Software · head to head
Discord vs Twitch
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; Twitch twitch's own App Store description discloses that the app includes Nielsen's proprietary measurement software contributing to third-party market research (Nielsen TV Ratings), with an opt-out only available via a separate Nielsen privacy policy page.
- They diverge on capability: Discord covers Voice channels, Twitch covers Live streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Discord and Twitch actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Twitch
- Live streaming
- Chat interaction
- Video on demand
- Clips and highlights
- Channel subscriptions
- Donations and bits
- Extensions
- Mobile streaming
Both cover
- Privacy settings
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 Twitch
- Running a moderated community server with roles and channelsnot Twitch
- Screen sharing and streaming gameplay to a small groupnot Twitch
Twitch
- Gaming live streamsnot Discord
- Content creationnot Discord
- Community buildingnot Discord
- Esports viewingnot Discord
- Creative streamingnot 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
Twitch
- Twitch's own App Store description discloses that the app includes Nielsen's proprietary measurement software contributing to third-party market research (Nielsen TV Ratings), with an opt-out only available via a separate Nielsen privacy policy page.
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
Twitch
Free- FreeFree
- Watch live streams
- Chat participation
- Follow streamers
- Turbo$8.99/month
- Ad-free viewing
- Expanded emoticon set
- Priority 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.
Choose Twitch if
- You need live streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo-switch.
- You also want chat interaction.
Questions people ask
- Is Discord or Twitch better?
- Neither clearly leads. Discord starts at Free and Twitch at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Discord or Twitch?
- Discord starts at Free and Twitch at Free.
- Does Discord or Twitch run on more platforms?
- Discord runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Twitch runs on Web, Ios, Android, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo-switch.
- 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 Twitch is typically brought in for.
- What can Discord do that Twitch cannot?
- Discord covers Voice channels, Video calls, Text channels, Screen sharing. Twitch covers Live streaming, Chat interaction, Video on demand, Clips and highlights. Both handle Privacy settings.