About Mastodon
Mastodon is a free, open-source, decentralized social media platform built for the Fediverse. It runs on independently operated servers (instances) and interconnects with other Mastodon servers through open web protocols, allowing cross-server timelines and federation. Each server defines its own moderation policies, with no centralized control or ads, giving users control over what they see and how the community is governed. The project supports multimedia posts, polls, content warnings, and accessibility features, making it flexible for creators and communities to express themselves online.
Key features
- Decentralized and federated network built on ActivityPub, enabling cross-server interaction
- Free and open-source software with community-driven development
- No ads and user-owned timelines; data and time belong to users
- Single account to follow people across multiple Mastodon servers
- Server-level moderation and governance tailored to each community
- Rich media support: audio, video, images, polls, content warnings, thumbnail cropping, and custom emojis
- Accessibility descriptions and other inclusive features
- Easy self-hosting or using managed hosting options with professional support
Why choose Mastodon?
- Greater user control and privacy: no centralized ad-driven feed and data ownership rests with users
- Federated architecture allows participation across a global, diverse network without relying on a single platform
- Open-source transparency and community contributions
- Flexibility to host your own server or choose a managed hosting partner
- Server-level moderation enables communities to enforce rules aligned with their values
- Interoperable with other platforms via ActivityPub, expanding reach beyond a single site
Pricing
- Mastodon software is free and open-source
- Optional hosted services (Managed Mastodon) are available and pricing is provided by sales upon request
- Donations can be made via Patreon or direct contributions to support development (official pages reference donations and hosting options but do not publish fixed consumer pricing)