What is Mastodon?
Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source social network, ad-free, federated via ActivityPub, user-run servers, varied moderation, iOS/Android apps.
Mastodon
Decentralized by design
Mastodon is a federated social network built from many small servers (“instances”). There’s no corporate mothership; each instance sets its own rules, moderation, and vibe. They talk to each other over the ActivityPub protocol, so your account can follow and be followed across the network.
How it feels
It looks like classic microblogging: short posts, boosts, replies. The pace is calmer and the timeline is actually chronological. Discovery is weaker than on ad-fed platforms, so you curate more and doomscroll less—by necessity.
Choosing an instance
You pick a home server. Some are general‑purpose; others revolve around communities or regions. Admins matter: they enforce standards, can block nastier neighbors, and keep the lights on. You can move, but it’s not one‑click.
Upsides and trade-offs
You get more control, fewer ads, and fewer incentives to rage-bait. In exchange, expect fragmentation, uneven UX, and the occasional volunteer-run wobble. If you want algorithmic spectacle, look elsewhere.
What features and use cases does Mastodon offer?
- Decentralized, federated social networking via independent servers you can choose or self-host
- Cross-instance following and mentions; local and federated timelines with hashtag discovery
- Chronological, algorithm-free feed with boosts, favorites, lists, and bookmarks
- Strong privacy controls: per-post visibility, content warnings, filters, mute/block tools
- Community-driven moderation per server; easy account migration and handle redirects
- Open-source platform with web and mobile apps; rich media posts, alt text, and accessibility
- API support and integrations for developers and cross-posting workflows
Prices
| Category | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Public server accounts (e.g., mastodon.social) | free | Create an account on a public Mastodon instance; standard features included; some servers may accept optional donations. |
| Self-hosted Mastodon | free | Open-source software you can run on your own infrastructure; no license fee, but you cover hosting/operations costs. |
Prices may vary by region. We do not guarantee the accuracy of prices. For current information see: https://joinmastodon.org
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