⚡ Launch Your Self-Hosted Discord Alternative in Minutes

ChatNet is a modern, self-hosted Discord-style chat platform that you can run entirely on your own server. Create Rooms, Channels, Voice Chats, Private Messages, and a rich messaging experience — all powered by PHP and MySQL, with no Node.js or complex servers required.

Install in minutes, customize everything with full source code access, and enjoy a one-time purchase with lifetime updates.

Why Choose ChatNet?

✅ Self-hosted with complete data ownership
✅ Discord-like Rooms, Channels & Voice Chat
✅ Powered by PHP & MySQL — works on shared hosting
✅ No Node.js or complex server stacks required
✅ Full source code included for total customization
✅ One-time payment — no subscriptions, no limits
✅ Modern UI with mobile PWA support

chatnet featured

Perfect For

✅ Gaming communities and clans
✅ Educational platforms and virtual classrooms
✅ Business teams and internal communication
✅ Support systems and customer communities
✅ Niche hobby or interest-based groups
✅ Developers building custom chat ecosystems
✅ Privacy-focused or GDPR-compliant projects

Follow us on Twitter: @oncodestech
Share Your Ideas: Help shape ChatNet’s future at https://chat-net.canny.io/

Online Live Demo
Documentation
System Requirements

chatnet mockup 2

✨ Discord-Like Modern Interface (NEW in v2.x)

ChatNet v2.0 introduces a complete architectural transformation with a Discord-inspired layout:

Unlimited Rooms – Create separate communities (like Discord servers) for different topics or groups
Organized Channels – Each room contains multiple channels organized in collapsible categories
Three Channel Types:
- Text Channels – Standard group chat with all messaging features
- Announcement Channels – Read-only channels for important updates (admins/mods only post)
- Voice Channels – Multi-user audio communication rooms
Channel Categories – Organize channels into logical groups (e.g., “General”, “Gaming”, “Support”)
Modern Sidebar Navigation – Quick access to rooms, channels, and direct messages
Collapsible UI Elements – Show/hide sidebars for focused chatting experience

chatnet video calls mockup

☝ Voice & Video Communication

Take conversations beyond text with crystal-clear voice and video communication:

Voice Channels – Create drop-in audio rooms where users can chat hands-free while browsing or multitasking
1-on-1 Video Calls – Enable face-to-face conversations for personal support, interviews, or meetings
Professional Quality – Powered by Agora RTC for reliable, high-quality audio and video
Complete Call Controls – Mute audio, disable video, switch cameras with easy-to-use controls
Voice Activity Indicators – See who’s talking in real-time with visual indicators
Call History Tracking – Keep records of incoming, outgoing, and missed calls

chatnet mockup 3

✍ Advanced Messaging System

Support for 10 different message types with rich formatting:

Text Messages – Markdown formatting (bold, italic, strikethrough, code blocks, quotes)
Images – Drag-and-drop upload with automatic optimization and gallery view
GIFs – Integrated GIF library with search (powered by Tenor)
Stickers – Custom sticker packs (upload your own)
Files – Share PDFs, documents, archives (DOC, XLS, ZIP, etc.)
Audio Messages – Voice recording with playback controls
Link Previews – Automatic rich previews with thumbnails
Code Snippets – Syntax-highlighted code blocks with copy button
Message Editing – Edit sent messages (shows “edited” label)
Message Forwarding – Share messages to other channels/users

✨ Emojis, Stickers & GIFs – Express Yourself

Native Emoji System (NEW in v2.0) – Complete emoji overhaul with modern Unicode support:

2000+ Native Unicode Emojis – Cross-platform emoji support with device-native rendering
Modern Emoji Picker – Beautiful emoji selector with categories and search
Custom Server Emojis – Upload custom emojis for your rooms (64×64px)
Emoji Reactions – React to messages with any emoji (Facebook-style)
Emoji Autocomplete – Type : to trigger emoji picker while typing

Custom Sticker Packs – Add personality with custom stickers:

Create Custom Sticker Packs – Upload your own sticker collections for unique expressions
Easy Management – Add, organize, and manage sticker packs from admin dashboard
Unlimited Creativity – Brand your community with custom stickers
User Engagement – Stickers make conversations more fun and interactive

Integrated GIF Library – Search and share animated GIFs instantly:

Powered by Tenor – Access thousands of trending and searchable GIFs
Instant Search – Find the perfect GIF with keyword search
Trending GIFs – Panel automatically shows popular GIFs
One-Click Sharing – Send GIFs directly in conversations with a single click

✍ Global Private Messaging (NEW in v2.0)

Connect with users privately from anywhere in the platform with our advanced Private Chat Script features:

Direct Messages (DMs) – Start private 1-on-1 conversations without joining specific rooms
Always Accessible – Access your DMs from the global sidebar, no matter which room you’re in
Full Feature Support – Send images, files, GIFs, stickers, voice messages, and make video calls
Read Receipts – Know exactly when your messages are delivered and read
Typing Indicators – See when the other person is composing a reply
Privacy Controls – Block unwanted users, mute noisy conversations, and favorite important contacts
Unread Badges – Never miss important messages with unread notification counts

✨ Advanced Chat Features

Powerful tools to enhance communication and organization:

@Mentions – Get someone’s attention by tagging them, or use @everyone for important announcements
#Hashtags – Create searchable topics and organize discussions around specific subjects
Pinned Messages – Keep important announcements, rules, or resources at the top of channels
Advanced Search – Find any message instantly with filters for users, dates, message types, and channels
Infinite Scroll – Browse years of conversation history with smooth, seamless loading
Media Gallery – Quick access to all recently shared photos, files, and links in one organized view
Message Reactions – Express yourself quickly with emoji reactions (Facebook-style)
Radio Stations / Audio Player – Keep your community engaged with integrated radio stations or playlists that users can listen to while chatting, adding an ambient entertainment layer to conversations

⚡ Powerful Room & Channel Management

✨ Room Features

Unlimited Rooms – Create as many communities as you need
Room Privacy Levels:
- Public – Anyone can find and join, visible in explore section
- Private – Invitation-only, hidden from public directory
- Password Protected – Public but requires password to enter
Room Customization:
- Custom room icons and cover images
- Room categories for organization
- Welcome messages and rules
- Custom background images for chat areas
- Advertisement Spaces – Room-specific ad slots (top/bottom) support HTML or image ads for monetization
Explore Section – Browse and join public rooms without invitation
Room Statistics – Track members, messages, and activity

➕ Monetization Features

Generate revenue from your chat platform:

Advertisement Spaces – Display ads in room-specific slots (top and bottom positions)
HTML & Image Ads – Support for custom HTML code or image-based advertisements
Flexible Placement – Control which rooms display ads and customize ad content per room

✍ Channel Management

Channel Categories – Organize channels into collapsible groups
Channel Permissions – Granular control over who can:
- Send messages and upload files
- Pin messages and manage channels
Private Channels – Restrict visibility to selected users only
Slow Mode – Rate limit messages to prevent spam
Channel Order – Channel reordering (NEW in v2.1)

✍ Complete User Management System

✋ User Roles & Permissions

Four User Roles:
- Admin – Full system access and dashboard control
- Moderator – Content moderation and user management
- Member – Standard registered users
- Guest – Temporary access with configurable limitations
Room-Specific Moderators – Assign moderators to specific rooms

✨ User Features

User Profiles – Avatars, cover images, bios, and personal details
User Status – Available, Busy, Away, Offline indicators
Online/Offline Tracking – Real-time presence system
Block Users – Prevent unwanted communication
Multi-Language Support – Each user can select their preferred language

⛔ Moderation Tools

Kick/Ban Users – Remove disruptive users temporarily or permanently
Report System – Users can flag inappropriate content
IP Logging – Track login attempts and user activity
Profanity Filter – Block or replace inappropriate words
Flood Control – Prevent message spam with rate limiting
Domain Filter – Block specific URLs from being shared

⚓ Powerful Integrations

⛅ Cloud Storage

AWS S3 – Unlimited scalable file storage
MinIO – Self-hosted S3-compatible storage
Benefits:
- Unlimited scalability
- Automatic image resizing and optimization
- CDN integration for global delivery
- Reduced server storage requirements

Facebook OAuth
Google OAuth
Twitter OAuth
LinkedIn OAuth
GitHub OAuth
35+ More via HybridAuth library

❗ Push Notifications

Firebase Cloud Messaging – Real-time browser push notifications
Email Notifications – SMTP support for Gmail, SendGrid, Mailgun, etc.
Configurable Triggers – Choose when to send notifications (mentions, DMs, all messages)

☝ Video Calling

Agora RTC Integration – Professional video calling service

⚓ WordPress & Website Integration

⚓ Seamless WordPress Integration

Connect ChatNet with your WordPress website effortlessly for a unified user experience:

Single Sign-On (SSO) – Users log in through WordPress without separate ChatNet authentication
Unified User Management – WordPress users automatically sync with ChatNet
Easy Setup – Integration introduced in v1.7, documentation included
Seamless Experience – No duplicate registrations or logins required
Role Mapping – WordPress user roles can be mapped to ChatNet roles

⚓ Integrate with Any Website or Application

Not using WordPress? No problem! ChatNet provides flexible API integration:

Single Sign-On Support – Implement SSO from your existing user system
Custom Integration Examples – Documentation includes API integration guides

✨ Use Cases for Integration:

Learning Management Systems – Add chat to educational platforms
E-Commerce Sites – Customer support and community building
Content Websites – Engage readers with live discussions
Gaming Platforms – In-game community chat integration
Business Portals – Internal team communication

✨ Unlimited Customization

✨ Visual Customization (No Coding Required)

Theme Modes:
- Light Theme
- Dark Theme (default)
Layout Options:
- Show/hide sidebars
- Full-width responsive layout
Branding:
- Custom logo (light and dark versions)
- Favicon
- Site name and tagline
- Remove all “ChatNet” branding (white-label)
Custom Pages & Menus:
- Create unlimited custom pages (Rules, FAQ, Resources, Help, Guidelines, etc.)
- Build custom navigation menus for easy site navigation
- Rich text editor for easy content management
- No coding required – manage everything from admin dashboard
- Perfect for documentation, policies, help centers, and more

✍ Multi-Language Support

Built-in Translation Manager – Translate all text from admin panel
RTL Support – Full support for Arabic, Hebrew, and other RTL languages
Language-Specific Google Fonts – Optimal typography for each language
Per-User Language Selection – Each user chooses their preferred language

✍ Developer-Friendly

Well-Commented Code – Easy to understand and modify
Custom CSS Editor – Add your own styles without editing core files
Plugin System – Extend functionality with custom plugins
Comprehensive Documentation – Detailed guides for customization

✍ Comprehensive Admin Dashboard

Manage your entire chat platform from a modern, Bootstrap 5-based admin dashboard with 40+ configuration pages:

Dashboard Home – Statistics, recent activity, quick actions
General Settings – Site configuration, registration, feature toggles
Room Management – Create/edit rooms, categories, permissions
Channel Management – Manage channels, categories, ordering (NEW in v2.1)
User Management – User list, roles, bulk operations
Content Moderation – Review flagged content, delete messages
Appearance – Theme customization, colors, layouts
Translation Manager – Add/edit languages and translations
Email Settings – SMTP configuration, templates
Cloud Storage – S3/MinIO configuration
Social Login – OAuth provider setup
Video Calling – Agora integration
Push Notifications – Firebase push notification setup
Security – IP filtering, 2FA, flood control, profanity filter
Plugins – Plugin management and configuration

✅ Perfect For

⚽ Gaming Communities

Create Discord-like servers for clans, guilds, and gaming groups with voice channels, organized game-specific channels, and real-time Group Chat Room features.

✍ Educational Platforms

Host virtual classrooms with announcement channels for lectures, text channels for discussions, and private messaging for student support.

✋ Business Teams

Organize departments with private rooms, secure communication, and complete data ownership for sensitive business discussions.

Build niche communities around interests, hobbies, or topics with organized channels, media sharing, and user profiles.

✍ Developer Communities

Share code snippets with syntax highlighting, create project-specific channels, and collaborate with file sharing.

⛔ Privacy-Focused Projects

Maintain complete control over your data with self-hosted infrastructure, perfect for GDPR compliance and sensitive communications.

⛔ Security & Compliance

Secure Password Hashing – bcrypt algorithm for password storage
CSRF Protection – All forms protected against cross-site request forgery
Rate Limiting – Prevent API abuse and spam
IP Logging – Track access and login attempts
IP Whitelist/Blacklist – Control who can access your platform
HTTPS/SSL Support – Secure encrypted connections
GDPR Compliant:
- Cookie consent popup
- Privacy policy page
- Terms and conditions page
Data Retention Policies – Automatically delete old messages and files
reCAPTCHA Support – Prevent bot registrations

⚡ Performance Optimized

Automatic Image Optimization – Resize and compress uploaded images
Lazy Loading – Load images only when visible
Efficient Pagination – Infinite scroll with smart loading
Cache Management – Template and query caching
CDN Ready – Integrate with any CDN for global delivery

✅ What’s Included

Full ChatNet source code
Comprehensive HTML documentation
Database schema and migration scripts
Installation wizard
Sample sticker packs
Default avatars and images
.htaccess and nginx config examples
6 months of support
Free lifetime updates

❓ Professional Support

Our dedicated support team is here to help you succeed with ChatNet:

Support – Help Center
Documentation Center – support.oncodes.com
Feature Requests – chat-net.canny.io
Updates on Twitter – @oncodestech

6 months of free support included with your purchase, extended support available.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can I install ChatNet on shared hosting?

Yes. ChatNet runs on most shared hosting providers (GoDaddy, Bluehost, HostGator, Namecheap, etc.) as long as your server supports PHP 8.1+ and MySQL/MariaDB. No Node.js is required.

❓ How easy is the installation?

Very easy. Upload the files, open the installer in your browser, enter your database details, and finish setup in 5–15 minutes. No advanced skills needed.

❓ Do you provide installation help?

Yes. If you need assistance, you can open a ticket at our Help Center and our team will guide you through the setup.

❓ Is this a one-time payment or subscription?

ChatNet is a one-time purchase. You get:

✅ Full source code
✅ Unlimited users & rooms
✅ Free lifetime updates
✅ 6 months of support
✅ No recurring or per-user fees

❓ Can I integrate ChatNet with WordPress?

Yes. ChatNet supports WordPress Single Sign-On (SSO), so your WordPress users can log in without creating a separate account.

❓ Can I integrate ChatNet with my own website or app?

Absolutely. ChatNet includes API endpoints and supports custom Single Sign-On (SSO) for external systems.

❓ How do voice and video calls work?

ChatNet uses Agora RTC for high-quality voice and video. Just add your Agora App ID & Certificate in the admin panel. The free tier is enough for most projects.

❓ Do I fully own my data?

Yes — 100%. ChatNet is self-hosted, so all messages, files, and user data stay on your server. No third-party access, no tracking, fully GDPR-friendly.

❓ Can I customize the design?

Yes. You can customize:

✅ Light & Dark themes
✅ Colors & branding
✅ Logos & layout
✅ Custom CSS
✅ Full source code for deep changes

❓ Will updates delete my data?

No. ChatNet includes a built-in updater that preserves all your data, settings, and customizations. You also receive lifetime free updates.

❓ Regular vs Extended License?

Regular License: Use on one project where users are not charged for access.
Extended License: Required if users pay to access the chat or if you build a paid SaaS platform.

❓ Can I use ChatNet for client projects?

Yes. You can use ChatNet in commercial projects, but each installation/domain requires its own license. White-labeling and rebranding are allowed.

✍ Version History & Changelog

✨ ChatNet Version 2.2 – January 19, 2026

- NEW: Wallet plugin with Stripe and PayPal support to purchase coins
- NEW: Membership plugin with the ability to create membership plans
- NEW: Timebased user kick option per room
- NEW: User chat timeout option per room
- NEW: User badges display in chat messages
- NEW: Badge manager in profile edit
- NEW: Plugin marketplace
- NEW: KLIPY GIF Integration 
- NEW: Option to disable browser dev tools
- NEW: Cloudflare Turnstile captcha support
- NEW: [REQUIRED] Cron runner

- IMPROVEMENT: KLIPY GIF Integration 
- IMPROVEMENT: Typing status functionality
- IMPROVEMENT: Mobile UX enhancements
- IMPROVEMENT: Chat room background customization options

- REMOVED: Tenor GIF API

* Wallet and Membership plugins are available for Extended License users only.
* [REQUIRED] Please setup cron jobs as instructed here - https://support.oncodes.com/hc/articles/1/3/95/setting-up-cron-jobs

✨ ChatNet Version 2.1 – August 12, 2025

<strong>NEW FEATURES:</strong>
- Admin Dashboard upgraded to Bootstrap 5
- Added ability to order Channel Categories
- Added ability to order Channels inside a Category

<strong>IMPROVEMENTS:</strong>
- Cronjob system for automated tasks (see documentation)

<strong>BUG FIXES:</strong>
- Numerous MySQL-related issues resolved
- Translation bug fixed

ChatNet Version 2.0 – July 30, 2025 (MAJOR UPDATE – Breaking Changes)

<strong>NEW FEATURES:</strong>
- ✨ All-new Discord-like layout with modern sidebar navigation
-  Rooms now support animated icons and cover images
-  Channel system inside Rooms with Text, Announcement, and Voice types
-  Room Categories for better organization
-  Channel Categories to organize channels inside each Room
-  Private Channels  restrict visibility to selected users
-  Global Private Messaging  accessible from anywhere
-  Explore Section  browse and join Rooms without invitation
- ✨ Homepage Slider  replaces old static homepage banner/image
-  Native Unicode emoji system with emoji picker (replaces legacy shortcodes)

<strong>BREAKING CHANGES - Removed Features:</strong>
- Old emoji shortcode system (e.g., :tongue-out:) - replaced with Unicode emojis
- Hybrid and Custom theme options - only Light and Dark themes available
- Boxed layout option - now fully responsive layout only
- Legacy homepage customization (static banners) - replaced with slider
- All existing Rooms automatically receive a #general channel with migrated chats

<strong>Note:</strong> This version includes significant architectural changes.
If you rely on removed features, stay on v1.11.

For detailed information about previous versions (1.0 – 1.11), please refer to our complete changelog.

View Complete Changelog (All Versions)

✨ Launch Your Community Today – Own Your Platform, Own Your Data

Stop renting someone else’s platform. Build your own.

With ChatNet, you’re not paying monthly fees to Discord, Slack, or any cloud platform. You’re investing in complete ownership of your communication infrastructure. Your server, your data, your rules forever.

✅ What You Get with Your One-Time Purchase:

Full ChatNet v2.2 Source Code – Complete, unencrypted PHP source code
Unlimited Everything – Unlimited users, unlimited rooms, unlimited channels, unlimited messages
Free Lifetime Updates – Every new feature, every enhancement, every security update – free forever
6 Months Premium Support – Professional technical assistance, installation help, and guidance
Complete Documentation – Detailed guides for installation, customization, and integration
Docker Configuration – Production-ready Docker Compose setup for easy deployment
No Monthly Fees – No per-user charges, no bandwidth fees, no subscription costs
White-Label Rights – Remove all branding and make it completely your own
Commercial License – Use for your business, clients, or commercial projects

✅ Perfect for:

Gaming communities tired of Discord’s limitations
Educational institutions needing privacy and control
Businesses wanting self-hosted team communication
Developers building chat features into their platforms
Privacy-conscious organizations requiring data sovereignty
Anyone building an online community with unique needs

⚡ Compare ChatNet vs Cloud Platforms:

Feature	ChatNet	Cloud Platforms
Pricing	One-time payment	$X/month forever
Data Ownership	100% yours	Theirs
Customization	Unlimited	Limited
User Limits	Unlimited	Pay per user
Privacy	Complete control	They can access
Branding	Your brand	Their brand

Questions Before Purchasing? We’re Here to Help!

Contact us at hello@oncodes.com with any questions about ChatNet, installation, licensing, or custom requirements. We typically respond within 24 hours.

Try Before You Buy: View Live Demo to see ChatNet in action!

ChatNet - AI-Powered Chatroom Script with Private, Group & Video Chat