Access Mastodon through Phanpy, a minimalistic web client described by its project repository.
Open source
24 alternativesPinafore
Pinafore provides an alternative web client for Mastodon; the project repository says it is unmaintained.
About Pinafore
Pinafore is an open-source alternative web client for Mastodon, focused on speed and simplicity. It supports multi-instance use and non-Mastodon instances like Pleroma as well as possible. Offline support is read-only, and it works with the latest versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.
The project is unmaintained. It is a static site that can be self-hosted with Node.js or Docker; the README recommends running node server.js behind an nginx or Apache proxy for CSP headers and dynamic routes. It does not aim to support old browsers, text-based browsers, full functionality without JavaScript, multi-column layouts, admin/moderation panels, or native Android/iOS apps.
Key features
- Open-source alternative web client for Mastodon focused on speed and simplicity.
- Supports latest Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari plus compatible browsers.
- Multi-instance support and non-Mastodon instances like Pleroma as well as possible.
- Progressive Web App features with offline support in read-only mode.
- Self-hostable static site using Node.js or Docker.
- Aims for accessibility and internationalization.
Best for: Users seeking a lightweight, open-source Mastodon web client for modern browsers, especially those who can self-host and are comfortable with an unmaintained project.
Good for
- Focused on speed, simplicity, and small page weight; fast on low-end devices.
- Supports multi-instance and non-Mastodon instances like Pleroma as well as possible.
- Open source under AGPL-3.0 and self-hostable via Node.js or Docker.
Watch out for
- The project is unmaintained.
- Offline support is read-only; no read-write offline mode.
- Does not support old browsers, text-based browsers, full functionality without JavaScript, multi-column layouts, or admin/moderation panels.
Pinafore at a glance
- Category
- Social & Communities › Fediverse
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Pinafore FAQ
Is Pinafore still maintained?
No. The repository states that Pinafore is unmaintained.
Which browsers does Pinafore support?
The latest versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. Compatible versions of browsers like Opera, Brave, and Samsung should also work.
Can I host Pinafore myself?
Yes. It is a static site that can be built with Node.js and Yarn, served with node server.js, or run with Docker or docker-compose. The README recommends not exposing the static files directly and using an nginx or Apache proxy.
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