Write.as alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Write.as: free plan currently closed to new users, and no paid subscriptions or memberships. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Write.as, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. WriteFreely currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Mastodon	Open source	Yes	Web, iOS, Android +1	5 of 5	38.6

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
38.6
score / 100
Why switch from Write.as
Short posts on the fediverse, where Write.as blogs can already be followed.
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 ×0.37
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 Write.as 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)

The best Write.as alternative for…

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

Best Write.as alternative for most people

WriteFreely

The same software, self-hosted for free on your own server.

Best Write.as alternative for a free option

Mastodon

Short posts on the fediverse, where Write.as blogs can already be followed.

Best Write.as alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Bear Blog

Similarly minimal and privacy-friendly, with a free tier open to new users.

Best Write.as alternative for open source

Mataroa

Minimalist blog with email newsletters for a few dollars a year.

Best Write.as alternative for self-hosting

WriteFreely

The same software, self-hosted for free on your own server.

Best Write.as alternative for Mac

Micro.blog

Adds short posts, photos, podcasts and cross-posting while staying indie.

Best Write.as alternative for iPhone and Android

Substack

Free newsletter with paid subscriptions and discovery, if you want an audience push.

Best Write.as alternative for working in the browser

Bear Blog

Similarly minimal and privacy-friendly, with a free tier open to new users.

Write.as alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Write.as?

WriteFreely ranks first right now. The same software, self-hosted for free on your own server. Bear Blog and Mataroa follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Write.as?

Yes. WriteFreely (open source), Bear Blog (free plan + paid), Mataroa (free plan + paid) and Substack (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Write.as?

Yes: WriteFreely, Mataroa and Mastodon. WriteFreely, Mataroa and Mastodon can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Write.as?

The complaints we hear most: free plan currently closed to new users; no paid subscriptions or memberships; newsletter features are basic.

How is this list ranked?

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