Loops review
A free, open-source short-video platform with ActivityPub federation and self-hosting.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Loops is an open-source short-video platform for creators and communities who want vertical video sharing with federation options. It offers Following and For You feeds, video recording and caption editing, threaded comments, likes, replies, mentions, and search across hashtags, profiles, and videos. Videos can be up to three minutes long. Loops is available on the web and through iOS and Android apps; users can join an instance or run their own. Its free access and self-hosting make it relevant to small communities and solo creators who value control over where their service runs and how it connects to other networks.
ActivityPub is the main differentiator in Loops’ ecosystem fit. The platform can federate with compatible services, including Mastodon and Pixelfed, allowing videos to reach users beyond a single Loops instance. This is a fit for communities already interested in federated social services, while creators seeking a large, centralized audience may prefer a platform built around a more established creator ecosystem. Loops also includes creator analytics and livestreaming, alongside algorithmic and search-based discovery, but those features sit within a short-video product rather than a broad video-hosting service.
The trade-off is a focused creator toolset: the published details list no creator monetization and no channel memberships. The project roadmap identifies tips, subscriptions, and in-app purchases as planned, not current options. Loops says it has no ads and is funded by community donations; support channels include email and community. Choose it for free, federated short-video sharing, mobile access, or self-hosting. Creators whose business depends on paid memberships or built-in monetization should look elsewhere, as should users who need videos longer than three minutes.
Loops pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Federates with Mastodon, Pixelfed, and other ActivityPub-compatible services
- Offers vertical recording, caption editing, threaded comments, and search
- Available on web, iOS, Android, and for self-hosting
- Where it doesn't
- Videos are limited to three minutes
- Creator monetization is not currently offered
- Livestreaming is available, but monetization options remain planned
Loops fact sheet, pricing and score →
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