Mastodon
Mastodon is a decentralized network with chronological feeds, no algorithm or ads, and each server setting its own moderation rules. It interoperates with other fediverse platforms and can be self-hosted.
Alternatives / Threads
2 open-source alternatives
2 Best Open Source Threads Alternatives in 2026
Looking for an open source Threads alternative? We compared 2 decentralized social networks by license, protocol, and moderation. Mastodon uses ActivityPub with independent servers, while Bluesky is built on the open AT Protocol.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
Best Threads alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| Mastodon | Federated server software | AGPL-3.0 |
| Bluesky | App and protocol with custom feeds | MIT app / MIT and Apache-2.0 protocol |
How we chose these Threads alternatives
We looked for open-source social platforms with short posts and following like Threads. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and protocol in its repository. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Bluesky
Bluesky is built on the open AT Protocol. Users keep ownership of their identity and data across apps, with custom feeds, fine-grained moderation, and an ecosystem of interoperable apps. The project is still early.
Important: infrastructure
Bluesky's main service is run by the company, and the app and protocol are open source. Self-hosting a full Bluesky stack is harder than running a Mastodon server.
License details
Mastodon is AGPL-3.0. Bluesky's app is MIT, and its protocol is MIT and Apache-2.0.
Maintenance status
Both had commits within days of this update.
Why look for a Threads alternative?
Threads is a proprietary network owned by Meta, where an algorithm shapes your feed and the company controls accounts. Decentralized networks let you pick a server or app and move your identity, at the cost of a smaller audience.
joinmastodon.org
AGPL-3.0 open-source social network using ActivityPub. Users join an instance with its own rules and moderation while following people across compatible servers. Features include chronological feeds, public and private posts, media, polls, content warnings, custom emojis, and mobile apps.
50.4K7.5KAGPL-3.0Self-hosted
Pricing: Free and open source; choose a community server or operate your own instance.
- ActivityPub federation and self-hostable instances
- Chronological feeds, public/private posts, polls, media, and content warnings
- Local moderation and policies within a large Fediverse ecosystem
- Server selection and differing moderation policies can confuse newcomers
- Discovery and trending differ from centralized platforms
- Fragmented network effects and account migration add complexity
bsky.app
Open-source social application using the AT Protocol, with familiar posts, replies, reposts, likes, media, lists, and custom feeds. The app is MIT-licensed and the protocol reference implementation is dual-licensed MIT/Apache-2.0. AT Protocol separates identity, account hosting, social data, indexing, feeds, moderation, and clients into interoperable components.
18.4K2.9KMIT app / MIT and Apache-2.0 protocolProtocol components independently operable
Pricing: Free social application; AT Protocol components can be independently operated.
- Familiar Twitter-style experience and open-source app
- Portable identity, domain-based handles, and custom feeds
- Third-party clients, moderation services, and growing developer ecosystem
- Infrastructure is more complex than a centralized network
- Full decentralization involves multiple independent components
- Smaller ecosystem than X and moderation differs from ActivityPub
Compare Threads alternatives
| Alternative | Type | License | Protocol | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastodon | Social network | AGPL-3.0 | ActivityPub | Self-hosted communities |
| Bluesky | Social network | MIT / Apache-2.0 | AT Protocol | Portable identity |
Which one should you choose?
Want to run your own server
Mastodon can be self-hosted, with each server setting its own moderation.
Want custom feeds and a portable identity
Bluesky lets users keep their identity and data across apps.