# Pleroma > free and open-source federated social networking service **Wikidata**: [Q60691066](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60691066) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleroma_(software)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pleroma ## Summary Pleroma is a free, open-source, and federated social networking service designed for microblogging. As a part of the Fediverse, it utilizes the ActivityPub protocol to enable decentralized communication across distinct providers, allowing users on different servers to interact without a central authority. The platform was developed using the Elixir programming language and was officially initiated on October 26, 2016. ## Key Facts - **Classification:** Free, open-source, federated social networking service and distributed social network. - **Inception:** October 26, 2016. - **Protocols:** Supports ActivityPub; formerly supported OStatus (support ended March 8, 2020). - **Technology Stack:** Built on the Elixir programming language using the Phoenix framework for the back end; utilizes Vue.js for the front end. - **Ecosystem:** A core component of the Fediverse and is associated with the fork "Akkoma." - **Version History:** Reached version 1.0.0 on June 29, 2019; subsequent stable releases include v1.0.4 (August 1, 2019). - **Licensing:** Licensed under free software principles (specifically referenced via Wikidata ID Q27017232). - **Review Score:** Holds a rating of 3.8/5.0 on Trustpilot as of August 2024. - **Mascot:** Features a mascot named "Pleroma-tan." ## FAQs ### Q: What is Pleroma used for? A: Pleroma is used for microblogging, similar to Twitter, but operates on a decentralized model. It allows users to host their own servers ("instances") that can communicate with other servers across the Fediverse. ### Q: How does Pleroma differ from centralized social networks? A: Unlike centralized platforms, Pleroma is part of a distributed social network. This means no single company controls all the data; instead, distinct providers run individual servers that federate with one another using open protocols like ActivityPub. ### Q: What programming languages power Pleroma? A: The back end of Pleroma is built using the Elixir programming language (running on the Phoenix framework), while the front end utilizes Vue.js and JavaScript. ## Why It Matters Pleroma is a significant entity in the landscape of the decentralized web, commonly known as the Fediverse. It addresses the critical need for alternatives to centralized social media by offering a lightweight, federated server solution that prioritizes user autonomy and decentralization. By implementing the ActivityPub protocol, Pleroma ensures that users are not locked into a proprietary system and can interact with users on other compatible platforms, such as Mastodon or Akkoma. The platform's technical architecture sets it apart in the open-source community. Built on the Elixir programming language and the Phoenix framework, Pleroma is engineered for high concurrency and robustness, leveraging the capabilities of the Erlang VM. This makes it a popular choice for administrators seeking to host efficient, scalable instances without requiring extensive hardware resources. Its evolution from supporting OStatus to fully adopting ActivityPub highlights its commitment to modern open standards. Furthermore, the existence of forks like Akkoma demonstrates Pleroma's role as a foundational technology that fosters further innovation within the decentralized social networking space. ## Notable For - **Decentralized Architecture:** Distinct from centralized platforms as a distributed social network where users can host their own instances. - **Elixir/Phoenix Stack:** Utilizes a high-performance technology stack (Elixir and Phoenix) that differs from many other social networking scripts. - **Protocol Adaptability:** Successfully transitioned from the older OStatus protocol to exclusively support ActivityPub by 2020. - **Fediverse Integration:** Serves as a major node in the Fediverse, enabling cross-platform communication. - **Community Extensions:** Has spawned derivative projects such as Akkoma, indicating its influence and adaptability in the open-source community. ## Body ### Development and History Pleroma was founded on October 26, 2016. The project is free and open-source, with its codebase hosted on a Git repository at `git.pleroma.social`. The software is written primarily in Elixir for the back end, utilizing the Phoenix framework, while the user interface (front end) employs Vue.js. Development progressed rapidly in 2019, with version 0.9.9 released in February, culminating in the release of version 1.0.0 on June 29, 2019. Subsequent patches, such as v1.0.4, followed in August 2019. ### Federation and Protocols Pleroma operates as a "Fediverse server," meaning it connects to an open social media network using standardized communication protocols. - **ActivityPub:** This is the primary protocol used by Pleroma to facilitate federation, allowing users to follow and interact with others across different servers globally. - **OStatus:** Pleroma previously supported this protocol but deprecated it entirely by March 8, 2020, coinciding with the release of Pleroma 2.0.0. ### Ecosystem and Relations Pleroma is closely related to other entities in the free software space: - **Fediverse:** It is a direct part of this global network. - **Akkoma:** This is a distinct free software ActivityPub-federated social networking service related to Pleroma (often cited as a fork or downstream project). - **Distributed Social Network:** Pleroma serves as the software backbone for various nodes within this distributed classification. ### Media and Branding The project utilizes specific branding assets to identify itself within the Fediverse. - **Logos:** Official logos include a PNG file and an SVG file preferred for scalable vector graphics. - **Mascot:** The official mascot is known as "Pleroma-tan." - **User Interface:** The default interface is known as Pleroma-FE, with screenshots documenting its evolution (e.g., the 2020 UI). ### Availability Pleroma is accessible in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish, among others. It is available via Arch Linux (AUR package: `pleroma`) and source code repositories. The project maintains an official blog, documentation portal, and an issue tracker for development. ## References 1. [Source](https://fediverse.party/en/pleroma/) 2. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma-fe/-/blob/develop/static/logo.svg) 3. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma) 4. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/blob/develop/COPYING) 5. [Source](https://pleroma.social) 6. [Source](https://blog.soykaf.com/post/pleroma-release-0.9.9/) 7. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/releases) 8. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases) 9. [Source](https://blog.soykaf.com/post/pleroma-1.0/) 10. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.1) 11. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.2) 12. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.3) 13. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.4) 14. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.5) 15. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.6) 16. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.7) 17. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.90) 18. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.0.91) 19. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.0) 20. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.1) 21. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.2) 22. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.3) 23. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.4) 24. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.5) 25. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.9) 26. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.7) 27. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.8) 28. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v1.1.6) 29. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v2.0.0) 30. [Source](https://pleroma.social/blog/2020/03/08/releasing-pleroma-2-0-0/) 31. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v2.0.1) 32. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/tags/v2.0.2) 33. [Source](https://pleroma.social/announcements/2020/05/02/pleroma-security-release-2-0-3/) 34. [Source](https://pleroma.social/announcements/2020/05/10/pleroma-security-release-2-0-4/) 35. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.0.5) 36. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.0.6) 37. [Source](https://pleroma.social/announcements/2020/06/08/pleroma-patch-release-2-0-6/) 38. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.0.7) 39. [Source](https://pleroma.social/announcements/2020/06/13/pleroma-security-release-2-0-7/) 40. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.1.0) 41. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.1.1) 42. [Source](https://pleroma.social/announcements/2020/09/17/pleroma-security-release-2-1-2/) 43. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.1.2) 44. [Source](https://pleroma.social/announcements/2020/11/11/pleroma-major-release-2-2-0/) 45. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.2.0) 46. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.2.1) 47. [Source](https://pleroma.social/announcements/2021/01/18/pleroma-patch-release-2-2-2/) 48. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.2.2) 49. [Source](https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/releases/v2.3.0) 50. [Source](https://pleroma.social/announcements/2021/03/02/pleroma-major-release-2-3-0/)