- GitHub stars
- 50,376
- License
- AGPL-3.0
- Latest release
- v4.7.3
1 October 2026 - Last commit
- 12 October 2026
- Runs on
- Ruby
Commits per month, last 12 months
2,818 commits
Replaces
Paid products Mastodon can stand in for.
How to self-host Mastodon
Mastodon runs on Ruby. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.
- Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
- Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
- Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
- Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.
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Questions
Is Mastodon free?
Yes. Mastodon is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.
Can I self-host Mastodon?
Yes. Mastodon runs on Ruby. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.
What does Mastodon replace?
People use Mastodon instead of Threads or X (Twitter).
Is Mastodon still maintained?
The last change to Mastodon's code was on 12 October 2026, with 2818 commits in the last 12 months.
Topics
App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.