These applications build Instagram alternatives on open protocols
Consumers’ demand for alternatives to Big Tech social applications heats up. Alternative social networks like Bluesky and Mastodon are gaining ground with people who seek to leave X, while others are Build Tiktok alternatives to the prohibition test On open protocols. Likewise, many independent developers also work on open and decentralized alternatives to Instagram, the flagship Meta sharing app application with more than 2 billion monthly active users.
Although none of the newcomers is almost ready to compete with the size and scope of Meta, their ability to carve a small niche in the shadow of Meta is convincing. They also arrive at a time when investors started at take note of the growing social web. GENERATION Z people, on the other hand, have recently reported that they are more likely to Leave Tiktok for another Chinese social application Rather than going back to Instagram.
You will find below some of the applications working to create Instagram alternatives on open protocols like Bluesky In the protocol and activitypub, used by Mastodon and others.
Pixelled
Although this is not a new service, the Pixelfed photo sharing site in January launched official mobile applications for iOS and Android. The application is built on ActivityPub, used by Mastodon, a YouTube competitor called Peerube, and many others, including now Meta Threads And Slip (plus its new application, Surf). Together, these applications form what is called “fediverse”, a reference to the federated servers that compose it.
Similar to Instagram, Pixeled allows users to share and explore photos and videos and send direct messages. However, unlike Instagram, Pixeled is without advertising, open source, decentralized and default of chronological flows – which are its user sales arguments.
During its first two days on the market, the mobile applications of Pixefed exceeded 10,000 downloads, the developer Daniel Supernault said On mastodon.
Flash
FlashAn Instagram alternative Built above Bluesky social network, has opened its doors to beta-testers Last week. Like Bluesky, the application operates in the protocol and is limited to the same Bluesky requirements, which means up to 4 photos by publication and videos up to a minute.
As it is essentially a Bluesky Photo-Premier client, users who publish on flashes will have their publications will appear on Bluesky, while the comments of Bluesky users on these messages will also appear on flashes. The application is part of a trio of bluesky customers built by the developer Sebastian Vogelsang, which also includes a Twitter type application Skets and a video application Blues screen. Finally, the idea is to offer premium subscriptions that cover these applications, allowing people to switch between customers.
Pink
Another Bluesky customer, Pinksky, also attacks the idea of offering a photo-premier view of the social network. Designed to attract former Instagram users who wish to connect to photos instead of viral content or reels, the application offers a familiar interface – including a section of Tappable stories at the top. But unlike new applications built from zero, Pinksky users can use their existing network of friends and bluesky followers, even if these people are not yet Pinksky users.
For the moment, the application is only a bluesky client, but if there is enough request, Pinksky can extend to include other technologies, such as integrations with Activitypub or Nostr. Until now, the application is free, although it can later add premium features if it develops enough to support monetization.
Sky
Currently work in progress, Sky is a web application designed to provide a more photo -centered bluesky experience. In Skygram, users can switch between flows based on interest at the top of the screen, such as gardening, dogs and others, for example. Always quite rudimentary, the Skygram code is available on Girub While work continues.
