Leaving Twitter/X? Here's everything you need
Compare 3 EU alternatives side-by-side. Find the right fit based on migration difficulty, pricing, and privacy features.
Your data may be subject to US surveillance laws
Twitter/X is headquartered in the US. Under the CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, US authorities can access your data without your knowledge. Switch to an EU alternative to keep your data protected under GDPR.
All EU Alternatives at a Glance
| Alternative | Country | Pricing | Difficulty | Time Estimate | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MastodonRecommended Mastodon is an open source federated microblogging service/social media platform. A federated social network is decentralized, similar to how email works. Since Mastodon is open source, anyone with enough technical know-how can create their own Mastodon server where users can register. A Mastodon server is comparable to the email provider in the email system. Mastodon servers can communicate with each other via a standardized and open protocol called ActivityPub. Thanks to this protocol it is possible that users from one Mastodon server can for example follow users from other server or like their content. | 🇪🇺EU | Free | Medium | 1-2 hours | |
PixelFed Learn more about Pixelfed, the free and open-source decentralized photo sharing social media platform | 🇪🇺EU | Free | Medium | 2-4 hours | |
Pleroma Pleroma is a European messaging app designed to enhance communication through a federated network, allowing users to connect across various platforms. It offers a customizable user interface and supports rich media, ensuring a dynamic and personalized user experience. Pleroma stands out with its commitment to privacy, utilizing GDPR-compliant data handling and offering self-hosting capabilities for complete user control. The app is built on the ActivityPub protocol, ensuring seamless integration with other federated services. Ideal for privacy-conscious individuals and organizations, Pleroma provides robust user-controlled content moderation and secure data management. Hosting data within the EU ensures compliance with stringent privacy regulations, offering peace of mind to users concerned about data sovereignty. Pleroma's pricing model is flexible, catering to both individual users and larger organizations seeking a secure and customizable messaging solution. | 🇪🇺EU | Free plan available | Medium | 1-2 hours |
Our Top Picks
Best for Privacy
Pleroma is a European messaging app designed to enhance communication through a federated network, allowing users to connect across various platforms. It offers a customizable user interface and supports rich media, ensuring a dynamic and personalized user experience. Pleroma stands out with its commitment to privacy, utilizing GDPR-compliant data handling and offering self-hosting capabilities for complete user control. The app is built on the ActivityPub protocol, ensuring seamless integration with other federated services. Ideal for privacy-conscious individuals and organizations, Pleroma provides robust user-controlled content moderation and secure data management. Hosting data within the EU ensures compliance with stringent privacy regulations, offering peace of mind to users concerned about data sovereignty. Pleroma's pricing model is flexible, catering to both individual users and larger organizations seeking a secure and customizable messaging solution.
Certifications:
Best Free Option
Mastodon is an open source federated microblogging service/social media platform. A federated social network is decentralized, similar to how email works. Since Mastodon is open source, anyone with enough technical know-how can create their own Mastodon server where users can register. A Mastodon server is comparable to the email provider in the email system. Mastodon servers can communicate with each other via a standardized and open protocol called ActivityPub. Thanks to this protocol it is possible that users from one Mastodon server can for example follow users from other server or like their content.
- No ads; user-funded instances reduce noise
- Decentralized; choose servers with specific rules
- GDPR compliance; strong EU data protection
Migration difficulty data is being enriched for these alternatives.
Detailed Comparison of Each Alternative
Mastodon is an open source federated microblogging service/social media platform. A federated social network is decentralized, similar to how email works. Since Mastodon is open source, anyone with enough technical know-how can create their own Mastodon server where users can register. A Mastodon server is comparable to the email provider in the email system. Mastodon servers can communicate with each other via a standardized and open protocol called ActivityPub. Thanks to this protocol it is possible that users from one Mastodon server can for example follow users from other server or like their content.
Advantages
- No ads; user-funded instances reduce noise
- Decentralized; choose servers with specific rules
- GDPR compliance; strong EU data protection
- Open-source; community-driven improvements
Trade-offs
- Migration; manual follower and content transfer
- Learning curve; unfamiliar federated model
- Feature gaps; lacks trending topics and polls
Learn more about Pixelfed, the free and open-source decentralized photo sharing social media platform
Advantages
- Decentralized servers reduce single-point failures
- GDPR compliance ensures data protection in EU
- Open-source code allows for community-driven improvements
- No character limit encourages detailed photo descriptions
Trade-offs
- Migration may lead to loss of Twitter/X followers
- Learning curve for decentralized platform setup
- Lacks real-time trending topic features
Pleroma is a European messaging app designed to enhance communication through a federated network, allowing users to connect across various platforms. It offers a customizable user interface and supports rich media, ensuring a dynamic and personalized user experience. Pleroma stands out with its commitment to privacy, utilizing GDPR-compliant data handling and offering self-hosting capabilities for complete user control. The app is built on the ActivityPub protocol, ensuring seamless integration with other federated services. Ideal for privacy-conscious individuals and organizations, Pleroma provides robust user-controlled content moderation and secure data management. Hosting data within the EU ensures compliance with stringent privacy regulations, offering peace of mind to users concerned about data sovereignty. Pleroma's pricing model is flexible, catering to both individual users and larger organizations seeking a secure and customizable messaging solution.
Advantages
- Federated network allows diverse server connections.
- User interface customization offers personalized experience.
- GDPR compliance ensures strict data protection standards.
- Self-hosting allows full control over user data.
Trade-offs
- Migration can be complex without direct import tools.
- Lacks real-time trending topic tracking feature.
- Learning curve for federated network and self-hosting.
Before You Switch
Export your data from Twitter/X before you start the migration. This ensures you have a backup and makes the transition smoother.
General Data Export Steps
- 1Log into your Twitter/X account and navigate to Settings or Privacy.
- 2Look for "Download your data", "Export", or "Data portability" options.
- 3Select all data you want to export and choose a standard format (ZIP, CSV, JSON).
- 4Wait for the export to complete — large accounts may take hours or days.
- 5Download and verify the export before proceeding with migration.
Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability. Twitter/X is required to provide your data in a structured, commonly used format upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best EU alternatives to Twitter/X?
There are 3 European alternatives to Twitter/X. Mastodon, PixelFed, Pleroma are among the top-rated options. All are GDPR-compliant and store your data in European data centers.
How long does it take to switch from Twitter/X?
Migration time varies by alternative. Most migrations can be completed in under an hour with our step-by-step guides. We provide detailed migration guides for each alternative.
Can I export my data from Twitter/X?
Yes, most services including Twitter/X allow you to export your data. Check the settings or privacy section of your Twitter/X account for data export options. GDPR also grants you the right to data portability.
Is switching from Twitter/X to an EU alternative safe?
Yes, switching is safe when done correctly. We recommend: 1) Export your data from Twitter/X first, 2) Set up the new EU service, 3) Import your data, 4) Run both services in parallel for a transition period, 5) Update any linked accounts or integrations, and 6) Cancel your Twitter/X subscription only after verifying everything works.
Why should I switch from Twitter/X to an EU alternative?
EU alternatives provide stronger privacy protection under GDPR, keep your data in European data centers, and are not subject to US surveillance laws like the CLOUD Act or FISA Section 702. By switching, you gain true data sovereignty and support European tech innovation.