# Bonfire > free software federated social networking service **Wikidata**: [Q114669628](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114669628) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bonfire ## Summary Bonfire is a free software federated social networking service and microblogging platform that operates as part of the Fediverse, using the ActivityPub protocol to enable decentralized communication across different servers and platforms. Written in the Elixir programming language, it allows communities to host their own instances while still being able to federate with other Bonfire communities and other ActivityPub-compatible platforms. As free software, it can be freely run, studied, modified, and distributed under its open license. ## Key Facts - **Type**: Free software, federated social networking service, distributed social network, server software, web service - **Programming Language**: Elixir (first released in 2011) - **Protocol**: ActivityPub - **Part of**: Fediverse - **Website**: https://bonfirenetworks.org - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/bonfire-networks/bonfire-app - **GitHub Username**: bonfire-networks - **License**: Referenced from GitHub repository - **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted - **Primary Use**: Microblogging - **Mastodon Address**: bonfire@indieweb.social (English, active since October 1, 2020) - **Social Media Followers**: - 2,542 (February 12, 2024) - 2,758 (March 16, 2024) - 2,824 (April 11, 2024) ## FAQs **What is Bonfire and how does it differ from other social networks?** Bonfire is a free software federated social networking service that operates within the Fediverse, meaning it is decentralized and distributed across distinct providers rather than being controlled by a single company. Unlike mainstream social networks, it allows communities to host their own instances while still communicating with other communities and platforms that support the ActivityPub protocol. **What programming language is Bonfire built with?** Bonfire is written in Elixir, a programming language that was first released in 2011 and has gained popularity for building scalable, distributed applications. **Can Bonfire connect with other platforms outside its network?** Yes, each Bonfire community has the power to federate with other Bonfire communities as well as with other Fediverse platforms that support the ActivityPub protocol, enabling cross-platform communication. **Is Bonfire free to use and modify?** Bonfire is free software distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it along with modified versions, though it maintains a copyrighted status. **Where can I find the source code for Bonfire?** The source code is available at https://github.com/bonfire-networks/bonfire-app, where the project is maintained under the GitHub username bonfire-networks. ## Why It Matters Bonfire represents an important contribution to the growing ecosystem of decentralized social networking software. As concerns about data privacy, platform lock-in, and corporate control of social media continue to grow, Bonfire provides an alternative that gives communities actual ownership and control over their social networking infrastructure. Its use of the ActivityPub protocol ensures interoperability with the broader Fediverse, one of the largest decentralized social networks in existence, allowing users to communicate across platform boundaries without sacrificing their choice of where to host their data. The choice of Elixir as the programming language demonstrates a commitment to building scalable, fault-tolerant systems capable of handling significant user loads while maintaining performance. This technical foundation positions Bonfire as a viable option for communities that need robust, scalable social networking capabilities without relying on commercial providers. By being free software, Bonfire enables anyone to deploy their own social networking instance, customize it to their community's specific needs, and participate in the wider Fediverse. This aligns with a broader movement toward open, user-controlled internet infrastructure that prioritizes community governance over corporate profit motives. ## Notable For - Being part of the Fediverse, an open social media network using the ActivityPub protocol - Built entirely with Elixir, distinguishing it from most other Fediverse software which typically uses different programming languages - Enabling federated communication between different Bonfire communities and other ActivityPub-compatible platforms - Providing free software that allows communities to host their own microblogging instances - Supporting decentralized, distributed social networking without central corporate control ## Body ### Overview and Classification Bonfire is classified as a free software federated social networking service, server software, distributed social network, web service, and social networking service. Its primary use case is microblogging, similar to platforms like Twitter or Mastodon, but with the key distinction of being decentralized and community-controlled. The Wikidata description directly identifies it as "free software federated social networking service," which encapsulates its core identity and purpose within the broader landscape of social media platforms. ### Technical Foundation The platform is built using the Elixir programming language, which was first released in 2011 and has become known for its ability to build scalable, distributed systems with high availability. The decision to use Elixir distinguishes Bonfire from most other Fediverse software, which often relies on different technology stacks. The source code is publicly available on GitHub under the username bonfire-networks, specifically at the repository https://github.com/bonfire-networks/bonfire-app, where users can examine, fork, and contribute to the project. Bonfire implements the ActivityPub protocol, which is the underlying technical standard that enables federation between different servers and platforms. This protocol allows users on one server to interact with users on other servers, regardless of which platform each person uses, as long as both support ActivityPub. ### Federation and the Fediverse Bonfire exists as part of the Fediverse, an open social media network that uses the ActivityPub protocol to enable decentralized communication. The relationship between Bonfire and the Fediverse is bidirectional: Bonfire is both part of the Fediverse and contains the Fediverse as a related entity, reflecting its position within this broader ecosystem. A key feature of Bonfire's federation capabilities is that each Bonfire community has the power to federate with other Bonfire communities but also with other Fediverse platforms that support the ActivityPub protocol. This interoperability is a fundamental aspect of the Fediverse philosophy, allowing users to maintain their presence on their preferred platform while still communicating with the broader community. ### Licensing and Distribution As free software, Bonfire is distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software along with modified versions. The specific license details are referenced in the GitHub repository's LICENSE file. Despite being free software, Bonfire maintains a copyrighted status, which is a common approach that allows the software to remain open source while protecting the integrity of the project. ### Community and Presence Bonfire maintains an official presence on the Fediverse through its Mastodon account at bonfire@indieweb.social, which has been active since October 1, 2020. The account is associated with the English language and provides a way for users to follow official updates about the platform. The platform's social media following has shown consistent growth over the early months of 2024, with follower counts increasing from 2,542 on February 12, 2024, to 2,758 on March 16, 2024, and reaching 2,824 by April 11, 2024. This growth trajectory indicates increasing interest in and adoption of the platform. ### Official Resources The primary website for Bonfire is https://bonfirenetworks.org, which serves as the central hub for information about the project, including documentation, installation guides, and community resources. The website is presented in English and provides users with the information needed to deploy their own Bonfire instances or join existing communities. ### Relationship to Related Technologies Bonfire exists within a broader ecosystem of related technologies and concepts. It is connected to the class of free software, which encompasses programs distributed under open source terms that allow for modification and redistribution. It also relates to the concept of distributed social networks, which are Internet social networking services that are decentralized and distributed across distinct providers rather than being controlled by a single entity. The platform's use of Elixir connects it to a programming language community that has grown significantly since Elixir's inception in 2011, bringing together developers interested in building functional, scalable, and fault-tolerant applications. ## References 1. [GitHub](https://github.com/bonfire-networks/bonfire-app/blob/main/LICENSE) 2. [GitHub](https://github.com/bonfire-networks/bonfire-app) 3. [Release 1.0.1. 2026](https://github.com/bonfire-networks/bonfire-app/releases/tag/v1.0.1) 4. [Release 1.0.2. 2026](https://github.com/bonfire-networks/bonfire-app/releases/tag/v1.0.2) 5. [Source](https://bonfirenetworks.org)