Build Your Own Social Community with Bonfire’s Free Software
▼ Summary
– Bonfire Social, a new federated app built on ActivityPub, launched as a modular and customizable framework for online communities.
– It aims to empower users by giving communities control over features, defaults, and roadmaps, free from corporate influence.
– Bonfire offers “flavors,” preconfigured templates that communities can customize, with options like Bonfire Community and Open Science.
– Unique features include custom feed-building tools, nested discussions, multiple profiles per user, and privacy controls like Boundaries and Circles.
– The app is open-source, nonprofit-funded, and federates with platforms like Mastodon, with self-installation and a demo instance available.
Building online communities just got more flexible with Bonfire Social, a new open-source platform that puts control back in users’ hands. This federated app, powered by the same ActivityPub protocol as Mastodon, launched recently with a focus on customization and community governance. Unlike traditional social networks, Bonfire gives groups the power to shape their digital spaces without corporate oversight or algorithmic interference.
Developed as nonprofit software funded by donations rather than venture capital, Bonfire takes a radically different approach to social networking. The platform describes its mission as creating spaces where communities flourish free from commercial interests—a direct challenge to mainstream platforms controlled by tech giants.
Currently available as a 1.0 Release Candidate, Bonfire Social represents just one “flavor” of what the software can do. These flavors act as preconfigured templates, bundling specific extensions and features tailored for different needs. Communities can start with a base template and then customize everything from functionality to future development priorities. This modular design means no two Bonfire instances need to look or behave the same way.
While the interface includes familiar elements like profiles, feeds, and content moderation tools, Bonfire stands out with features rarely seen on conventional platforms. Custom feed-building tools let users filter content by type, engagement, or source—no coding required. The platform also revives the concept of Circles, popularized by Google+, allowing private or shared groups for targeted sharing.
Another standout is Boundaries, a granular privacy system that controls not just who sees posts but who can interact with them. Want to share an update widely but limit replies to a specific circle? Bonfire makes it possible. The platform also supports threaded discussions, letting conversations branch naturally rather than forcing linear debates.
For those who value personalization, Bonfire offers 16 built-in themes plus options to design custom layouts with unique fonts and colors. Users can even maintain multiple profiles under one account—handy for separating professional and personal presence or managing shared accounts for organizations.
Additional launch features include progressive web app support for mobile, custom emoji, full-text search, and private group chats with nested threads. Crucially, both users and admins can toggle extensions on or off, including fundamental features like likes or boosts (ActivityPub’s version of retweets).
Since Bonfire runs on ActivityPub, it connects seamlessly with Mastodon, PeerTube, and other federated platforms. While the software requires self-hosting for now, the team is developing managed hosting options. A demo instance is available for anyone curious to explore before diving in.
With its emphasis on user sovereignty and adaptable design, Bonfire represents a compelling alternative for communities tired of one-size-fits-all social platforms. Whether for local groups, open science collaborations, or niche interest networks, this software provides the tools to build a digital home exactly as envisioned—no corporate overlords required.
(Source: TechCrunch)
