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Zulip vs Discord: catalog facts
Zulip	Discord
Freemium The server and clients are free and open source and can be self-hosted at no cost. Zulip…	Freemium Free to use, with an optional Nitro subscription.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Windows, iOS, Web
Topic-based threading inside channels, which makes catching up genuinely practical Self-hostable, or hosted, with free plans for open-source communities	Drop-in voice channels without placing calls Low-latency screen and game streaming
The topic model takes getting used to and needs team discipline to work The desktop client shares most of its code with the web app, so it inherits its quirks	Proprietary and centrally hosted Some features sit behind the Nitro subscription
Downloadable app	Downloadable app, Web application, Hosted service
Open source	Closed source
License: Apache-2.0	License not stated
Account needed	Account needed
Needs internet	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.