In May 2026 Discord announced that every voice and video call outside Stage channels is now end-to-end encrypted. On text messages it is just as direct: it has no current plans to extend end-to-end encryption to them. A company that discusses clients and contracts in chat, or a community that wants a place of its own, ends up comparing three things.
Discord, Matrix and Plazer on three points
| Point | Discord | Matrix with Element | Plazer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text messages | not end-to-end encrypted | Element encrypts end to end by default | your device encrypts direct messages, groups and private channels |
| Voice and video | end-to-end encrypted, except Stage channels | Element Call encrypts end to end | encrypted on every channel |
| Your own server | no, Discord runs the servers | yes, e.g. Synapse under the AGPL | yes, anyone can host a community server |
Plazer for communities
Plazer is a messenger with servers, channels, roles and voice calls. Text on public channels is not end-to-end encrypted, but the author's device signs every message, so the server can hide a message and cannot forge one. Accounts need no email address or phone number, and there are native apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, an Android app and a browser version.
Moving people over
In Plazer a new server starts from a template with channels and roles, and invites show where new members come from, so you can see how the move is going. Webhooks accept the popular embed format, and bridges to other messengers let members talk to those who have not moved yet.
Our communities page covers Discord servers with roles and bots, forums on your site and running your own messenger.
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