Discord Server: Setup, administration, data protection and costs at a glance

Originally designed as a web-based tool for gamers, Discord has become increasingly popular in recent years and has become very popular. But what exactly can the application actually do and on which devices is the program available? We explain what else is important and why you should be careful when it comes to data protection and the protection of minors.

What is Discord?

Discord is a popular online communication platform that was specially designed for use within the gaming community. The basic idea, then as now, is the direct exchange of information between users during the game.

The software was first released in May 2015. Since then, the client has been revised and expanded several times and can now also be used as a standalone app on various platforms.

There are now over 150 million active users on the port every month, spread across 19 million servers – and the trend is rising. The San Francisco-based service is now often used independently of computer games. Despite its global success and a planned takeover by Microsoft in 2021 for 10 billion US dollars, the company led by founder Jason Citron remains independent.

Which functions does Discord offer?

Discord servers allow users to communicate via text, voice and video in private chat rooms or on specific topics. In addition to simple everyday messaging, such as the organization of gaming sessions, the service also enables real-time voice and video conferencing including screen transmission or direct game streaming à la Twitch.

To ensure the highest possible transmission quality and prevent server overload, the limit for this is currently 10 participants per session. Voice chats, on the other hand, allow up to 99 users to join in. Various topic channels within a server can be set up for this purpose and adapted and managed with an extensive configuration of authorizations and additional programs. These include so-called bots, for example.

These automated software solutions are used for further customization and can take on various tasks. These include, for example, playing music, scheduling appointments or planning events. The Discord Nitro version also offers additional functions.

What does Discord cost?

While Discord is free in the basic version, Discord Nitro offers a paid subscription with additional functions. Within the Nitro version, the offer distinguishes between a cheaper Basic subscription, the Classic subscription and the more expensive Premium version. To give you a better overview of the structure, we have summarized the differences in the following table.

Note: Discord would like to point out that the Classic subscription will continue for existing subscriptions, but you will not be able to subscribe to it again.

Create a Discord account

If you don’t have a Discord account yet, you can create one for free. Proceed as follows:

1. Visit the Discord website or download the Discord app
2. Click on “Register“
3. Then enter an e-mail address, a user name and a password
4. Accept the terms of use
5. Complete the registration by verifying it via email
6. After confirmation, you can use Discord, join servers or create your own

Discord setup on PC or Mac

To set up Discord on a PC or Mac, visit the official Discord website and download the appropriate client for your operating system. After downloading, open the installation file and follow the wizard’s instructions. As soon as the app has been installed, you can log in with your access data. Alternatively, you can also use the browser-based version with a wider range of functions.

Compatible operating systems

• Windows from version 7
• MacOS from version 10.13
• Linux based from Ubuntu 18.04, Debian 10, openSUSE 15.2 and Fedora Linux 32

Compatible browsers

• Google Chrome
• Firefox 80
• Opera
• Microsoft Edge 17
• Chromium Edge 79 on Windows and macOS
• Safari 11

Set up Discord on your cell phone

To use Discord on your smartphone, do the following:

1. Download the app: Download the Discord app from the Google Play Store for Android devices or from the App Store for iOS devices
2. Launch theapp: Open the Discord app by tapping on the app icon once the installation is complete
3. Create or log in to your account: If you already have a Discord account, log in with your access data. If you don’t have an account yet, select the option to create an account and follow the instructions to create a new account
4. Change settings: After logging in, you can customize your profile, add friends, join servers or create your own servers

Compatible smartphone systems

• Android from version 7
• iOS from version 12

Set up Discord on a console

Before you can use the service on a console, you should first make sure that you always have the latest system software installed. Also note that you must have an active link to the network via which you want to use Discord.

Your profile can also be connected to accounts from different providers such as Xbox, PSN Twitch or Spotify at the same time. In the “User settings” under “Links“, you can see which accounts are currently linked and make changes if necessary.

Discord PS5: How the configuration works on PlayStation 5

1. Go to the PS5 settings under “Users and accounts“
2. Select “Linked services” and then “Discord“
3. Link your Discord account by selecting “Link account“
4. Select the desired server and channel via mobile or desktop client
5. Depending on your device, select “Join on PlayStation” or click on the game controller / cell phone icon > “Transfer to PlayStation“

Note: Direct use from the system interface is currently not possible.

Discord PS4: The setup on the PlayStation 4

Discord does not yet offer its own app or direct integration into the PlayStation 4 interface. As the console has been on the market for a comparatively long time now, it is highly unlikely that a real solution will be added later. However, you can still communicate via the web version on the PS4.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Navigate to the “Main menu” and start the web browser of the PS4
2. Open Discord via URL in the address bar
3. Log in with the user data
4. Discord can now be used

Note: Please note that this method does not offer the full range of Discord features and may not be suitable for voice chat. For the best experience, use PS4 and PC or mobile device in parallel.

Set up Discord on Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

Directly from the console

1. Log in to the console with the Xbox account that is connected to Discord
2. Press the Xbox button to open the guide
3. Navigate to “Profile & System” > “Settings” > “Account” > “LinkedAccounts“
4. In the “Linked social media accounts” entry under “Not linked“, set Discord as “Linked“
5. Via “Party and Chats” > “Discord” you join the desired server and voice channel

Via Xbox App

1. Open the Xbox app on your mobile device
2. Select “Discord Spotlight” on the home page
3. Follow the prompt to link Xbox and Discord accounts and click‘Continue‘
4. Enter your Discord credentials and select “Sign in“
5. Now enter your Microsoft access data and select “Sign in” again

Note: Your Xbox friends are treated separately from those on Discord. This means you have to choose between the integrated party chat and a voice channel on Discord. Combining both does not work.

Discord on Nintendo Switch?

So far, there is no official option to use Discord on the Nintendo Switch. As the console’s app offering is generally comparatively weak, the chances of an implementation in the future are also slim.

However, we do want to mention that unofficial options that violate Discord’s terms of use are in circulation. However, this may require an intervention in the Switch software.

How do I create a Discord server?

To create your own server on Discord, proceed as follows

1. Log in via your Discord account
2. Select the plus symbol in the sidebar on the left
3. Click on “Create a server” to get to the settings page
4. Configure server details such as name and region here
5. Optional: Add a server image
6. Finally, select “Create“

After these steps, your server is set up and you can now create channels, invite friends and give the structure a more personal touch, for example by integrating bots.

How do I create a Discord channel?

Configuring a channel on a Discord server

1. Select the desired server
2. Tap on the drop-down menu next to the server name and then on “Server settings“
3. Go to “Channels” and select the plus symbol next to “Text channels” or “Voice channels” – depending on the type of channel you want to create
4. Enter a name for the channel and adjust the settings such as permissions and access rights
5. Confirm your entries with “Create“

Note: More detailed adjustments per channel, including specific authorizations, are managed and adjusted directly in the channel settings.

How do I integrate Discord bots?

To integrate so-called Discord bots into a channel on your server, you usually have to add the desired bot type to your server. This procedure often works via an invitation link of the bot.

After this process, you can make further adjustments in the server settings under “Roles” and assign specific channels or authorizations there. The exact procedure may vary depending on the bot. You should therefore always follow the developer’s instructions.

The best 10 Discord bots for your server

Set Discord parental controls correctly

According to the general terms and conditions, registration with Discord is only permitted from the age of 16. However, there is no reliable age check. This means: no explicit verification via an official document as part of the registration process. The platform therefore relies solely on the user complying with the terms of use – including the minimum age.

Users under the age of 16 must officially obtain a declaration of consent from a parent or guardian. From this age, parental consent is not required. So if your youngster uses the platform, it is advisable to exercise caution and monitor their online activity, including configuring their security and privacy settings. Especially as the service involves certain so-called contact risks.

These include

• Cyber bullying: Direct insult, exposure, threat
• Cyber grooming: Deliberate initiation of sexual contact
• Content harmful to minors and pornography
• Politically or religiously extremist content
• Conspiracy theories and fake news

Use Family Center

Discord provides you with the so-called Family Center. This function allows you to independently track your child’s usage behavior. You can view servers and communities that have been joined, have offensive images and messages filtered by the system and prevent strangers from contacting you.

In extreme cases, you can also mute a user, block them completely and report them to the security team via the web client or app. In this way, you can also report an entire server that you believe is in breach of the community guidelines or terms of use.

Please note: To use this option, you must log in with your parent account. You must also create a child account and enter the correct age. It is not possible to change the age at a later date if it is entered incorrectly.

Discord data protection must be observed

Discord’s privacy policy allows the company to collect and process all communications and data – even from private chats – in unencrypted form. On top of this, a survey is made of your usage behavior and other basic data such as account information and IP address is collected.

This is then used to create a user profile and pass it on to third-party providers, such as agencies or subsidiaries. The data is stored on US servers. In terms of data protection, this is therefore a very poor basis and therefore not covered by the GDPR guidelines.

Please note: Before you can use the service, you must expressly accept that the relevant information may be stored. However, you can limit data collection and restrict access in the user settings for privacy and security.

Can I use Discord commercially?

The commercial use of Discord is generally possible subject to certain legal aspects. However, if you actually want to earn money with the service, you should check the terms of use and guidelines carefully to ensure that the planned implementation is compliant. Data protection naturally also plays a major role here. Especially with regard to the GDPR.

Discord does not currently offer a so-called data processing agreement, DPA in short. This makes commercial use quite a challenge. Typically, such a contractual agreement always comes into play when personal data is processed for profit-oriented use. To minimize risks, you should therefore seek legal advice from a specialist.

The advantages and disadvantages of Discord

Significant advantages

• Free solution
• Simple navigation
• High customizability
• Less hardware-consuming than competitors e.g. Teamspeak, Skype
• Own server structure with customizable theme channels
• Cross-platform use
• Organized topic-specific search possible
• Screen sharing
• Video conferencing
• Voice calls via Voice-over-IP
• Commercial use possible

Basic disadvantages

• Data protection not GDPR compliant
• Concerns about youth protection
• Mobile app with functional limitations
• Server failures possible
• Premium options subject to a fee
• Challenging for commercial use

How do I cancel a Discord Nitro subscription?

1. Navigate to the “Premium app subscriptions” section
2. Now select “Manage subscriptions“
3. Now you can see your active Premium App subscription including costs and renewal interval
4. You can cancel your subscription via the “Cancel my membership” button

Attention: Discord Nitro subscriptions can be canceled monthly, but will automatically renew for another month if you do not cancel the service manually.

How do I delete a Discord server?

In the desktop client

1. As the owner, open your server and click on the server name to open the menu
2. Select “Server settings” and scroll to “Delete server“
3. With two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, enter your 2FA code. Without 2FA, enter the server name for confirmation
4. Confirm the deletion with “Delete server” if you are sure

In the mobile app

1. Go to the server you want to delete
2. Tap on the three dots next to the server name and select “Settings”
3. Select “Overview” and scroll to “Delete server“
4. If 2FA is activated, enter a 2FA code. Without 2FA, select “Yes” to delete or “No” to cancel
5. Confirm the deletion if you are sure

Attention: Only the owner of a server has the option to delete it. Other members, even if they have extensive rights, cannot remove the server.

Delete Discord account

1. Open the Discord app or the web application
2. Go to the “User settings“
3. Select “My account“
4. Scroll down and click on “Delete account“
5. Confirm the deletion by entering your password

Attention: Before you can finally delete your account, you must first delete all Discord servers you have created or transfer the ownership rights to them.