Discord Alternatives for Linux: Element, Signal, Stoat & Mumble

Looking for Discord alternatives for Linux, or just another way to keep in touch? Linux has several options, but there is no single one-for-one replacement. Matrix and Element are good for open communities, Signal is built for private conversations, Stoat looks and feels closer to Discord, and Mumble focuses on voice chat.

This is a beginner-friendly Linux guide. Download apps from their official project pages or your distribution’s trusted software store. App names and package options can change, so check the linked download pages before installing.

Which Discord alternative should I try?

• Matrix with Element: a flexible, federated network for rooms and communities. Element is one app that connects to Matrix; choose a homeserver when you create your account.
• Stoat: a newer, Discord-style community chat with a Linux desktop app. Its project publishes AppImage downloads, which are portable app files.
• Signal: a strong choice for private one-to-one and small-group chats. Signal Desktop must be linked to Signal on an Android phone or iPhone; it does not replace large public Discord servers.
• Mumble: lightweight voice chat for a group that has a Mumble server address. It is not a full text-community platform.

To get started: start with Element for a community, Signal for private chats, Stoat if you want something that looks more familiar, and Mumble if your group mostly needs voice.

Option 1: Matrix and Element for rooms and communities

Matrix is an open communication network; Element is a popular app for using it. They are related but not the same thing. During sign-up you choose a homeserver, such as matrix.org or a server run by your organization. A homeserver manages your account and stores room history. Matrix servers can federate, or communicate with other participating servers. Matrix’s overview explains clients, homeservers, and federation.

Install Element on Debian or Ubuntu

If you are on Debian or Ubuntu, Element publishes these repository steps on its download page. Open Terminal and run the commands one at a time:

sudo apt install -y wget apt-transport-https
sudo wget -O /usr/share/keyrings/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg https://packages.element.io/debian/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg] https://packages.element.io/debian/ default main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/element-io.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install element-desktop

Enter your Linux password if asked; the terminal usually will not show dots or characters while you type. For Fedora, Arch, openSUSE, or other systems, check Element’s download page for the current package choices. Some listed packages are community maintained. Avoid nightly builds unless you specifically want to test unfinished software.

Create your Matrix account and protect its keys

1. Open Element and select Create account.
2. Choose a homeserver. The matrix.org server is a simple place to start; you can use another server if your group runs one.
3. Choose a username and a strong, unique password, and complete any verification steps.
4. In Element’s encryption or security settings, set up secure key backup and save the recovery key somewhere safe, such as a password manager. Element says the recovery key can be needed to restore encrypted history and verify new devices. Do not post it or send it to anyone.
5. Join a room with an invite link or ask a friend to invite your Matrix ID, which looks like @name:server.example.

Federation does not mean that every conversation is private from every server. Room history is synchronized among participating homeservers. End-to-end encryption is available, but check the room’s encryption status before treating it as a private chat. See Matrix’s room guide and Element’s help page about recovery keys.

Option 2: Stoat for a Discord-like feel

Stoat is a community-chat service with a desktop client for Linux. Its official site currently points Linux users to distribution packages and GitHub, while the project’s official desktop releases include AppImage files. Check the Stoat download page and official desktop releases for the current choices. Select the x86_64 AppImage on a typical Intel or AMD PC; ARM computers need the matching ARM build.

Run the Stoat AppImage

1. Download the AppImage from Stoat’s official desktop releases page.
2. In your file manager, open Downloads, right-click the AppImage, choose Properties, then Permissions, and enable the option such as Allow executing file as program. The wording varies by desktop.
3. Double-click the file to launch it. If your desktop asks, choose Run.

If your desktop does not offer that option, open Terminal and run these commands, replacing Stoat.AppImage with the exact filename you downloaded:

cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x Stoat.AppImage
./Stoat.AppImage

AppImages do not always add themselves to the application menu automatically. Our Gear Lever review and AppImage guide covers launcher integration, and our manual desktop-entry guide shows how to make a start-menu shortcut yourself.

Option 3: Signal for private conversations

Signal is designed for direct and small-group messaging, with end-to-end encryption for Signal-to-Signal messages and calls. It is not a substitute for Discord’s public servers and discovery features. Signal Desktop must first be linked to Signal on your phone. Its official installation guide lists the current Linux options, including a Debian package and an AppImage for 64-bit systems.

Install Signal on Debian or Ubuntu

Use Signal’s current official Linux instructions to add its signing key and APT repository, then install the package:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install signal-desktop

For other distributions, Signal provides an official AppImage. Download it from Signal’s Linux page and verify its signature using the steps there before running it. To add that AppImage to the menu, follow the same desktop-entry guide. Once installed, open Signal Desktop and use the linked-devices flow in Signal on your phone to scan the QR code. Signal’s support guide has the linking steps and current system requirements.

Option 4: Mumble for voice chat

Mumble is an open-source voice-chat client. Your group needs a Mumble server, either one someone in the group hosts or a server address supplied by a community. The Mumble project says Linux distributions including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, and Arch provide packages; check its downloads page for current notes.

On Debian or Ubuntu, install the client from the distribution repository with:

sudo apt install mumble

On other distributions, search for Mumble in your software center or use your distribution’s package manager. Open Mumble, run the audio setup wizard, then use Server → Connect and enter your group’s server details. Push-to-talk can help prevent background noise; the Debian Mumble guide shows the audio and shortcut settings.

Common setup snags

• Element opens, but I cannot find my group: ask for a Matrix room invite link or the exact room address. Matrix uses homeservers, so make sure you registered on the server your group expects.
• Element shows messages I cannot decrypt: check that your old device is still signed in and verify the new device. Use your recovery key or another verified device; do not delete the old device before confirming that you can recover your encrypted history.
• An AppImage will not launch: confirm you downloaded the correct CPU architecture, mark the file executable, and run it from Terminal to see any error message. Download a fresh copy from the project’s official page if the file may be incomplete.
• Signal asks me to scan a QR code: that is the normal desktop-linking step. Open Signal on your phone and choose Linked Devices.
• Mumble connects but nobody hears me: rerun the audio wizard, check the selected microphone and push-to-talk shortcut, and confirm the server address and port with the group.

Before moving your whole community

Try one app with a small group first. Decide who will own the room or server, set clear moderation rules, and give everyone another way to reach the group while they learn the new app. For sensitive chats, check the encryption status and keep recovery keys safe. Each service has different account, moderation, and data-handling rules, so read its current privacy and safety information before moving a large community.

Choosing your next app: there is no single perfect Discord replacement. Matrix/Element is the flexible community option, Stoat is the closest desktop-style match here, Signal is for private chats, and Mumble is for voice. Pick the one that fits what your group actually does.

Sources and further reading

• Element download and Linux packages
• Element account onboarding
• Matrix homeservers, clients, and federation
• Stoat downloads and official desktop releases
• Signal for Linux and Signal installation support
• Mumble downloads and Debian’s Mumble setup guide

Official download pages reviewed November 2, 2026. Installation commands have not been executed as part of this restoration. Always confirm package availability and instructions on the linked project page before installing.