AI-Powered Universal Comparison Engine

Networking platforms: Facebook vs. Discord

Quick Verdict

Facebook is a large-scale social media platform with a massive user base and broad integration capabilities, while Discord is a community-focused platform with real-time communication features and extensive customization options. Facebook is better for broad audience reach and general social networking, whereas Discord is more suitable for building and managing communities with specific interests.

Key features – Side-by-Side

AttributeFacebookDiscord
User base size and demographics3.068 billion monthly active users as of Q4 2024. Largest age group is 25-34 (31.1%). Gender distribution: 56.8% male, 43.2% female. India has the largest audience (375 million), followed by the United States (194.1 million).Around 150 million monthly active users as of 2024. Largest global share of users (53.4%) are between 25 and 34 years old. 20.6% of users are between 16 and 24 years old. 66% of users were male as of Q1 2022.
Content moderation policies and effectivenessUses a mix of AI, human reviewers, and community guidelines. Aims to balance speed and accuracy.User-generated content isn't filtered or moderated, but users can report harmful content. Custom Discord bot development can automate moderation tasks and user interactions.
Privacy settings and data security measuresOffers a range of privacy settings. Users can adjust who can see their posts and profile information. Two-factor authentication is available. Users can control how people can find and contact them.Collects personal information, including payment information, device identifiers, IP addresses, and usage analytics. Personal information is not shared for third-party marketing. Uses security measures like encryption. Users can access, modify, and delete data.
Customization options for communities/serversNot availableCentered around managing communities. Servers have persistent chat rooms and voice channels. Server owners can assign roles with specific permissions, manage moderation settings, and integrate bots to automate tasks. Customization options include custom emojis, stickers, and banners. Servers can be designated as Community Servers to access tools for running, moderating, and growing the server.
Real-time communication features (voice, video, text)Not availableAllows communication through voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and media. It features persistent chat rooms and voice channels. Voice channels allow users to join conversations without needing to make calls. Supports high-quality video calls with screen sharing and custom backgrounds.
Integration with other platforms and servicesIntegrates with CRMs like Salesforce and Hubspot, email marketing tools like Mailchimp, and e-commerce platforms like Shopify. Cloud integration tools allow connections with other apps.Natively integrates with apps like Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. Integrations allow users to access and share content from other platforms without leaving Discord. Third-party platforms like Zapier and Make can integrate Discord with thousands of other apps. Examples of integrations include Google apps, project management apps (Trello, Asana, ClickUp), and more.
Mobile app availability and functionalityAvailable. Users can customize privacy settings on the app.Runs on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Linux, and web browsers. The mobile app has some accessibility issues and oversights in screen reader navigation compared to the desktop version. The mobile app was downloaded 23.7 million times globally in Q1 2023.
Advertising policies and impact on user experienceAd policy covers prohibited content and targeting rules. Compliance helps build trust and can lead to better ad performance. The presence of ads doesn't significantly affect how users value the platform.Plans to show advertisements on its free platform. Ads will be targeted based on gameplay, age, and geographic location data. They will appear in the bottom left corner of users' screens. Users may have the option to disable these ads. The introduction of ads may alienate users and intrude on the user experience.
API availability and developer supportIntegrations can be created using Facebook's application programming interfaces (APIs).You can code through the Discord API to integrate with other apps. Expert Discord integration services offer API connections for business processes.
Ecosystem for third-party apps and botsIntegrations enable data sharing between third-party apps and Facebook.Discord bots can automate tasks, moderation, and user interactions. They can also integrate with external apps, databases, and services. Popular bots include those for music streaming (Rythm, Octave, Pancake) and server management (MEE6).
Accessibility features for users with disabilitiesOffers screen reader support, automatic alt text for images, keyboard shortcuts, and closed captions. Working to improve accessibility features using AI.Compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Accessibility features include keyboard navigation, reduced motion settings, and screen reader compatibility. Users can adjust UI scale, chat font, and use text-to-speech. Has been working to improve accessibility for users with blindness or low vision.
Cost (if any) and subscription modelsGenerally does not have a subscription cost. May offer a subscription model in select regions for an ad-free experience.Free to use; Discord Nitro Basic ($2.99/month) and Nitro ($9.99/month) offer extra features

Overall Comparison

Facebook: 3.068 billion monthly active users; Discord: 150 million monthly active users. Facebook: Largest age group 25-34 (31.1%); Discord: Largest age group 25-34 (53.4%). Facebook: 56.8% male, 43.2% female; Discord: 66% male.

Pros and Cons

Facebook

Pros:
  • Largest social media platform worldwide
  • Offers customizable privacy settings
  • Integrates with various platforms and services
  • Mobile app available
  • Offers accessibility features
Cons:
  • No major disadvantages reported.

Discord

Pros:
  • Real-time communication features (voice, video, text)
  • Customization options for communities/servers
  • Integration with other platforms and services
  • Ecosystem for third-party apps and bots
  • Accessibility features for users with disabilities
Cons:
  • Content moderation relies on user reports
  • Mobile app has some accessibility issues
  • Introduction of ads may alienate users

User Experiences and Feedback