Element

Element rides the Matrix protocol: federated servers (run your own or use matrix.org), end-to-end encryption by default in private rooms, spaces that mirror Discord servers, threads, and voice/video. For communities and teams that want Slack/Discord workflows without a company owning the network, it’s the mature option, and bridges can connect IRC, Telegram, and others.

The experience is rougher than the corporate incumbents: encryption key verification confuses newcomers, federation means occasional sync weirdness, and performance on huge rooms lags Discord. Bridges are best-effort. It’s the right tool for sovereignty-minded groups; convincing a gaming clan to leave Discord for it is an uphill social battle.