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Elk vs TheDesk: catalog facts
Elk	TheDesk
Free Free to use and open source.	Free Free and open source under GPL-3.0, with no paid features or ads; funded by donations.
Web	Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
Nothing to install, runs in any modern browser Works with an account on an existing Mastodon server	Flexible multi-column timeline layout Colour coding per column or account
Mastodon focused rather than covering every fediverse platform Requires a Mastodon account	Misskey support is only partial Version 25 does not keep settings from v24 and earlier
Web application	Downloadable app, Web application
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-3.0
Account needed	Account needed
Needs internet	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.