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Loops vs Skylight: catalog facts
Loops	Skylight
Free Free to use, with no ads, and the server can be self-hosted.	Free No paid tier is mentioned on the homepage.
Android, iOS, Web, Self-hosted	Android, iOS
Federates with Mastodon and other ActivityPub services Following and For You feeds without ads	Works with existing Bluesky accounts Content and followers are portable across AT Protocol services
Much smaller creator base than commercial short-video apps Running an instance takes server administration skills	Mobile apps only Developer and pricing details are not stated in the research
Downloadable app, Web application, Self-hosted	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026

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