GoToSocial Introduction
GoToSocial is a lightweight, customizable, and safety-focused ActivityPub social network server developed in Golang. It offers a privacy-conscious alternative to traditional social media platforms, enabling users to connect with friends, post content, and share media without being tracked or subjected to advertisements. Designed for the Fediverse, it allows seamless interaction with users across various federated servers.
Key Features
- Mastodon API Compatibility: Integrates with popular Mastodon clients like Tusky and Pinafore for a familiar user experience.
- Granular Post Visibility: Offers public, unlisted, followers-only, and direct messaging options to control who sees your content.
- Federation: Connects with other Fediverse servers using ActivityPub, promoting a decentralized social networking experience.
- Safety and Security: Includes strict privacy enforcement, HTTP signature authentication, and support for two-factor authentication.
- Lightweight and Easy to Run: Uses minimal resources (250-350MiB RAM), making it ideal for single-board computers or small VPS setups.
- Customizable: Supports themes, custom CSS, and various federation modes (blocklist, allowlist) to tailor the user and admin experience.
- OIDC Integration: Allows integration with identity providers like Auth0 for streamlined user management.
Use Cases
GoToSocial is perfect for individuals and small communities seeking a self-hosted social media solution with an emphasis on privacy and control. It caters to tech-savvy users who want to run their own servers on minimal hardware, as well as developers looking to build custom front-ends using its well-documented API. Its federation capabilities make it an excellent choice for connecting with the broader Fediverse, while its focus on safety features appeals to those prioritizing secure communication.
Whether you're escaping corporate social media or building a niche community, GoToSocial provides a flexible, open-source platform to meet your needs.
