Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? Email [email protected].
What is BROARchat?
A self-hosted alternative to Discord. You run the server on your own PC, home server or VPS, and your members get text channels, DMs, voice rooms, video, screen share and more, in a browser or the Windows desktop app. Messages, files and voice stay on your hardware.
Is it really free?
Yes. The Community tier is free forever for up to 5 users and 5 Spaces, with text chat, DMs, voice, video and screen share. You don't need a license key or a credit card.
What do the paid tiers add?
Every paid tier (Gamer, Pro, Business) unlocks the soundboard, music bot, custom emoji, GIF search, voice changer, spatial 3D audio, animated avatars and the in-game overlay. The tiers differ in size, not features: Gamer covers 25 users and 20 Spaces, Pro covers 100 users and 50 Spaces, and Business covers 500 users, unlimited Spaces and up to 3 servers. See the full tier table.
Do I pay per user?
No. A license is priced per server, as a flat monthly subscription through PayPal. You can cancel any time from My Account.
What happens if my subscription ends?
Your server keeps running, with the same data and members. It drops back to Community mode, so the paid extras switch off and the Community limits apply again. Resubscribe or enter a new key and they come straight back.
Does BROARchat work on Mac, Linux, iPhone or Android?
Members can join from any modern browser on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, and on a phone they can add it to the home screen as an app. The desktop app is Windows-only, and there are no native macOS, iOS or Android apps yet.
The server runs on Windows (native installer) or Linux (Docker). Running the server on macOS isn't supported.
I moved, renamed or rebuilt my server, and now the license says all slots are used.
A renamed or reinstalled machine looks like a new server. Sign in at broarchat.com/account, Release the old server under your license, then enter the key on the new one. Step-by-step guide.
Does it need the internet?
The server runs entirely on your own network. Community mode needs no license check. Paid tiers check in with license.broarchat.com to activate and validate the key. For members outside your network, you'll need to forward ports (see Ports).
What data does broarchat.com see?
Only what's needed to sell and validate licenses: your account email, PayPal subscription details and, for each activated server, the license key, a machine identifier, the server's hostname and check-in times. Your community's messages, files and voice never touch our servers. Read the privacy policy.
Is it end-to-end encrypted?
No. Traffic is encrypted in transit when you use HTTPS (and WebRTC media is always encrypted), and the server, including the database, is yours. Anyone with admin access to that machine can read its data, just as with any self-hosted chat server.
Why does Windows warn me when I run the installer?
Our installers aren't code-signed yet, so SmartScreen shows "Windows protected your PC". Click More info → Run anyway. To confirm the file is genuine, compare its SHA-256 with the one on the download page.
How do I upgrade?
Back up, then run the new installer (Windows) or unpack the new package and re-run setup.sh (Linux). Your data is kept. On Windows, finish the wizard that opens afterwards, because it restarts the services. Details.
Can I get a refund?
See our refund policy, or email [email protected].
Is BROARdeck part of BROARchat?
No. BROARdeck is a separate product from the same team: a do-it-yourself Wi-Fi stream deck built on an ESP32 touchscreen, with a Windows companion app.
Ready to try it?
Free for up to 5 users. Install it in a few minutes on Windows or Linux.