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Open Source Social Networks

2 audited open-source social networks from European providers

2 open source1 self-hostable

Why open source matters for social networks

Open source social networks lets reviewers inspect available source code. That can support security and privacy assessments, but it does not reveal every deployment, configuration, subprocessor, or hosted-service practice. Verify those operational details separately.

License terms and technical design may make migration, self-hosting, or customization easier. Actual portability and control depend on the product, deployment model, dependencies, and your team's operational capacity.

Self-Hostable
Mastodon logo

Mastodon

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Mastodon

Mastodon is a decentralized social network created in 2016 by Eugen Rochko in Jena, Germany. It operates on the ActivityPub protocol, meaning anyone can run their own server (instance) that federates with the broader network — similar to how email works. There is no central company, no ads, and no algorithmic feed. Mastodon grew to over 10 million users after Twitter's acquisition by Elon Musk, and is governed by a German non-profit (Mastodon gGmbH).

📖Open Source🖥️Self-Hostable🏢EU-hosted

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Email ServicesCloud StorageMessaging AppsAI & Language ModelsOffice SuitesPassword ManagersWeb AnalyticsStreaming & Entertainment

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I self-host these open source social networks tools?

Some open source social networks tools support self-hosting, which can give your organization more control over deployment and data location. 1 of the 2 tools on this page are explicitly marked as self-hostable. Verify the documentation, dependencies, and operational controls before relying on self-hosting for residency or compliance requirements.

Are open source social networks tools free?

Open source means source code is available under a license; it does not always mean the hosted service is free. Products such as Mastodon, Lemmy may offer free tiers or community editions and charge for hosting, enterprise features, or support. Source review can inform an assessment, but deployment, configuration, subprocessors, and service operations also need verification.

Which open source social networks tool is best for enterprise?

The best choice depends on your requirements. Top-rated options include Mastodon, Lemmy. For enterprise use, look for support, SLA terms, SSO, audit logging, security documentation, and data-processing terms. European headquarters alone does not establish GDPR compliance or hosting location; verify those details with each provider and seek legal advice where needed.

Explore Social Networks

All Social Networks

Browse every EU alternative in the social networks category, including proprietary and open source options.

Self-Hosted Social Networks

Run social networks on your own infrastructure for complete data control.