Howl The private Discord alternative
Everything your community needs (servers, voice, video, screen share) with end-to-end encrypted DMs and calls. Open source, and self-hostable with Docker. Your conversations are nobody's product.
What's end-to-end encrypted
Your direct messages, group DMs, DM file attachments, and every voice, video, and stage call. DMs use MLS (RFC 9420), a modern open encryption standard, with post-quantum protection layered in. If a DM call can't be encrypted, it doesn't connect at all: you see a red shield instead of a call that gave up its privacy.
Server text channels are encrypted in transit and at rest but not end-to-end, so moderation, search, and backups work. The full boundary, including account recovery, is on the security page.
What you get
- Voice, video, and stages Always-on voice channels, stages with host and speaker roles, and screen share. Every call is an encrypted call, including voice channels on public servers.
- The full community toolkit Servers with channels and roles, threads, forums, polls, events and calendar, themes, and a desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Discord import Bring your channel history with you. The migration guide walks through it step by step.
- Self-hosting Run your own instance with Docker. Every Pro feature unlocks free, with no phone-home.
- Open source The whole platform is AGPL-3.0, so you can read the crypto code instead of taking this page's word for it.
- No ads, no data sales Revenue is subscriptions and donations. The business model is part of the privacy story.
Comparing your options?
We keep detailed, date-stamped comparisons with Discord, Fluxer, Stoat, and Matrix/Element, plus a roundup of self-hosted Discord alternatives that includes the competition fairly.