A beginner’s guide to Mastodon, the open source Twitter alternative

For many, Mastodon remained an unknown entity until the dramatic changes at Twitter — now known as X — sparked a surge of interest in alternative platforms. Following Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, millions of users flocked to Mastodon, a microblogging service that has been around since 2016. Founded by German developer Eugen Rochko, Mastodon distinguishes itself as a nonprofit platform focused on serving the public rather than pursuing profit. At first glance, Mastodon may resemble Twitter, but its architecture is fundamentally different. Rather than a single entity, Mastodon operates as a decentralized network, likened to a federated email system. When you create an account, you select a server, akin to choosing an email provider, which shapes your profile's address. For instance, if you join through a server dedicated to climate justice, your address will read @[your username]@climatejustice.social. Despite being on different servers, users can still interact across the network, although some servers may restrict connections to certain other servers. Mastodon is composed of various communities, known as instances or servers, each governed by its own rules and moderation policies. Some instances are open to all, while others may require approval or invitations for membership. For example, a server aimed at professionals in the scientific community may ask applicants to provide links to their research. While selecting a server might seem daunting, you can switch servers later, and you can follow users regardless of their server affiliation. This platform is often referred to as part of the 'Fediverse,' a collective of interconnected social networks. Unlike traditional social media where an account on one platform doesn't work on another, a Mastodon account can give you access to multiple decentralized networks. Posts on Mastodon, often called 'toots' in the past, are now more commonly referred to simply as 'posts,' aligning with modern terminology. Mastodon incorporates familiar social media features like replies, boosts, favorites, and hashtags, though it notably lacks a quote tweet function to minimize negative interactions. Instead, posts are visible only to your followers unless you adjust privacy settings. Users can also moderate their experiences; for instance, searching is limited to hashtags, which can help manage audience engagement. The platform supports a range of media but is more limited compared to its mainstream counterparts. Users can share images, videos, and audio, but the file sizes are capped to ensure swift loading and ease of use. Privacy settings for posts allow you to control visibility, making them public, unlisted, or restricted to followers or mentioned users only. Mastodon has no universal verification system like Twitter, although some servers may implement their own vetting processes. Users can creatively display verification-like symbols through their profiles, though these are unofficial. As of mid-2025, Mastodon boasts around one million active users, significantly smaller than X's user base of approximately 132 million daily active users. This smaller community can foster closer connections, offering a more personalized online experience. While navigating Mastodon may take some time, especially for newcomers, the platform's decentralized nature allows for a diverse range of discussions. Whether you’re sharing thoughts on tabletop games or engaging in serious discourse, Mastodon provides a customizable social media experience. As the digital landscape evolves, Mastodon stands as a unique alternative for those seeking something beyond the mainstream social media giants.