Mastodon
Social NetworksDecentralized open-source microblogging server
Replaces Twitter, X
Best Real-Time Social Networks for self-hosting
The 12 best Real-Time social networks you can self-host, ranked by community traction.
NodeBB
Social NetworksNode.js powered forum with real-time updates
Replaces phpBB, Discourse
Lemmy
Social NetworksFederated link aggregator and forum
Replaces Reddit
Misskey
Social NetworksDecentralized fediverse platform with rich features
Replaces Twitter, Tumblr
Campsite
Social NetworksSelf-hosted async team social and updates space
Replaces Yammer, Workplace
Mobilizon
Social NetworksFederated tool for events and groups
Replaces Facebook Events, Meetup
Firefish
Social NetworksCustomizable fediverse microblogging platform
Replaces Twitter, Mastodon
Sharkey
Social NetworksFeature-rich Misskey fork for the fediverse
Replaces Twitter, Mastodon
Smithereen
Social NetworksFederated social network with a familiar layout
Replaces Facebook, VK
Gancio
Social NetworksShared agenda and event platform for local communities
Replaces Facebook Events, Meetup
Socialhome
Social NetworksFederated personal social home pages
Replaces Tumblr, Facebook
Buddycloud
Social NetworksFederated XMPP-based social networking server
Replaces Facebook Groups
No apps match these filters.
At a glance
| App | Deploy effort | Difficulty | Min. RAM | License | ★ Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastodon | Under-an-hour setup | Hard | 2,048 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 50,403 |
| NodeBB | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 1,024 MB | GPL-3.0 | 15,238 |
| Lemmy | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 512 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 14,625 |
| Misskey | Under-an-hour setup | Hard | 2,048 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 11,338 |
| Campsite | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 1,024 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 4,823 |
| Mobilizon | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 1,024 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 1,500 |
| Firefish | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 2,048 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 1,300 |
| Sharkey | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 2,048 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 600 |
| Smithereen | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 1,024 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 547 |
| Gancio | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 512 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 400 |
Quick picks
- Most adopted: Mastodon (50,403 GitHub stars).
- Lightest footprint: Lemmy (from 512 MB RAM, against 2,048 MB for the heaviest here).
- Licensing: 10 of 12 use AGPL-3.0; check the rest individually if you plan to modify and redistribute.
Every option here is open-source and self-hostable, tagged Real-Time within the social networks category. Deploy effort is graded from published container recipes, not vendor claims — see the methodology.