Software · head to head
Twitch vs Discord
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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.; 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
- They diverge on capability: Twitch covers Live streaming, Discord covers Voice channels.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Twitch and Discord 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 Twitch
- Live streaming
- Chat interaction
- Video on demand
- Clips and highlights
- Channel subscriptions
- Donations and bits
- Extensions
- Mobile streaming
Only in Discord
- Voice channels
- Video calls
- Text channels
- Screen sharing
- Go Live streaming
- Server organization
- Role management
- Moderation tools
Both cover
- Privacy settings
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Twitch
- Gaming live streamsnot Discord
- Content creationnot Discord
- Community buildingnot Discord
- Esports viewingnot Discord
- Creative streamingnot Discord
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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.
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Twitch
Free- FreeFree
- Watch live streams
- Chat participation
- Follow streamers
- Turbo$8.99/month
- Ad-free viewing
- Expanded emoticon set
- Priority support
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
Which should you pick?
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.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Twitch or Discord better?
- Neither clearly leads. Twitch starts at Free and Discord at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Twitch or Discord?
- Twitch starts at Free and Discord at Free.
- Does Twitch or Discord run on more platforms?
- Twitch runs on Web, Ios, Android, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo-switch. Discord runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Twitch for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Twitch best used for?
- Twitch is most often used for gaming live streams, content creation, community building, esports viewing. Of those, gaming live streams and content creation are not what Discord is typically brought in for.
- What can Twitch do that Discord cannot?
- Twitch covers Live streaming, Chat interaction, Video on demand, Clips and highlights. Discord covers Voice channels, Video calls, Text channels, Screen sharing. Both handle Privacy settings.