Mastodon and Bluesky are gaining some critical traction. Customers are more and more drawn to platforms that prioritize privateness, transparency, and neighborhood management.
And when customers swap platforms, companies have to do the identical. Nonetheless, relating to Bluesky vs. Mastodon, companies are confused about which to decide on between the 2.
Each platforms have a contemporary, decentralized method to social networking, however take completely different approaches. Bluesky is extra like Twitter and presents customizable feeds in a unified platform. Mastodon has a community of impartial communities.
This information breaks down the important thing variations between Mastodon and Bluesky and helps you discover one of the best use instances for every. Let’s begin with the fundamentals.
What Is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform that provides customers extra management over their on-line expertise. It was created as a substitute for conventional social networks like Twitter (now X).
In contrast to mainstream platforms, Bluesky lets customers select their algorithms, customise their feeds, and make different customizations.
The platform is gaining reputation as extra individuals search for options to X. Many individuals see it as a contemporary different to Twitter, providing a extra open and community-driven area for conversations with out company interference.
Companies that be part of the platform early could have a bonus over opponents. The platform has a major consumer base however just isn’t but oversaturated.
What Is Mastodon?
Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source social community that works like Twitter (X) however provides customers extra management over their expertise. It operates as half of a bigger community of interconnected servers referred to as the Fediverse. Every server is known as an Occasion.
Customers can be part of completely different communities, or “cases,” tailor-made to their pursuits and values. Companies can be part of these to succeed in a distinct segment viewers. A number maintains every occasion and has entry to your info.
The platform feels extra community-driven and fewer business. This, in flip, creates a friendlier and extra respectful ambiance. Moderators implement tips that promote constructive interactions, making it refreshing in comparison with mainstream social media.
The Key Variations Between Bluesky vs. Mastodon
Earlier than we get into an in depth comparability, right here’s a fast overview and comparability of each platforms in your reference:
| Bluesky | Mastodon | |
| Launch yr | 2023 | 2016 |
| Protocol | AT Protocol | ActivityPub |
| Consumer base | 35 million | 12 million |
| Construction | Unified platform | Federated community of impartial servers (cases) |
| Moderation | Centralized moderation | Server-level moderation |
| Content material options | Likes, reposts, repliesNo polls or content material warnings | Favorites, boosts, polls, and content material warnings |
| Character limits for every publish | 300 characters | 500 characters |
| Viewers | Customers looking for a Twitter-like expertise with extra management over knowledge and algorithms | Customers curious about area of interest communities and a decentralized social networking expertise |
Now, let’s evaluate Bluesky vs. Mastodon for every side one after the other.
1. Group and Consumer Base
Bluesky’s Consumer Base
Bluesky began as an invite-only platform with a smaller and extra managed consumer base. Nonetheless, it turned open to the general public in February 2024 and has gained a large consumer base since then.
As of March 2025, Bluesky had virtually 33 million registered customers.
It has attracted many ex-Twitter customers who need a decentralized platform, however a well-known expertise.
A majority of Bluesky’s customers are between 18 and 24 years previous, suggesting that it’s a most well-liked selection for youthful customers. Over 60% of the customers are male.
Mastodon’s Consumer Base
Mastodon has been round since 2016 and noticed a large spike in customers after Twitter’s adjustments below Elon Musk. It has a big, numerous neighborhood unfold throughout 1000’s of impartial servers. There are virtually 10 million registered customers on the platform.
Although the consumer base is numerous throughout cases, there are like-minded individuals inside every occasion. Companies can be part of niche-specific cases to succeed in focused audiences.
Key Takeaways for Companies
Mastodon has a various consumer base throughout cases, however since Bluesky turned an open platform in 2024, its consumer base has grown greater than Mastodon’s.
The factor companies want to think about is whether or not they need to attain a distinct segment however small viewers base on Mastodon or a broader neighborhood on Bluesky.
2. Submit Varieties
Bluesky Submit Varieties
Bluesky focuses on text-based posts and helps photos, hyperlinks, and many others. This makes it supreme for manufacturers that depend on concise messaging and fast updates. Its interface is like that of Twitter (now X), making it straightforward for companies to adapt.
Initially, it didn’t assist video content material. However, since September 2024, it has allowed customers to publish 1 video (as much as 60 seconds lengthy) per publish. It permits customers to add as much as 25 movies (as much as 10 GB) per day.
The builders are increasing Bluesky’s capabilities, so you might even see it assist extra content material sorts sooner or later.
As a model proprietor or promoter, you’ll be able to share thought management posts, model bulletins, and extra on the platform.
Mastodon Submit Varieties
Mastodon helps a wider vary of publish codecs than Bluesky. On Mastodon, you’ll be able to share text-based posts, photos, audio, GIFs, movies, and even polls.
Just like Bluesky, Mastodon permits one video per publish, as much as 99 MB in measurement. Customers may also add audio recordsdata in a number of codecs and add attachments to posts. For model promotions that contain multimedia content material, corresponding to product demo movies or behind-the-scenes movies, you’ll find this platform helpful.
It helps content material warnings for delicate materials, giving customers extra management over what they see. You may apply content material warnings to posts which may not be appropriate for all audiences.
Mastodon additionally permits you to select whether or not or to not share your content material publicly. You may restrict your publish to followers or present it to particular server cases. This offers manufacturers extra management over viewers concentrating on for personalised campaigns.
Key Takeaways for Companies
Mastodon presents extra selection in publish sorts, together with polls and content material warnings. Bluesky, whereas nonetheless evolving, presents fundamental publish sorts, although it has began so as to add extra content material codecs in recent times. If multimedia and content material management are essential to you, select Mastodon.
3. Character Limits
Bluesky
Bluesky permits customers to publish as much as 300 characters per publish. That is barely increased than X’s 280-character restrict, however it nonetheless encourages brief, concise conversations.
What companies ought to contemplate:
- Chunk-sized communication
- Model consciousness by way of transient interactions
- Concentrate on simplicity
Bluesky is nice for manufacturers that desire fast interactions quite than long-form discussions.
Mastodon
Mastodon’s default character restrict is 500 characters, however the platform makes use of many impartial servers (referred to as cases) which have their very own algorithm. Some servers enable customers to create posts with increased character limits, so customers can have extra detailed discussions.
Mastodon is nice for manufacturers that need to have extra in-depth conversations whereas protecting posts digestible for readers.
What companies ought to contemplate:
- More room for considerate communication
- Customizable posting limits
- Higher content material construction and suppleness because of a better character restrict
Key Takeaways for Companies
In case you desire concise, Twitter-style updates, Bluesky is a superb match. It retains posts brief and impactful, making it supreme for fast enterprise updates and model interactions.
Mastodon is nice for storytelling or detailed explanations. Companies can select an occasion with a better character restrict to match their content material technique.
4. Platform Construction
Bluesky
Bluesky is a single, unified platform, so all customers work together throughout the identical digital area. Regardless of decentralization, it nonetheless seems like a conventional social media platform.
Listed here are some the explanation why companies could select Bluesky:
- Constant consumer expertise: All interactions occur throughout the identical setting. So, companies don’t have to fret about choosing the appropriate server or navigating completely different guidelines throughout communities.
- Simpler content material administration: There isn’t a have to handle many cases or alter messaging for various servers. Companies can deal with a streamlined social media technique.
- Customization potential: Whereas Bluesky is uniform, its AT Protocol permits for future enlargement. This might embrace customized feeds, higher moderation instruments, and content material filtering. These are options that would make model administration much more efficient.
Mastodon
Mastodon is a federated platform, which suggests it consists of many impartial servers (cases). Every occasion has its personal guidelines, moderation insurance policies, and communities. Some cases deal with particular matters, whereas others cater to common audiences.
As of February 2025, Mastodon had over 8,700 completely different servers or cases.
This construction provides customers extra management over their social media expertise. It will also be overwhelming for inexperienced persons, as selecting the best occasion requires analysis.
Listed here are some the explanation why companies could select Mastodon:
- Extra management over model presence: Firms can both be part of a related occasion or create their very own. The latter will enable full management over moderation and neighborhood engagement.
- Area of interest viewers concentrating on: Some Mastodon cases deal with particular industries or matters. This makes it simpler for companies to attach with area of interest audiences as a substitute of sharing messages with a broad viewers.
- Versatile content material insurance policies: In contrast to Bluesky, Mastodon permits every occasion to set its personal guidelines. As such, companies can discover (or create) an setting that most closely fits their engagement technique.
Key Takeaways for Companies
Bluesky presents a extra unified expertise, making it simpler to make use of. Mastodon’s federated mannequin gives extra customization however has a studying curve. If you need simplicity, Bluesky is the higher selection. In case you worth management and customization, Mastodon wins.
5. Customization and Algorithm Management
Bluesky’s Customization Choices
Bluesky permits customers to customise their content material expertise by way of algorithmic feeds.
Customers can select from completely different feed kinds as a substitute of counting on a single algorithm managed by the platform. These feeds rank content material primarily based on numerous elements, corresponding to trending matters, latest posts, or engagement ranges.
Right here’s a snapshot of the feed customization choices that Bluesky gives.
The result’s that customers can curate their timelines to match their pursuits with out being locked right into a system that dictates what they see.
Right here’s a snapshot of a consumer feed on Bluesky:
How does this customization choice in Bluesky have an effect on companies?
Companies can optimize their posts for particular algorithmic feeds. This may guarantee their content material seems in related feeds. Sooner or later, there could also be extra customizable feed choices to fine-tune their content material distribution.
Mastodon’s Customization Choices
Mastodon takes a very completely different method by avoiding algorithms altogether. It doesn’t rank posts primarily based on engagement, relevance, or reputation. As a substitute, it shows every part in chronological order.
As such, the latest posts at all times seem first, and customers received’t see content material getting pushed to the highest due to likes or shares. Even the Discover tab has posts listed in chronological order.
With no algorithm deciding what’s essential, customers management their expertise. They will select who to comply with, which hashtags to trace, and which occasion to hitch.
This creates a uncooked, unfiltered timeline the place each publish has an equal likelihood of being seen. If customers need extra management over the content material they interact with, they’ll have to comply with particular accounts and communities.
One benefit for companies is that posts don’t get boosted primarily based on engagement, so everybody will get a degree enjoying subject.
Any enterprise that posts regularly sufficient will attain its supposed viewers with out worrying concerning the platform’s algorithm penalizing its content material due to low engagement.
Key Takeaways for Companies
Bluesky presents extra flexibility with feeds, whereas Mastodon sticks to a chronological timeline. In case you like personalised feeds, Bluesky is best. In case you desire uncooked, unfiltered content material, Mastodon is the best way to go.
6. Content material Moderation
Bluesky’s Content material Moderation
Bluesky has a versatile content material moderation framework that lets customers customise content material filters.
One in every of Bluesky’s most important objectives is to offer customers management over their content material expertise. As a substitute of a “one-size-fits-all” moderation system, it lets customers alter their moderation settings.
At present, customers can filter particular sorts of content material, block sure accounts, and extra.
Listed here are some choices which might be presently out there.
Mastodon’s Content material Moderation
Mastodon takes a fully decentralized method to content material moderation. As a substitute of getting one set of platform-wide guidelines, every Mastodon server (or occasion) units its personal moderation insurance policies.
One disadvantage of this technique is that the moderation expertise varies relying on which occasion you be part of. For instance, some servers have strict guidelines and reasonable content material, whereas others take a extra hands-off method.
Server admins deal with moderation, corresponding to eradicating dangerous posts or banning customers.
In case you be part of a well-moderated occasion, you may need a terrific expertise. In case you be part of an occasion with lax moderation, it’s possible you’ll want to dam or mute problematic content material.
Does this imply customers don’t have any management over the content material they see? Nicely, no.
You may filter content material with particular phrases and mute or block sure accounts. Right here’s a screenshot of its dashboard the place you’ll be able to add content material filters.
Companies have to do analysis earlier than choosing an occasion with a well-moderated setting. They will additionally begin their cases with full management over content material moderation.
Key Takeaways for Companies
Bluesky permits customers to filter and customise their content material expertise. However at a broader degree, a centralized group handles content material moderation.
Mastodon depends on server directors to implement guidelines. As such, customers could have completely different moderation experiences throughout cases. Companies can both be part of a well-moderated occasion or create one themselves.
Bluesky vs. Mastodon: Which Platform is Higher for You?
In case you’re making an attempt to determine between Bluesky vs. Mastodon, the proper selection is dependent upon what you’re searching for in a social media platform.
Each provide decentralization and a substitute for mainstream social networks. They comply with completely different approaches to attain this.
There’s no single “winner” right here—one of the best platform for you is dependent upon your preferences. Let’s break it down.
Select Bluesky if you need:
- A well-known, unified expertise like Twitter which makes it straightforward in your group to adapt.
- A platform the place a fancy algorithm doesn’t damage your content material visibility.
- A structured moderation system that helps keep knowledgeable and brand-safe setting.
- A single ecosystem the place managing your posts and communications is easy.
- A platform that’s evolving, promising much more customizable options sooner or later.
Select Mastodon if you need:
- A decentralized mannequin that allows you to be part of impartial servers tailor-made to your business.
- A chronological feed that exhibits posts with out algorithmic filtering.
- The pliability to pick out a neighborhood (occasion) with the appropriate moderation insurance policies in your model.
- Better management over content material visibility by becoming a member of area of interest servers related to your enterprise.
- An setting the place community-driven moderation creates numerous interactions.
Finally, one of the best platform for your enterprise is dependent upon your priorities. In case you worth a constant, customizable expertise with built-in moderation, Bluesky is an efficient match. In case you desire a community-driven area with extra management over the content material, contemplate Mastodon.
Conclusion
Selecting between Mastodon or Bluesky comes right down to what issues most to you. In case your group is aware of advertising and marketing on X, switching to Bluesky will probably be simpler for your enterprise. In case you’re bored with social media algorithms that by no means work in your favor and need a truthful system the place your content material can shine, select Mastodon.
When evaluating Bluesky vs. Mastodon, we discovered that each are nice options to mainstream social networks. One of the simplest ways to determine is to attempt them your self.
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Whether or not you’re rising your viewers on Bluesky or Mastodon, SocialPilot might help. It makes social media administration easy. Try it for free for 14 days to see if it fits your wants.
