NodeBB vs Sharkey
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted social networks options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
NodeBB
Node.js powered forum with real-time updates
VS
Sharkey
Feature-rich Misskey fork for the fediverse
| Feature | NodeBB | Sharkey |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 15,182 | ★ 600 |
| First released | 2013 | 2023 |
| Replaces | phpBB, Discourse | Twitter, Mastodon |
Why pick each one
Choose Sharkey if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in TypeScript
Frequently asked questions
Is NodeBB or Sharkey better?
Neither is universally better. NodeBB has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are NodeBB and Sharkey free and open-source?
Yes. NodeBB is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Sharkey under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run NodeBB and Sharkey with Docker?
NodeBB: yes. Sharkey: yes.