Mastodon launches paid hosting and support for the decentralized web

Mastodon, the non-profit behind the open-source software powering one of the most prominent alternatives to centralized social networks like Threads and X, has unveiled a new plan to bolster its long-term sustainability.

The company announced today that it will begin offering paid hosting, moderation, and support services to organizations looking to establish their presence on the fediverse — the decentralized social web built on the ActivityPub protocol.

Expanding Beyond Donations

Until now, Mastodon has relied primarily on donations, grants, and occasional merchandise sales to support its operations. With this new offering, the non-profit aims to create more predictable revenue streams while reducing its dependence on voluntary contributions.

The move mirrors the approach of companies like Automattic, which offers both free, open-source WordPress software and a hosted, subscription-based service via WordPress.com.

Why Hosting Matters

The fediverse allows individuals and institutions to run their own interconnected servers using ActivityPub, the protocol behind not only Mastodon but also Threads, Pixelfed, PeerTube, Misskey, Lemmy, and integrations with platforms like WordPress, Ghost, and Drupal.

While it’s relatively simple to create an account on a public Mastodon server, organizations often prefer to run their own instances to establish unique rules, branding, and moderation policies. The catch: managing servers requires technical expertise.

Mastodon’s new hosting solution addresses that barrier. Under the program:

• Customers can outsource server setup and management to Mastodon’s team.
• Organizations may also opt for moderation services handled directly by Mastodon.
• For those with in-house IT teams, Mastodon will offer support contracts to help with installation and maintenance.

Unlike general-purpose servers with open sign-ups, Mastodon notes these hosted servers will typically operate accounts for brands, institutions, or specific communities.

Pricing details have not been disclosed. Instead, the company says billing will be customized based on the chosen package of hosting, moderation, and support services.

Early Partnerships Show Promise

Mastodon has already piloted this approach with clients including:

• The European Commission
• The state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
• The city of Blois, France
• AltStore, an alternative app store developer

These partnerships have provided Mastodon with a more stable financial foundation compared to crowdfunding alone.

Preserving the Spirit of the Fediverse

Despite the shift toward commercial services, Mastodon emphasizes that its mission remains unchanged. The organization will continue operating mastodon.social, one of the largest public servers and an entry point for newcomers to the decentralized web.

“We are excited to expand our services to organisations that share our vision of a free, open, and decentralised social web,” said Felix Hlatky, Mastodon’s chief financial officer, in a prepared statement. “These offerings will provide financial stability for our team while ensuring the Fediverse remains a resilient, community-driven ecosystem.”

With this hybrid model, Mastodon hopes to balance financial sustainability with its commitment to keeping the social web open, federated, and independent of big tech gatekeepers.