yarn.social

Self-Hosted

Decentralized, self-hosted social network for independent communities

Overview

yarn.social is an open-source, federated social network empowering users to host their own instances or join community-run ones. It supports text-based updates (twts), following users across instances, and engaging in conversations without central control. Deployment is simplified via Docker containers or precompiled binaries, accessible to those with basic server skills. Prioritizing privacy, it has no ads, no tracking, and gives full data ownership—offering a corporate-free alternative to mainstream social platforms.

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:
  yarn_social:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: yarn-social
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Federated architecture (connect across instances)
Easy self-hosting via Docker or binary distribution
Text-based updates (twts) and following system
Privacy-focused (no ads, no tracking, full data ownership)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is yarn.social hard to install?

yarn.social offers simple deployment options like Docker containers, which reduce setup complexity. Basic server skills (e.g., managing Docker, domain configuration) are recommended, but detailed documentation guides you through the process step-by-step.

? Is it a good alternative to Twitter/X?

Yes—if you value data ownership and decentralization. Unlike Twitter/X, yarn.social lets you run your own instance or join a community one, with no central authority controlling your content. It focuses on text-based updates similar to tweets, making it ideal for independent users.

? Is yarn.social completely free?

Absolutely! yarn.social is open-source under the MIT License, so it’s free to use, modify, and self-host. There are no subscription fees or paid tiers for core features.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Communication - Social Networks and Forums

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full control over your instance and user data
⊕ No ads or invasive tracking

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server admin knowledge for self-hosting
⊖ Smaller user base compared to mainstream platforms