Pixelfed
Decentralized photo sharing platform without algorithmic timelines
Pixelfed lets photographers share images across the fediverse, offering a timeline free of algorithms and full control over content, backed by a vibrant open‑source community.
Overview
Overview
Pixelfed is a federated photo‑sharing service built on the ActivityPub protocol, allowing users to post images and interact with audiences across the fediverse. It replaces algorithmic timelines with chronological feeds, fostering genuine discovery and community engagement.
Who It's For & Deployment
Ideal for photographers, hobbyist communities, and organizations that prioritize privacy and control. The platform runs on a Laravel/Vue stack and can be deployed via Docker, traditional PHP hosting, or as a YunoHost app. Comprehensive documentation guides self‑hosting, while the active community provides support through Mastodon and email.
Core Capabilities
Upload high‑resolution photos, create albums, follow users on other fediverse instances, and customize the UI. Being open‑source under AGPL‑3.0, Pixelfed encourages contributions and extensions, ensuring the platform evolves with its users' needs.
Highlights
Pros
- No algorithmic feed, promotes genuine engagement
- Federated, interoperable with other fediverse services
- Active community and regular updates
- Self‑hostable with flexible deployment options
Considerations
- Requires technical knowledge to self‑host
- Feature set may lag behind mainstream platforms
- Limited mobile app ecosystem
- Performance depends on server resources
Fit guide
Great for
- Photographers who value privacy and control
- Communities wanting a decentralized social hub
- Organizations seeking a brand‑safe image sharing platform
- Developers interested in contributing to a federated network
Not ideal when
- Casual users who prefer plug‑and‑play mobile apps
- Businesses needing built‑in advertising tools
- Teams requiring extensive enterprise support
- Users expecting a large existing user base on a single platform
How teams use it
Artist portfolio hosting
Showcase work and receive feedback without algorithmic suppression
Community photo archive
Preserve events and share with members across the fediverse
Brand visual storytelling
Maintain control over imagery and audience while reaching federated networks
Open‑source social research
Study decentralized network dynamics using a real‑world platform
Tech snapshot
Frequently asked questions
Is Pixelfed free to use?
Yes, the software is released under AGPL‑3.0 and can be used without licensing fees; hosting costs may apply.
Do I need a domain to run Pixelfed?
A domain is recommended for public instances, but you can run Pixelfed locally for testing without one.
How does federation work?
Pixelfed implements the ActivityPub protocol, enabling interaction with other fediverse services such as Mastodon.
Can I customize the user interface?
Yes, because it uses Laravel and Vue, you can modify templates, components, and styling to fit your brand.
Is there a mobile app available?
Official mobile apps are limited; however, the web interface is responsive and can be accessed from mobile browsers.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 6,856
- Watchers
- 6,856
- Forks
- 819
Last synced 12 hours ago