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Comparison of software and protocols for distributed social networking

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The following is a comparison of both software and protocols that are used for distributed social networking.

Software

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Active

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Project Name Features Software type Programming Language License Privacy features, if any Federation capabilities Instance count Current status
Bluesky Microblogging Client[1] TypeScript MIT None (planned) AT Protocol (Personal Data Server, opinionated services)[2] One, theoretically self-hostable Active, stable beta
diaspora* Status messages, blogging, photo sharing Client/server Ruby AGPLv3 Post reach can be controlled via "aspects" diaspora* network 61 instances (January 2025)[3] Active
Friendica Rich profiles, networking groups, community/group/celebrity pages, richtext status (not specifically length limited), photo albums, YouTube share, location, like/dislike, multiple profiles w/assignment to specific friends, single sign on to post directly to friend's profiles on co-operating systems. Communications encryption. Fans and one-way relationships. Local and global directory services. Ability to restrict connection endpoints. Client/server PHP, JavaScript AGPLv3 Access controls for content, disappearing messages, private groups ActivityPub, DFRN, diaspora* network, Email, RSS, third-party connections (Tumblr, Twitter, more via plugins) 345 instances (January 2025)[4] Active
Hubzilla[5] decentralised identity and community platform, also provides blogs, rich social networking, cloud storage and internet-scale access control/privacy Client/server PHP, JavaScript MIT Access controls for content, private groups ActivityPub, diaspora* network, Zot 90 instances (January 2025)[6] Active
Lemmy Social news Client/server Rust AGPLv3 None ActivityPub 576 instances (January 2025)[7] Active
Libervia Microblogging, group microblogging, file sharing, games, XMPP client Client/server Python, C++ AGPLv3 Presence authorization, XMPP groups XMPP, ActivityPub in beta as of 2022.[8] demo[9] Active
Mastodon Microblogging Client/server Ruby, JavaScript AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub 10,156 instances (January 2025)[10] Active
Micro.blog Microblogging Client Unknown Proprietary Access controls for content ActivityPub, AT Protocol (Bluesky crossposting) One Active
Minds Microblogging Client/server PHP AGPLv3 None ActivityPub One Active
Misskey Microblogging Client/server TypeScript AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub 1,244 instances (January 2025)[11] Active
Mobilizon Events, groups, shared folders Client/server Elixir AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub 106 instances (January 2025)[12] Active
Movim XMPP client, news aggregation Client/server PHP AGPLv3 Access controls for content, end-to-end encryption for chats XMPP 16 instances (January 2025)[13] Active
PeerTube Video sharing Client/server TypeScript AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub 1,302 instances (January 2025)[14] Active
Pixelfed Image sharing, similar to Instagram Client/server PHP AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub 543 instances (January 2025)[15] Active
Pleroma Federated instant messenging, microblogging Client/server Elixir AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub 1,020 instances (January 2025)[16] Active
Plume[17] Blogging Client/server Rust AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub 41 instances (January 2025)[18] Active
Socialhome[19] Microblogging, macroblogging, home page builder Client/server Python, JavaScript AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub, diaspora* 9 instances (January 2025)[20] Active

Inactive

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Project Name Features Software type Programming Language License Privacy features, if any Federation capabilities Current status
GNU social Primarily microblogging, groups Client/server PHP AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub (via plugin), OStatus Stable, last update to both supported major versions circa 2022
Jappix[21] XMPP client + Microblogging Client JavaScript, PHP AGPLv3 Presence authorizations XMPP Stable, inactive
Kune real-time collaborative edition, XMPP chat, groups, calendar, lists, tasks, blogs, Apache Wave inbox (modern email), wave extensions (gadgets, robots), public webpages, profiles, galleries (photos, videos), maps, federation, usability Client/server Java AGPLv3 Access controls for content XMPP, Wave Federation Protocol Stable, last updated 2017
Numaverse[22] Microblogging Client (peer-to-peer) Ruby MIT Unknown Ethereum, IPFS Beta, last updated 2018
OneSocialWeb[23] Microblogging Openfire plugin, clients[24] Java Apache 2.0 Presence authorizations, access controls for content XMPP, XMPP extensions[25] Alpha
OpenMicroBlogger User-toggleable "apps" to add/remove functionality. RSSCloud and partial OStatus (PubSubHubbub) federation as well as Open Microblogging 0.1. Local follow/unfollow. Facebook, Twitter, Flickr integration. (partial) Twitter API support. Fully Restful design, user interface consumes Rest API. Client MIT Open Microblogging 0.1, RSSCloud, (partial) OStatus (PubSubHubbub) Open Microblogging 0.1, RSSCloud, (partial) OStatus (PubSubHubbub) Alpha
Osada Microblogging Server PHP, JavaScript Access controls for content Zot/6, ActivityPub Stable
postActiv Microblogging Client/server AGPLv3 Access controls for content OStatus, ActivityPub and Zot support proposed but never implemented homepage and code forge went offline late 2019
Prismo[26] Link sharing Client/server Ruby AGPLv3 Access controls for content ActivityPub No commits since May 2019
Project Danube 1) Sharing personal data with companies/organizations

2) Sharing personal data with "friends" 3) Use of personal data for "personal applications"

OStatus, OAuth 2.0, WebFinger, hCard, Portable Contacts, XRI, XDI, PubSubHubbub, Salmon Alpha
Project Nori OStatus, OAuth, Portable Contacts, WebFinger, and other open protocols Alpha
pump.io Microblogging Client/server Node.js, JavaScript Apache 2.0 Access controls for content ActivityPump Stable, inactive
SMOB Microblogging unmaintained
Social-Igniter[27] friends, places, status, comments, modular apps (messages, blog, cart, media), themes, mobile themes, 3rd party integration (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), editable widgets, Server GPL Webfinger, PubSubHubbub, OpenID, OAuth, Activity Streams alpha
SocialRiver[28] Client/server GPL

AGPL

Private messaging, access controls OStatus,[29] OpenID, will add support for OAuth Unmaintained
SocialZE[30] Client/server Access controls for content OSMP (Open Social Message Protocol) alpha
Sone[31] microblogging, media library, decentralized spam protection Client/server Java, JavaScript GPL Hyphanet beta

Protocols

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Active

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Project Name Features License Privacy features, if any Supported apps Instance count Current status
ActivityPub Activity Streams, WebFinger Released as a W3C standard Inbox/outbox access controls Many ~30,000 instances Active
ActivityPump Activity Streams, WebFinger AGPLv3 Inbox/outbox access controls Pump.io identi.ca Inactive, network still online
AT Protocol Modular, microservice-oriented protocol architecture Dual (MIT, Apache 2.0) None (planned)[32] Bluesky ~2.4k data servers[33], few servers for other parts of the protocol (January 2025) Active, currently in beta
diaspora* network Status messages, blogging, photo sharing AGPLv3 Post reach can be controlled via "aspects" diaspora* (social network) 61 instances (January 2025)[3] Active
FOAF User relationships CC BY 1.0 None Active
Nostr Extensible, based on event objects Public domain None Many Hundreds of relays Active, stable
OStatus OAuth 2, WebFinger, PubSubHubbub, Salmon AGPLv3 None GNU social, StatusNet Less than 100 Inactive, network still online
Peergos[34] P2P storage, social network, and application protocol AGPLv3 End-to-end encryption for private messages Peergos Unknown Active, stable
Twister Peer-to-peer microblogging MIT and BSD End-to-end encryption for private messages Twister Unknown Inactive, network still online
twtxt[35] Microblogging Varied, based on implementation None Text editor Unknown Active, stable
XMPP Microblogging Varied, based on implementation Access controls, presence authorization, encryption Many Many instances Active, stable

Inactive

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Project Name Features License Privacy features, if any Current status
6d[36] Blog, media library, addressbook, themeable, private messaging MIT Post scopes when transmitting Alpha
Aether[37] Peer-to-peer, ephemeral, self-governing public communities with auditable and democratic moderation.[38] AGPLv3 None Stable, not updated since 2021
Appleseed (Quicksocial protocol)[39][40] Photos, Journals, Messaging, Groups, Privacy controls, Status Updates, Newsfeeds GPLv2 Access controls for content Cancelled
Buddycloud[41][42] Personal and topic channels, Buddycloud directory, channel search, channel recommender, media server, friend-finder, mobile and email push service, location, messaging Apache 2.0[43] End-to-end encryption for private messages Stable, last update 2015
Cunity[44] Friends, Photo Album, Filesharing, Messaging, Pinboard, Newsfeed, Memberlist, Forum, Connecting Cunities PHP Peer-to-peer transmission Beta
Diatum[45] Supports contact and social media apps Apache 2.0 no commit since 2021, main repository removed, alpha 0.01[46]
DiSo Project[47] WordPress plugins[48] beta (v0.6)
Distributed Social Networking Protocol[49] DSNPd (server daemon), ChoiceSocial (web interface)[50] beta (v0.6)
Friend2Friend[51] Strong encryption, XML for all data exchange, Data is digitally signed LGPL Only connected to known users Alpha
Knowee[52] OpenID Signup, Activity Stream import and export, contact import from Web 2.0 services via XFN and FOAF, automatically updated address book from remote data sources, consolidated profile with RDF/FOAF export, personal SPARQL API PHP[53] Dead
Kopal[54] OpenID, Kopal Connect protocol,[55] Kopal Feed microformat[56] MIT alpha
Libertree[57] Social network AGPLv3 None beta (updated: 2015)
Lorea[58] Profiles, microblogging, streams, groups, plugins, group mailing lists, tasks, calendar, subgroups, tagclouds (lgg,[59] plugins[60]) GPL stable (seems dead by 2016-12-28)
Mr. Privacy[61] Email social network Private messaging Dead
Multichan [62] Anonymous textboard / imageboard network[63] Public domain None paused on 2021-07-01, alpha 1.7[64]
Newebe[65] one user = one node; microblogging, picture sharing, activity stream AGPLv3 alpha (updated: 2016)
NoseRub[66][67][68] Custom protocol Dead
OpenAutonomy[69] Micro-blogging, RSS aggregation, Cloud storage MIT Trusted user list and fine-grained trusted sub-groups stable (r210)[70] (updated: 2015)
OpenLink Data Spaces (ODS)[71] Profile Management, Blogs, Wikis, Address Books, Calendars, Feed Aggregation, Discussion Forums (includes NNTP support), File Servers (WebDAV based Briefcase). Dual (Commercial and GPL for Open Source Edition) WebID stable (updated: 2016)
OpenMicroBlogging Microblogging AGPLv3 None Dead
psyced[72] profiles, chat, microblogging stable (updated: 2016)
Safebook[73] Peer-to-peer Facebook replacement GPL Untraceable communications beta[74]
Secure Scuttlebutt social networking, messaging, games, development tools Various FLOSS licenses End-to-end encryption for private messages. Stable
SONIC[75][76] Federation protocol for OSN services MIT beta (updated: 2018)
Tent[77] Profiles, Developer-extensible Post and Profile Types, Data Import, Groups, Privacy Controls, Content versioning MIT (reference implementation) alpha (0.2)
Thimbl[78] Microblogging alpha
Zot/Zap social network, microblogging, cloud storage MIT stable, repository deleted[79]


See also

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References

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  1. ^ bluesky-social/social-app, bluesky-social, 16 January 2025, retrieved 16 January 2025
  2. ^ "Bluesky: An Open Social Web". Bluesky. Archived from the original on 14 November 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Fediverse Observer checks all servers in the fediverse and gives you an easy way to find a home". diaspora.fediverse.observer. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  4. ^ "FediDB, Fediverse Network Statistics". fedidb.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  5. ^ "Hubzilla - info@hubzilla.org". hubzilla.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  6. ^ "FediDB, Fediverse Network Statistics". fedidb.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  7. ^ "FediDB, Fediverse Network Statistics". fedidb.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  8. ^ "Libervia progress note 2022-W45". salut-a-toi.org. November 2022. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Libervia". Libervia. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  10. ^ "FediDB, Fediverse Network Statistics". fedidb.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
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  12. ^ "FediDB, Fediverse Network Statistics". fedidb.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Join Movim · Servers list". Join Movim. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  14. ^ "FediDB, Fediverse Network Statistics". fedidb.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
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  17. ^ Plume (11 December 2018). "Plume - The federated blogging engine". JoinPlu.me. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  18. ^ "FediDB, Fediverse Network Statistics". fedidb.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  19. ^ "Jaywink/Socialhome". GitHub. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  20. ^ "FediDB, Fediverse Network Statistics". fedidb.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  21. ^ "Jappix.org". Jappix.org. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Numaverse Gateway". GitHub. 20 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Creating a free, open, and decentralized social networking platform". OneSocialWeb. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
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  26. ^ "Prismosuite / Prismo".
  27. ^ "Social Igniter". Social Igniter. Archived from the original on 12 July 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  28. ^ "it's your life, let it flow". SocialRiver. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  29. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Socialriver. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011.
  30. ^ "socialze". SourceForge. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  31. ^ "Fully Decentralized Peer-to-peer Microblogging Platform". David Roden. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  32. ^ "2024 Protocol Roadmap | Bluesky". docs.bsky.app. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  33. ^ mary (16 January 2025), mary-ext/atproto-scraping, retrieved 16 January 2025
  34. ^ "Peergos". GitHub. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  35. ^ "Decentralised, minimalist microblogging service for hackers". GitHub. 16 January 2019.
  36. ^ "get6d.com/". 20 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  37. ^ "nehbit/aether". GitHub. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  38. ^ "Aether". getaether.net. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  39. ^ The Appleseed Project. "The Appleseed Project - Open Source Social Networking". Opensource.appleseedproject.org. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  40. ^ "Appleseed QuickSocial Protocol". The Appleseed Project. Archived from the original on 18 October 2010.
  41. ^ "buddycloud". buddycloud. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  42. ^ "Buddycloud". Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  43. ^ "buddycloud/buddycloud-server-java". GitHub. 13 November 2018.
  44. ^ "Home". cunity.net. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
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  47. ^ "DiSo Project". diso-project.org. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
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  49. ^ Adrian D. Thurston. "DSNP: Distributed Social Networking Protocol". Complang.org. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
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  51. ^ "Friend2Friend". Altruists International. 17 November 2010. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  52. ^ "Knowee.org". Archived from the original on 23 December 2010.
  53. ^ "Knowee.org - Download". Archived from the original on 11 October 2010.
  54. ^ "kopal". Google Project Hosting. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  55. ^ "Kopal_Connect - kopal - Specifications for Kopal Connect protocol (revision 0.1.draft) - Distributed and Decentralised Social Networking Platform. - Google Project Hosting". 20 April 2010. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  56. ^ "Kopal_Feed - kopal - Specifications for Kopal Feed protocol (revision 0.1.draft) - Distributed and Decentralised Social Networking Platform. - Google Project Hosting". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  57. ^ Libertree. "Libertree". Libertree. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  58. ^ "Lorea". Lorea. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  59. ^ "Lorea". Lorea. Archived from the original on 22 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
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  62. ^ "Github: 153/multichan". GitHub. 9 October 2021. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
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  64. ^ "Github: 153/multichan". GitHub. 9 October 2021. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  65. ^ "Newebe - Freedom To Share". newebe.org. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  66. ^ "The home of decentralized, social networks". NoseRub. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  67. ^ "Quick Facts about". NoseRub. Archived from the original on 6 January 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  68. ^ "Download the application and NoseRub merchandise". NoseRub. Archived from the original on 25 September 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  69. ^ "Open Autonomy Inc". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  70. ^ "OpenAutonomy Reference Implementation". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  71. ^ "VOS: OpenLink Data Spaces". us: Ods.openlinksw.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  72. ^ "(PSYC) Public_server". about.psyc.eu. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  73. ^ "Safebook". Eurecom. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  74. ^ "Safebook Architecture Overview". Safebook. Eurecom. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  75. ^ "SOcial Network InterConnect". Sebastian Göndör. 2018. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  76. ^ Göndör, Sebastian Jürg (2018). "Seamless interoperability and data portability in the social web for facilitating an open and heterogeneous online social network federation". FG Service-centric Networking. doi:10.14279/depositonce-7239.
  77. ^ "Tent — All your data in one place". Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  78. ^ "Free Open Source Distributed Micro-blogging". Thimbl. Archived from the original on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  79. ^ "Zap". zotlabs.org. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
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