New Instagram Alternatives Emerge on Open Social Protocols
As interest in decentralized social media grows, several new apps are emerging as alternatives to Instagram, aiming to provide users with greater control over their content and networks. Built on open protocols like ActivityPub and Bluesky’s AT Protocol, these platforms offer features similar to Instagram but with a focus on decentralization, ad-free experiences, and user autonomy.
One of the most established alternatives is Pixelfed, a photo-sharing app that operates on ActivityPub, the same protocol used by Mastodon and PeerTube. Like Instagram, Pixelfed allows users to share photos and videos, explore content, and send direct messages. However, it differentiates itself by offering chronological feeds, no advertisements, and an open-source framework. Following the recent launch of its mobile apps, Pixelfed saw over 10,000 downloads in just two days.
Another contender is Flashes, which is built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol. As a photo-first Bluesky client, Flashes integrates seamlessly with Bluesky, meaning posts made on the app also appear on Bluesky’s platform. Similarly, Pinksky aims to attract former Instagram users by offering a familiar interface, including tappable Stories, while allowing users to maintain their existing Bluesky connections.
A web-based project called Skygram is also in development, providing a photo-centric experience with interest-based feeds such as Gardening and Dogs. The project remains in its early stages, with its code available on GitHub for ongoing development.
While none of these apps are poised to replace Instagram outright, their emergence reflects a growing movement toward open social media ecosystems, where users have more freedom, privacy, and customization over their digital experiences. These kinds of open apps don’t always see the same level of success as their more conventional counterparts, but the rapid rise in new platforms using these systems may indicate that there’s a growing market for decentralized platforms – as well as a wider range of new platforms to advertise on.
