Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Mastodon VS X (Twitter)

Compare Mastodon VS X (Twitter) and see what are their differences

Mastodon logo Mastodon

Mastodon is a decentralized, open source social network. This is just one part of the network, run by the main developers of the project It is not focused on any particular niche interest - everyone is welcome!

X (Twitter) logo X (Twitter)

Connect with your friends and other fascinating people. Get in-the-moment updates on the things that interest you. And watch events unfold, in real time, from every angle.
  • Mastodon Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20
  • X (Twitter) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-08

Mastodon features and specs

  • Decentralization
    Mastodon is based on a federated network, meaning it's composed of multiple servers (or instances) that communicate with each other. This reduces the risk of a single point of failure and offers more control over data.
  • User Control
    Users can choose from various instances with different rules and themes, offering more control over the kind of community they want to be part of.
  • Ad-Free
    Mastodon does not rely on advertising for revenue, which means users can enjoy a social media experience without intrusive ads.
  • Open Source
    Mastodon is open-source software, allowing for greater transparency and the opportunity for the community to contribute to its development.
  • Privacy Features
    Mastodon offers comprehensive privacy features, including granular post visibility options and the ability to block and report users.

Possible disadvantages of Mastodon

  • User Base Fragmentation
    Because Mastodon is decentralized, users are spread out over many instances, leading to smaller, fragmented communities that might reduce the reach and variety of interactions.
  • Complexity
    New users might find the federated nature of Mastodon confusing, as they need to choose an instance and understand how different instances interact.
  • Scalability Issues
    Some instances may experience performance issues or downtime, especially smaller ones with limited resources, affecting reliability.
  • Content Moderation
    Each instance sets its own moderation policies, which could lead to inconsistencies in how harassment, spam, and inappropriate content are handled.
  • Feature Parity
    Mastodon might lack some features available on more mainstream social networks, such as advanced search capabilities or integrated multimedia tools.

X (Twitter) features and specs

  • Real-Time Updates
    X (formerly Twitter) allows users to receive and share information instantly, making it ideal for breaking news and real-time event updates.
  • Wide Reach
    With millions of active users globally, X provides an extensive platform for messages to reach a large and diverse audience.
  • Engagement Tools
    Features like retweets, replies, likes, and polls enable robust interaction and engagement with content.
  • Hashtags
    Hashtags facilitate easy categorization and searchability of tweets, making it simpler for users to find and connect over common interests.
  • Influencer and Celebrity Presence
    Many influencers, celebrities, and public figures are active on X, providing a unique opportunity for fans to engage with them directly.

Possible disadvantages of X (Twitter)

  • Limited Character Count
    The platform's character limit restricts the depth and complexity of messages that can be conveyed in a single tweet.
  • Misinformation
    Due to the speed and volume of content, X is susceptible to the rapid spread of false or misleading information.
  • Trolling and Harassment
    The platform can sometimes be a breeding ground for negative behavior, including trolling, harassment, and cyberbullying.
  • Privacy Concerns
    There are ongoing concerns about user privacy and data security, including the potential misuse of personal information.
  • Algorithmic Bias
    X's algorithm can sometimes prioritize sensational or controversial content, potentially skewing user perspectives and limiting the visibility of diverse viewpoints.

Mastodon videos

Mastodon - Emperor of Sand ALBUM REVIEW

More videos:

  • Review - MASTODON Emperor of Sand Album Review | Overkill Reviews
  • Review - A Closer Look at Mastodon, The Twitter Killer!
  • Review - Mastodon App: The Social Media Alternative to Twitter? | Tech News Briefing Podcast | WSJ
  • Review - 5 Reasons to DITCH TWITTER For Mastodon!
  • Review - No, Mastodon Will Not Replace Twitter

X (Twitter) videos

Twitter is still not a nice place: Year in Review

More videos:

  • Review - Stupid Zombies for Android Review by Androinica.com
  • Tutorial - How To Create Logos In Discord With Painter Bot?
  • Review - JSF ITF F-35 2015 Year In Review
  • Review - Apple iPad Pro For Coding | Carnets - Jupyter
  • Review - LEGATALK Explainer - EN
  • Review - Origami spaceship (Flashfox) review
  • Review - I Mastered The HQ Trivia App

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Mastodon and X (Twitter))
Social Networks
29 29%
71% 71
Decentralized Social Network
Social Network
33 33%
67% 67
Open Source
38 38%
62% 62

User comments

Share your experience with using Mastodon and X (Twitter). For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Mastodon and X (Twitter)

Mastodon Reviews

  1. Coralie Davis
    Account Suspension Without any Proper Reason

    The social networking sites that will ban your account without mentioning any reason.

    👍 Pros:    Worst support

Top 12 Alternative Social Media Platform to Consider: An Overview
Imagine a Twitter fuelled by independent communities, not a tech giant. That's Mastodon. It's not one platform, but a network of servers, each with its own vibe, from artists and journalists to cat lovers and techies. You choose your server, connect across them, and post "toots" with longer text, images, and videos. Think open-source Twitter with more freedom and...
The 10 Best Twitter Alternatives if You’re Thinking of Quitting X
However, the segmented nature of its network means it can take time to find and build your niche, and it won’t have the immediate, global reach of Twitter. Regarding features, Mastodon mirrors Twitter with timelines and @mentions, but it’s ad-free.
4 Twitter alternatives for brands considering leaving Twitter in 2024
You won't find an algorithm on Mastodon. Instead, it shows users posts that the people they follow repost or comment on. This dynamic means it's really important to engage with your community and build organic reach.
Source: zapier.com
15 Best Reddit Alternatives in 2024: Find Your New Online Community
The best overall alternative depends on your specific needs. Discord offers versatile communication options, while Mastodon provides a decentralized approach. For a more Reddit-like experience, Lemmy or Voat might be suitable choices.
10+ Top Facebook Alternatives That Value Your Privacy in 2024
It is ad-free and the system does not track you or collect your data. Only servers that agree to the “Mastodon Server Covenant” (a commitment to integrity) are listed on the main site.

X (Twitter) Reviews

  1. Pretty nice app to share and to see how the people share the thoughts here

    👍 Pros:    Straightforward|Easy user interface|Information is easily accessible
    👎 Cons:    Can't attach a video file to your post

Top 12 Alternative Social Media Platform to Consider: An Overview
Imagine a Twitter fuelled by independent communities, not a tech giant. That's Mastodon. It's not one platform, but a network of servers, each with its own vibe, from artists and journalists to cat lovers and techies. You choose your server, connect across them, and post "toots" with longer text, images, and videos. Think open-source Twitter with more freedom and...
The 7 Best Facebook Alternatives in 2024
News stories almost always break on this platform before Facebook and other sites. It also provides users the rare opportunity to interact with editors and journalists directly due to the high number of media personnel using the service. X may not be great for catching up with family members, but it can’t be topped for staying up-to-date on the news.
The 10 Best Twitter Alternatives if You’re Thinking of Quitting X
However, the segmented nature of its network means it can take time to find and build your niche, and it won’t have the immediate, global reach of Twitter. Regarding features, Mastodon mirrors Twitter with timelines and @mentions, but it’s ad-free.
4 Twitter alternatives for brands considering leaving Twitter in 2024
If you do decide to leave Twitter, it's worth figuring out where to go. You still have Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, but they're not really alternatives to Twitter. I asked some folks who manage brand social media accounts for their thoughts on Twitter alternatives, and these are the options that seem to be the most promising.
Source: zapier.com
Alternatives to Deferendum
Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Quora: While these social media platforms provide opportunities for discussion and debate, Deferendum offers a more structured approach to group decision-making. Deferendum allows members to focus on specific problems and solutions, and provides a transparent process for voting and decision-making.
Source: deferendum.com

Social recommendations and mentions

X (Twitter) might be a bit more popular than Mastodon. We know about 895 links to it since March 2021 and only 731 links to Mastodon. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Mastodon mentions (731)

  • Electric buses don't like the cold, study finds
    Electric buses failed in Tompkins County ultimately. Just after I got this pic [1] https://mastodon.social/@UP8/111970855110384330 they had one fall apart when they jacked it up on the lift and took them out of service. It wasn't a problem with the "electric" part, it was a problem with the "bus" not being structurally sound. Buses are tougher than you might think. In the 1970s NYC had at least two bus... - Source: Hacker News / 4 days ago
  • Calendars, Contacts and Files in Stalwart
    I understand your perspective, many open source communities are built on transparency, and it's natural to want to know the people behind a project. That said, I personally value privacy highly, which is actually one of the main reasons I started Stalwart Mail Server. I don't maintain a personal presence on LinkedIn or other social media platforms, not because I'm trying to be anonymous, but because I prefer to... - Source: Hacker News / 6 days ago
  • Mozilla shutdown Pocket on July 8, 2025
    I built Obsidian Web Clipper to replace my read-it-later app and save everything to local markdown files. Now that Obsidian Bases it makes for a very nice web archival tool and reading experience. Here's a video: https://mastodon.social/@kepano/114553164915046938. - Source: Hacker News / 10 days ago
  • The White House, LLC
    > It’s best to understand that fascists see hypocrisy as a virtue. It’s how they signal that the things they are doing to people were never meant to be equally applied. > It’s not an inconsistency. It’s very consistent to the only true fascist value, which is domination. > It’s very important to understand, fascists don’t just see hypocrisy as a necessary evil or an unintended side-effect. >... - Source: Hacker News / 13 days ago
  • Memory-safe sudo to become the default in Ubuntu
    The Lennart post about it explain it https://mastodon.social/@pid_eins/112353324518585654 He was comparing to "normal" sudo, but sudo-rs have the same problems he highlighted anyway. - Source: Hacker News / 26 days ago
View more

X (Twitter) mentions (895)

  • Me: I’ll fix it later. Also me: 3 months later 😬
    I happened to stop upon this in twitter aka x but....https://x.com/. - Source: dev.to / 2 days ago
  • A True React Hook Form Alternative – FormEngine 4.0 Is Now MIT Licensed and Free! 🚀
    🔗 Mention @optimajet Formengine X / Twitter. - Source: dev.to / 6 days ago
  • Where can I get Grok 3? What You Need to Know
    For persistent issues, consult the help sections on x.com. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • How to scrape Bluesky with Python
    Bluesky is an emerging social network developed by former members of the Twitter(now X) development team. The platform has been showing significant growth recently, reaching 140.3 million visits according to SimilarWeb. Like X, luesky generates a vast amount of data that can be used for analysis. In this article, we’ll explore how to collect this data using Crawlee for Python. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Ask HN: Is X.com's (Twitter) Tor Broken?
    The preferred TOR location for X.com (twitter) has a broken cert (expired 2023) and returns 503 for all requests. Anyone know who to reach to get this fixed? From https://x.com/ :
        
    - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Mastodon and X (Twitter), you can also consider the following products

Facebook - Connect with friends, family and other people you know. Share photos and videos, send messages and get updates.

Gab.ai - Gab is an ad-free social network dedicated to free speech.

Reddit - Reddit gives you the best of the internet in one place. Get a constantly updating feed of breaking news, fun stories, pics, memes, and videos just for you.

Instagram - Instagram is a mobile, desktop, and Internet-based photo-sharing application and service that allows users to share pictures and videos either publicly, or privately to pre-approved followers.

Diaspora - The online social world where you are in control.

Friendica - Decentralisation - Privacy - Interoperability