# Pixelfed

> federated image sharing software

**Wikidata**: [Q60691545](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60691545)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixelfed)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pixelfed

## Summary
Pixelfed is a free, federated image sharing software and social network service that functions as part of the decentralized Fediverse. Built primarily using the PHP scripting language and the Vue.js framework, it utilizes the ActivityPub protocol to enable distributed social networking across distinct providers. The software is focused on digital photography and ethical social media, funded through crowdfunding initiatives.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Federated image sharing software, distributed social network, and free software.
- **Network:** A component of the Fediverse, an open social media network using the ActivityPub protocol.
- **Technology Stack:** Written in PHP; depends on the Vue.js software framework.
- **Protocol:** Uses the ActivityPub protocol for federation.
- **Initial Release:** Publication date listed as December 25, 2018; early alpha versions (v0.1.9) date to November 2018.
- **Funding Model:** Utilizes crowdfunding (specifically Kickstarter) for development.
- **License:** Identified as free software (Wikidata ID: Q27017232).
- **Online Presence:** Operates the official website `pixelfed.org` and maintains an official Mastodon account (`@pixelfed@mastodon.social`) with over 60,000 followers as of April 2024.
- **Community Platforms:** Active on Reddit (r/PixelFed), Lemmy (pixelfed@lemmy.world), and GitHub for issue tracking and translation.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Pixelfed used for?
A: Pixelfed is used for digital photography and image sharing within a decentralized network. It serves as an art-sharing website and online community that operates independently of centralized social media providers.

### Q: How does Pixelfed connect with other social networks?
A: Pixelfed uses the ActivityPub protocol, which connects it to the wider "Fediverse." This allows users to interact with other distributed social networks and providers that support the same open standard.

### Q: Is Pixelfed owned by a single corporation?
A: No, Pixelfed is classified as free software and part of a distributed social network. It is developed as an open-source project (hosted on GitHub) and relies on crowdfunding rather than centralized corporate ownership.

### Q: When was Pixelfed launched?
A: While development traces back to early alpha releases in November 2018, the official publication date for the software is listed as December 25, 2018.

## Why It Matters
Pixelfed represents a significant shift in the landscape of social media by offering a decentralized, ethical alternative to centralized image hosting services. As a piece of free software within the Fediverse, it solves the problem of data sovereignty and platform lock-in; users can host their own instances or join distinct providers while remaining connected to a global network via the ActivityPub protocol.

By utilizing crowdfunding (such as Kickstarter) rather than advertising or data monetization, Pixelfed aligns itself with the "ethical social media" movement. Its existence demonstrates that viable, distributed alternatives to major corporate social networks are technically feasible using modern web development stacks like PHP and Vue.js. With a growing user base evidenced by tens of thousands of followers on federated platforms and a multi-language Wikipedia presence, Pixelfed plays a critical role in the adoption and popularization of the decentralized web.

## Notable For
- Being a prominent **ActivityPub-powered** image sharing platform in the Fediverse.
- Prioritizing **ethical social media** standards, explicitly marketed in its crowdfunding campaigns.
- Offering a **decentralized** architecture that allows distinct providers to host their own communities.
- Operating as **free and open-source software**, allowing for community contributions via GitHub and Crowdin.
- Maintaining a **multi-platform community presence** across Mastodon, Reddit, Lemmy, and Kickstarter.

## Body

### Technical Architecture
Pixelfed is constructed as a web service designed for federated image sharing. The core software is built using **PHP**, a scripting language widely used for web development, and depends on **Vue.js** for its front-end interface. It is classified as "fediverse server software" and functions as an image hosting service and online community.

The platform is licensed under a free software license (Wikidata ID: Q27017232). Its source code is publicly hosted on GitHub, and the project utilizes Crowdin for translation contributions, supporting a global user base.

### The Fediverse and Federation
Pixelfed is a core component of the **Fediverse**, described as an open social media network using the ActivityPub protocol. This classification as a "distributed social network" means the service is decentralized across distinct providers rather than hosted on a single central server. It allows for interoperability with other services in the Fediverse ecosystem.

### Development and Release History
The project's structured data indicates a **publication date of December 25, 2018**. Development was active in late 2018 and 2019 with multiple releases:
- **v0.1.9 (Alpha):** Released November 8, 2018.
- **v0.5.9 (Alpha):** Released December 16, 2018.
- **v0.6.1 (Beta):** Released December 16, 2018.
- **v0.8.0 (Alpha):** Released March 16, 2019.
- **v0.9.0 (Beta):** Released April 18, 2019.
- **v0.9.4 (Beta):** Released June 3, 2019.

The software utilizes a crowdfunding financial scheme, notably running a Kickstarter project identified as "Pixelfed & Loops - Ethical Social Media."

### Community and Reach
Pixelfed has established a significant footprint in the open-source world:
- **Social Media:** The official Mastodon account (`pixelfed@mastodon.social`) reported over 60,000 followers by April 2024.
- **Developer Resources:** The project maintains an issue tracker on GitHub and lists an official email address (`team@pixelfed.org`).
- **Documentation:** It has a Wikipedia presence in over 10 languages (including English, German, French, and Spanish) and is listed on AlternativeTo.

## References

1. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/pixelfed/pixelfed)
2. [Source](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.1.9)
3. [Source](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.8.0)
4. [Source](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.8.5)
5. [Release 0.5.9. 2018](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.5.9)
6. [Release 0.6.0. 2018](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.6.0)
7. [Release 0.6.1. 2018](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.6.1)
8. [Release 0.7.6. 2018](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.7.6)
9. [Release 0.8.6. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.8.6)
10. [Release 0.9.0. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.9.0)
11. [Release 0.9.4. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.9.4)
12. [Release 0.9.5. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.9.5)
13. [Release 0.9.6. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.9.6)
14. [Release 0.10.0. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.0)
15. [Release 0.10.1. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.1)
16. [Release 0.10.2. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.2)
17. [Release 0.10.3. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.3)
18. [Release 0.10.4. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.4)
19. [Release 0.10.5. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.5)
20. [Release 0.10.6. 2019](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.6)
21. [Release 0.10.7. 2020](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.7)
22. [Source](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.9)
23. [Release 0.10.10. 2021](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.10)
24. [Release 0.11.0. 2021](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.0)
25. [Release 0.11.1. 2021](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.1)
26. [Release 0.11.2. 2022](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.2)
27. [Release 0.11.3. 2022](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.3)
28. [Release 0.11.4. 2022](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.4)
29. [Release 0.11.5. 2023](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.5)
30. [Release 0.11.6. 2023](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.6)
31. [Release 0.11.7. 2023](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.7)
32. [Release 0.11.8. 2023](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.8)
33. [Release 0.11.9. 2023](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.9)
34. [Release 0.11.10. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.10)
35. [Release 0.11.11. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.11)
36. [Release 0.11.12. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.12)
37. [Release 0.11.13. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.11.13)
38. [Release 0.12.0. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.12.0)
39. [Release 0.12.1. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.12.1)
40. [Release 0.12.2. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.12.2)
41. [Release 0.12.3. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.12.3)
42. [Release 0.12.4. 2024](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.12.4)
43. [Release 0.12.5. 2025](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.12.5)
44. [Release 0.10.8. 2020](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.10.8)
45. [Release 0.12.6. 2025](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases/tag/v0.12.6)
46. [Source](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed/releases?page=4)
47. [Pixelfed & Loops: Authentic Sharing, Reimagined by dansup — Kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pixelfed/pixelfed-foundation-2024-real-ethical-social-networks?ref=5jxfiu#h:Pixelfed-Loops-Ethical-Social-Media)
48. [Source](https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed)
49. [Source](https://fediverse.party/en/pixelfed/)