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Entertainment · head to head

Discord vs HandBrake

Discord logo

Discord

Entertainment

Your place to talk and hang out

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HandBrake logo

HandBrake

Video Production

Free, open-source tool for converting video to modern codecs

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; HandBrake not a video editor; lacks timeline editing or effects tools.
  • They diverge on capability: Discord covers Voice channels, HandBrake covers Wide format conversion.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Discord and HandBrake actually diverge.

Attributes where Discord and HandBrake differ
AttributeDiscordHandBrake
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Androidwindows, mac, linux
CategoryEntertainmentVideo Production
Founded2015Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 HandBrake

  • Wide format conversion
  • Device presets
  • Batch processing
  • Cross-platform support
  • Filters and subtitle handling
  • Command-line interface

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 HandBrake
  • Running a moderated community server with roles and channelsnot HandBrake
  • Screen sharing and streaming gameplay to a small groupnot HandBrake

HandBrake

  • Converting video libraries to smaller, modern formatsnot Discord
  • Ripping and re-encoding video for device compatibilitynot Discord
  • Batch transcoding for archival or storage savingsnot Discord
  • Command-line automated video conversion workflowsnot 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

HandBrake

  • Not a video editor; lacks timeline editing or effects tools.
  • GUI can feel technical for users unfamiliar with codec and bitrate settings.
  • No official cloud or team collaboration features.
  • Support is community-driven with no paid support tier.

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

HandBrake

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full transcoder
    • All presets and filters
    • Community support

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 HandBrake if

  • You need wide format conversion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want device presets.
HandBrake review

Questions people ask

Is Discord or HandBrake better?
Neither clearly leads. Discord starts at Free and HandBrake at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Discord or HandBrake?
Discord starts at Free and HandBrake at Free.
Does Discord or HandBrake run on more platforms?
Discord runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. HandBrake runs on windows, mac, linux.
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 HandBrake is typically brought in for.
What can Discord do that HandBrake cannot?
Discord covers Voice channels, Video calls, Text channels, Screen sharing. HandBrake covers Wide format conversion, Device presets, Batch processing, Cross-platform support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Discord: What is the price difference between Discord's free tier and Nitro subscriptions?

Discord's core service is free. Nitro Basic costs $2.99/month, and the full Nitro subscription costs $9.99/month. Both are recurring monthly charges with pricing that varies by region.

Source
HandBrake: Is HandBrake free to use?

Yes, HandBrake is completely free and open source, built and maintained by volunteer developers with no license fees.

Source
Discord: Can I try Nitro before committing to a subscription?

No trial period is mentioned on Discord's Nitro pricing page.

Source
HandBrake: What platforms does HandBrake support?

HandBrake runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Source
Discord: What is included with the full Nitro subscription that is not in Nitro Basic?

Full Nitro includes Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition, custom profiles, 500MB file uploads (vs 50MB in Basic), HD video streaming, color app themes, 2 server boosts, and 3 friend passes to share Nitro benefits. Both tiers allow custom emoji anywhere.

Source
HandBrake: Where is HandBrake's source code available?

HandBrake's source code is hosted publicly on GitHub for development and contribution.

Source
Discord: What happens to my Discord account if I cancel Nitro?

The pricing page does not specify what happens after cancellation. You would retain your Discord account but lose Nitro-exclusive features.

Source
Discord: Are there any differences in regional pricing or currency accepted?

Pricing varies by country and region. Users can check their localized rates in User Settings. Multiple payment methods are accepted.

Source
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