Discord is better suited for large communities needing extensive moderation and broad platform support, while Meta Horizon Workrooms is ideal for smaller teams seeking immersive VR collaboration with spatial audio. Discord offers more customization and integration options, but can experience lag during peak times. Meta Horizon Workrooms, while free, requires a Meta Quest headset for the full VR experience and has weaker moderation tools.
| Attribute | Discord | Augmented Reality Avatars (Meta Horizon Workrooms) |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Interaction Capability | Excels in real-time communication through text, voice, and video using WebSockets. | Facilitates real-time collaboration in a shared virtual room, regardless of physical location. Supports both VR and web access. |
| Group Size Limit | Text channels: up to 250,000 members; Voice channels: up to 99 members (up to 1000 for verified communities); Private group calls: limited to 25 participants. | Up to 50 participants, with a maximum of 16 in VR. An unlimited number of team members can be added to each workroom. |
| Customization Options (avatars, server settings) | Users can customize profiles with avatars and decorations. Servers offer extensive customization with roles, permissions, and channels. Ready Player Me avatars can be integrated. | Users can customize avatars with a variety of options, making them expressive and natural-feeling. Edits can be made from the Workrooms lobby. Meta is introducing new body shapes, improved hair, and clothing textures for avatars. Environment customization has been reduced to one meeting room style. |
| Integration with Other Platforms | Natively integrates with Twitch, YouTube, and Spotify. Supports integrations with Google apps, project management tools (Trello, Asana), and social media platforms via third-party services like Make and Zapier. | Integrates with Outlook and Google Calendar for scheduling. Designed to integrate with Microsoft services like Windows 365 and Microsoft Teams. Zoom integration was announced but the rollout is unclear. |
| Screen Sharing/Content Sharing | Users can share their entire screen or specific application windows with adjustable video quality. | Users can share their computer screens. The Oculus Remote Desktop app allows fast access to the user's computer from VR. Screen sharing is initiated from the computer tab in the desk menu. Multiple monitors can be used in a personal office. During meetings, users are limited to one VR computer screen but can switch between screens if their computer is connected to additional physical monitors. |
| Voice and Video Quality | Known for superior voice and video quality with features like noise suppression and optimized audio. Nitro subscriptions provide enhanced video quality. | Uses high-quality, low-latency spatial audio, making conversations sound lifelike. |
| Latency/Lag | Can experience lag due to poor Wi-Fi, overloaded servers, high CPU usage, or outdated hardware. Solutions include wired connection, closing apps, clearing cache, and disabling hardware acceleration. | Some users have reported that the latency seems amazing. An update improved the latency. Others report the experience can be choppy. |
| Platform Accessibility (desktop, mobile, VR) | Accessible on desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (Android and iOS), and web browsers with a consistent user experience. Offers accessibility features like keyboard navigation and screen reader support. | Accessible via Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, or Meta Quest 3 headset in VR. Users can also join via video call from a computer. |
| Moderation Tools | Provides built-in moderation tools, including AutoMod. Server owners can kick/ban users, delete messages, and set permissions. Third-party bots like MEE6 and Dyno offer advanced features. | Designed for people who already know each other and does not have strong moderation tools. |
| Data Security and Privacy | Encrypts data in transit and at rest. Offers two-factor authentication (2FA). Users can control privacy settings and manage their data. Provides IP address protection. | Workrooms will not use work conversations and materials to inform ads on Facebook. Passthrough processes images and videos of the physical environment locally. Meta is committed to ensuring Horizon Workrooms is a safe and secure space. Workrooms accounts are separate from Facebook and Oculus accounts. |
| Ease of Use/User Interface | Interface is generally considered clean and intuitive, allowing easy access to channels, messages, and settings. | Replicates the ease of use of standard whiteboards within its metaverse implementation. The app's interface has been simplified to be faster and easier to use, and the design has been updated. |
| Cost (free vs. subscription) | Offers a free version with many features. Nitro subscriptions provide additional benefits. | Available for free. |