# EMQX vs PixelFed

> Two self-hosted projects, compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.

| | EMQX | PixelFed |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 78/100 ✓ | 64/100 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 14 in Messaging | #12 of 69 in Social Networks & Forums |
| GitHub stars | 16 868 ✓ | 7 131 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +113 ✓ | +24 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 15 | 15 |
| Latest release | 6.3.2 · 16 Oct 2026 | v0.15.2 · 21 Oct 2026 ✓ |
| Setup | Advanced | Advanced |
| Official Docker image | Yes ✓ | No |
| License | Other | AGPL-3.0 |
| Main language | Erlang | PHP |

## Which one should you pick?

EMQX scores 78/100 against 64/100 for PixelFed, so it is the safer default.

EMQX is growing faster right now (+113 stars in 30 days).

## Details

- [EMQX](https://selfhost.directory/project/emqx) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/emqx.md)
- [PixelFed](https://selfhost.directory/project/pixelfed) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/pixelfed.md)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/emqx-vs-pixelfed