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Facebook alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Facebook: feed increasingly filled with recommended content, and extensive data collection for targeted ads. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Facebook, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Instagram currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Mastodon logoMastodonOpen sourceYesWeb, iOS, Android +15 of 562.6
2Friendica logoFriendicaOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted4 of 459.6
3diaspora* logodiaspora*Open sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted4 of 455.3
4Bluesky logoBlueskyFreeYesWeb, iOS, Android5 of 553.6
  1. Mastodon logo

    1. MastodonTop pick

    Best for: People who want ad-free, chronological social media without a single corporate owner

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Facebook

    A decentralised network without ads or algorithmic feeds, run by independent servers.

    Pros

    • No ads or engagement algorithm
    • Move servers without losing followers
    • Open source and self-hostable

    Cons

    • Choosing a server confuses newcomers
    • Discovery and search are weaker than on big platforms
    • Moderation quality varies by server
    Visit Mastodon Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Mastodon a good Facebook alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Organisation
    Non-profit, started 2016
    Checked Oct 25, 2026joinmastodon.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Ads and algorithms
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026joinmastodon.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Account migration
    Keep your followers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026joinmastodon.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Official apps
    iOS and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026joinmastodon.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Friendica logo

    2. Friendica

    Best for: Facebook leavers who want profiles, groups and events on a decentralised network

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Facebook

    Federated, Facebook-style profiles, groups and events that you can self-host.

    Pros

    • Facebook-style features with fine-grained privacy
    • Connects to ActivityPub, diaspora* and email
    • Runs on cheap PHP and MySQL hosting

    Cons

    • Dated interface
    • Few mainstream users
    • Mobile use relies on third-party apps
    Visit Friendica Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Friendica a good Facebook alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocols
    ActivityPub, OStatus, diaspora*
    Checked Oct 25, 2026friendi.ca(opens source in a new tab)
    Hosting requirements
    PHP and MySQL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026friendi.ca(opens source in a new tab)
    Latest release
    2026.05
    Checked Oct 25, 2026friendi.ca(opens source in a new tab)
  3. diaspora* logo

    3. diaspora*

    Best for: Privacy-minded users who want circles-based sharing on a decentralised network

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Facebook

    A decentralised network with aspects for sharing only with chosen circles.

    Pros

    • Aspects give fine control over who sees posts
    • No real-name requirement; you own your data
    • Self-hostable pods

    Cons

    • Small community and slow development
    • Doesn't federate with Mastodon and ActivityPub
    • No official mobile apps
    Visit diaspora* Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is diaspora* a good Facebook alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Architecture
    Independent pods
    Checked Oct 25, 2026diasporafoundation.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Aspects
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026diasporafoundation.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Real name
    Not required
    Checked Oct 25, 2026diasporafoundation.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Bluesky logo

    4. Bluesky

    Best for: People leaving X who want a familiar microblog with feed choice and more control

    FreeOpen sourceWeb, iOS, Android

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Facebook

    A newer open network with chronological and custom feeds and no data-driven ads.

    Pros

    • Choose or build your own feeds and moderation lists
    • Use your own domain as a verified handle
    • Account portability on an open protocol

    Cons

    • Most users still rely on Bluesky's own servers
    • Smaller audience than X or Threads in many niches
    • Investor-funded, with monetisation still taking shape
    Visit Bluesky Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Bluesky a good Facebook alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Protocol
    AT Protocol
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bsky.social(opens source in a new tab)
    Account portability
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bsky.social(opens source in a new tab)
    Custom domain handles
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bsky.social(opens source in a new tab)
    App license
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    Over 43 million
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bsky.social(opens source in a new tab)

The best Facebook alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Instagram logo

Best Facebook alternative for most people

Instagram

Meta's photo and video app, where many younger users share instead.

Mastodon logo

Best Facebook alternative for a free option

Mastodon

A decentralised network without ads or algorithmic feeds, run by independent servers.

Friendica logo

Best Facebook alternative for open source

Friendica

Federated, Facebook-style profiles, groups and events that you can self-host.

diaspora* logo

Best Facebook alternative for self-hosting

diaspora*

A decentralised network with aspects for sharing only with chosen circles.

Nextdoor logo

Best Facebook alternative for iPhone and Android

Nextdoor

Focused purely on local neighbourhood news, recommendations and listings.

Bluesky logo

Best Facebook alternative for working in the browser

Bluesky

A newer open network with chronological and custom feeds and no data-driven ads.

Facebook alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Facebook?

Instagram ranks first right now. Meta's photo and video app, where many younger users share instead. Mastodon and Friendica follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Facebook?

Yes. Instagram (free), Mastodon (open source), Friendica (open source) and Nextdoor (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Facebook?

Yes: Mastodon, Friendica, diaspora* and Bluesky. Mastodon, Friendica and diaspora* can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Facebook?

The complaints we hear most: feed increasingly filled with recommended content; extensive data collection for targeted ads; younger audiences have largely moved elsewhere.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Facebook, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.