Isso
Lightweight self-hosted commenting server for websites
5.3k stars 465 forks last commit first released MIT
Actively maintained
Last commit 26 Aug 2026.
Isso is a lightweight commenting server written in Python and JavaScript, designed as a drop-in alternative to Disqus for adding comments to websites. It stores comments locally (commonly using SQLite) and provides a small embeddable JavaScript client for rendering and posting comments.
Key Features
- Markdown-based comments
- Configurable JavaScript client for easy embedding
- SQLite backend storage
- Comment editing and deletion (time-limited by default)
- Moderation queue for approving comments before public visibility
- Import tools for migrating comments from Disqus and WordPress
- Works across major browsers including Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Edge
Use Cases
- Add a privacy-friendly comment section to a personal blog or static site
- Replace Disqus while keeping comment data under your control
- Migrate existing Disqus or WordPress comments to a self-managed system
Isso is well-suited for sites that want a simple comment system without external tracking and with minimal operational overhead. Its small embed client and straightforward backend make it a practical choice for self-hosted web publishing setups.
Categories:
Tags:
Tech Stack:
Similar to Isso
Remark42
Privacy-focused self-hosted commenting engine
Remark42 is a lightweight, privacy-focused self-hosted comment system with social/email login, moderation tools, notifications, and easy embedding for blogs and sites.
Chirpy
Privacy-friendly, customizable comment system for websites
Open-source, privacy-friendly Disqus alternative with a customizable widget, real-time comments, moderation tools, and notifications for blogs and communities.
Artalk
Self-hosted comment system for websites and blogs
Artalk is a lightweight, self-hosted comment system with a fast Go backend and a framework-agnostic JavaScript client for embedding comments on any site.
linkding
Minimal self-hosted bookmark manager with tags, notes, and archiving
Self-hosted bookmark manager with tagging, notes, read-it-later, sharing, archiving, import/export, browser extensions, and a REST API.
GoatCounter
Privacy-friendly web analytics with minimal tracking
Open source web analytics focused on privacy, lightweight tracking, and simple, meaningful reports as an alternative to Google Analytics or Matomo.
Basic Memory
Local-first persistent memory for AI chats using Markdown notes
Basic Memory gives AI assistants durable, local-first memory by reading and writing structured Markdown notes, enabling reusable context across conversations and tools.
