When Skype announced it would be winding down after nearly two decades, many organizations, including ours, were left searching for reliable alternatives. While Microsoft encouraged users to migrate to Teams, we were concerned that a mandatory paid plan might soon follow. That’s when we explored different options and discovered Discord. After successfully using it for over two months, we can confidently say that Discord has become the best alternative to Skype for internal team communication.
What is Discord?
Discord began as a communication platform for gamers, but it has since evolved into a mainstream collaboration tool for communities and organizations. It supports text, voice, and video communication and enables the creation of servers and channels for structured discussions. Over time, it has proven to be a powerful, flexible, and cost-effective solution for business communication—something we’ve experienced firsthand at Nimblechapps.
Key Features of Discord
1. Servers and Channels
Discord organizes communication into servers, which act as communities. Within each server, users can create multiple channels for different purposes, such as text, voice, or video. This makes discussions more organized compared to Skype’s single-threaded approach.
2. Direct Messaging
Just like Skype, Discord allows direct one-on-one chats. However, the difference is that users can interact across multiple servers without revealing connections between them, ensuring privacy.
3. Roles and Permissions
Discord provides detailed role-based access control (RBAC). Admins can define permissions, create read-only channels, or restrict posting to specific roles—ideal for “announcements” or team-specific updates.
4. Bots and Integrations
Bots bring automation and functionality, from moderating chats to running polls, playing music, or sending reminders. Discord also integrates with tools like Twitch, GitHub, YouTube, and more, making it versatile for different workflows.
5. Video Calling and Screen Sharing
Discord supports group video calls and screen sharing, making it perfect for team meetings, live demos, or collaborative sessions. This feature bridges the gap between casual conversations and professional collaboration.
Advantages of Discord Over Skype
- Organized Communication: Servers and channels allow better group management than Skype’s flat chat structure.
- Persistent History: Discord saves chat history, so new members can scroll back and catch up anytime.
- Role Management: Admins can assign permissions to different team members, unlike Skype’s limited controls.
- Automation with Bots: From reminders to analytics, bots enhance team productivity.
- Third-Party Integrations: Discord connects seamlessly with external platforms, streamlining work.
How We Implemented Discord at Nimblechapps
When Skype’s shutdown date (May 5, 2025) was announced, we decided to trial Discord in April 2025. Here’s how we successfully migrated:
- Created a main admin account to set up our company server.
- Invited all employees via company email accounts.
- Set up channels for projects, internal tasks, and discussions.
- Added employees to specific channels based on their roles.
- Defined permissions, allowing leaders to manage communications while others had restricted roles.
This structured setup has made Discord highly efficient for our daily operations.
Conclusion
Migrating to Teams is an easy choice, but Discord offers flexibility, cost savings, and better organization for internal communication. Since adopting it, we’ve experienced smoother workflows, enhanced collaboration, and the convenience of a mobile app for on-the-go access. For businesses searching for the best Skype alternative, Discord is worth exploring—and for us at Nimblechapps, it has proven to be the perfect fit.
