Many DeFi teams are exploring alternatives to Discord, but here's what we've learned from months of managing this transition: certain user groups genuinely prefer Discord over other platforms. The critical insight? When you eliminate Discord, these users don't switch to your alternative channels—they simply go silent. Instead of sharing feedback, concerns, or updates through new communication tools, they just disengage entirely. This creates a feedback void that impacts your project's ability to iterate and respond to community needs. The practical takeaway: completely ditching Discord might seem like optimization, but it risks losing a significant portion of your active user base. A hybrid approach often works better, maintaining Discord alongside emerging platforms rather than treating it as an either-or decision.