Instagram is better suited for visual content sharing and broader audience engagement, while Discord excels in creating and managing niche communities with extensive customization and moderation options.
| Attribute | Discord | |
|---|---|---|
| User base size and demographics | Over 2 billion monthly active users; fairly split by gender (globally: 50.6% male, 49.4% female; US: 55.4% female, 44.6% male); large percentage between 18 and 34 years old. | Over 656 million registered users as of January 2025; Approximately 200 million monthly active users as of January 2025; Estimated 29 million daily active users in 2024; Primary user base is between 18 and 34 years old; Largest share of users (53.4%) was between 25 and 34 years old in February 2024; Approximately 65% of users are male, and 35% are female; Most popular in the USA (27% of users). |
| Content format and features | Supports photos, videos, carousels, stories, Reels, and live videos. Reels are short-form videos. Stories allow sharing updates with images, animations, and videos. | Supports voice and video calls, persistent chat rooms, and direct messaging; Users can send media and files; Channels can be used for voice chat, streaming, instant messaging, and file sharing; Stage Channels allow for live, moderated audio talks; Threads are temporary text channels that can be set to disappear automatically. |
| Direct messaging capabilities | Allows exchanging texts, photos, Reels, and posts privately. Personalize messages with effects and custom reactions. Enhanced features include automatic message translation, scheduled messages, pinning information, QR code generation, and enhanced music sharing. | Direct messages (DMs) are private between sender and recipient, not connected to any server; Users can create group DMs with multiple participants, who all need to be on the sender's friend list; Discord encrypts all messages sent across the system from beginning to end. |
| Group communication features | Supports group conversations with up to 32 participants. | Centered around managing communities; Key features include channels and servers; Servers can be created for specific interests or communities, each with its own rules and norms; As of May 2025, there were 31,531 communities split across 5 main categories on Discord Servers. |
| Content discovery and recommendation algorithms | AI-powered algorithm suggests content based on interests, behavior, and engagement. Analyzes data like likes, comments, shares, and time spent on posts. Aims to personalize feed and Explore page. | Discord had a Stage Discovery tool to search for open Stage Channels, but it was discontinued in October 2021; Discord does not currently have a content recommendation algorithm. |
| Privacy settings and data security measures | Provides tools to manage privacy and data. Options to make account private, use two-factor authentication, control who can contact you, and limit ad tracking. | Uses encryption to protect messages; Two-factor authentication (2FA) is available; Users can control who can contact them or send friend requests; Discord hides your IP address while communicating; Users can block direct messages from people in a server who are not on their friends' list. |
| Moderation policies and tools | Measures to reduce bullying and filter offensive content. Automatically turns on the most restrictive version of anti-bullying feature, Hidden Words, for teens. | Employs user controls, platform moderation, and community moderation; Community Guidelines apply to all content and interactions; Server owners and moderators define and enforce norms for their communities; Discord uses automated means to detect violations of policies; Users can report behavior to Discord; Automated moderation (AutoMod) is a server-level feature with keyword and spam filters. |
| Integration with other platforms and services | Integrates with other Meta platforms like Facebook. | Integrates with many apps like Google Calendar, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook; Has native integrations with Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon; Third-party integration services like Zapier and Make can connect Discord with thousands of other apps. |
| Customization options | Customize profile picture, username, bio, and story highlights. Switching to a business or creator account provides access to insights and advertising features. | Users can customize their profile appearance and features; Servers can be customized with icons, names, custom emojis, and banners; Roles allow server owners to establish a hierarchy among users; Discord Nitro allows users to change the app appearance; Bots and integrations can be added to enhance functionality. |
| Availability on different devices and platforms | Available on mobile devices and the web. | Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and consoles; Users can coordinate and talk with friends across PC, mobile, and consoles. |
| Monetization options | Selling products through Instagram Shopping, influencer marketing, affiliate marketing, subscriptions, and badges. | Creators and businesses can charge for access to Discord channels; Discord offers Server Subscriptions and Server Shops; Server Subscriptions allow server owners to create tiered membership models; Server Shops allow selling digital products directly within the server; Affiliate marketing and advertising are also options. |
| Community culture and norms | Known for visually appealing platform and focus on user-generated content. A space to connect and collaborate over shared interests. | Discord communities reflect and shape social norms; Each server has its own set of rules and guidelines; Community guidelines promote positive behavior and foster community identity; Bots are a special norm for Discord servers. |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Overall: Not available; Performance: Not available |