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Open-source social networks

13 social networks whose code is public under an OSI-approved license, rated for privacy with evidence. Picks first, then by score.

  1. nostr Grade A

    Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) is an open protocol for publishing signed messages through independent relays, with identity based on public keys. Many independent clients and relays implement it.

    Open protocol whose specifications (NIPs) are public domain. Reference clients and relays are separate projects. Source code

  2. Akkoma Grade B

    Federated, self-hostable microblogging server built on ActivityPub, forked from Pleroma, with emoji reactions, Markdown posts and low resource use.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  3. diaspora* Grade B

    Decentralized social network made of independently run servers called pods, with aspects to control who sees each post.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  4. Friendica Grade B

    Federated, self-hostable social network that connects over ActivityPub, diaspora* and other protocols, with per-post access lists and RSS import.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  5. GoToSocial Grade B

    Lightweight, self-hostable ActivityPub server written in Go, used with Mastodon-compatible client apps.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  6. Lemmy Grade B

    Federated link aggregator and discussion platform built on ActivityPub, organized into communities hosted on independent servers.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  7. Mastodon Grade B

    Open source, decentralized microblogging platform built on ActivityPub, run as a network of independent servers with chronological timelines.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  8. Mbin Grade B

    Federated, self-hostable link aggregator, discussion and microblogging platform built on ActivityPub, forked from /kbin.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  9. Misskey Grade B

    Federated, self-hostable microblogging platform built on ActivityPub, with emoji reactions, customizable web interface, drive storage and channels.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  10. PieFed Grade B

    Federated, self-hostable link aggregator and forum built on ActivityPub, compatible with Lemmy communities.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  11. Pixelfed Grade B

    Federated, self-hostable photo sharing platform built on ActivityPub, with chronological feeds, albums, stories and no ads.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  12. Bluesky Grade D

    Microblogging social network built on the open AT Protocol, run by Bluesky Social PBC, with custom feeds, composable moderation and account portability.

    The app is MIT licensed and the AT Protocol server software is dual MIT and Apache-2.0. Source code

  13. Discourse Grade F

    Open source, self-hostable discussion platform that works as a forum, mailing list or long-form chat room. A hosted version is sold by its developer.

    GPL-2.0. Source code

Compare all 20 social networks, open source or not.