Discord vs Stoat
A comprehensive comparison to help you decide if Stoat is the right EU alternative to Discord for your needs.
Discord
Discord is a communication platform based in the United States, designed to facilitate voice, video, and text interactions among users. Originally popular among gaming communities, it has expanded to serve a wide range of groups and organizations. Key features include customizable server roles and permissions, which allow for tailored user experiences within communities, and integrated game overlay, enabling seamless communication during gameplay. Discord also offers text and voice channels for structured communication, screen sharing for collaborative activities, and bots for automation and moderation tasks. The platform supports rich presence integration with games, enhancing user interaction by displaying game activity. Community server discovery and promotion are also available, allowing users to find and join servers of interest. Discord operates under US jurisdiction, meaning user data is stored in the US and subject to US data laws, such as the CLOUD Act and FISA 702. The platform is free to use, with optional paid features available through Discord Nitro, which offers enhanced functionalities. Discord's target audience includes gamers, educators, and various online communities seeking organized communication tools.
Stoat
Stoat (formerly Revolt, rebranded in October 2025) is an open-source, privacy-focused messaging platform built in the UK. It provides a familiar Discord-like experience with servers, channels, voice chat, and rich media sharing — but with full GDPR compliance and EU data hosting. Stoat is fully self-hostable, giving communities and teams complete control over their data. It features fine-grained role-based permissions, end-to-end encryption, and does not require a phone number or real name to register. Ideal for privacy-conscious communities looking for a feature-rich alternative to Discord.
Our Verdict
Why choose Stoat
- +Fully open-source codebase allows community security auditing and transparency.
- +Self-hosting option gives communities complete control over their data and infrastructure.
- +No phone number or real name required to register — strong privacy by default.
- +GDPR compliant with EU data hosting, protecting user data from US surveillance.
- +End-to-end encryption available for private conversations.
Things to consider
- -Much smaller user base than Discord — convincing your community to switch is the main challenge.
- -No direct import of Discord chat history, server structure, or roles.
- -Fewer bots and integrations compared to Discord's mature ecosystem.
- -Voice chat features are still maturing compared to Discord's polished experience.
Privacy Winner: Stoat
Your data stays in the EU and is protected under GDPR, free from US CLOUD Act access.
Ready to try Stoat?
Feature Comparison
Discord
🇺🇸Discord
Stoat
🇬🇧Stoat
US Data Storage
Data subject to US CLOUD Act and may be accessed by US authorities
EU Data Protection
Data protected under GDPR with EU-only data residency
Certifications & Compliance
No certifications listed
Reasons to Switch
- ✓Fully open-source codebase allows community security auditing and transparency.
- ✓Self-hosting option gives communities complete control over their data and infrastructure.
- ✓No phone number or real name required to register — strong privacy by default.
- ✓GDPR compliant with EU data hosting, protecting user data from US surveillance.
- ✓End-to-end encryption available for private conversations.
Things to Consider
- !Much smaller user base than Discord — convincing your community to switch is the main challenge.
- !No direct import of Discord chat history, server structure, or roles.
- !Fewer bots and integrations compared to Discord's mature ecosystem.
- !Voice chat features are still maturing compared to Discord's polished experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stoat a good replacement for Discord?
Yes, Stoat is a GDPR-compliant European alternative to Discord. It offers similar functionality while ensuring your data stays within EU jurisdiction and is protected under strict European privacy laws.
Is Stoat GDPR compliant?
Yes, Stoat is a European company that fully complies with GDPR regulations. Your data is stored in EU data centers and is not subject to US surveillance laws like the CLOUD Act.
How much does Stoat cost?
Stoat offers freemium pricing. Visit their website for current pricing details and to compare plans based on your specific needs.
Where is my data stored with Stoat?
Stoat stores data in EU data centers, ensuring compliance with European data protection regulations and keeping your information within EU jurisdiction.
Ready to make the switch to Stoat?
Take control of your data privacy by switching to an EU-based alternative.