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Software · head to head

Discord vs Discord Nitro

Discord logo

Discord

Software

Your place to talk and hang out

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Discord Nitro logo

Discord Nitro

Software

Upgrade your Discord experience

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Discord file upload size is tied to subscription: Nitro Basic at $2.99 a month raises it to 50MB and Nitro at $9.99 a month to 500MB; Discord Nitro pricing varies by country - not a single global price
  • They diverge on capability: Discord covers Voice channels, Discord Nitro covers Enhanced file sharing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Discord and Discord Nitro actually diverge.

Attributes where Discord and Discord Nitro differ
AttributeDiscordDiscord Nitro
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2015).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Discord

  • Voice channels
  • Video calls
  • Text channels
  • Screen sharing
  • Go Live streaming
  • Server organization
  • Role management
  • Moderation tools

Only in Discord Nitro

  • Enhanced file sharing
  • HD video streaming
  • Custom emojis
  • Server boosts
  • Animated avatars
  • Custom video backgrounds
  • Higher quality streaming
  • Priority support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Discord

  • Text, voice and video chat for communities and gaming groupsnot Discord Nitro
  • Running a moderated community server with roles and channelsnot Discord Nitro
  • Screen sharing and streaming gameplay to a small groupnot Discord Nitro

Discord Nitro

  • Removing upload-size limits for sharing large files in serversnot Discord
  • Custom and animated emoji, profile banners and avatar decorationsnot Discord
  • Boosting servers to unlock server-wide perksnot Discord
  • HD video streaming and higher-quality screen sharenot Discord
  • Bundled perks such as Xbox Game Pass access on the full Nitro tiernot Discord

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Discord

  • File upload size is tied to subscription: Nitro Basic at $2.99 a month raises it to 50MB and Nitro at $9.99 a month to 500MB
  • HD video streaming requires the full Nitro subscription
  • Custom emoji use across servers, custom profiles and per server profiles are full Nitro only
  • Server boosts are bundled only with full Nitro, at two boosts plus a discount on extras
  • Nitro Basic explicitly excludes several Nitro perks including Xbox Game Pass access and custom video backgrounds

Discord Nitro

  • Pricing varies by country - not a single global price
  • Nitro Basic is feature-limited versus full Nitro (e.g. 50MB vs 500MB upload cap)
  • Bundled perks (e.g. Xbox Game Pass) are partner-dependent and subject to change or discontinuation
  • Server-boost perks only benefit servers the user actively boosts

Pricing, plan by plan

Discord

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited text chat
    • Voice & video calls
    • Screen sharing
  • Nitro Basic$4.99/month
    • 50MB file uploads
    • Custom emojis anywhere
    • Special Nitro badge
  • Nitro$9.99/month
    • 500MB file uploads
    • HD video streaming
    • 2 Server Boosts

Discord Nitro

Free
  • Nitro Basic$2.99/month
    • 50MB upload limit
    • Custom emoji in chat
  • Nitro$9.99/month
    • 500MB upload limit
    • HD video streaming
    • Server boosts

Which should you pick?

Choose Discord if

  • You need voice channels.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want video calls.
Discord review

Choose Discord Nitro if

  • You need enhanced file sharing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want hd video streaming.
Discord Nitro review

Questions people ask

Is Discord or Discord Nitro better?
Neither clearly leads. Discord starts at Free and Discord Nitro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Discord or Discord Nitro?
Discord starts at Free and Discord Nitro at Free.
Does Discord or Discord Nitro run on more platforms?
Discord runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Discord Nitro runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use Discord for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Discord best used for?
Discord is most often used for text, voice and video chat for communities and gaming groups, running a moderated community server with roles and channels, screen sharing and streaming gameplay to a small group. Of those, text, voice and video chat for communities and gaming groups and running a moderated community server with roles and channels are not what Discord Nitro is typically brought in for.
What can Discord do that Discord Nitro cannot?
Discord covers Voice channels, Video calls, Text channels, Screen sharing. Discord Nitro covers Enhanced file sharing, HD video streaming, Custom emojis, Server boosts.
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Related pages

More on Discord

More on Discord Nitro

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