PixelFed

Pixelfed is a self‑hostable photo‑sharing service that operates on the ActivityPub federation protocol, allowing users to publish and view images across the broader fediverse without relying on centralized platforms. It stores and serves photos, supports user profiles, follows, likes, and comments, and presents a web interface that adapts to light and dark themes. The software is released under the AGPL‑3.0 license, is free to use, and does not require any subscription or tiered pricing.

The platform targets individuals and communities who want an ethical alternative to mainstream photo apps, emphasizing algorithm‑free timelines and open‑source transparency. Because it can be installed on personal servers or hosted through services such as YunoHost, operators can maintain full control over data and moderation policies while still interoperating with other federated services like Mastodon.

Distinctive aspects include its integration with the ActivityPub network, which enables cross‑instance interaction, and its commitment to a libre ecosystem supported by a community of contributors and sponsors. Documentation, community channels, and translation badges are provided to facilitate deployment and multilingual use.