Discord is a proprietary freeware instant messaging and VoIP social platform which allows communication through voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and media.
There is a Linux client for Discord but it’s proprietary software.
For open source enthusiasts there are viable alternatives which we explore. In this roundup, we focus on terminal-based software only. There’s a separate roundup for GUI-based clients.
Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion here.
Let’s explore the 4 programs at hand. For each application we have compiled its own portal page, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| TUI Discord Clients | |
|---|---|
| Discordo | Lightweight, secure, and feature-rich Discord terminal client |
| Oxicord | Spiritual successor to Discordo |
| Endcord | Built with Python and ncurses to deliver a lightweight yet feature rich experience |
| vimcord | Rust-based client |
You should bear in mind that using these unofficial clients are technically in breach of Discord’s Terms of Service.
Breaching terms of service is not necessarily a breach of a law. For example, in many countries failing to abide by terms of service does not give a company a right to enforce unreasonable terms. A huge amount of benign open source software can be used for unlawful purposes. But that’s not a reason, in itself, to exclude them.
To repeat, breaching an organization’s ToS is not automatically a breach of any law.
 Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |