How Does Discord Work?

But Discord is different.

In this article, we will be talking about the way Discord works, from how to invite friends, connect with other Discord users, make video calls, join a server, and all the other amazing things Discord offers.

On the surface, Discord is a chat app with the ability to communicate through text and voice, but underneath you’ll find it is so much more.

1. Text and Image Sharing

   Discord users have the ability to chat via text with their friends and server members.

   Just like a group text or message board, you can send messages and post pictures in text channels or private messages.

2. Voice chat and Video chat

   In Voice channels, as well as private and group calls, you can connect with other users via voice chat or video chat.

   Discord’s screen-sharing option also makes it easy to show coworkers what you’re working on or share your gameplay with others.

3. What Makes Discord Different From Other Platforms?

   Discord stands out amongst all the competition because everything is all in one place.

   

   Unlike many other voice chat apps, voice and text channels are connected and updated in real-time.

   Another huge difference between other similar apps is the customization Discord offers.

   A Discord server can accommodate many different types of channels, as well as users access to certain channels.

   

   In the Server settings menu, server owners can set member roles, which can be used to restrict or allow different users the ability to see and use text and voice channels.

   Another amazing and kind of unique function that really sets Discord apart from other apps is the ability to use Discord bots.

   From server automation to fun games, bots give a whole new level of customization to a server.

Discord is used to connect and communicate with friends, classmates, co-workers, and community members.

Text and voice channels are used to talk, strategize, organize, and interact.

You can utilize the various features of Discord for practically anything.

On the surface, Discord is really simple. Head to Discord.com to create an account, download the app on your PC or phone, log in, and start chatting.

When you get more familiar with Discord, you will want to do a bit more. Check out the user settings to customize your profile, or change options for text chat voice call, and video settings.

Who Uses Discord?

Tons of different people types of people use Discord.

There are servers for practically everything you can think of, and huge communities to interact with.

Discord is a great tool for students to connect and study, for gamers to strategize, for businesses to hold meetings, and for anything else you can think of.

Discord Desktop App vs. Discord Web Version

Functionally both versions of Discord are the same. You log in with your account and you can view the servers you are a part of as well as direct messages.

You can access and change settings in your own server, join a server, invite friends, join voice calls, post in text channels, access your user settings, and everything else Discord offers.

Using the desktop app or the browser version is entirely up to you, however, the voice and video quality will a bit better on the desktop app.

Discord App for Mobile

The mobile Discord app is pretty incredible, offering the same features as the Desktop or browser version.

You have had access to all the same Discord servers; you can join voice channels, post in text channels, change server settings, and even live stream while in voice chat.

Using Discord as a server owner or just to send messages to your friends is totally free.

Almost every option on the platform is available to a free user, from the ability to use video chat rooms to creating your own Discord server.

Now you may be wondering, how does a free app operate?

Well, there is a paid option in the form of Discord Nitro. This is a subscription-style service that opens up a bunch of cool new perks for your Discord account.

Click the User settings gear icon, and select Nitro to see more info.

If you do decide Discord Nitro is for you, you will be paying $99.99 a year or $9.99 a month.

Discord has recently released a lower-cost plan in the form of Nitro basic for $49.99 a year or $4.99 a month.

Nitro Benefits

Discord Nitro has some pretty cool features that can really enhance your Discord experience.

1. Nitro Basic

   • Custom emoji and stickers
   • Upload bigger files
   • Nitro badge on your profile
   • Custom backgrounds when streaming

2. Discord Nitro

   All benefits of the basic package, plus:

   • Higher quality streaming
   • Two server boosts
   • Animated avatar and profile banner
   • Customized profile
   • Server limit increased (up to 200)
   • Post longer messages (up to 4,000 characters)

One of the best features of Discord is how the platform handles friend requests.

In the user settings menu, options for who can contact you are customizable.

To send a friend invite to someone who is not in a server with you, you will need to know their unique Discord ID. This ID is their username followed by a four-digit code.

The restrictions surrounding friend invites are for safety reasons, and to keep the amount of spam you may see on other apps to a minimum.

Integration with Other Sites

Discord offers connections to a ton of other platforms.

These connections are entirely up to you and will not be activated unless you choose to do so.

Connecting your Discord account to other apps and sites can be a great way to make people you met playing games or on other social media sites into Discord friends.

Conversations With Friends

Interacting with friends can take place in text channels within Discord servers, or through a direct message.

Only people you share a server with, or friends can send direct messages to you.

Discord offers the ability to scan direct messages, as sometimes you may receive a link or file that could potentially harm your PC.

In Discord you can join multiple servers that cater to different interests. How many servers you wish to be a part of is really up to you (max 100, Nitro users 200).

Different servers can be a great place to add friends, find all the latest news about your favorite games or shows, and almost anything else you can think of.

Private server

Joining new servers is really easy, and is a great way to connect and interact with other users.

To join a server you will need an invite link if the server is not a part of the public servers available through the Discord community servers section.

You may also join private servers by typing an invite link code into the ‘add a server’ option in the lower left corner.

• Link code

Public server

Joining public Discord servers is even easier, and is one of the best ways to find others with similar interests.

In the lower-left corner, find the compass icon.

You can then search through all the different public servers available.

Creating Servers

Easily the best feature available on Discord is setting up your own server.

Whether you want to make a gaming server for you and other video game players, a place for you and your classmates to share notes and discuss homework, or just a place for you and your friends to hangout, creating a server in Discord stands as one of the best ways to interact.

To make your own Discord server, click ‘Add a Server’ in the lower left corner and choose one of the options in the pop up menu.

Discord features a ton of options for customizing your server. Just select server settings from the drop-down menu to change almost anything about your server you want.

Create a custom text or voice chat channel to help organize your Discord server, keeping people playing video games separate from users who are just chatting.

The ability to share your screen in Discord is an amazing tool for friends and co-workers.

To start a group call, select a friend from your friends list and hit the phone icon (or video camera icon) in the top menu.

You can then add other friends to the call with the add friends option.

When you are in the group voice chat, you can share your screen with your friends by hitting the Share your screen icon.

Choose the application you want to stream to your friends in the pop-up window.