Chirpy

Self-Hosted

Open-source, self-hosted social network for privacy-focused communities

Overview

Chirpy is a lightweight, open-source social network designed for self-hosted communities and personal networks. It supports microblogging, image/video sharing, user profiles with custom bios and avatars, and granular privacy settings (public/private posts, follower approval controls). Deployable via Docker Compose for quick, one-command setup, it offers customization options like theme tweaks and plugin support to adapt to your community’s unique needs. With a clean, intuitive interface, Chirpy prioritizes user privacy by keeping all data on your own server, avoiding third-party tracking or ads. Ideal for small to medium groups looking for a decentralized alternative to mainstream social platforms like Twitter/X.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  chirpy:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: chirpy
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Microblogging with image/video sharing
Granular privacy controls (public/private posts, follower approval)
Docker Compose for quick one-command deployment
Customizable themes and plugin support

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Chirpy hard to install?

No—Chirpy provides Docker Compose files for straightforward deployment. Users with basic Docker knowledge can set it up in minutes using one command. Detailed documentation covers server configuration, environment variables, and initial setup steps.

? Is Chirpy a good alternative to Twitter/X?

Yes—for users wanting a self-hosted, ad-free, privacy-focused alternative. It supports core microblogging features but lacks federation and mainstream integrations. Ideal for closed communities or personal networks instead of global reach.

? Is Chirpy completely free?

Yes—Chirpy is open-source under the MIT License. It’s free to use, modify, and self-host without any hidden fees or subscriptions.

Top Alternatives

Twitter/X (proprietary) Search Google

Mastodon (open-source, federated) Search Google

Discourse (open-source forums with social features) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Communication - Social Networks and Forums

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (all data stays on your server)
⊕ No subscription or licensing fees
⊕ Lightweight and resource-efficient
⊕ Intuitive user interface

Cons

⊖ Requires basic Docker and server admin skills
⊖ Lacks federation (unlike Mastodon)
⊖ Limited third-party integrations compared to mainstream platforms
⊖ Smaller user base (dependent on your community)