Akkoma vs Epicyon
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted social networks options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Akkoma
Feature-rich fediverse server forked from Pleroma
VS
Epicyon
Minimalist ActivityPub server for the fediverse
| Feature | Akkoma | Epicyon |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Elixir | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 400 | ★ 300 |
| First released | 2022 | 2019 |
| Replaces | Twitter, Tumblr | Twitter, Mastodon |
What are Akkoma and Epicyon?
Akkoma
Akkoma is a free, open-source fediverse microblogging server forked from Pleroma. It focuses on customization, additional features, and a friendly community while staying lightweight.
- Pleroma-compatible fediverse server
- Extensive customization options
- Mastodon API support
- Bubble timeline feature
Epicyon
Epicyon is a modern, minimalist ActivityPub server designed to be lightweight, accessible, and easy to run on small hardware. It focuses on a no-JavaScript interface and strong moderation controls.
- No-JavaScript interface
- Runs on small servers
- Strong moderation tools
- Accessible by design
Akkoma vs Epicyon: key differences
Akkoma is written in Elixir, while Epicyon is built with Python. Epicyon is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Akkoma. Epicyon is the more established project (first released 2019), while Akkoma arrived in 2022. Akkoma lists first-class Docker deployment; Epicyon does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Akkoma if…
- Lots of configuration options
- Lightweight footprint
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Hosted on a niche forge
Choose Epicyon if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Written in Python
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Akkoma or Epicyon better?
Neither is universally better. Akkoma has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Akkoma and Epicyon free and open-source?
Yes. Akkoma is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Epicyon under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Akkoma and Epicyon with Docker?
Akkoma: yes. Epicyon: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Akkoma or Epicyon?
Epicyon has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Akkoma. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.