Pixelfed

Open-source photo sharing on the fediverse.

pixelfed.org

Visit Website View source
FreeOpen SourceAndroidiOSWebOpen-source project

Pricing Free; join a public instance or self-host your own at no cost.

Pixelfed is an open-source, Instagram-style photo-sharing platform that runs on ActivityPub so it federates with Mastodon and the rest of the fediverse. It has no ads, no tracking, and no algorithmic timeline; posts appear chronologically and you can join a public server or run your own. Because it is decentralized, no single company owns your account or monetizes your data. Anything you post is public and federated across many servers so treat it as public rather than a private space. Choose it if you want an ad-free, open alternative to Instagram and are comfortable picking an instance you trust.

Strengths

  • Open source (AGPL); self-hostable
  • No ads, tracking, or algorithmic feed
  • Federates with Mastodon and the fediverse
  • Official Android and iOS apps

Considerations

  • Everything you post is public across the fediverse
  • You must trust your chosen instance admin
  • Smaller network than mainstream platforms

Listed in Social Media

Pixelfed alternatives

NostrAn open, censorship-resistant protocol for social media.MastodonFederated, open-source microblogging run by a nonprofit.GabUS free-speech network known for minimal moderation.MindsOpen-source social network with a crypto rewards token.