Online communities have turned to the creation of Discord servers to host discussion spaces so everyone can connect socially in real time. Discord allows you to engage in social activities such as texting, voice and video chatting, and screen sharing, no matter where you are. What differentiates Discord from other social platforms, such as Slack, Whatsapp, and TeamSpeak, is how well managed the whole system is, how flexible the social features are, and how easily integrated the service is on a range of platforms. You can access Discord from any web browser, through the native app on your mobile/desktop, and even on your console (thanks to the collaboration efforts from Microsoft and Sony). So if you just bought a hot new Android phone, you may want to add Discord to your library of social apps.

Today's guide breaks down what exactly Discord is, the benefits of using the social app, and the features that support Discord as a universal virtual social platform.

What is Discord?

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Source: Discord

Discord is officially described as a social platform that can host Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video conferencing, and instant messaging. It was released in May 2015 but has undergone many changes to bring in new social features, such as audio quality and noise cancellation updates, a Nitro subscription for premium access, and video integration. Gamers initially used Discord to coordinate raids and team play, but later, the app transformed into an all-purpose communication platform once some meaty updates to its features were rolled out. Now Discord is one of the leading social platforms on the internet to date.

How to access Discord

You can access Discord from a web browser or the Discord app. The Discord app is the superior version for the desktop when it comes to the native voice engine, in-game overlay and sharing your activities from connected gaming apps, but the Discord web browser is still an excellent option for accessibility since it can be loaded up on most web browsers on your PC. Mobile users will have to download the app to gain access to Discord.

Launching Discord on your web browser

  1. Open Google Chrome or any web browser, and visit the Discord web page.
  2. Click on Open Discord in your browser if you're a new user; otherwise, click Login. New users will be prompted to register a new account before continuing.
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  3. After logging in, you're directed to the main Discord page displaying your servers, friends, and message. You're in! Once you're logged on, click on Open Discord to re-launch Discord in your web browser.

Downloading the Discord app on PC

  1. Open Google Chrome or any web browser, and visit the Discord web page.
  2. Click on Download for Windows to download the Discord app set up.
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  3. Once DiscordSetup.exe finishes downloading, click on the file to start the installation.
  4. After installing the app, locate and click on the Discord app on your computer to launch the app.

Downloading the Discord app on Android

  1. Launch the Google Play Store and search for Discord to begin installing; alternatively, you can access the download from our widget below this section.
  2. After downloading the install, tap Open to begin launching the app.
  3. Tap on Register; if you're a new Discord user, it will prompt you to create a Discord account. If you already have an account, tap on Login.
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  4. After logging in, you'll gain access to the full Discord app — enjoy!

Discord premiums

You can download and use the app at no extra cost. No core feature is locked behind a paywall; the only exceptions are purchasing extra perks that enhance your Discord experience. Those perks are purchased by paying into Discord Nitro, premium membership for Discord users.

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Discord Nitro tiers and pricing

Discord Nitro has two tiers: Discord Nitro Classic and Discord Nitro, priced at $5/month, and $10/month, respectively. You can also pay yearly; it's $50/year for Discord Nitro Classic and $100/year for Discord Nitro.

Discord Nitro Classic includes

  1. GIF avatars
  2. Discord tag customizations
  3. Custom emotes used on any server
  4. Higher video quality for streaming: 720p at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps
  5. Up to 50MB on file uploads
  6. Nitro badge on your profile
  7. Server boost discount: up to 30% off on boost purchases

Discord Nitro includes

  1. All perks from Discord Nitro Classic
  2. Up to 100MB on file uploads
  3. Higher resolution video sharing and streaming
  4. Two server boosts
  5. Up to 200 Discord servers
  6. Longer messages (up to 4000 characters)
  7. Custom video call backgrounds
  8. Custom stickers used on any server
  9. Discord server avatars customized on any server

Discord features

Discord offers plenty of features that make it an attractive social platform to participate in. Below we've summarized some of the best attributes Discord has to offer.

  1. Discord servers: This is where you'll mingle with a group of people together under one roof. You can create, join, and invite other users inside a server. Servers can be about anything you want. The sky is the limit.
  2. Discord channels: Channels are like separate categories for different topics (you can have categories for channels and set a channel topic). You may join a server about cars, motorcycles, and jeeps but find yourself only interested in jeeps. Channels are a great way to stick to one area of interest. Channels are easy to manage and can be individually muted, marked as read when you're looking to set social boundaries.
  3. Discord bots: Not every tool needs to be managed manually; Discord bots bring fun activities/entertainment, server management, and new security options. Adding a bot is simple, and managing one can be done with a few simple commands. If you're ready for the task and believe in your programming skills, you can create your own bot to use!
  4. Voice and video chat: One of the best features Discord has to offer. You can create specific chats for voice and turn on/off video chat. You'll have the option to screen share your next binge-watch experience or stream your favorite games, a perfect way to hang out and share your activities with your friends.
  5. Text and emojis: If you want your communication made simple, you have to option to just text and use emojis on a server with optional Nitro, stickers, and built-in GIFs.
  6. Direct messaging: Servers might be a bit too big for your liking, and that's okay. Discord offers many ways to connect to your friends and family by using one-on-one private messaging or group chats!
  7. Moderation tools: You can set individual permissions and create custom roles on your Discord server (or as an admin on another). You can delete Discord servers, mute members, add/edit channels, and even pass off the permissions to a Discord bot when you need a break from moderation duties.
  8. In-app integration: Discord plays nice with other apps, like connecting your Spotify to your Discord, adding your gaming accounts like Xbox Live and Playstation Network, sharing your Twitch and YouTube channel, or even connecting with other social platforms like Slack and Twitter.

Discord is a customizable social experience

Thanks to apps like Discord, we no longer fear losing touch with our relatives located overseas or disconnecting from our long-distance friends. We can connect anywhere, anytime, no matter the distance. Take control over your social activity, and use Discord to moderate your user experience.