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, Self-Hosted, Android, iPhone and Windows apps. The best Mastodon alternative is diaspora*, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Mastodon are Pleroma, Pixelfed, Bluesky and Gab.

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Mastodon alternatives are mainly Social Networks but may also be Microblogs or Mastodon Clients.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Mastodon.
Mastodon iconMastodon
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Federated and open-source social network with no ads, 500-character limit, custom emojis, and content warnings, emphasizing privacy and personal interaction.

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Mastodon alternatives page was last updated Jan 18, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. diaspora* icon

    diaspora*

     435 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.

    123 diaspora* alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Ruby
    diaspora* screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Federated
    3.  Encrypted Connection
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Distributed
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Fediverse
    8. ActivityPub icon  Support for ActivityPub
    9.  Self-hosted
    10.  Support for MarkDown

    diaspora* VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about diaspora* as an Alternative to Mastodon
    John Fastman
    Positive •Apr 16, 2017
    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 •Oct 2, 2024
    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
    • diaspora* is Privacy focusedMastodon is not according to our users
  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.

    55 Pleroma alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Pleroma screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Fediverse
    2.  Decentralized
    3. ActivityPub icon  Support for ActivityPub
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Distributed
    9.  Emoji reactions
    10.  Support for @mentions
    11.  Multiple Account support

    Pleroma VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about Pleroma as an Alternative to Mastodon
    social-remodeler
    Positive •Oct 2, 2024
    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 •Jan 10, 2023
    0

    It supports other open source alternatives to Mastodon such as OStatus

    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
    • Pleroma is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMastodon is not according to our users
  4. Pixelfed icon

    Pixelfed

     246 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.

    131 Pixelfed alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Pixelfed screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Federated
    3.  Ad-free
    4. ActivityPub icon  Support for ActivityPub
    5.  Fediverse
    6.  Upload multiple pictures
    7.  Image Sharing
    8.  Browser-based
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Two-factor Authentication
    11.  Federated Cloud
    12.  No Tracking

    Pixelfed VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about Pixelfed as an Alternative to Mastodon
    social-remodeler
    Negative •Oct 2, 2024
    1

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

    Pixelfed replaces Instagram and Tumblr in the fediverse.

    Guest
    Negative •Dec 26, 2022
    2

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

    Mastodon Icon
    Pixelfed icon

    • Most users think Pixelfed is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • Pixelfed is the most popular Android alternative to Mastodon.

    • Pixelfed is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
    • Pixelfed is Privacy 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

     70 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.

    64 Bluesky alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Bluesky screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Support for @mentions
    5.  Multiple Account support
    6.  Two-factor Authentication
    7.  Personalized Recommendations
    8.  No registration required

    Bluesky VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about Bluesky as an Alternative to Mastodon
    R C
    Positive •Dec 11, 2024
    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 •Nov 17, 2024
    1

    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 the most popular iPhone alternative to Mastodon.

    • Bluesky is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
    • Bluesky is LightweightMastodon is not according to our users
  7. Gab icon

    Gab

     254 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.

    119 Gab alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    Gab screenshot 1
    Warning

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

    Properties

    1.  Free Speech
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Community-based
    3.  Live topics
    4.  Bypass Censorship
    5.  Decentralized
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Fediverse
    8.  Two-factor Authentication
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Content creators
    11.  Word filtering
    12.  Information aggregator

    Gab VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about Gab as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Most Recent Comment
    Kedman
    Positive •Jul 7, 2021
    1

    Gab is godless compare to other social network

    Guest
    Positive •Nov 6, 2020
    0

    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.

    social-remodeler
    Negative •Oct 2, 2024
    0

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

    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
    • Gab is Privacy focusedMastodon is not according to our users
  8. 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.

    71 X alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Kindle Fire
    X start page

    Properties

    1.  Minimalistic
    2.  Free Speech

    Features

    1.  Hashtags
    2.  Threaded Conversations
    3.  Trends
    4.  Private messaging
    5.  Progressive Web App
    6. IFTTT icon  IFTTT Integration
    7.  Two-factor Authentication
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  End-to-End Encryption
    10.  Support for @mentions
    11.  Personalized Recommendations

    X VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about X as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Most Recent Comment
    RemovedUser
    Negative •May 5, 2019
    21

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

    Mano
    Negative •Jan 18, 2025
    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

    social-remodeler
    Negative •Oct 2, 2024
    1

    Both are microblogging tools.

    The other way round makes sense.

    Mastodon is a decentralized, free and open source Server and App system in the Fediverse and supports ActivityPub whereas X is freemium, propieritary and does not support fediverse.

    Show more comments
    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, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Mastodon.

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

    Minds

     325 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.

    125 Minds alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Minds.com homepage

    Properties

    1.  Free Speech
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  No Censorship
    4.  Monetization
    5.  Gamification
    6.  Podcast Hosting
    7.  Tokenization
    8.  Secure Chat
    9.  Share screenshots

    Minds VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about Minds as an Alternative to Mastodon
    AnisBarghouthi
    Positive •May 21, 2021
    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 •Jan 10, 2023
    0

    Due to educational gamification of its networks and applications.

    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-focused and Privacy focusedMastodon is not according to our users
  11. Friendica icon

    Friendica

     139 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'.

    118 Friendica alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • PHP
    Logo

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Federated
    2. ActivityPub icon  Support for ActivityPub
    3.  Decentralized
    4.  Ad-free
    5. diaspora* icon  Diaspora integration
    6.  Support for @mentions
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Rsvp
    9.  Commodity hosting support
    10. X icon  X Integration
    11.  Team Messaging
    12.  Community events

    Friendica VS Mastodon

     

    • Almost everyone thinks Friendica is a great Mastodon alternative.

    • Friendica is the most popular Linux alternative to Mastodon.

    • Friendica is Free and Open SourceMastodon is also Free and Open Source
    • Friendica is Privacy 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.

    86 GNU social alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    Screenshot of a GNU social website with Swedish localization. Source Wikipedia / FSF
    Discontinued

    Not actively developed/maintained anymore.

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Free Speech

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4. ActivityPub icon  Support for ActivityPub

    GNU social VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about GNU social as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Guest
    Positive •Jan 10, 2023
    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.

    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
    • GNU social is Privacy focusedMastodon is not according to our users
  13. Tumblr icon

    Tumblr

     458 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.

    115 Tumblr alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Tumblr screenshot 1
    Tumblr screenshot 2
    Tumblr screenshot 3

    Tumblr Features

    1.  Social feed
    2.  Search by tags
    3.  Tagging
    4.  Dark Mode
    5. IFTTT icon  IFTTT Integration
    6.  Image Sharing
    7.  Photo Gallery
    8.  Blog template
    9.  Progressive Web App

    Tumblr VS Mastodon

     
    Comments about Tumblr as an Alternative to Mastodon
    Mano
    Negative •Jan 14, 2025
    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 of 129 Mastodon alternatives