Mastodon alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave Mastodon: choosing a server confuses newcomers, and discovery and search are weaker than on big platforms. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Mastodon, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Bluesky currently ranks first.
No alternatives match these filters.
Show all 6 alternativesThe best Mastodon alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Mastodon alternative for most people
BlueskyEasier sign-up and custom feeds, on an open protocol run mainly by one company.
Best Mastodon alternative for a free option
MisskeyFediverse microblogging with emoji reactions, drive storage and more customisation.
Best Mastodon alternative for open source
GoToSocialA lightweight fediverse server for running your own single-user instance.
Best Mastodon alternative for self-hosting
AkkomaA faster, more expressive fediverse server that still supports Mastodon apps.
Best Mastodon alternative for Mac
IvoryA polished third-party client for using Mastodon on iPhone and Mac.
Best Mastodon alternative for iPhone and Android
ThreadsReachable from Mastodon, with a far larger mainstream audience.
Best Mastodon alternative for working in the browser
BlueskyEasier sign-up and custom feeds, on an open protocol run mainly by one company.
Mastodon alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to Mastodon?
Bluesky ranks first right now. Easier sign-up and custom feeds, on an open protocol run mainly by one company. Misskey and GoToSocial follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to Mastodon?
Yes. Bluesky (free), Misskey (open source), GoToSocial (open source) and Akkoma (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to Mastodon?
Yes: Bluesky, Misskey, GoToSocial and Akkoma. Misskey, GoToSocial and Akkoma can also be self-hosted.
Why do people switch from Mastodon?
The complaints we hear most: choosing a server confuses newcomers; discovery and search are weaker than on big platforms; moderation quality varies by server.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Mastodon, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.