Epicyon vs Hollo
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted social networks options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Hollo
Single-user federated microblogging server
| Feature | Epicyon | Hollo |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 300 | ★ 489 |
| First released | 2019 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Twitter, Mastodon | Twitter, Mastodon |
What are Epicyon and Hollo?
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
Hollo
Hollo is a federated single-user microblogging server compatible with the Mastodon client API. It is designed for individuals who want their own ActivityPub presence without running a multi-user instance.
- Single-user microblog
- Mastodon API compatible
- ActivityPub federation
- Markdown posts
Epicyon vs Hollo: key differences
Epicyon is written in Python, while Hollo is built with TypeScript. Epicyon is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Hollo. Epicyon is the more established project (first released 2019), while Hollo arrived in 2024. Hollo lists first-class Docker deployment; Epicyon does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Epicyon if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Written in Python
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Choose Hollo if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in TypeScript
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Epicyon or Hollo better?
Neither is universally better. Hollo has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Epicyon and Hollo free and open-source?
Yes. Epicyon is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Hollo under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Epicyon and Hollo with Docker?
Epicyon: check the project docs for container support. Hollo: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Epicyon or Hollo?
Epicyon has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Hollo. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.