Discord and Mumble are voice chat applications frequently used by gamers to communicate while playing together.

So, between Discord and Mumble, which is better?

Discord vs. Mumble

Mumble is better than Discord because it provides better connection and sound quality. Moreover, Mumble is available on more operating systems and offers better user privacy. However, Discord is more popular and has a more straightforward interface.

In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss the differences between Mumble and Discord. I’ll also cover the advantages and disadvantages of each as compared to the other.

Difference Between Mumble and Discord

The primary difference between Mumble and Discord is the software they use. Discord’s codebase is proprietary, whereas the code for Mumble is open-source. Also, unlike Discord, Mumble can be installed on various operating systems, including independent frameworks.

Mumble and Discord are both Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications for voice chatting online. Gamers primarily use these applications, but other groups use them to socialize, as well.

Although they provide the same function, they do so in different ways.

As discussed, Mumble uses open-source code, meaning anyone can view the source code for Mumble.

As a result, others can add to the functionality of Mumble and verify the security and privacy Mumble promises. However, this isn’t possible for Discord.

Discord may be installed on Windows, iOS, Android, Linus, and Mac.

On the other hand, Mumble may be installed on all of these plus Ubuntu and many independent frameworks developed by third parties using Mumble’s open-source code.

Discord can run in a web browser without downloading the application, but Mumble can’t.

Further, Discord requires that channels are hosted on its servers. But Mumble allows users to host channels on their own servers.

Hosting channels on their own servers results in lower latency for Mumble users than for Discord users.

Latency is how long it takes for others to hear a user talk. High latency means a long delay between a person speaking and others on the voice chat hearing them.

Additionally, Discord stores all messages permanently on its servers, but Mumble doesn’t.

Storing messages represents another potential privacy violation, but Discord states it doesn’t sell private information found in the messages to third parties.

Moreover, Discord doesn’t use private information to control how you use its application.

Finally, Mumble allows users to save audio recordings of chats, but Discord doesn’t allow audio recordings.

Whether to save audio recordings represents a trade-off of whether users who don’t want to be recorded can control what others on the voice chat do and users who need a record of the voice chat. 

Some people may prefer the privacy assurance of other users not recording the chat with Discord. However, other applications could be used to record the chat, anyway.

Reasons Why Mumble Is Better Than Discord

Mumble is better than Discord for providing user privacy. The app doesn’t collect user information. Also, Mumble is better than Discord because it has better quality, thanks to its lower latency. Furthermore, Mumble is completely free, whereas Discord is only free for 8 MB of files. 

Information collected about internet users may be used to control their online experience and influence the information they receive through the internet.

If you’re not so particular about user privacy, you might not mind choosing Discord over Mumble. However, user privacy is important to many people, so they prefer apps that don’t collect information like Mumble.

Mumble doesn’t collect user information. This is verifiable because they share their source code online.

Discord collects user messages. If the company is sold, then the new company will have this information and do whatever it wants with the information.

As mentioned earlier, Mumble is better quality than Discord because it has lower latency.

By allowing users to dedicate personal servers to hosting the channels, Mumble enables users to dedicate as many resources as they want to their channels. 

A dedicated server means users can host on a powerful server with fewer overhead applications running and fewer users accessing the server. As a result, the server can process the voice chat faster and reduce latency.

Finally, Mumble allows users to save recordings of voice chats. Gamers with streaming platforms need this functionality to create their videos.

Discord requires gamers to use another application for recording, which affects the performance of the game, the voice chat, and the voice recording.

Reasons Why Discord Is Better Than Mumble

Discord is better than Mumble because it’s easier to set up a channel with Discord than Mumble. This may be due to the need for private servers and coding for individual features that come with Mumble. Discord has more of these features already implemented for users. 

Mumble is better for users who value user privacy, quality, and usability. The app assures that the company doesn’t store any data about its users.

Users can confirm this because Mumble has shared its code.

You may want to consider Mumble if you’re looking to host on your servers.

User-hosted servers allow you not to share resources with other users and to dedicate more processing power to your voice chat channel if you want. 

Mumble is also better than Discord because it provides a better user experience. It’s free and allows for recording of the voice chats.

Many gamers with large streaming channels need high-quality, easy-to-do recordings of group voice chats.

But there are times when using Discord makes more sense. Some users may find Discord better than Mumble for several good reasons.

For example, Discord is much more well-known. Discord has 150 million users.

Mumble hasn’t released how many users it has, but, to be fair, given the private servers and open source code, Mumble may not know how many people use the application. 

Which Is Better: Mumble or Discord

Mumble is better than Discord, especially for users who value user privacy, quality, and usability. The app assures that the company doesn’t store any data about its users. Also, Mumble is better than Discord as it allows users to host on their own servers.

User-hosted servers allow you not to share resources with other users and to dedicate more processing power to your voice chat channel if you want. 

Mumble is also better than Discord because it provides a better user experience. It’s free and allows for recording of the voice chats.

Many gamers with large streaming channels need high-quality, easy-to-do recordings of group voice chats.

Finally, Mumble allows users to write their own features to improve their experience. Mumble and Discord users tend to be pretty tech-savvy. Therefore, having open-source code which users can freely add to is generally appreciated. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, Mumble is better than Discord because it offers features geared toward gamers and tech-savvy users. User privacy, customizability, and quality are additional factors which make Mumble better than Discord for voice chatting.