Compare software

Thunder vs Mlem: catalog facts
Thunder	Mlem
Best for: Lemmy and PieFed users who want a native phone client	Best for: Lemmy users on iPhone who want a native client
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source.
Android, iOS	iOS
Supports both Lemmy and PieFed One codebase for iOS and Android All 3 strengths for Thunder Supports both Lemmy and PieFed One codebase for iOS and Android Open source and actively developed	Native iOS app written in Swift Works across Lemmy instances All 4 strengths for Mlem Native iOS app written in Swift Works across Lemmy instances Open source with an active contributor group Open in Mlem extension for Lemmy links
Mobile only, no desktop app Limited to Lemmy and PieFed rather than the wider fediverse	iOS only, with no Android version Supports Lemmy rather than other fediverse platforms
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Thunder github.com/thunder-app/thunder play.google.com/store/apps/details apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/com.hjiangsu.thunder apps.apple.com/us/app/thunder-for-lemmy/id6450518497 Catalog checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Mlem github.com/mlemgroup/mlem apps.apple.com/us/app/mlem-for-lemmy/id6450543782 Catalog checked September 24, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.