Articles on: Bots & Applications

discord.js or discord.py: which one to choose

Why the choice matters (and why it doesn't matter that much)


discord.js and discord.py are the two most-used libraries to build Discord bots. Both are mature, free, and capable of doing practically anything. The main difference is the language: discord.js uses JavaScript/Node.js and discord.py uses Python. The good news is you get a great bot with either one — and both run on Square Cloud.


discord.js (JavaScript / Node.js)


Pros:


  • Huge Node.js (npm) ecosystem, with packages for everything.
  • Great performance for large, asynchronous bots.
  • Enormous documentation and community.
  • Ideal if you already work with web or JavaScript.


Cons:


  • The asynchronous nature (async/await, Promises) can confuse beginners.
  • Changes between major versions require code adjustments.


discord.py (Python)


Pros:


  • Clean, easy-to-read syntax — excellent for those starting to program.
  • Widely used in automation and data projects.
  • Good documentation and an active community.


Cons:


  • The bot package ecosystem is a bit smaller than Node's.
  • For very high scale, it requires more attention to performance.


Quick comparison


  • Language: discord.js uses JavaScript; discord.py uses Python.
  • Learning curve: discord.py tends to be gentler for beginners; discord.js is natural for those who already know JS.
  • Performance at scale: both scale well, with a slight edge to discord.js for very large bots.
  • Community: both huge, with discord.js ahead in number of packages.


Which one to choose?


  • Just starting to program? discord.py is usually friendlier.
  • Already work with JavaScript or web? discord.js will feel natural.
  • Want the largest possible ecosystem? discord.js has the edge.


There's no wrong choice: go with the language you feel most comfortable with and get started.


Both run on Square Cloud


Regardless of your choice, Square Cloud natively hosts bots in Node.js and Python. When your bot is ready, see How to create a Discord bot from scratch and then How to host a Discord bot to put it online 24/7.


Updated on: 06/13/2026

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