Akkoma vs Iceshrimp
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
Iceshrimp
Lightweight Misskey-derived fediverse server
| Feature | Akkoma | Iceshrimp |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Elixir | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 400 | ★ 300 |
| First released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Twitter, Tumblr | Twitter, Mastodon |
What are Akkoma and Iceshrimp?
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
Iceshrimp
Iceshrimp is a decentralized, ActivityPub-compatible microblogging server derived from Misskey with a focus on stability and reduced resource use. It offers a familiar fediverse experience with custom emoji and reactions.
- Misskey-compatible features
- Custom emoji reactions
- Lower resource usage
- ActivityPub federation
Akkoma vs Iceshrimp: key differences
Akkoma is written in Elixir, while Iceshrimp is built with TypeScript. Akkoma is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Iceshrimp.
Why pick each one
Choose Akkoma if…
- Lots of configuration options
- Lightweight footprint
Watch out for
- Smaller community
- Hosted on a niche forge
Choose Iceshrimp if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in TypeScript
Frequently asked questions
Is Akkoma or Iceshrimp 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 Iceshrimp free and open-source?
Yes. Akkoma is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Iceshrimp under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Akkoma and Iceshrimp with Docker?
Akkoma: yes. Iceshrimp: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Akkoma or Iceshrimp?
Akkoma has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Iceshrimp. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.