Pixelfed

Pixelfed is an open-source, self-hosted web application that focuses on photo sharing. It operates as a web application that users can deploy on their own servers to maintain control over their data and media. By removing the central authority found in proprietary platforms, it allows individuals and communities to host their own instances of the software.

The platform enables users to share photography and casual images without the use of algorithms to determine visibility. It integrates with the fediverse, allowing users on different server instances to interact and follow one another across the network. This decentralized approach ensures that content delivery remains transparent and that users are not subjected to targeted advertising or algorithmic curation of their feeds.

Key features

• Decentralized architecture via ActivityPub federation
• Chronological feeds for content discovery
• User controlled privacy settings
• Ad free browsing experience
• Support for creative photography and casual shots
• Compatibility with YunoHost for simplified deployment
• Open source distribution under the AGPL license

Built using the Laravel framework, Pixelfed is designed for photographers and social media users who prefer a decentralized environment. The software relies on the ActivityPub protocol to ensure interoperability with other fediverse platforms, meaning a user on one Pixelfed instance can interact with users on other compatible servers. This architecture allows for a distributed network of servers that communicate with each other, effectively creating a global social network without a single owner. The system is intended for those who want to escape the constraints of corporate social media while retaining the ability to reach a wide audience through federation.

Because it is licensed under the AGPL, the software remains open for modification and redistribution. This ensures that the community can contribute to its development and that the platform remains accessible to anyone with the technical means to host a server. The project is supported by various sponsors, including the NLnet Foundation and NGI0, as part of the Next Generation Internet initiative.

Pixelfed serves as a privacy focused option for those seeking a non-proprietary photo sharing network.