Discord Alternatives 2023

Best 10 Discord Alternatives & Competitors for Group Chats | 2023

Looking for a Discord alternative? Consider Stork.AI, a top-notch platform providing comprehensive communication features. From audio and video calls to group chats and custom channel creation, Stork.AI has got you covered. The platform stands out with its intuitive user interface and voice recording capability, as well as a handy file sharing feature and video conferencing solutions.

Noteworthy additional features of Stork.AI include a searchable message history - an excellent tool for referencing past discussions, even those from voice and video calls thanks to its transcribed history. Experience seamless, lag-free communication on Stork.AI's platform, which is available on a free plan. Notably, Stork.AI boasts superior sound quality and an automatic microphone volume adjustment feature for an optimal audio experience. The platform also supports group video calls, voice calls, and voice messages, making it a versatile and robust alternative to Discord.

These are other discord alternatives:

1. Slack: This is widely used for team collaboration and offers features like channels, direct messaging, and file sharing. It also has integration capabilities with other software like Google Drive and Dropbox.

1. Teams: Microsoft Teams is part of the Office 365 suite and is a strong choice for businesses that already use Microsoft products. It offers chat, video meetings, and file storage.

3. Telegram: Known for its encryption and privacy features, Telegram offers group chat capabilities, along with voice and video calling options.

4. Zoom: Primarily known for its video conferencing capabilities, Zoom also provides chat options and is widely used for remote meetings and webinars.

5. Mumble: An open-source, low-latency, high-quality voice chat software primarily intended for use while gaming.

6. Zulip: This is an open-source alternative with topic-based threading. It's a powerful choice for large open communities or for businesses that want to maintain full control over their data.

7. Element (formerly Riot): Based on the Matrix protocol, Element provides end-to-end encryption and is great for both large groups and small teams.

8. Hangouts/Google Chat: This is a Google-based solution that allows for easy integration with Google Workspace (previously known as G Suite).

9. Mattermost: This is an open-source, self-hosted alternative to Slack. It provides team messaging across web, PC, and phone with private messages and team chats, along with file sharing and multiple integrations.

10. Rocket.Chat: This open-source alternative provides video conferencing, helpdesk chat, file sharing, and real-time chat translation. You can also host your own servers.

Reasons to Look for Discord Alternatives

While Discord is a popular platform for both casual and formal group communication, particularly within the gaming community, there might be several reasons why someone would look for alternatives:

1. Privacy concerns: Discord has come under scrutiny for data privacy concerns, as it collects and stores a lot of user data. If you're looking for more private, secure alternatives, you might want to consider platforms with end-to-end encryption or self-hosted options.
2. Moderation issues: Some users have reported encountering cyberbullying, hate speech, or other forms of harassment on Discord due to lack of or ineffective moderation. This might prompt users to look for alternatives with better moderation systems.
3. Professional use: Discord is very much geared toward the gaming community and has a more informal feel, which might not be suitable for a professional environment. Alternatives like Slack or Microsoft Teams might be more appropriate for business communications.
4. Technical Issues: Some users have reported issues with Discord's voice chat feature, such as echo, lag, or audio cutting out. If this is a significant problem for your usage, you might want to look into alternatives known for reliable voice chat, like Mumble.
5. Features: While Discord offers a range of features, there might be other platforms that offer unique features that better suit your needs. For example, Slack has more robust integration capabilities, and Zoom is known for its video conferencing features.
6. Learning curve: Some users might find Discord's interface less intuitive or harder to navigate than other platforms.

Remember that every platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and the nature of your project management tool, group, project management or community.

Why use Discord alternatives?

While Discord is an excellent tool for communication exchange chat with, particularly in gaming communities, there are several reasons someone might want to explore alternatives:

1. Professional Needs: Discord is primarily designed with gamers in mind. Businesses or organizations may find other tools, like Slack or Microsoft Teams, more appropriate for their professional needs as these platforms offer more business-centric features.
2. Privacy Concerns: Discord collects a significant amount of user data, raising concerns for privacy-focused users. Alternatives with stronger privacy measures, like end-to-end encryption or self-hosted options, might be more appealing.
3. Interface Preferences: Some users find Discord's user interface less intuitive or harder to navigate than other platforms. They might prefer a different platform that aligns with their design preferences and ease of use.
4. Technical Problems: Some users may experience technical issues with Discord, such as problems with voice chat or server connectivity. Other platforms might offer more stability or better quality.
5. Feature Requirements: Different platforms offer different features. If a user needs specific features not available on Discord, like extensive integrations with productivity tools, more sophisticated file management, or advanced moderation tools, they might turn to alternatives.
6. Regulation and Moderation: Some users might look for alternatives due to concerns about the effectiveness of Discord's moderation, seeking platforms with stricter community rules and regulations to ensure a safe and respectful environment.
7. Cost: Discord offers premium features at a cost. Some users or organizations might prefer platforms that offer similar features for free or at a lower cost.

1. Discord vs. Slack

While both Discord and Slack are designed for group communication, they target different audiences. Discord is primarily used by gaming communities due to its excellent voice chat capabilities, gaming-friendly interface, and features like "in-game overlay" that allow for a smooth gaming experience. On the other hand, Slack is designed with professional environments in mind. It integrates with a vast array of productivity apps like Google Drive, Trello, and Asana. It also offers a more structured approach to group conversations, thanks to its thread-based chat system.

2. Discord vs. Microsoft Teams

Discord and Microsoft Teams serve very different user bases. Discord is designed for the gaming community, while Microsoft Teams is a business communication platform incorporated into the Office 365 suite. Teams is more suitable for enterprise environments due to its deep integration with other Microsoft products and more formalized group communication. It also offers advanced features like extensive file sharing and collaboration tools, scheduling and organizing meetings, and more robust administrative controls.

3. Discord vs. Telegram

While both Discord and Telegram are messaging platforms that allow voice, video, and text communication, they have distinct features and uses. Discord's gaming-centric design offers features like low-latency voice and video chat services and game-streaming capabilities, which Telegram lacks. However, Telegram is known for its focus on privacy and security, with encrypted voice messages, and self-destructing messages, which are features not inherently present in Discord.

4. Discord vs. Zoom

Discord and Zoom differ significantly in their use cases and strengths. Discord is primarily a platform for text, voice, and video communications among communities, with an emphasis on gaming. It offers persistent chat rooms or 'servers,' which users can join or create. Zoom, on the other hand, is primarily a video conferencing tool widely used in professional settings for meetings and webinars. While Zoom's chat function allows basic instant messaging too, it lacks the community-building features of Discord.

5. Discord vs. Mumble

Discord and Mumble are both voice-over-IP applications popular within the gaming community. Mumble offers a simpler, low-latency, and high-quality voice chat service, which some gamers prefer for its minimalism and lower use of system resources. However, Discord offers a wider range of features, such as text chat, embedded media, bots, and easy server and task management tools, making it a more comprehensive platform for team chat and community interaction.

6. Discord vs. Zulip

Zulip and Discord both offer real-time video chat software and capabilities, but they are intended for different audiences. Zulip is more focused on professional use-cases, with a unique topic-based threading system that helps keep conversations organized. Discord, on the other hand, is more community-focused, particularly appealing to gamers with its voice chat and game integration features. Zulip is also open-source, which can be an advantage for organizations wanting more control and customization.

7. Discord vs. Element (formerly Riot)

Element and Discord are both communication platforms, but they focus on different aspects. Discord, primarily used by gamers, offers voice, audio and video calls, and text communication. On the other hand, Element is built on the Matrix protocol, focusing on decentralized, open-network communication with a strong emphasis on privacy and security, including end-to-end encryption.

While Discord provides game-focused features, Element's appeal lies in its open-source, self-hosted nature, which offers users and organizations more control over their data and privacy.

8. Discord vs. Google Chat

Google Chat (formerly Hangouts) and Discord both offer group communication tools, but they serve different needs. Google the Chat app is part of the Google Workspace, so it integrates well with other Google services like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Meet, making it a convenient tool for businesses already using Google's services.

Discord is more tailored towards creating and moderating online communities, particularly in the gaming world, with unique features like voice channels and game integration.

9. Discord vs. Mattermost

While both Discord and Mattermost offer platforms for group communication, they serve different audiences and have differing priorities. Mattermost is an open-source, self-hosted messaging platform tailored for businesses, offering full control over data and privacy, advanced integrations, and administrative control.

On the other hand, Discord is primarily focused on the gaming community, providing features like voice chat, game streaming, and an interface designed for more casual, community-driven conversations.

10. Discord vs. Rocket.Chat

Both Discord and Rocket.Chat are communication platforms offering voice, video, and text communication. However, Rocket.Chat is an open-source, self-hosted platform, giving users more control over their data and customizability. It's more geared towards enterprise use, with features like real-time translation, integration with other enterprise tools, and extensive customization options.

Discord, conversely, is more oriented towards gaming and online communities, with features like game integration steam chat and voice channels that are unique to its platform.

Here are general comparisons for the key features of each platform:

1. Slack vs Discord
2. Voice & Video Chat: Both
3. File & Screen Sharing: Both
4. User Interface: Simple in both, Slack is more business-oriented
5. Team Communication: Both, but Slack is more business-oriented
6. Third Party Apps: Both, Slack has more business app integrations
7. Group Chats: Both
8. Encryption: Not end-to-end in either
9. Task Management: Limited in both, integrations available
10. Microsoft Teams vs Discord
11. Voice & Video Chat: Both
12. File & Screen Sharing: Both
13. User Interface: Both have intuitive UI, Teams is more business-focused
14. Team Communication: Both, Teams is designed for professional use
15. Third Party Apps: Both, Teams has deep integration with Office 365 apps
16. Group Chats: Both
17. Encryption: Teams (Not end-to-end)
18. Task Management: Teams, via Office 365 integrations
19. Telegram vs Discord
20. Voice & Video Chat: Both
21. File & Screen Sharing: Both
22. User Interface: Both have intuitive UI
23. Team Communication: Both
24. Third Party Apps: Limited in both
25. Group Chats: Both
26. Encryption: Telegram (end-to-end)
27. Task Management: Limited in both
28. Zoom vs Discord
29. Voice & Video Chat: Both
30. File & Screen Sharing: Both
31. User Interface: Both have intuitive UI
32. Team Communication: Both, Zoom is used extensively for professional meetings
33. Third Party Apps: Limited in both
34. Group Chats: Both
35. Encryption: Zoom (Not end-to-end)
36. Task Management: Limited in both
37. Mumble vs Discord
38. Voice Chat: Both
39. Video Chat, File & Screen Sharing: Discord
40. User Interface: Both, Mumble is more minimalist
41. Team Communication: Both, Mumble is more minimal and uses less system resources
42. Third Party Apps: Limited in both
43. Group Chats: Both
44. Encryption: Both
45. Task Management: Limited in both
46. Zulip vs Discord
47. Voice & Video Chat: Both
48. File & Screen Sharing: Both
49. User Interface: Both have intuitive UI, Zulip uses topic-based threading
50. Team Communication: Both, Zulip is more professionally oriented
51. Third Party Apps: Limited in Zulip
52. Group Chats: Both
53. Encryption: Zulip (Not end-to-end)
54. Task Management: Limited in both
55. Element (formerly Riot) vs Discord
56. Voice & Video Chat: Both
57. File & Screen Sharing: Both
58. User Interface: Both have intuitive UI
59. Team Communication: Both
60. Third Party Apps: Limited in Element
61. Group Chats: Both
62. Encryption: Element (end-to-end)
63. Task Management: Limited in both
64. Google Chat vs Discord
65. Voice & Video Chat: Both
66. File & Screen Sharing: Both
67. User Interface: Both have intuitive UI
68. Team Communication: Both, Google Chat integrates with Google Workspace
69. Third Party Apps: Google Chat, with Google Workspace apps
70. Group Chats: Both
71. Encryption: Google Chat (Not end-to-end)
72. Task Management: Google Chat, with Google Workspace apps
73. Mattermost vs Discord
74. Voice & Video Chat: Both
75. File & Screen Sharing: Both
76. User Interface: Both have intuitive UI
77. Team Communication: Both, Mattermost is more business-focused
78. Third Party Apps: Both, Mattermost is open-source and allows more customization
79. Group Chats: Both
80. Encryption: Mattermost (Not end-to-end)
81. Task Management: Limited in both
82. Rocket.Chat vs Discord

Voice & Video Chat: Both

File & Screen Sharing: Both

User Interface: Both have intuitive UI

Team Communication: Both, Rocket.Chat is more business-focused

Third Party Apps: Both, Rocket.Chat is open-source and allows more customization

Group Chats: Both

Encryption: Rocket.Chat (Not end-to-end)

Task Management: Limited in both

This summary only covers 8 out of the 60 features you listed earlier. For a full comparison, you would need to do further research or use a tool better suited to handling large amounts of comparative data.

FAQ

Is there a better alternative to Discord?

Stork.AI

If you're searching for an alternative to Discord, Stork.AI is a prime candidate. It offers a full suite of communication tools, including audio and video calls, group chats, the ability to create customized channels, and a voice recording feature. Stork.AI also simplifies file sharing and task management app and facilitates video conferencing within an easy-to-use interface.

Stork.AI goes a step further by offering unique features such as a searchable message history that even includes transcriptions of voice and video calls, ensuring you'll never lose track of your conversations. The platform guarantees uninterrupted, lag-free communication and even offers a free subscription plan.

Not to mention, Stork.AI prioritizes sound quality, offering superior audio output and an automatic microphone volume adjuster. Whether you need to conduct group video calls, voice calls, or send voice messages, Stork.AI stands out as a comprehensive and highly capable Discord alternative.

Who is discords main competitor?

Stork.AI

Searching for an alternative to Discord? Stork.AI might be your answer. As a premier communication platform, Stork.AI provides an array of features like audio and video calls, group chats, text chat apps and the ability to create custom channels. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate, and with features like voice recording, file sharing, and video conferencing, it's incredibly versatile.

What sets Stork.AI apart are its additional features - a searchable message history for easy reference of past discussions, even including transcriptions of your voice conversations and video calls. You can enjoy smooth, lag-free communication, and the superior sound quality with automatic microphone volume adjustment ensures an excellent audio experience. Stork.AI also accommodates group video calls, voice calls, and voice messages. Available with a free plan, Stork.AI is a comprehensive and robust Discord alternative.

What is safer than Discord?

Stork.AI

Are you seeking an alternative to Discord? Stork.AI could be an excellent choice. As a versatile communication platform, it offers a range of features including audio and video calls, group chats, and the ability to create personalized channels. Stork.AI also provides a voice recording feature, along with handy file sharing and video conferencing tools, all housed within an intuitive user interface.

Stork.AI distinguishes itself with added perks such as searchable message history, which even includes transcripts of voice and video call discussions. The platform ensures smooth, uninterrupted communication, available even with a free plan. Its superior sound quality and automatic microphone volume adjustment guarantees an optimal auditory experience. With support for group video calls, as well as voice calls and messages, Stork.AI establishes itself as a comprehensive and high-quality Discord alternatives.

What should I use instead of Discord?

Stork.AI

Are you in search of a viable alternative to Discord? Look no further than Stork.AI. This exemplary communication platform encompasses a variety of features including audio and video calls, group chats, the ability to establish custom channels, and voice recording capabilities. Stork.AI’s user-friendly interface seamlessly combines these features, offering a straightforward solution to your communication needs.

What makes Stork.AI particularly stand out are its unique features. This includes a searchable message history that even transcribes voice and video calls, allowing for easy reference of past conversations. Enjoy uninterrupted, high-speed communication courtesy of Stork.AI's lag-free technology, available on a complimentary plan.

Moreover, Stork.AI prides itself on its exceptional sound quality, offering an automatic microphone volume adjustment to ensure the best audio experience. The platform's support for group video calls, as well other key features such as voice calls and messages, solidifies its place as a comprehensive and powerful Discord alternative.

How do I talk to friends without Discord?

Stork.AI

In need of a Discord substitute? Explore the functionalities of Stork.AI, an impressive contender among communication platforms. Stork.AI facilitates audio and video calling, group discussions, and even private chat system lets you establish your own channels. Its user-friendly interface complements the voice recording feature, file-sharing option, and video conferencing capabilities perfectly.

Stork.AI also offers unique extras, such as a fully searchable message archive, even for transcriptions of voice and video calls, ensuring you never lose track of key information. The platform guarantees smooth and lag-free conversations and offers a free tier for users. Distinguished by exceptional sound quality and an automatic microphone volume control, Stork.AI delivers an unparalleled auditory experience. With support for group video chats and voice calls, as well as voice messages, Stork.AI offers a versatile and comprehensive package as a Discord alternative.

What is a better share screen than Discord?

Stork.AI

Are you exploring alternatives to Discord? Stork.AI may be your perfect match. This platform excels in offering a range of communication services, such as audio and video calls, voice chats, group discussions, and the ability to create custom channels. The intuitive interface, coupled with voice recording capabilities, easy, file sharing features, and video conferencing solutions, puts Stork.AI in a league of its own.

But the advantages don't stop there. Stork.AI also provides additional benefits like a searchable archive of all past messages, including transcriptions of group voice chats and video calls, ensuring no vital information is ever lost. Enjoy the perks of smooth, uninterrupted communication, all available in a free plan. Stork.AI's top-tier sound quality and automatic microphone volume adjustment promise a superior audio experience. With the provision of group video calls, voice calls, and voice messages, Stork.AI proves to be a well-rounded and efficient Discord substitute.

How do I share my screen on Discord without server?

You can share your screen on Discord without being in a server. You can do this in a Direct Message (DM) or Group DM. Here's how:

Open Discord.

Go to your Direct Messages by clicking on the 'Home' icon located at the top left corner of the screen.

Click on the friend's name you want to share screen with. This will open a DM with that friend.

Start a video call by clicking on the video call icon located at the top of the DM window.

Once the call has started, you will see a 'Share Screen' option at the bottom. Click on it.

A new window will pop up. Select either the 'Applications' or 'Screens' option depending on what you wish to share. 'Applications' will only share a specific application window, while 'Screens' will share your entire screen.

Click on 'Share'.

Remember that the person you're sharing your screen with can only view your screen, they can't interact with your screen or control your computer.

What platforms can you screen share on Discord?

Windows: The Discord application for Windows fully supports screen sharing, including sharing specific application windows.

macOS: Discord for macOS also fully supports screen sharing.

Linux: The Discord app for Linux supports screen sharing.

Web Browser: The web version of Discord (via browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge) has limited screen sharing capabilities. As of my last update in September 2021, it may not support sharing audio when screen sharing.

iOS & Android (Mobile Devices): Screen sharing is not available on Discord's mobile apps for iOS and Android.

What is replacing Discord?

Stork.AI

Is there anything similar to Discord?

Stork.AI

Is Discord the best messaging platform?

Whether Discord is the "best" messaging platform depends on what you're looking for in a messaging app.

Discord is highly popular, particularly among gamers, due to simple user interface and its robust voice chat rooms, a video calling feature, and screen-sharing capabilities. It also supports direct messages and group chats, and allows for the creation of dedicated servers which can be organized into channels for different topics. It integrates well with a variety of gaming and streaming platforms, which makes it a go-to choice for many online communities.

However, it may not be the best for every use case. For example, for professional and business communication, platforms like Slack or Stork offer more features catered to work settings.

Similarly, for encrypted, private communication, you might prefer apps like Signal or Telegram, which offer end-to-end encryption.

If you're primarily interested in video calls, an app like Stork, Zoom or Microsoft Teams might better suit your needs.

What did gamers use before Discord?

Before Discord became popular, gamers used a variety of other platforms for communication. Here are some of the most common ones:

TeamSpeak: This was one of the first voice chat platforms designed specifically for gamers. TeamSpeak allows users to create dedicated servers, similar to Discord, and supports both text and voice channels.

Ventrilo: This is another early voice chat platform. While it lacks some of the features of more modern apps, it was widely used due to its low latency, which is important in online gaming.

Mumble: Known for its low latency and high audio quality, Mumble was another popular choice. Like TeamSpeak and Ventrilo, users could create their own servers with various channels.

Skype: Although not designed specifically for gamers, Skype was also commonly used for voice and video chat. However, its high resource usage and lack of gaming-specific features made it less than ideal for this purpose.

In-game chat: Many games have built-in text and voice chat features. However, these are often of lower quality and less convenient than dedicated chat platforms.

Forums and message boards: Sites like Reddit and various game-specific forums were common places for discussion and coordination among gamers.

When Discord was launched in 2015, it quickly gained popularity due to its combination of voice and and text chat features, ease of use, gaming-specific features, and the fact that it was free to use. While many of the aforementioned platforms are still in use today, Discord has become the go-to choice for many gamers.

Is there an open-source Discord?

Yes, there are open-source alternatives to Discord. Two notable options are:

Rocket.Chat: Rocket.Chat is an open-source communication platform that supports text, voice, and video communication, much like Discord. It can be self-hosted, which gives you full control over your data. It also offers file sharing, screen sharing, and has a marketplace for various plugins and integrations. It's a great option if you're looking for a more business-oriented solution that can be customized to your needs.

Element (formerly Riot.im): Element is another open-source communication platform that emphasizes privacy and security. It utilizes Matrix, an open standard for decentralized communication. This means you can run your own server and still communicate with others on different servers. Element supports end-to-end encryption, file sharing, voice calls and video calls, screen sharing, and even integrations with other services like Slack, Telegram, and Discord.

Both Rocket.Chat and Element require more technical knowledge to set up and run compared to Discord, especially if you plan to host them yourself. However, they can be a good fit if you value open-source software, privacy, security, or need a platform you can customize to suit your specific needs.

Is TeamSpeak better than Discord?

Here are some factors to consider:

Ease of Use: Discord's interface is often considered more modern and user-friendly than TeamSpeak's. Discord also includes text chat out of the box, while this is a more limited feature in TeamSpeak.

Features: Both platforms offer voice chat, but Discord also includes more robust text chat, media sharing, and streaming features. Discord also allows for easy server creation and management.

Quality & Performance: TeamSpeak is often praised for its high-quality audio and low latency, making it a good choice for serious gamers. It's also less resource-intensive, which can be a plus for those with older hardware.

Privacy & Control: TeamSpeak allows you to host your own server, giving you more control over your data and privacy. This can be a significant advantage if privacy is a priority for you.

Pricing: Discord is free for most features, with a premium subscription offering additional perks. TeamSpeak is free for up to 32 slots (users), but larger servers require a paid license.

Community: Discord has a larger user base and is more commonly used for community building outside of just gaming.

If you prioritize a modern, feature-rich platform and text-based communication, Discord may be the better choice. However, if audio and video quality, low latency, and privacy are your main concerns, TeamSpeak might be more suitable.

Can I host my own Discord server?

Yes, you can host your own Discord server. Here are the steps:

Open Discord on your computer or mobile device.

Click on the plus (+) icon on the left-hand side of the Discord interface.

Click "Create a server".

Choose a name for your server, and select a region if you wish. The region will default to where you are currently located.

Click "Create".

Your server is now created, and you can start inviting friends or other people to join it.

Is there an alternative to Discord?

Stork.AI - the best Discord alternative, provides audio and video calls, voice chat service, group chat, create channels, voice recording, share files, video conferencing solutions - all in one intuitive interface. Additional features include: searchable message history including voice and video calls transcribed history, lag free communication, free plan, superior sound quality, automatic microphone volume adjustment, group video calls, voice calls and voice messages.

What is the alternative Discord client?

Stork.AI

Why use Slack instead of Discord?

While both Slack and Discord offer powerful communication tools, they are often used in different contexts and have different strengths. Here are a few reasons why someone might choose Slack over Discord:

Professional Use: Slack is widely used in professional and business environments. It's designed with work productivity and collaboration in mind, offering features like threaded conversations, status updates, and the ability to easily integrate with many other business and productivity apps like Google Drive, Trello, Asana, and more.

Workflow Integration: Slack integrates with a vast array of third-party services and has a powerful API. This makes it an excellent choice for teams looking to centralize their work communications and integrate with their existing software and services.

Advanced Search: Slack has robust search functionality which makes it easier to find past conversations and shared files. This can be especially useful in a workplace setting where finding information quickly is often important.

Message Editing: Unlike Discord, Slack allows you to edit sent messages which can be very useful in a professional setting for correcting mistakes or clarifying information.

Greater Access Control: Slack provides more options for managing user permissions and access, making it easier to control who can access certain channels or view specific conversations.

Email Integration: Slack provides the capability to send emails directly to a channel or as a direct message, which can be handy for sharing information or integrating with other communication tools.

However, for gaming, community building, or casual conversations, Discord may be the preferred platform due to its voice channels, advanced gaming features more-focused features, and more casual style. As always, the best choice depends on your specific needs and the context in which you'll be using the tool.

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