Akkoma vs Forte
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
Forte
open source ActivityPub/fediverse server
| Feature | Akkoma | Forte |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Unlicense |
| Language | Elixir | |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 400 | — |
| First released | 2022 | 2025 |
| Replaces | Twitter, Tumblr | Facebook, Threads, Tumblr |
What are Akkoma and Forte?
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
Forte
open source ActivityPub/fediverse server.
Akkoma vs Forte: key differences
Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Akkoma versus Unlicense for Forte. Forte is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Akkoma. Akkoma is the more established project (first released 2022), while Forte arrived in 2025. Akkoma lists first-class Docker deployment; Forte 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 Forte if…
- Released under the Unlicense license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Tiny footprint — runs in 50 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Akkoma or Forte better?
Neither is universally better. Akkoma has the larger community, while Forte is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Akkoma and Forte free and open-source?
Yes. Akkoma is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Forte under Unlicense. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Akkoma and Forte with Docker?
Akkoma: yes. Forte: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Akkoma or Forte?
Forte has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Akkoma. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.