GoToSocial

Fast, fun, ActivityPub server, powered by Go

About GoToSocial

GoToSocial is a lightweight ActivityPub social network server, written in Go, that implements the Mastodon client API so common Fediverse apps work with it. It is designed for small or single-user instances running on modest hardware like single-board computers, with sensible security defaults and no tracking or advertising. It suits individuals and small communities who want a friendly, low-maintenance home in the Fediverse.

GoToSocial website preview

Live preview of gotosocial.org via the WordPress mShots service — it can take a few seconds to generate on a first visit.

GoToSocial: strengths & things to check

Strengths

Completely free to use — this directory lists no paid plan for it.
Covers fediverse, activitypub, social network, self hosted — see the focus areas listed in its key facts.
Has 6 close alternatives in the same category on this page, so switching or comparing is easy.

Things to check

Free tools can change their model or shut down — avoid locking critical work into it without an export path.
Current plan prices are not listed here (they change too often to print reliably) — confirm the exact price on the official site.
It is one of 565 tools in the Communication & Collaboration category here — compare it against the alternatives below before you commit.

Derived from this listing's own data (pricing model, focus areas and category) — not a hands-on review score.

GoToSocial pricing

Pricing model	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Free access	Yes — fully free
Current plan prices	Listed on the official site — prices change, so this directory links out instead of printing a number that may already be stale.
Official site	gotosocial.org

GoToSocial key facts

Category: Communication & Collaboration
Pricing: Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas: fediverse, activitypub, social network, self hosted
Official site: gotosocial.org

GoToSocial FAQ

How much does GoToSocial cost?

Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. Current plans and prices are listed on the official site (gotosocial.org).

What is GoToSocial used for?

Fast, fun, ActivityPub server, powered by Go Its focus areas in the Communication & Collaboration category: fediverse, activitypub, social network, self hosted.

Where can I try GoToSocial?

On its official site, gotosocial.org — the Visit Official Site button above goes straight there.

GoToSocial vs alternatives

	GoToSocial	Akkoma	Friendica	Hubzilla
Pricing	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas	fediverse, activitypub, social network, self hosted	fediverse, activitypub, microblogging, self hosted, open source	social network, fediverse, decentralized, activitypub	fediverse, social network, self hosted, open source
Official site	gotosocial.org	akkoma.social	friendi.ca	hubzilla.org
Directory status	Listed	Listed	Listed	Listed

Side-by-side from each listing's own directory data. Full alternative cards are below.

About the Communication & Collaboration category

Chat, video meetings, and messaging apps that keep teams connected. The Communication & Collaboration category on Tools Hub currently lists 565 tools. Alongside GoToSocial, it includes Ech0, Mumble, GNU Mailman, Hubzilla.

FreeCommunication & Collaborationfediverseactivitypubsocial-networkself-hosted

Alternatives to GoToSocial

Tools in the same Communication & Collaboration category that share focus areas with GoToSocial — worth comparing before you commit:

Communication & Collaboration

Akkoma

Magically expressive federated social media server software

Freefediverseactivitypubmicrobloggingself-hosted

Communication & Collaboration

Friendica

A decentralized social network that connects you across the Fediverse

Freesocial-networkfediversedecentralizedactivitypub

Communication & Collaboration

Hubzilla

Open-source home base for collaboration and social interactions

Freefediversesocial-networkself-hostedopen-source

Communication & Collaboration

Iceshrimp.NET

Federated microblogging server that communicates over ActivityPub

Freemicrobloggingfediverseactivitypubself-hosted

Communication & Collaboration

Mastodon

Free, open-source decentralized social networking over ActivityPub

Freesocial-networkfediversemicrobloggingactivitypub

Communication & Collaboration

Pleroma

Free, federated social networking server built on open protocols

Freefediversemicrobloggingactivitypubself-hosted

More in Communication & Collaboration

Comparing tools in the Communication & Collaboration category? These related listings are worth a look: Ech0 — Open-source, self-hosted lightweight publishing for personal ideas; Mumble — Free, open source, low-latency, high-quality voice chat; GNU Mailman — The GNU mailing list manager for discussions and newsletters.