Loops
A decentralized, ad-free alternative to TikTok and Instagram Reels. Built on ActivityPub, Loops gives creators control over their content and community without corporate lock-in.
Loops is a federated, open-source short-video platform designed to give power back to creators and communities. Built on ActivityPub, it allows users to share videos across compatible fediverse apps while maintaining control over their home server.
Key Features
- Vertical swipe short-video feed – Built for thumb-first browsing with a calm chronological Following feed and a For You feed powered by real engagement signals.
- Creator-first camera – Minimal camera interface for capturing vertical loops with quick posting and lens switching.
- Threaded conversations – Rich comment threads with replies, likes, and @mentions to keep discussions anchored to videos.
- Federated engagement – Likes, shares, reposts, and comment likes travel across the fediverse, enhancing discovery.
- Hashtag & search discovery – Tag loops with hashtags and search profiles or videos to find your corner of the fediverse.
- Privacy-respecting notifications – Control what pings you, with push notification support coming soon.
- ActivityPub compatibility – Connect with Mastodon, Pixelfed, and other fediverse apps while staying in control of your server.
- No ads or tracking – Ethical design principles prioritize user privacy over advertising revenue.
Tech / Self-Hosting
Loops is open-source and can be self-hosted. The platform is built on ActivityPub, making it interoperable with other federated services. For developers, starter kits and documentation are available to help set up and customize instances.
- GitHub Repository: joinloops/loops-server
- Starter Kits: joinloops.org/starter-kits
- Documentation: joinloops.org/features