Mastodon Alternatives

Mastodon is described as 'Federated and open-source social network with no ads, 500-character limit, custom emojis, and content warnings, emphasizing privacy and personal interaction' and is a leading Social Network in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Mastodon for a variety of platforms, including Web-based, Android, iPhone, Self-Hosted and iPad apps. The best Mastodon alternative is diaspora*, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Mastodon are Pleroma, Pixelfed, Bluesky and X.

filter to find the best alternatives

Mastodon alternatives are mainly Social Networks, but if you're looking for Microblogs or Photo Sharing Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Mastodon.
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Alternatives list

  1. VK icon

    VK

     166 likes

    VK (originally VKontakte) is a largest social network service from Europe. Available in many languages and highly popular particularly among Russian-speaking users around the world, especially in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Belarus, and Israel.

    96 VK alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Kindle Fire
    VK screenshot 1
    VK screenshot 2
    VK screenshot 3
     
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    1
    Comments about VK as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Negative
    0

    This is essentially just another facebook

    Mastodon Icon
    VK icon

    • This alternative is disputed. VK is a legitimate Mastodon alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • VK is Free and ProprietaryMastodon is Free and Open Source
  2. nostr icon

    nostr

     19 likes

    The simplest open protocol that is able to create a censorship-resistant global "social" network once and for all.

    43 nostr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    Comments about nostr as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Positive
    0

    This is more of a "neutral" alternative, since nostr is a complete alternative to the fediverse as a whole. You can microblog in it and configure a bridge with mastodon servers.

    Mastodon Icon
    nostr icon
    • nostr is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  4. GoToSocial icon

    GoToSocial

     11 likes

    GoToSocial is an ActivityPub social network server, written in Golang.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Kubernetes
    • YunoHost
    a screenshot of the GoToSocial web interface
     
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    2
    Comments about GoToSocial as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Positive
    1

    This only offers the backend, you'll need something like Elk for people to be able to access via web browsers

    remram44
    Positive
    0

    Light-weight, easy to install

    Mastodon Icon
    GoToSocial icon

    • GoToSocial is the most popular Mac & Linux alternative to Mastodon.

    • GoToSocial is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Minds icon
    Minds

    An open-source platform for decentralized social networking. Users can monetize posts through ads or monthly support, engaging in various features such as Blogs, Videos, and secure private chats. Minds supports free speech and fa...

    https://www.minds.com
    Learn More
  6. Mbin icon

    Mbin

     12 likes

    Mbin: a federated content aggregator, voting, discussion and microblogging platform (By the community, for the community).

    40 Mbin alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Mbin screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Mbin as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Positive
    0

    It integrates with mastodon and lemmy as well, which makes it a good 2-in-1

    Mastodon Icon
    Mbin icon
    • Mbin is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  7. Sharkey icon

    Sharkey

     7 likes

    Sharkey is a Misskey fork following upstream changes when possible, with added features. Like any other ActivityPub software Sharkey can interface with the thousands of servers that form the fediverse, an interconnected social network, working in tandem with software such as...

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Sharkey screenshot 1
     
  8. Solcial icon

    Solcial

     56 likes

    Solcial is a decentralised social network built for privacy and freedom of speech. It give users the ability to interact with each other without fear of censorship and to allow content creators to monetize their work fairly at market value.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    Solcial screenshot 1
    Solcial screenshot 2
    Solcial screenshot 3
     
  10. Akkoma icon

    Akkoma

     9 likes

    This is a fork of Pleroma, which is a microblogging server software that can federate (= exchange messages with) other servers that support ActivityPub. What that means is that you can host a server for yourself or your friends and stay in control of your online identity, but...

    50 Akkoma alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Akkoma screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Akkoma as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Positive
    0

    Being a fork of Pleroma, this also works as a microblog like Twitter or BlueSky and can federate with any Mastodon server.

    Mastodon Icon
    Akkoma icon
    • Akkoma is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  11. Elk.zone icon

    Elk.zone

     17 likes

    A nimble Mastodon web client.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Elk.zone screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Elk.zone as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Negative
    0

    This only offers a web page alternative to mastodon, the server needs to have mastodon or something else running on the backend

    Mastodon Icon
    Elk.zone icon
    • Elk.zone is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  12. Manyverse icon

    Manyverse

     17 likes

    Manyverse is a social network app using the SSB protocol (Secure Scuttlebutt) where you can write posts and share with friends nearby or over the internet. It's different from mainstream social networks because your data is yours, it lives on your phone, not in the cloud.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • F-Droid
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Manyverse screenshot 1
    Manyverse screenshot 2
    Manyverse screenshot 3
     
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    1
    Comments about Manyverse as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Tired Rabbit
    Positive
    0

    Different take on decentralisation for social networks.

    Fediverse (Mastodon and other ActivityPub compatible software) is a lot more practical, but Manyverse has interesting idea, and can be used as a fun little novelty for groups that already gather in person, also brings nostalgia about old local networks/bluetooth sharing

    Mastodon Icon
    Manyverse icon
    • Manyverse is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  13. Gridsky icon

    Gridsky

     7 likes

    Gridsky brings the visual charm of Instagram to Bluesky, offering a delightful client with a grid-based interface and easy scrolling. Focused on photo content, Gridsky creates a minimal, immersive experience with innovative ways to interact with feeds and profiles. Accessible online for seamless photo sharing.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Gridsky screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Gridsky as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Negative
    0

    Gridsky is an alternative frontend for Bluesky only

    Mastodon Icon
    Gridsky icon
    • Gridsky is Free and ProprietaryMastodon is Free and Open Source
  14. SpaceHey icon

    SpaceHey

     12 likes

    SpaceHey is a friendly online community for you and your friends that lets you communicate with each other, share content and discover new content and people.

    94 SpaceHey alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    SpaceHey screenshot 1
     
  15. Soapbox.pub icon

    Soapbox.pub

     10 likes

    Soapbox is customizable open-source software that puts the power of social media in the hands of the people. Feature-rich and hyper-focused on providing a user experience to rival Big Tech, Soapbox is already home to some of the biggest alternative social platforms on the...

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Screenshot of Soapbox home feed.
     
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