Forte
a non-commercial social network
The Forte social network is almost identical to the (streams) network – both were created and are developed by Mike Macgirvin. What differentiates these social networks is that (streams) uses the Nomad, Zot6 and ActivityPub communication protocols, while Forte only uses ActivityPub. So, at the moment, the only practical difference between the two networks is that (streams) participants have the option – on each of their account channels – of turning the ActivityPub protocol button on or off. With the button turned off (and only the Nomad and Zot6 protocols running), participants can only connect to participants in the (streams) and Hubzilla networks. With the button on, in addition to these two networks, connection is also possible with networks using the ActivityPub protocol. Participants in the Forte network do not have this possibility, as this network only uses the ActivityPub protocol.
Unlike (streams), Forte is considered a fediverse project.
Apart from these differences, the two networks currently work identically. So, to get to know the features and possibilities of the Forte network, read our introduction to the (streams) network. Then read on here and see how to create your Forte instance.
To see what the "face" of the Forte network looks like - or rather, one of its "faces" - visit this channel: Albums
What's it like using the Forte network? The experience of using the Forte network is almost identical to the experience of using the (streams) network, and similar to that of using the Hubzilla network – but with regard to the latter, there are optimisations with regard to the configuration panels, the design, and there are additional (and some removed) features. But you'll get a pretty good idea of the experience of using Forte by reading the text “What's it like using the Hubzilla network?”.
To create a Forte instance – for one or several accounts/people
A person with an account on an instance can connect with people who have accounts on the same or other instances of the Forte network; as well as with people on other networks that use the ActivityPub protocol.
You will need technical knowledge of computers and the Internet (including the Linux terminal) to create your Forte instance.
Access the Forte network software repository, install the software on a server and create your instance.
Maintaining an instance involves costs. There's the annual cost of the webhosting service – from US$ 43. And then there's the annual cost of the domain name (URL address) of the instance – starting at US$ 14.
(Note: There is another way to create your Forte instance, which requires less technical knowledge: through YunoHost).
Note: In the second half of 2024, Mike MacGirvin announced in a public post that he was retiring from developing decentralised social networking software. However, after a few weeks, he continued to develop (streams) and also reported news about the development of the new Forte network – at the same time as he reported that he was still retired.
In a post from May 13, 2025, he wrote:
It's been a wild ride and technically I'm retired — but if you think that this “alternative fediverse” is going away any time soon, you must be new here.
To learn more about Forte:
Since (streams) and Forte are almost identical...
README – Mike Macgirvin (presentation of the network (streams), made by the developer). (streams) – Jupiter Rowland Comparison between Mastodon, Friendica, Hubzilla and (streams) – Jupiter Rowland
May, 2025. Updated: May 18, 2025.