Discord, the popular chat platform favored by gamers and beyond, is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO), according to sources cited by The New York Times. Recent meetings between Discord leadership and investment bankers suggest preparations are underway for a potential IPO as early as this year. Discord's last valuation, in 2021, pegged its worth at approximately $15 billion.
In response to the reports, a Discord spokesperson offered a standard non-committal statement: “We understand there is a lot of interest around Discord’s future plans, but we do not comment on rumors or speculation. Our focus remains on delivering the best possible experience for our users and building a strong, sustainable business.”
Discord's widespread appeal, particularly within the gaming community, stems from its user-friendly features, robust moderation tools, and strong community building capabilities—advantages that set it apart from competitors. Its integration with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles as a convenient voice chat option, along with recent additions like streaming capabilities, further solidifies its position. Importantly, Discord remains free to use, offering various monetized features for enhanced customization.
However, news of a potential IPO has sparked user concerns regarding the platform's future. Reddit threads on r/Discordapp and r/technology express anxieties about the potential negative impact on Discord's functionality and user experience, mirroring common concerns about the effects of prioritizing growth and profit over user needs. One highly upvoted comment on r/Discordapp succinctly captures this sentiment: "Whelp! It's been fun, but anytime someone decides they want to 'make a public offering' then the company everything goes to shit. What's the next communications platform promising to not sell out, like all the others?"
This IPO speculation isn't entirely unexpected. In 2021, reports surfaced of Discord engaging in acquisition talks with at least three companies, including Microsoft. A month later, however, it was reported that Discord opted to remain independent and pursue an IPO instead.
