Hollo vs Ktistec
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
Ktistec
Single-user ActivityPub server in Crystal
| Feature | Hollo | Ktistec |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 79 · Good | 79 · Good |
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Crystal |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 489 | ★ 436 |
| First released | 2024 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Twitter, Mastodon | Twitter, Mastodon |
What are Hollo and Ktistec?
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
Ktistec
Ktistec is a single-user ActivityPub server written in Crystal, designed to be easy to deploy and maintain. It provides a personal fediverse presence with a simple, self-contained runtime.
- Single-user design
- Self-contained runtime
- SQLite storage
- ActivityPub federation
Hollo vs Ktistec: key differences
Hollo is written in TypeScript, while Ktistec is built with Crystal. Ktistec is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Hollo. Ktistec is the more established project (first released 2020), while Hollo arrived in 2024. Hollo lists first-class Docker deployment; Ktistec does not.
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 Ktistec if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Written in Crystal
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Hollo or Ktistec 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 Ktistec free and open-source?
Yes. Hollo is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Ktistec under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Hollo and Ktistec with Docker?
Hollo: yes. Ktistec: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Hollo or Ktistec?
Ktistec 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.