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Mastodon Alternatives

Mastodon is described as 'Free and Open Source federated social network, made with a focus on more personal interaction' and is a very popular Social Network in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Mastodon for a variety of platforms, including Online / Web-based, Android, iPhone, Self-Hosted solutions and Windows. The best alternative is Diaspora, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Mastodon are Pixelfed, Twitter, Gab and Pleroma.

Mastodon alternatives are mainly Social Networks but may also be Microblogs or Photo Sharing Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Mastodon.
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Mastodon iconMastodon
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  • Online
  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Self-Hosted
  • Cloudron

Mastodon is a Free and Open Source federated social network, made with a focus on more personal interaction.

Learn more about Mastodon
  1. Diaspora icon

    Diaspora

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    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Ruby
    126 alternatives to Diaspora 

    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.

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    Features
    1.  DecentralizedDiaspora is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  Privacy focusedDiaspora is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    3.  No TrackingDiaspora will not track you or use your personal data.
    4.  Ad-freeDiaspora doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    5.  Support for MarkDownDiaspora supports MarkDown for document formatting.
    6.  Support for ActivityPubDiaspora support ActivityPub, a open and decentralized social network protocol.
    Screenshot
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    Diaspora vs Mastodon opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Diaspora is a great alternative to Mastodon.
    JohnFastman

    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.

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    18
  2. Pixelfed icon

    Pixelfed

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    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    125 alternatives to Pixelfed 

    Pixelfed is an image sharing platform with focus on Privacy, Safety and Security, an ethical alternative to centralized platforms like Instagram. Federated, Ad-Free, No algorithms, No 3rd party analytics or tracking. Can run on your own server.

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    Features
    1.  DecentralizedPixelfed is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  Privacy focusedPixelfed is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    3.  Support for ActivityPubPixelfed support ActivityPub, a open and decentralized social network protocol.
    4.  Ad-freePixelfed doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    Screenshot
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    Pixelfed vs Mastodon opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    Guest

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

    Negative comment• ago
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    0
  4. Twitter icon

    Twitter

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    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Blackberry 10
    • Kindle Fire
    152 alternatives to Twitter 

    Twitter is an online social networking service that enables users to send and read short 280-character messages called "tweets".

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    Features
    1.  IFTTT IntegrationYou can connect different services to automatically trigger actions within Twitter using IFTTT.
    2.  Two-factor AuthenticationTwitter supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
    3.  Dark ModeTwitter supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    4.  Support for @mentionsTwitter supports the use of mentions through @ to a particular user, who will be notified personally.
    Twitter start page
    Twitter Home
    Twitter Profile
    Twitter vs Mastodon opinions
    This alternative is disputed. Twitter is still a legitimate alternative to Mastodon, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
    RemovedUser

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

    Negative comment• ago
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    15
  5. Gab icon

    Gab

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    • Online
    • Android
    136 alternatives to Gab 

    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.

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    Features
    1.  Ad-freeGab doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    2.  Privacy focusedGab is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    3.  DecentralizedGab is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    4.  No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Gab without registration.
    5.  Dark ModeGab supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    Warning

    Gab is less moderated compared to other social networks and could be offensive to some people

    Screenshot
    Screenshot
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    Gab vs Mastodon opinions
    Some users think Gab is a great alternative to Mastodon, some don't.
    Kedman

    Gab is godless compare to other social network

    Positive comment• ago
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    Guest

    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.

    Positive comment• ago
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    -1
  6. Pleroma icon

    Pleroma

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    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    29 alternatives to Pleroma 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Support for ActivityPubPleroma support ActivityPub, a open and decentralized social network protocol.
    2.  DecentralizedPleroma is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    3.  LightweightPleroma consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    4.  Privacy focusedPleroma is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    5.  No TrackingPleroma will not track you or use your personal data.
    6.  Ad-freePleroma doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    Screenshot
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    Pleroma vs Mastodon opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Pleroma is a great alternative to Mastodon.
    Guest

    It supports other open source alternatives to Mastodon such as OStatus

    Positive comment• ago
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    0
  8. Minds icon

    Minds

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    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    139 alternatives to Minds 

    We are a free and open-source platform to launch your digital brand, social network and mobile app. We are also a social network ourselves. It is a global social network of social networks. Available in either decentralized or centralized options.

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    Features
    1.  DecentralizedMinds is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  Privacy focusedMinds is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    3.  GamificationMinds makes use of game-design elements such as point scoring, competition, achievements, etc.
    Minds.com homepage
    Channel. Also known as profile.
    Ad-Sharing and monetizing options
    Minds vs Mastodon opinions
    Most users think Minds is a great alternative to Mastodon.
    Guest

    Due to educational gamification of its networks and applications.

    Positive comment• ago
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    AnisBarghouthi

    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.

    Positive comment• ago
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    0
  9. Nitter icon

    Nitter

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    • Online
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    • Android
    • F-Droid
    102 alternatives to Nitter 

    Nitter is a free and open-source front-end mirror of Twitter, which allows you to consult Twitter, with a focus on privacy.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  LightweightNitter consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    2.  No TrackingNitter will not track you or use your personal data.
    3.  Ad-freeNitter doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    4.  Dark ModeNitter supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    Screenshot
    Nitter vs Mastodon opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    Guest

    If you can't leave Twitter but still want to use it without an account, browse Twitter through Nitter!

    Positive comment• ago
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    0
  10. Tumblr icon

    Tumblr

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    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    111 alternatives to Tumblr 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  IFTTT IntegrationYou can connect different services to automatically trigger actions within Tumblr using IFTTT.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Tumblr vs Mastodon opinions
    This alternative is disputed. Tumblr is still a legitimate alternative to Mastodon, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
  11. Friendica icon

    Friendica

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    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • PHP
    122 alternatives to Friendica 

    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'.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedFriendica is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  Privacy focusedFriendica is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    3.  Support for ActivityPubFriendica support ActivityPub, a open and decentralized social network protocol.
    Logo
    Timeline of the user meeting forum. Duepunto Zero theme.
  12. GNU social icon

    GNU social

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    • Self-Hosted
    91 alternatives to GNU social 

    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.

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    Features
    1.  DecentralizedGNU social is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  Ad-freeGNU social doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    3.  End-to-End EncryptionGNU social has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    4.  Privacy focusedGNU social is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    Screenshot of a GNU social website with Swedish localization. Source Wikipedia / FSF
    Screenshot
    GNU social vs Mastodon opinions
    Most users think GNU social is a great alternative to Mastodon.
    Guest

    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.

    Positive comment• ago
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Showing 10 of 108 alternatives
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