Can I open-source Discord Nitro?
YES · mature open-source replacementYes. Rocket.Chat Community (46k stars), Discourse (44k stars), Element (13k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Discord Nitro — self-host with real ops work and stop paying $9.99/mo.
People still pay for Discord Nitro because community software is valuable when members are already there and the operator does not have to own realtime reliability and abuse response. The recurring cost buys realtime delivery, notifications, abuse handling, search, media, permissions, mobile clients, backups, and community operations, not just the visible interface.
xmassive user network, voice infrastructure, identity, moderation, discovery, and mobile apps
xnetwork effects
xnative mobile apps
xvideo and voice infrastructure
xenterprise moderation and discovery
These projects already replace it, free.
RRocket.Chat CommunityDiscord without the public friend graph: channels, threads and files for up to a hundred concurrent users.open source↗EElementEncrypted Matrix rooms with real apps and a free public homeserver; running your own server is optional suffering.open source↗SStoatDiscord-shaped chat on your server; the web client works, while most official native clients still do not.open source↗What each one is, in full: Rocket.Chat Community · Element
all 4 open-source alternatives to Discord Nitro →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Discord Nitro pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| discord (base) | $0 | $0 | 100 servers; 1,000 friends; 10 MB file uploads; 2,000-character messages; screen share 720p/30fps |
| nitro basic | $2.99 | $2.50 | 100 servers; 50 MB file uploads; 2,000-character messages; screen share up to 1080p/30fps or 720p/60fps |
| nitro | $9.99 | $8.33 | 200 servers; 500 MB file uploads; 4,000-character messages; source-quality streaming up to 60fps; 2 Server Boosts; 30% off extra Boosts; 3 friend passes |
free tier100 servers; 1,000 friends; 10 MB uploads; 2,000 characters/message; 720p/30fps screen share
billingmonthly + annual; localized/app-store pricing may differ
hidden costsExtra Server Boosts are separate recurring purchases; server perk levels require 2, 7 or 14 allocated Boosts and additional perks can require separate sets of 3 Boosts. Taxes, mobile-store pricing and localized pricing can differ.
verified 2026-08-12 · source ↗
Can I open-source Discord Nitro?
Yes. Rocket.Chat Community replaces Discord Nitro today — self-host it on your own server or machine with no subscription. The full list of open-source alternatives is on this page.
How much does Discord Nitro cost?
Discord Nitro costs about $9.99/month (Nitro, checked 2026-07-31), which is $119.88 per year. That's what you save by replacing it with open source.
What do I lose by replacing Discord Nitro?
Honestly: massive user network, voice infrastructure, identity, moderation, discovery, and mobile apps; network effects; native mobile apps; video and voice infrastructure; enterprise moderation and discovery. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Discord Nitro?
Yes: Rocket.Chat Community (Discord without the public friend graph: channels, threads and files for up to a hundred concurrent users.) Element (Encrypted Matrix rooms with real apps and a free public homeserver; running your own server is optional suffering.) Stoat (Discord-shaped chat on your server; the web client works, while most official native clients still do not.) All 4 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/discord-nitro/alternatives.