The Best Mastodon AlternativesTop Social Networks & Microblogs like Mastodon

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.

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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. diaspora* icon

    diaspora*

     442 likes
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    Diaspora is a federated social networking service, designed to be a more privacy-aware alternative to Facebook . Share what you want, with whom you want.

    124 diaspora* alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Ruby
    diaspora* screenshot 1
     
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    37
    Comments about diaspora* as an Alternative to Mastodon
    John Fastman
    Positive
    20

    Diaspora is more like a Facebook alternative; Mastodon is a Twitter alternative. Both are open-source and non-profit and aren't based on exploiting people's privacy for money-making/selling you out to adverisers or passing on everything about you (contacts, opinions, likes, location, interests...) to government authorities. Facebook does do this.

    social-remodeler
    Negative
    0

    Mastodon is a X-like microblogging Server and App, whereas Diaspora is a Facebook-like macroblogging Server and App.

    Mastodon Icon
    diaspora* icon

    • Almost everyone thinks diaspora* is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • diaspora* is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Mastodon.

    • diaspora* is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Mastodon.

    • diaspora* is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  2. Pleroma icon

    Pleroma

     67 likes
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    Pleroma is a free, federated social networking server built on open protocols. It is compatible with GNU Social, Mastodon, and many other ActivityPub and OStatus implementations.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Pleroma screenshot 1
     
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    39
    Comments about Pleroma as an Alternative to Mastodon
    social-remodeler
    Positive
    0

    Mastodon and Pleroma are both microblogging Server and Apps, so task and purpose is the same on the Fediverse.

    Any fediverse software is more additional than comparable to Mastodon, so Pleroma is the currently the only alternative to Mastodon.

    You should compare both as you don't need both at the same time.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It supports other open source alternatives to Mastodon such as OStatus

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Mastodon Icon
    Pleroma icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Pleroma is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • Pleroma is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  4. Pixelfed icon

    Pixelfed

     266 likes
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    Pixelfed is an image sharing platform with focus on Privacy, Safety and Security, an ethical alternative to centralized platforms like Instagram.

    130 Pixelfed alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Pixelfed screenshot 1
     
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    12
    Comments about Pixelfed as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Kelson V
    Positive
    0

    If Mastodon is like Twitter, Pux3lfed is like Instagram. Depending on how you want to use your social media, they can be complementary

    social-remodeler
    Negative
    2

    Pixelfed is a good combination and addition to Mastodon as both have different purposes.

    Pixelfed replaces Instagram and Tumblr in the fediverse.

    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Pixelfed is an alternative to Tumblr or Instagram, not to a microblogging platform like Mastodon

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Mastodon Icon
    Pixelfed icon

    • Most users think Pixelfed is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • Pixelfed is the most popular Android, iPhone & iPad alternative to Mastodon.

    • Pixelfed is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
    • Pixelfed is Security-focusedMastodon is not according to our users
  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. Bluesky icon

    Bluesky

     97 likes
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    An open social network that gives creators independence from platforms, developers the freedom to build, and users a choice in their experience.

    73 Bluesky alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Bluesky screenshot 1
     
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    6
    Comments about Bluesky as an Alternative to Mastodon
    R C
    Positive
    1

    Lot of big name power users and a massive community make Blue Sky good. Blue Sky has a lot of really cool features like "Feed" and "Labels" that will only continue to grow.

    hfVgd_
    Negative
    2

    While both are open source and decentralized, Bluesky promotes algorithmic timelines and is currently only compatible with the Bluesky website and client apps.

    Mastodon instances are decentralized, allowing communication between multiple social networking services which are part of the Fediverse.

    Mastodon Icon
    Bluesky icon

    • Most users think Bluesky is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • Bluesky is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  7. X icon

    X

     1098 likes
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    Experience global interaction with public conversations, real-time news updates, live audio Spaces, streaming video, exclusive content monetization, and niche Communities.

    79 X alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Kindle Fire
    X start page
     
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    9
    Comments about X as an Alternative to Mastodon
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    21

    Twitter is a centralized, propertiary service, while Mastodon is free software

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Mano
    Negative
    0

    Ever since it was bought by Elon Musk, twitter has been his playground. Bots run rampant, moderation is whatever he wants it to be.

    Mastodon's federation ensures you can always migrate to a different instance if a similar situation happens. Not only that, you can use Misskey, Pleroma or GotoSocial instances too

    hfVgd_
    Negative
    2

    Not decentralized, AI terms of service have been added since Musk bought the company

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    3 of 4 comments
    Mastodon Icon
    X icon

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

    • X is the most popular Windows & Android Tablet alternative to Mastodon.

    • X is Freemium and ProprietaryMastodon is Free and Open Source
    • X is MinimalisticMastodon is not according to our users
  8. Tumblr icon

    Tumblr

     463 likes
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    Tumblr is a place to express yourself, discover yourself, and bond over the stuff you love. It's where your interests connect you with your people.

    111 Tumblr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Tumblr screenshot 1
    Tumblr screenshot 2
    Tumblr screenshot 3
     
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    7
    Comments about Tumblr as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Negative
    1

    Proprietary microblogging platform, currently owned by Automattic. You can't run your own server and all you post on tumblr stays there.

    Notable for doing a NSFW content purge in 2018, being sold for 3 million USD in 2019 and still not being profitable to the current owner, who claims it drains 30 million dollars per year.

    Mastodon Icon
    Tumblr icon

    • Some users think Tumblr is a great Mastodon alternative, some don't.

    • Tumblr is Free and ProprietaryMastodon is Free and Open Source
  10. Friendica icon

    Friendica

     141 likes
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    Friendica is a distributed social network application. Which allow users to connect with others via their own Friendica server, but may also fully integrate contacts from other platforms including Twitter, diaspora*, Pump.io and StatusNet into their 'newsfeed'.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • PHP
    • Online
    • Docker
    Logo
     
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  11. Minds icon

    Minds

     328 likes
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    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 facilitates sharing across networks and exploring global trends.

    128 Minds alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Minds screenshot 1
     
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    14
    Comments about Minds as an Alternative to Mastodon
    AnisBarghouthi
    Positive
    0

    Minds is a blockchain-based mix of social-media and micro-blogging site and recently it added a Matrix client (a fork of Element) with E2E encryption.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Due to educational gamification of its networks and applications.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Mastodon Icon
    Minds icon

    • Most users think Minds is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • Minds is Freemium and Open SourceMastodon is Free and Open Source
    • Minds is Security-focusedMastodon is not according to our users
  12. GNU social icon

    GNU social

     98 likes
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    GNU social is a continuation of the StatusNet project. It is social communication software for both public and private communications. It is widely supported and has a large userbase.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    Screenshot of a GNU social website with Swedish localization. Source Wikipedia / FSF
     
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    20
    Comments about GNU social as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is not reliant on google analytics for its android applications (I found this out using Exodus Privacy) and is more reliably maintained as a result.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Mastodon Icon
    GNU social icon

    • Almost everyone thinks GNU social is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • GNU social is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
  13. Gab icon

    Gab

     256 likes
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    Gab Social is an open source and fully decentralized social network powered by the Gab Platform. It is the new social network of Gab.com. This change was made to further Gab's commitment to its users trust and privacy online.

    120 Gab alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Warning

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    Gab screenshot 1
     
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    21
    Comments about Gab as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Kedman
    Positive
    1

    Gab is godless compare to other social network

    social-remodeler
    Negative
    1

    As long as Gab is a freemium product it is no alternative to Mastodon which is a free and open source Server and App.

    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Gab can connect to the rest of the Mastodon network anyway! It's like Twitter but even easier to use and user-friendly. You don't need an account to look at stuff. And of course, free speech.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Mastodon Icon
    Gab icon

    • Some users think Gab is a great Mastodon alternative, some don't.

    • Gab is Freemium and Open SourceMastodon is Free and Open Source
  14. Misskey icon

    Misskey

     30 likes
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    A forever evolving, sophisticated microblogging platform.

    52 Misskey alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Timeline in Home mode
     
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    11
    Comments about Misskey as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Positive
    1

    This is one of the better alternatives to Mastodon if you intend to have a personal or public server. Visitors can easily check the instances a server is federating with. It has a better looking web interface, though on big servers, that can grind your browser to halt for a number of seconds.

    It also allows users to react to posts with custom emojis

    Mastodon Icon
    Misskey icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Misskey is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • Misskey is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
    • Misskey is CustomizableMastodon is not according to our users
  15. Phanpy icon

    Phanpy

     20 likes
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    A minimalistic opinionated Mastodon web client.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Phanpy screenshot 1
     
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    Comments about Phanpy as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Kelson V
    Positive
    0

    Phanpy is an alternative to the Mastodon app, not to the network or server software. It runs well on both desktop and mobile, and has some really helpful features like a catch-up mode and clustering boosts together to emphasize what people are actually posting themselves.

    Mastodon Icon
    Phanpy icon
    • Phanpy is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
12 of 131 Mastodon alternatives