GoToSocial

GoToSocial is an ActivityPub social network server written in Go, designed as a lightweight and safety-focused way to run a microblogging community in the Fediverse. It emphasizes chronological timelines, privacy controls, and a backend-first approach that works with many Mastodon-compatible clients.

Key Features

• ActivityPub federation with other Fediverse servers
• Mastodon API compatibility (with some extensions)
• Granular post visibility (public, unlisted, followers-only, direct)
• Reply controls via interaction policies
• Optional local-only posting (client-dependent)
• Optional RSS feed for public profiles
• Markdown-based rich text formatting for posts
• Themes and custom CSS for profiles
• Federation controls including domain allow/block lists and modes
• Safety features like strict privacy enforcement, strict blocking logic, and TOTP-based 2FA

Use Cases

• Host a small-to-medium community microblogging server that federates with the Fediverse
• Run a lightweight personal instance on low-resource hardware (SBCs or small VPS)
• Integrate logins with an existing identity provider using OpenID Connect

Limitations and Considerations

• Beta software: missing features and known bugs are expected
• Federation interoperability may vary across different ActivityPub implementations
• Local-only posting depends on client support

GoToSocial is well-suited for administrators who want a resource-efficient Fediverse server with strong moderation and privacy primitives. Its backend-first design makes it especially attractive when paired with existing Mastodon-compatible mobile and web clients.