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Threads vs Mastodon: catalog facts
Threads	Mastodon
Free Free to use.	Free Free and open source under the AGPL. Hosting is separate.
Android, iOS, Web	Android, Web, Self-hosted
Large mainstream audience Optional fediverse sharing over ActivityPub	Chronological timelines with no engagement ranking Federated, so moving servers does not mean losing your network
Centrally owned and operated by Meta Fediverse support is optional and partial	Your experience depends heavily on which server you join Running a server has real moderation and maintenance cost
Downloadable app, Web application, Hosted service	Self-hosted, Web application
Closed source	Open source
License: Proprietary	License: AGPL-3.0
Account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Needs internet	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

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