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Client Apps

Third-party apps for accessing Fediverse platforms.

Mobile Apps​

iOS​

AppPlatformsFeaturesLicense
IvoryMastodonPolished, paidProprietary
Ice CubesMastodonOpen source, freeMIT
MonaMastodonFeature-richProprietary
Toot!MastodonPlayful designProprietary
TuskerMastodonNative iOSOpen Source

Android​

AppPlatformsFeaturesLicense
TuskyMastodonPopular, matureGPL-3.0
MegalodonMastodonTusky fork, extrasGPL-3.0
FedilabMultiMany platformsGPL-3.0
MoshidonMastodonMaterial YouGPL-3.0
JerboaLemmyOfficial clientAGPL-3.0

Cross-Platform​

AppPlatformsFeaturesLicense
ElkMastodonWeb/PWAMIT
PhanpyMastodonMinimalist webMIT
VoyagerLemmyiOS/AndroidAGPL-3.0

Desktop Apps​

Native​

AppOSPlatformLicense
WhalebirdWin/Mac/LinuxMastodonMIT
SengiWin/Mac/LinuxMastodonAGPL-3.0
HyperspaceWin/Mac/LinuxMastodonNPL
TheDeskWin/Mac/LinuxMastodonGPL-3.0

Web Clients​

ClientPlatformDescription
ElkMastodonModern web client
PhanpyMastodonMinimalist
SemaphoreMastodonPinafore successor
PhotonLemmyModern UI

Platform-Specific​

Mastodon​

Most apps use the Mastodon API:

  • Official web interface
  • Third-party clients listed above
  • PWA support in official web

Lemmy​

  • Voyager (iOS/Android) - Popular choice
  • Jerboa (Android) - Official client
  • Sync for Lemmy (Android) - From Reddit Sync dev
  • Photon (Web) - Modern interface

Pixelfed​

  • Official web interface
  • Some Mastodon clients work partially
  • Native apps in development

PeerTube​

  • Official web interface
  • NewPipe (Android) - Supports PeerTube
  • Thorium (iOS) - Dedicated client

Developing a Client​

API Compatibility​

Most clients target the Mastodon API:

GET /api/v1/accounts/:id
GET /api/v1/timelines/home
POST /api/v1/statuses

Authentication​

OAuth 2.0 flow:

1. Register app → client_id, client_secret
2. User authorizes → authorization code
3. Exchange code → access token
4. Use token for API calls

ActivityPub C2S​

Some platforms support C2S (Client-to-Server):

POST /users/alice/outbox
Authorization: Bearer {token}
Content-Type: application/activity+json

{
  "type": "Create",
  "object": {
    "type": "Note",
    "content": "Hello!"
  }
}

Currently supported by:

  • Pleroma/Akkoma
  • Some experimental servers

Choosing a Client​

For Mastodon Users​

NeedRecommendation
iOS, polishedIvory, Ice Cubes
Android, matureTusky, Megalodon
DesktopWhalebird, Elk
WebElk, Phanpy

For Lemmy Users​

NeedRecommendation
iOSVoyager
AndroidVoyager, Jerboa
WebPhoton

See Also​