Hollo vs Iceshrimp
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
VS
Iceshrimp
Lightweight Misskey-derived fediverse server
| Feature | Hollo | Iceshrimp |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 489 | ★ 300 |
| First released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Twitter, Mastodon | Twitter, Mastodon |
What are Hollo and Iceshrimp?
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
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
Hollo vs Iceshrimp: key differences
Both projects are written in TypeScript. Hollo is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Iceshrimp.
Why pick each one
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
Choose Iceshrimp if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in TypeScript
Frequently asked questions
Is Hollo or Iceshrimp 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 Hollo and Iceshrimp free and open-source?
Yes. Hollo is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Iceshrimp under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Hollo and Iceshrimp with Docker?
Hollo: yes. Iceshrimp: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Hollo or Iceshrimp?
Hollo 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.