Pixelfed
Pixelfed is a free, open-source image sharing platform without algorithmic manipulation. Your feed is chronological, private, and ad-free. It's part of the fediverse, allowing cross-platform interaction.
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Decentralized, algorithm-free photo sharing that respects your privacy.
Core Features
- Chronological feed, no algorithmic curation
- End-to-end encrypted direct messages
- High-resolution photo and video upload
- Join public instances or self-host
- No ads, no data mining, no phone number required
What It Can't Do
- •Self-hosting requires technical skills (PHP, database, web server);,The fediverse is still growing; user base is smaller than Instagram but very active;,Privacy ≠ anonymity: your posts can still be shared or screenshotted by others;,Instance moderation policies vary; choose an instance that aligns with your values.
Use Cases
- Photographers sharing work without algorithmic bias
- Privacy-conscious users seeking an alternative to Instagram
- Communities or organizations running their own image sharing server
- Anyone wanting to escape big tech's data control
Detailed Introduction
Pixelfed is a free, open-source image sharing platform that puts you back in control. Unlike mainstream social media, it uses no algorithms to decide what you see—your feed is chronological and based solely on who you follow. Built on the ActivityPub protocol, it's part of the fediverse, meaning you can follow users from other federated platforms like Mastodon. Pixelfed offers end-to-end encryption for direct messages, supports high-resolution photos and videos, and has no ads or data mining. You can join a public instance or run your own server. The interface is clean and familiar, making it easy for anyone to switch from Instagram. With millions of users and a growing community, Pixelfed proves that social media can be ethical, transparent, and enjoyable.
Troubleshooting & FAQ (1)
TroubleshootingWhy does Pixelfed Atom feed only show the first image and not all media thumbnails?
This was a known limitation in Pixelfed. The fix has been implemented via pull request #5385, which updates the atom feed template to include all media thumbnails. Update to the latest Pixelfed version or apply the changes from the PR to resolve the issue.
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Getting Started
Download installer
Click the button above to download the installer for your system
Install the software
Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the prompts
1. Visit a public instance (e.g., pixelfed.social) or set up your own;
2. Create an account with just a username and password (no phone required);
3. Upload photos, add captions and hashtags, start sharing.
- 1. Visit a public instance (e.g., pixelfed.social) or set up your own;
- 2. Create an account with just a username and password (no phone required);
- 3. Upload photos, add captions and hashtags, start sharing.
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Open Source Transparency
View GitHub SourceUninstall Info
If using a public instance, simply delete your account. For self-hosted setups, remove the deployment directory, database, and configuration files (refer to documentation).
No Extra Dependencies
Ready to use after download. No additional runtime required.
Having issues? Check the FAQ below
1 FAQ
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