Over the past couple of years, I’ve been lucky to be part of some incredible dev communities and even more lucky to help build one myself. Running the TPG Chennai community has been one of the most eye-opening, rewarding, chaotic (in the best way) experiences of my journey in tech.
And along the way, I’ve learned one thing: where you build your community matters.
There’s no shortage of advice online about “where to build your community.” But when you’re in it, actually running meetups, debugging someone’s integration at midnight, answering the same question five times in two places—you get real clear on what works.
1. Discord → Still the Dev Hub (for a Reason)
For technical communities, Discord isn’t just alive—it’s the default.
- Most DAOs and open-source projects run entirely on Discord
- Dev-focused tools now offer support channels only via Discord
- Bots, integrations, role-based flows—everything’s customizable
If you’re running a long-term dev community, this is where it lives. But structure is critical—without it, it becomes unreadable fast.
Use it for:
- Dedicated support threads
- Office hours or AMAs
- Community governance (yes, roles and polls are still a thing)
The catch? It takes work. Without structure and regular nudges, it becomes radio silence.
2. Telegram → Fast, Global, Dev-Centric
Telegram is the best place for fast, informal dev support—especially in Web3.
- Most L2s, wallets, and DeFi protocols use Telegram as their primary support channel
- Devs can just drop a message, get help, move on
Why I keep it in the stack:
- Global devs prefer it
- Low barrier for onboarding new contributors
The only downside? Threads don’t exist, so you’ll need a pinned FAQ and clear group rules.
3. WhatsApp → For Local Circles That Actually Show Up
It’s not built for dev communities, but it works ridiculously well for local ones.
For city-based or campus-based communities, WhatsApp is the go-to platform.
For small circles, volunteers, speaker groups, recurring attendees—it’s:
- Easy to set up
- Familiar to everyone
- Great for nudging people into action without “managing” them
Don’t overthink it. If you’re working with folks who live in WhatsApp all day, meet them there.
4. Twitter (X) → The Web3 Holygrail
If you’re anywhere near Web3, Twitter isn’t optional—it’s the main stage.
- Devs share experiments, testnet drops, and open PRs in real time
- Core contributors live-thread updates before they hit docs
- Ecosystem vibes? Entirely shaped here
It’s not where you manage a community—but it’s 100% where you grow one, connect with other builders, and stay on top of what’s shipping today.
If you’re quiet on Twitter, you’re basically invisible in Web3.
TL;DR — My 2025 Dev Community Stack (What’s Worth Using)
- Discord → Dev HQ. Structured convos, support threads, bots, DAO workflows. Still the home base.
- Telegram → Real-time support. Especially for Web3 — fast, global, low-friction.
- WhatsApp → Local loop. Perfect for city-based or campus groups that actually show up.
- Twitter (X) → The Web3 command center. Devs live here. Post, engage, ship in public.