Communicating with friends in online games. TeamSpeak or Discord?

Online games are a great way to have fun with friends. But keep in mind that interaction usually takes place remotely. That’s not a problem. With the tools provided by the internet, any limitations can be overcome. Gamers can communicate just as freely as they do in real life using special voice chat applications. There are many messaging apps, but Discord and TeamSpeak are currently the most popular. Let’s find out which one can be more useful to the average gamer.

Teamspeak

Gamers around the world have been using the Teamspeak messaging app for nearly two decades. This VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) application was created back in 2002. Teamspeak quickly became popular because it was designed with gamers in mind. The application also performed well technically. Teamspeak takes up very little disk space and uses minimal PC resources. Gamers of that era generally couldn’t boast powerful gaming systems, so Teamspeak’s minimalism played a major role.

Teamspeak offers room for custom settings, which can confuse users who have only recently decided to switch to VoIP communication. But learning to use the application isn’t too difficult. Keep in mind that in Teamspeak, users have to do a lot of things manually. For example, to connect to a server, you need to enter its IP address. Other messaging apps, such as Discord, make connecting much easier with invitation links. Adding a server to bookmarks is also done manually.

Teamspeak places no restrictions on how users manage their servers. But to do so, you’ll need to purchase a gaming license to use the service. You’ll need hosting to store the server software. Users must install the Teamspeak client app. They can use a Windows or Mac OS computer, as well as a smartphone. When purchasing, the server owner chooses a version with the required number of client slots (from 55 to 500 dollars per year).

Overwolf can be used alongside Teamspeak. It’s an add-on that creates an in-game overlay. The program lets you record gameplay and monitor activity on a Teamspeak channel: who connected, who’s online, who left, and so on. But the problem with Overwolf is that it causes lag, which is critical in fast-paced games. Even half a second of lag in CS, Overwatch, or any other team-based competitive online game can lead to defeat.

Discord

Discord is an online service for gamers that launched in 2015. Today, it is one of the most popular VOIP applications. Its extensive features and accessibility make Discord appealing even to people who aren’t into online games but need a convenient way to communicate.

Discord can affect gaming system performance. This isn’t noticeable during regular computer use, but can be felt during an online match. This is due to its more advanced APIs and system integration. Any function in Discord can be accessed in just a few mouse clicks (creating a channel, sending an invitation), unlike in Teamspeak. But this also makes the application more demanding on system resources.

Discord’s main advantage is that it’s free. Gamers don’t feel particularly restricted when using the free version of the program. They can join existing servers or create their own. They can also communicate directly with their friends list, as in Skype. Users decide for themselves how their Discord server should work. They can create both regular text and voice channels, with either unlimited or restricted access. Discord Nitro offers more profile customization options and advanced emojis, lets users send large files and stream high-quality video for a fee (10 dollars per month or 100 dollars per year).

Discord has its own overlay. It lets you quickly interact with servers or friends while playing. The overlay shows user activity in a channel, who joins or disconnects, and new messages. You can also customize which notifications Discord displays on screen while you’re playing. The application can be linked to other gaming services, such as Steam or Epic. A user’s status can show which game they’re currently playing. Discord also lets you see mutual servers when viewing a friend’s profile. Another useful Discord feature is the quick launch of linked applications. Instead of desktop shortcuts, you can use the library right in the application.

Which app should you choose to communicate with gamer friends?

Discord is the better choice. The deciding factor is the availability and accessibility of additional useful features, since both applications can transmit voice in high quality. The application has become something of a social network for gamers, as it lets them share news, photos, and videos, as well as make new connections. Discord also lets users create servers for free, whereas Teamspeak charges a fee based on the number of client slots. Discord wins again when it comes to overlay quality, since Overwolf causes input lag. Discord’s main advantage is its user-friendly interface. But keep in mind that these same extra features affect the program’s size and its demands on the gaming system.

Teamspeak is a more specialized application. It’s an ideal option for professional players who want to minimize the impact on their system. Discord can use some system resources during an online match, which may slow texture loading or reduce the refresh rate. That’s unacceptable for a pro player. Teamspeak provides only a reliable communication channel, without unnecessary extras. Another undeniable advantage of Teamspeak is the ability to use it offline. At tournaments, esports players compete over a local network without internet access. Discord and other messaging apps with remote servers are completely unsuitable as communication tools. Teamspeak remains the only reliable option. Of course, outside competitions, pro players also use Discord to communicate with friends or fans.