Self-hosted alternatives to Twitter / X
Want microblogging and social networks without handing your data to Twitter / X? These 18 open-source apps run on your own server. Cheapest estimated hosting starts at about $5/month.
| App | Health | Stars | License | Docker | RAM (est.) | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bloglite direct | Actively maintained | 336 | MIT | ✓ | 1 GB | $5/mo |
| Mastodon | Actively maintained | 50.5k | AGPL-3.0 | – | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Lemmy | Actively maintained | 14.7k | AGPL-3.0 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Misskey | Actively maintained | 11.4k | AGPL-3.0 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| PixelFed | Actively maintained | 7.1k | AGPL-3.0 | – | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| HumHub | Actively maintained | 6.8k | AGPL-3.0 | – | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Movim | Actively maintained | 2.1k | AGPL-3.0 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| diaspora* | Maintained | 13.7k | AGPL-3.0 | – | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Elgg | Actively maintained | 1.7k | GPL-2.0 | – | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| OSSN | Actively maintained | 1.3k | CAL-1.0 | – | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Hatsu | Actively maintained | 258 | AGPL-3.0 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Socialhome | Maintained | 379 | AGPL-3.0 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Akkoma | Health unknown | – | AGPL-3.0 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| GoToSocial | Health unknown | – | AGPL-3.0 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Iceshrimp.NET | Health unknown | – | EUPL-1.2 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| PieFed | Health unknown | – | AGPL-3.0 | ✓ | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| Pleroma | Health unknown | – | AGPL-3.0 | – | 4 GB | $20/mo |
| yarn.social | Health unknown | – | MIT | – | 4 GB | $20/mo |
The options in detail
1. bloglite
Micro-blog tool offering built-in syntax highlighting, mobile publishing and more (alternative to Twitter, Bluesky).
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-10-31. Latest release v3.1.0 (2026-10-24). Needs roughly 1 GB RAM. How to run it →
2. Mastodon
Federated microblogging server.
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-11-03. Latest release v4.7.4 (2026-10-29). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
3. Lemmy
Link aggregator for the fediverse (alternative to Reddit).
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-10-30. Latest release 1.0.0-beta.3 (2026-10-29). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
4. Misskey
Decentralized app-like microblogging server/SNS for the Fediverse, using the ActivityPub protocol like GNU social and Mastodon.
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-11-03. Latest release 2026.10.2-alpha.0 (2026-10-31). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
5. PixelFed
Ethical photo sharing platform, powered by ActivityPub federation (alternative to Instagram).
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-11-02. Latest release v0.15.2 (2026-10-21). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
6. HumHub
Flexible kit for private social networks.
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-11-02. Latest release v1.19.3 (2026-10-27). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
7. Movim
Modern, federated social network based on XMPP, with a fully featured group-chat, subscriptions and microblogging.
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-11-02. Latest release v0.35.4 (2026-10-24). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
8. diaspora*
Distributed social networking server.
Maintained Last activity 2026-07-28. Latest release v0.9.1.0 (2026-04-07). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
9. Elgg
Powerful social networking engine.
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-10-20. Latest release 7.1.2 (2026-10-21). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
10. OSSN
Social networking software that allows you to make a social networking website and helps your members build social relationships, with people who share similar professional or personal interests.
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-10-18. Latest release 10.1 (2026-10-01). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
11. Hatsu
Bridge that interacts with Fediverse on behalf of your static site.
Actively maintained Last activity 2026-10-01. Latest release v0.3.5 (2026-10-01). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
13. Akkoma
Federated microblogging server with Mastodon, GNU social, and ActivityPub compatibility.
Health unknown Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
14. GoToSocial
ActivityPub federated social network server implementing the Mastodon client API.
Health unknown Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
15. Iceshrimp.NET
Federated microblogging server that communicates over ActivityPub.
Health unknown Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
16. PieFed
Link aggregator / reddit clone for the fediverse (alternative to Reddit).
Health unknown Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
17. Pleroma
Federated microblogging server, Mastodon, GNU social, & ActivityPub compatible.
Health unknown Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
18. yarn.social
Twitter™-like Decentralised micro-logging platform. No ads, no tracking, your content, your data.
Health unknown Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →
Why self-host instead of Twitter / X?
- Own your data — it lives on a server you control, with backups you decide on.
- Predictable cost — a small VPS often replaces per-seat pricing for a whole team or family.
- No lock-in — open-source licenses let you keep running the software even if a vendor disappears.
The trade-off: you are responsible for updates, backups and security. Pick an app marked Actively maintained and with Docker support for the easiest ride.
Browse related categories
Other alternatives guides
Twitter / X is a trademark of its owner; this site is not affiliated with it. Listings come from the community-maintained awesome-selfhosted list.
12. Socialhome
Federated and decentralized profile builder and social network engine.
Maintained Last activity 2026-10-29. Latest release v0.9.3 (2018-08-29). Needs roughly 4 GB RAM. How to run it →