Compare software

Phanpy vs Elk: catalog facts
Phanpy	Elk
Free Used in the browser with an existing Mastodon account; no paid plan is shown.	Free Free to use and open source.
Web	Web
Nothing to install, runs in any browser Minimal interface as an alternative to the default Mastodon web app	Nothing to install, runs in any modern browser Works with an account on an existing Mastodon server
Needs an account on a separate Mastodon server Opinionated design will not suit every reading style	Mastodon focused rather than covering every fediverse platform Requires a Mastodon account
Web application	Web application
Closed source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
Account 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 23, 2026

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