I have spent the fair portion of the night searching for two Eqd alternatives that existed cira 2013 or 14. One was called, if I remember it right, Discord Daily. It was a group of people who formed there own hangout from Equestria Daily after EqD became more restrictive in comment threads being on topic (or something like that, almost 4 years since I've visited there at least.) And it was a focus of the site. The site did however sometimes report on news and feature fanfiction on its own. I used to visit there fairly often but just got out of habit, though I only usually lurked and only commented once or twice. I think the site was hosted on blogspot but I have no memories of the address, or whether if they had there own full domain. I just know that that searching for discord post the rise of the app anywhere is hasn't been easy.

The other is a website that was Canterlot themed and was trying to a better EqD on a more restrictive end of the spectrum. Only checked it a few times long ago (2013?) only brightside for this one is that I at least remember it being linked on fimfiction a couple of times so a link should be still be there, I just have to dig. I would be surprised if either is active (and maybe not even online) but just mentioning it on the off chance one of y'all ever knew of either of them.

On a happier note. I was surprised to see the once dead and completely offline equestria gaming has apperently been brought back. (Even if there is not too much going on). This is a site a visited a lot 2012 2014 era also and it brings a little nostalgia to me to see it alive. Since I haven't visited it in years.
http://www.equestriagaming.net/