AI-Powered Universal Comparison Engine

Social media companies: Snapchat vs. Discord

Quick Verdict

Snapchat and Discord cater to different needs and preferences. Snapchat is ideal for users who enjoy ephemeral content, AR experiences, and content discovery. Discord is better suited for those who prioritize community building, real-time communication, and extensive platform integration.

Key features – Side-by-Side

AttributeSnapchatDiscord
User DemographicsPopular among younger generations, especially 18-24 age group (e.g., 38.1% of ad audience). In the US, 15-25 age group accounts for 48% of users. India has a large user base with 210.9 million users as of April 2024, followed by the United States with 105.01 million users. Globally, the audience is fairly balanced in terms of gender.Diverse, primarily younger individuals; largest age group is 25-34 (53.4%), followed by 18-24 (44.4%); more male users (67%) than female users (32%); most users in the United States, followed by Brazil and India.
Content Format VarietySupports photos, videos, text, and live streams. Users can share 'Snaps' that disappear after a short time, and 'Stories' that last for 24 hours. The 'Discover' section features content from publishers and brands.Supports text, voice, and video communication; media and file sharing; screen sharing.
Ephemeral Content FocusPictures and messages ('Snaps') are typically available for a short time before becoming inaccessible, encouraging spontaneous communication.Offers Threads, temporary text channels that can disappear automatically.
Real-time Communication FeaturesOffers real-time communication through chat and video calling. Users can send private chats, voice messages, and make video calls with multiple participants.Real-time voice and text chats, video calls and streaming; voice channels allow joining without making a call.
Community Building ToolsAllows users to add friends and create groups. Snap Map lets users share their location with friends.Centered around managing communities through servers, which are collections of channels; unique role system for each server.
Privacy Controls and Data SecurityOffers privacy settings to control who can contact you and view your content. Friend lists are private. Aims to delete Snaps and Chats from its servers after they've been viewed or have expired. Has incorporated limited use of end-to-end encryption, with plans to expand it. Users can opt out of the disclosure or sale of their data to third parties.Privacy settings to manage contacts and content exposure; control over friend requests and direct messages; data encryption; data copy requests; two-factor authentication (2FA).
Integration with Other PlatformsProvides features to connect with third-party apps.Integrates with apps like YouTube, Twitch, Google Calendar, Twitter; integrates with platforms like Trello and GitHub using bots; Zapier can connect with thousands of apps.
Monetization Options for CreatorsOffers a monetization program where creators can earn money by posting content to Spotlight and Public Stories. Ads may appear within the content, and creators receive a share of the revenue. Viewers can buy 'Creator Gifts' to support their favorite creators. Snap Stars (verified public figures) can activate brand partnerships. Snapchat's new unified Monetization Program places ads within a creator's Stories and longer Spotlight videos.Creators can monetize through paid memberships, subscriptions, selling digital products, exclusive content, courses, consultations, affiliate marketing, advertising, and donations; integrated monetization tools like server subscriptions and server shops; Discord takes a percentage of transaction fees on paid memberships.
AR Lens and Filter CapabilitiesKnown for its augmented reality (AR) lenses and filters. Over 250 million Snapchat users engage with AR daily. The 'Lens' feature allows users to add real-time effects to their Snaps using face detection technology.No AR lens and filter capabilities.
Discoverability of ContentThe 'Discover' section allows users to explore content from publishers, brands, and creators. Snapchat uses algorithms to personalize content on Discover and Spotlight.Does not have a strong focus on content discoverability; discontinued search for open Stage Channels.
Moderation and Safety PoliciesHas Community Guidelines that prohibit bullying, harassment, and illegal activities. Uses a combination of automated tools and human review to moderate content. Has a 'strike' system for violations of Community Guidelines. Offers extra protections for teens.Community Guidelines and Terms of Service; platform and community moderation; server owners/moderators define and enforce rules; moderation tools like assigning roles, banning/kicking users, word filters; AutoMod for filtering harmful messages.
API Availability and Developer SupportOffers public APIs through Snap Kit, Lens Studio API, and the Marketing API. Snap Kit includes various components like Login Kit, Creative Kit, and Ad Kit. The Marketing API is used for managing advertising campaigns. A Developer Portal provides access to API keys, documentation, and support.Discord API allows developers to build bots and integrate with the platform; uses REST endpoints and WebSocket connections; support from Official Discord Developers server and Unofficial Discord API server.
PriceNot availableNot available
RatingsNot availableoverall:Not available, performance:Not available

Overall Comparison

Snapchat: 210.9 million users in India, 105.01 million users in the US, 38.1% of ad audience is 18-24 age group, 48% of US users are 15-25 age group, over 250 million users engage with AR daily. Discord: 53.4% of users are 25-34 age group, 44.4% of users are 18-24 age group, 67% male users, 32% female users.

Pros and Cons

Snapchat

Pros:
  • Wide variety of content formats supported (stories, videos, text, live streams)
  • Effective privacy settings to protect user data and prevent unwanted contact
  • Robust APIs for developers to build integrations and extensions
  • Engaging AR lenses and filters
  • Tools available for community moderation and ensuring a safe environment for users
Cons:
  • No major disadvantages reported.

Discord

Pros:
  • Supports text, voice, and video communication
  • Offers real-time voice and text chats
  • Provides community building tools through servers and roles
  • Offers privacy settings to manage contacts and data sharing
  • Integrates with other platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Google Calendar
  • Provides moderation tools for server owners and moderators
  • Offers an API for developers to build bots and integrations
Cons:
  • Content discoverability is not a strong focus
  • AR lens and filter capabilities are not available
  • Safety is conditional and depends on user awareness

User Experiences and Feedback