Pleroma
Pleroma: An open-source, ActivityPub social network for posting across independently run servers. Ranked #10 of 33 in Twitter Alternatives by our editors (8.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for self-hosted federated posting with broad interactions.
At a glance
- Editor score8.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSelf-hosted federated posting with broad interactions
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Decentralized networkYes
- Facts checked3 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Federates with Mastodon and other ActivityPub implementations
- Offers four visibility settings, from public to direct
- Combines timelines, search, chats, reactions, and bookmarks
Where it doesn't
- Mobile access is web-only in the listed platform details
- Registration and available features vary by instance
- Running a server means taking on instance administration
Our verdict on Pleroma
Pleroma is open-source social networking software for people who want to post on a federated network rather than rely on one central service. Join an existing instance or run a server of your own; either way, Pleroma communicates through ActivityPub with Mastodon and other compatible services. Its web frontend supports posts with mentions, URLs, hashtags, and attachments, plus timelines, notifications, search, and one-to-one chats. This makes it a fit for individuals and communities seeking a self-hosted alternative with more than basic posting and replies.
The feature set covers both audience control and day-to-day interaction. Posts can be public, unlisted, followers-only, or direct, and users can reply, repost, favorite, react, and bookmark. The documented default post limit is 5,000 characters, though instance configuration can affect it. Pleroma-FE is the default web interface, and alternate frontends can be configured. Those options are useful in a federated setup, where each server is independently operated; the tradeoff is that registration and available features may differ from one instance to another.
Pleroma is server software, not a listed mobile app: the platform details specify web-only mobile access, while compatible third-party clients may also be used. Choosing an existing instance avoids running infrastructure, while self-hosting brings instance administration and moderation tools into scope. Support is through community and documentation. Choose Pleroma if control over hosting and federation matter alongside timelines and interactions. It is a weaker fit for someone who expects a uniform service across instances or a dedicated mobile app experience.
Your product? Our editors can test Pleroma in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
Pleroma pricing
Pleroma fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Decentralized network | Yes |
| Public posts | Yes |
| Post length limit | 5000 characters |
| Federation protocol | Activitypub |
| Mobile apps | Web only |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: Mastodon and other ActivityPub implementations |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | pleroma.social |
| Facts checked | 3 Oct 2026 |
Pleroma integrations
Pleroma lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- Mastodon and other ActivityPub implementations
Alternatives to Pleroma
- ThreadsA familiar public microblogging app with Instagram sharing and optional ActivityPub support.9.3
- BlueskyA free social network with public posts, community-built feeds, and moderation controls.9.2
- MastodonA federated social network with chronological timelines and community-led moderation.9.1
See all Pleroma alternatives →
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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