Discord bot in Python or JavaScript? A beginner's choice (2026)

Updated 4 November 2026

For a first Discord bot, pick the language you already know a little; if you know neither, Python with discord.py is usually the gentler start because the code reads almost like English. Choose JavaScript with discord.js if you want to do web development later or need the biggest pile of examples. Both are free, mature and run 24/7 on a 512 MB bot plan.

Versions were checked on 29 October 2026 on PyPI and npm: discord.py 2.7.1 (needs Python 3.8 or newer) and discord.js 14.27.0 (needs Node.js 18 or newer).

The short comparison

Same bot, both languages

A /ping command, so you can see the difference in style.

Python (discord.py):

import os, discord
from discord import app_commands

client = discord.Client(intents=discord.Intents.default())
tree = app_commands.CommandTree(client)

@tree.command(description="Check if the bot is alive")
async def ping(interaction: discord.Interaction):
    await interaction.response.send_message("Pong!")

@client.event
async def on_ready():
    await tree.sync()

client.run(os.getenv("DISCORD_TOKEN"))

JavaScript (discord.js):

require("dotenv").config();
const { Client, Events, GatewayIntentBits, SlashCommandBuilder } = require("discord.js");

const client = new Client({ intents: [GatewayIntentBits.Guilds] });
const ping = new SlashCommandBuilder().setName("ping").setDescription("Check if the bot is alive");

client.once(Events.ClientReady, (c) => c.application.commands.set([ping]));
client.on(Events.InteractionCreate, (i) => {
  if (i.isChatInputCommand() && i.commandName === "ping") i.reply("Pong!");
});

client.login(process.env.DISCORD_TOKEN);

Both are short. In bigger bots, discord.js projects usually split commands into one file each and register them with a separate script, while discord.py uses "cogs" to group commands.

How to choose

• You know some Python from school or a course: Python. Start with Make a Discord bot in Python.
• You've built a website or know JavaScript: discord.js. Start with Make a Discord bot with JavaScript.
• You want to use AI or data libraries (for example to summarise or analyse): Python has more of them.
• You want a web dashboard for your bot later: JavaScript lets you use one language for both.
• You found a tutorial or open-source bot you like: use its language. Copying a working example beats picking the "best" language.

Other libraries exist too, such as nextcord and py-cord for Python, and they run on the same hosting.

What doesn't matter much

• Speed. A Discord bot spends almost all its time waiting for Discord. For a bot in a few servers, you won't notice a difference.
• Price. Node.js and Python bot hosting cost the same at ServerSpark: €0.69 per month paid per quarter, €0.79 with monthly billing, 512 MB RAM. Bots in very many servers or doing image work: 1 GB for €1.49 / €1.79. Music bots with many voice connections or AI bots with big caches: 2 GB for €2.09 / €2.29.
• Switching later. Your bot's Discord application and token stay the same; only the code changes. Each plan runs one bot, so order the plan that matches the language.

Next steps

Once it works on your PC, put it online 24/7: see Run your Discord bot 24/7. Keep your token out of your code; see Discord bot token leaked?. Want storage and buttons? Discord bot with a database and buttons. Plans: Discord bot hosting.

Frequently asked questions