174** (referenced from Wikidata). It operates under a **proprietary license** and has received investment from major firms including **Greenoaks**, **Tencent**, and **Greylock Partners**.

The service is distributed digitally via its own website, **Google Play**, the **Apple App Store** (App ID: 985746746), and the **Epic Games Store**.

### Features and Usage
As a communication tool, Discord provides **Voice over IP (VoIP)**, video conferencing, and instant messaging. It is widely used for **collaboration** and hosts a vast array of online communities. Users can enhance their servers with bots; for example, the **News.gg Discord Bot** provides real-time news updates. The platform supports **Twemoji** for emoji rendering. It holds a **Parental Guidance Recommended** rating on the Microsoft Store and is rated **17+** on the App Store due to user-generated content.

### Presence and Reach
Discord maintains a significant digital footprint. As of late 2023, it was ranked the **36th most visited website** globally by Similarweb. It has millions of followers across social media platforms, including **YouTube** (1.56M subscribers as of 2025) and **Twitter/X** (4.7M followers). The platform supports multiple languages and has official wikis and articles in languages including English, French, Turkish, Russian, and Japanese.

### Access and Restrictions
While generally globally accessible, Discord has faced restrictions in certain regions. For instance, as of March 1, 2023, access was restricted for government agencies in **Russia**.

## References

1. [Source](https://marketplace.sshopencloud.eu/tool-or-service/EeEXPy)
2. [Source](https://tapor.ca/tools/1621)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://blog.discordapp.com/using-rust-to-scale-elixir-for-11-million-concurrent-users-c6f19fc029d3)
5. X
6. [Source](https://discord.com/open-source)
7. [Source](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.discord)
8. [Source](https://discord.com/)
9. [Source](https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/discord-inc/discord-chat-for-gamers/)
10. App Store (Apple)
11. [Source](https://snapcraft.io/discord)
12. [Discord - Friends, Communities, & Gaming](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/discord/id985746746)
13. [Source](https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/discord-parler-et-trainer/id985746746)
14. Google Play
15. [Source](https://discord.com/api/downloads/distributions/app/installers/latest?channel=ptb&platform=win&arch=x86)
16. [Windows](https://discord.com)
17. [What’s New Jan 6, 2023 Version 159.0](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/discord-chat-for-games/id985746746?platform=ipad)
18. [Discord: Talk, Chat & Hang OutAbout this app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.discord)
19. [discord-0.0.22.tar.gz/resources/build_info.json](https://discord.com/download#Linux)
20. [What’s new in version 0.0.270 Updated on Dec 12 2022](https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/58332/discord)
21. [Discord: Talk, Chat & Hang Out](https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/discord-inc/discord-chat-for-gamers/)
22. [Version 269.11 - Stable; Updated on Mar 10, 2025. 2025](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.discord)
23. [Version History 270.0; Mar 10, 2025. 2025](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/discord-talk-play-hang-out/id985746746?platform=ipad)
24. [Download for desktop Linux *.deb | *.tar.gz. 2025](https://discord.com/download#Linux)
25. [What’s new in version 0.0.359. 2025](https://discord.macupdate.com/)
26. [Version 297.14 - Stable; Updated on Sep 15, 2025. 2025](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.discord)
27. [Version History 297.1; Sep 17, 2025. 2025](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/discord-talk-play-hang-out/id985746746)
28. [Source](https://discord.com/blog/xbox-voice-integration-announcement)
29. [Source](https://discord.com/blog/playstation-discord-account-connection-linking-game-status)
30. MusicBrainz
31. [How Discord (somewhat accidentally) invented the future of the internet. 2020](http://protocol.com/discord)
32. [Source](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/russia-bans-foreign-messaging-apps-in-government-organizations/)
33. [Source](https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/discord/XPDC2RH70K22MN?gl=gb&hl=en-gb)
34. [Source](https://www.electronjs.org/apps/discord)
35. [Source](https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Discord)
36. [Source](https://discord.com)
37. [Source](https://hubprix.com/reviews/discord-detailed-timeline-review-history-dark-side-and-future-of-the-company-research/#Discord_Acquisitions_Fundings)
38. [Source](https://c.r74n.com/discord/)
39. [Source](https://thenextweb.com/vocabulary/discord/)
40. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Discord-VD8DMN)
41. [Discord - RationalWiki](https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Discord)
42. YouTube API
43. [App Store (Apple)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/discord-talk-play-hang-out/id985746746)
44. [Source](https://www.similarweb.com/top-websites/)
45. [Discord (Program) - SteamGridDB](https://www.steamgriddb.com/game/5248354)
46. Know Your Meme