4 Open Source Alternatives to Facebook

A list of 4 carefully selected open-source alternatives to Facebook.

Adrian
Created by
Adrian
Mar 9, 2025Updated6 min read

The open-source alternatives are ranked based on our custom ranking system and score. This system takes into account various factors to determine the best alternatives.

If you’re looking for alternative features or workflows, here is a prepared detailed list of Facebook open-source alternatives — each with its own distinctive strengths and key features.

#1
Movim logo

Movim

1,781
252

Movim is an open source, decentralized social and chat platform built on XMPP. It brings together communication tools like chatrooms, blogs, and video conferencing in a unified, easy-to-use interface that works across all devices.

Movim screenshot

Key Features

  • Unified platform for chat, blogs, communities, and video conferencing
  • Based on the open XMPP standard, ensuring broad compatibility
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging with OMEMO support
  • Responsive design across all devices including mobile and desktop
  • Self-hosting option and progressive web app capabilities

Movim serves as a powerful web frontend for the XMPP network, offering a complete social and chat experience. It centralizes features such as communities, blogs, stories, and full-featured chats including end-to-end encryption with OMEMO. The platform is designed for seamless use on smartphones to desktop computers and supports integration with other XMPP clients. Additionally, Movim is available as a Progressive Web App and can be deployed as a self-hosted instance, making it adaptable for both personal and professional use.

#2
Friendica logo

Friendica

1,522
353

Friendica is a decentralized social network platform that empowers users to connect seamlessly across different systems. It provides a versatile communication hub that integrates multiple protocols, ensuring robust privacy and extensibility.

Friendica screenshot

Key Features

  • Decentralized architecture with no central ownership
  • Cross-protocol compatibility (ActivityPub, Diaspora, OStatus, etc.)
  • Seamless posting, commenting, and private messaging
  • Robust privacy controls with access lists and encrypted communications
  • Highly extensible with themes, plugins, and third-party integrations
  • Free to use with community-driven development

Friendica enables users to set up distributed social networks without a central authority. The platform supports wall-to-wall posts, remote comments, private messaging, and a variety of communication protocols including ActivityPub, Diaspora, and OStatus. Its design allows for customizable themes and plugins, providing flexibility for personal, community, and enterprise use.

#3
Mastodon logo

Mastodon

47,896
7,121

Mastodon is a free, open-source, decentralized microblogging platform that puts community control first. It allows users to host their own social network while connecting with a global federation of servers, free from corporate influence and ads.

Mastodon screenshot

Key Features

  • Decentralized architecture for global interconnectivity
  • No algorithms or ads, with complete user control
  • Rich multimedia support and custom emoji options
  • Robust moderation tools tailored to individual server communities
  • Free and open-source software empowering community-driven development

Mastodon enables you to build your own microblogging community with complete control over what you see and share. The platform supports a rich variety of media—including photos, videos, and audio—and offers robust moderation and customization options. With decentralized server architecture, Mastodon facilitates cross-server interactions, giving you a truly interconnected social experience without intrusive algorithms or sponsored content.

Price comparison of Facebook open-source alternatives

ToolTier 1Details
Friendica logo
Friendica
$0
Friendica - Free
Learn more

* Pricing shown is based on publicly available information and may not reflect current rates. Visit each tool's website for detailed pricing information and additional tiers.

About Facebook

Facebook is a social networking platform founded by Mark Zuckerberg in February 2004. It is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, United States. The company began as a project called Facemash by Zuckerberg while he was still a student at Harvard University. It quickly evolved into Thefacebook and was initially limited to Harvard students before expanding to other universities and finally becoming available to anyone over the age of 13 with a valid email address. Facebook's headquarters, known as Facebook Campus, is located in Menlo Park, California. The campus spans over 430,000 square feet and consists of several buildings designed to foster innovation and collaboration amongst employees. The main building, called MPK20, features an open floor plan with multiple workspaces, cafes, and outdoor spaces. The campus also includes amenities such as a fitness center, dining facilities, and even a bike repair shop. The main product offered by Facebook is its social networking platform, where users can create profiles, connect with friends and family, share photos and videos, and interact with content posted by others. Additionally, Facebook owns several other popular services, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR. Facebook operates on a global scale, with users from all around the world. As of 2021, Facebook has over 2.8 billion monthly active users. The company has also acquired several noteworthy subsidiaries and made strategic partnerships. Instagram and WhatsApp are the most notable subsidiaries, both of which have become integral parts of the Facebook ecosystem. In terms of market position, Facebook is one of the dominant players in the global technology industry. It competes with other social media platforms such as Twitter and Snapchat but maintains a significant lead in terms of user base and market share. Facebook's global sales primarily come from advertising revenue generated through its platforms. Throughout its history, Facebook has undergone many significant events, achievements, and changes. Some notable milestones include going public in 2012, surpassing one billion users in 2012, and acquiring Instagram for $1 billion in 2012. Currently, Facebook continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape. The company is focusing on privacy and security enhancements, content moderation, and expanding its presence in emerging markets. Facebook's latest updates include the integration of messaging services across its platforms and the introduction of cryptocurrency-based payment systems. In conclusion, Facebook is a global social networking platform that offers a range of products and services. With its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, the company has established itself as a leader in the industry. Facebook's dominance in terms of user base and market share, along with its strategic acquisitions and partnerships, contributes to its strong market position. The company continues to grow and adapt to meet the demands of its users and the digital landscape.
This comparison data was compiled with AI assistance.
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