LINE and Discord are widely used as communication tools. Both can be used for free and are convenient for contacting friends and sharing information in groups, but there are clear differences between the two.
“Should I use LINE or Discord?”
For those of you who are wondering, this article provides a thorough comparison of LINE and Discord! We will explain the differences from various perspectives such as functionality, community utilization, usage scenes, and security measures in an easy-to-understand manner.
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each, find the tool that’s perfect for your purpose, and enjoy even more comfortable communication!
Comparison of Functionality
Both LINE and Discord offer basic communication functions such as voice calls, video calls, text chats, and file sharing for free. However, both tools have their own unique features that make a big difference in the user experience.
| Feature | LINE | Discord | Explanation |
| Voice/Video Calls | O | O | Real-time voice and video communication |
| Text Chat | O | O | Text-based communication |
| File Sharing | O | O | Sharing files such as photos and documents |
| Stickers/Emojis | Rich | Limited | Tools to enrich emotional expression |
| Themes | Rich | Limited | Features for changing the look of the app |
| Servers/Channels | X | Rich | Features for organizing and classifying communities |
| Bots | Limited | Rich | Programs that provide automation and entertainment |
| User Interface | Simple | Sophisticated | App operation screen |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly | For intermediate and advanced users | App proficiency level |
Functions of LINE
LINE is characterized by its simple and easy-to-use interface. In addition to basic communication functions, it has a variety of features that are familiar to Japanese users, such as stickers, emojis, and themes.
The wide variety of stickers and emojis are useful for expressing emotions that cannot be conveyed through text alone. You can also customize the appearance of the app with a variety of themes to enjoy your own unique LINE experience.
Functions of Discord
Discord has advanced functions specialized for gamers and community activities. By utilizing the server and channel features, you can organize conversations by topic and purpose and achieve smooth information sharing, even in large communities.
Furthermore, by introducing a wide variety of bots, you can add various features such as community management automation, information gathering, game integration, and entertainment.
By joining a paid plan called Discord Nitro, you can use even more features such as custom emojis, high-quality streaming, and large file sharing.
Also, Discord allows text formatting using Markdown notation. This allows you to emphasize and decorate text using bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough.
Community Utilization: Differences Between LINE and Discord
Both LINE and Discord can be used for information sharing in communities, but their uses differ significantly.
LINE focuses more on closed, small-group communication. On the other hand, Discord is suitable for forming open, large, and diverse communities.
Community Utilization of LINE
LINE is mainly used for private communication with friends and for sharing information within close relationships such as family and school classmates.
The “Community” feature of LINE is like a large group chat where people with common hobbies and interests gather. In the community, you can participate anonymously and enjoy exchanging information and interacting while protecting your privacy.
Community Utilization of Discord
Discord is widely used in communities with specific purposes, such as game communities, hobby communities, and study groups.
Discord servers function as dedicated spaces for communities, and the channel feature enables organized information sharing by subdividing topics.
Discord also has many features for building communities. For example, you can welcome new members with personalized welcome screens or share important information in announcement channels.
Usage Scenes: Which is Right for LINE or Discord?
LINE and Discord are suitable for different usage scenes.
Scenes Suitable for LINE
LINE is best for daily contact and communication with close friends.
- Contacting friends and family
- Sharing information at work (Internal use may cause security concerns)
- Brief information exchange
- Personal records and memos (e.g., recording expenses, managing the progress of a diet, etc.)
Scenes Suitable for Discord
Discord can be used in a variety of situations, such as online games and hobby communities.
- Voice chat during online games
- Interacting with hobby companions
- Event planning and information sharing
- Study groups and online learning
- Interaction between creators and fans
Discord has a high-quality voice chat feature, so it is especially useful in situations where voice communication is important.
Security Measures and Privacy Protection
Both LINE and Discord are focused on security measures, but their approaches are different.
LINE uses end-to-end encryption by default and emphasizes user privacy protection. On the other hand, Discord uses encryption during communication, but does not provide end-to-end encryption.
LINE’s Security Measures
LINE applies an end-to-end encryption technology called “Letter Sealing” to all messages.
End-to-end encryption is a mechanism that allows only the sender and the recipient to decrypt the message content, effectively preventing the risk of eavesdropping or tampering by third parties.
Also, LINE has comprehensive privacy settings, which allow users to finely set who they want to disclose their information to.
Discord’s Security Measures
Discord uses TLS encryption technology to protect users’ communication content.
TLS encryption is a mechanism that encrypts data when it is sent to the server, reducing the risk of eavesdropping or tampering.
However, Discord server administrators may be able to access messages stored on the server.
Discord also offers security features such as two-factor authentication and privacy settings. By using these features, users can strengthen the security of their accounts and protect their privacy.
Summary: LINE or Discord, Which One is Better After All?
LINE and Discord are both excellent communication tools, but they each have different characteristics.
LINE
Advantages:
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Many stickers and emojis
- Best for everyday communication
- High security with end-to-end encryption
Disadvantages:
- Few advanced community features
- Not suitable for large communities
Discord
Advantages:
- Multi-functional and sophisticated interface
- Many community features
- Best for gamers and community activities
- Highly customizable
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to use for beginners
- Few stickers and emojis
- Does not provide end-to-end encryption
The optimal tool depends on your purpose and usage scene.
- Students: LINE is convenient for contacting friends and for group work at school.
- Gamers: Discord is best for voice chatting and information sharing during online games.
- Business Professionals: LINE is suitable for internal company communication, and a tool that meets the security policy should be selected for communication with external parties and customer service.
Future Outlook
Both LINE and Discord are constantly evolving.
LINE is focusing on expanding its services for business and utilizing AI technology. However, its number of users is stagnating globally, and it needs to accelerate its overseas expansion.
Discord is working to strengthen its community features and diversify its monetization models. However, it will also need to address privacy concerns and strengthen its security measures.
It is expected that both tools will continue to respond to user needs and provide more convenient and comfortable communication environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about LINE vs Discord
Q. Which is more secure, LINE or Discord?
A. LINE is more advantageous in terms of security because it employs end-to-end encryption. However, Discord also employs security measures such as TLS encryption and two-factor authentication.
Q. Which is better in terms of call quality, LINE or Discord?
A. Discord is generally said to have higher sound quality. In particular, it is designed for gamers and is characterized by low latency for voice calls.
Q. Can LINE and Discord be used at the same time?
A. Yes, LINE and Discord are separate apps and can be used simultaneously.
Conclusion
In this article, we compared the differences between LINE and Discord from various viewpoints. Understand their respective advantages, disadvantages, and security measures, and choose a tool that suits your needs and use it.