Pixelfed

Pixelfed is an Instagram-style photo sharing web application that supports federation with other servers via ActivityPub. It lets individuals and communities publish photos, follow accounts, like/comment on posts, and interact across the wider Fediverse (e.g., Mastodon) while remaining under the control of the instance operator.

Key Features

• ActivityPub federation to follow and be followed by accounts on other Fediverse platforms
• Media posting with captions, hashtags, and engagement (likes, comments, follows)
• Timelines/feeds and discovery via tags (instance-dependent configuration)
• Account privacy controls (public/private profiles and follower approvals)
• Admin and moderation tooling (instance policies, content/report handling; capabilities vary by version)
• API support and a web UI optimized for mobile use; many communities use third-party mobile clients

Use Cases

• Host a community photo network for a club, school, or local group with federation enabled
• Personal photo publishing with control over retention, domain, and policies
• Organization-run creative portfolio hub that can interoperate with the Fediverse

Limitations and Considerations

• Federation behavior and available features can differ by Pixelfed version and instance configuration.

Pixelfed provides a familiar photo-centric social experience while leveraging open federation standards. It is best suited for operators who want a photo-first social network that can interconnect with other Fediverse services and can be customized via instance policy and configuration.