SHSelfHostIndex

Best API Social Networks for self-hosting

The 33 best API social networks you can self-host, ranked by community traction.

At a glance

AppDeploy effortDifficultyMin. RAMLicense★ Stars
MastodonUnder-an-hour setupHard2,048 MBAGPL-3.050,403
DiscourseUnder-an-hour setupMedium2,048 MBGPL-2.047,971
NodeBBUnder-an-hour setupMedium1,024 MBGPL-3.015,238
LemmyUnder-an-hour setupMedium512 MBAGPL-3.014,625
diaspora*Under-an-hour setupHard1,024 MBAGPL-3.013,650
MisskeyUnder-an-hour setupHard2,048 MBAGPL-3.011,338
PixelfedUnder-an-hour setupHard1,024 MBAGPL-3.07,124
ElkRead-the-docs projectEasy64 MBMIT6,031
WriteFreelyUnder-an-hour setupEasy256 MBAGPL-3.05,270
MisagoUnder-an-hour setupMedium1,024 MBGPL-2.02,781

Quick picks

Every option here is open-source and self-hostable, tagged API within the social networks category. Deploy effort is graded from published container recipes, not vendor claims — see the methodology.

Keep exploring

All Social NetworksEasiest Social Networks to self-hostHow to choose social platform: the Social Networks buyer's guide

Head-to-head: API social networks