Community Platforms
Self-hosted social networking software lets you build an independent online community on your own hosting account instead of relying entirely on a third-party social platform. Depending on the application, members may create profiles, publish updates, exchange messages, join groups, share media, collaborate, or participate in private communities.
Choosing the right platform depends on the community you want to build, the features members need, current software maintenance, and the hosting resources required as activity grows.
What is Social Networking Software?
Social networking programs allow users to connect, communicate, collaborate, and share content with each other. Most businesses use social media as a marketing tool, and it’s easy to see why. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram have billions of users combined. Having a cohesive social media presence allows businesses to reach their customers in creative ways. Many Small Businesses turn to social media management platforms that they can have complete control over, and can be edited by using any web Browser without extra add-ons or extensions
Which Social Networking Software?
For a general self-hosted social network, Open Source Social Network (OSSN) provides familiar profiles, feeds, groups, messaging, photos, and notifications. HumHub is oriented toward collaboration and intranets. UNA is designed for highly customizable communities, Hubzilla focuses on decentralized identity and communication, Elgg provides a flexible social engine, and pH7Builder is specialized for dating and social-discovery websites. The right choice depends on your community model, required features, maintenance needs, privacy expectations, and server resources.
Social Networking Software Comparison
| Software | Best For | Platform Type | Relative Resource Needs | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Source Social Network | General communities | Traditional social network | Low–Moderate | Profiles, feeds, groups, messaging, photos, and notifications. |
| HumHub | Organizations and intranets | Collaboration/community platform | Moderate | Spaces, collaboration, modules, and private-community use. |
| UNA | Highly customizable communities | Modular community platform | Moderate–High | Extensive app-based customization and community features. |
| Hubzilla | Decentralized communities | Federated social platform | Moderate | Decentralized identity, communications, permissions, and federation. |
| Elgg | Organizations and custom projects | Social engine/framework | Moderate | Extensible platform for custom social environments. |
| GNU social | Federated microblogging | Federated social platform | Moderate | Independent public or private social communication. |
| pH7Builder | Dating and social discovery | Specialized community platform | Moderate | Dating-oriented modules and social-discovery features. |
Resource needs are relative and can change substantially with software version, modules, media storage, traffic, caching, background tasks, and database size. Always check the current official requirements and test the application in your own hosting environment.
How to Choose Social Networking Software
Start with the type of community you want to operate. Compare member profiles, privacy controls, groups or spaces, messaging, moderation, media handling, notifications, search, mobile usability, accessibility, extensions, integrations, update frequency, documentation, backup needs, and migration options. Check the application's current PHP and database requirements before installation and confirm that important extensions are still maintained.
Also plan beyond launch. A suitable platform should have a practical path for software updates, backups, abuse moderation, privacy management, database growth, media storage, email delivery, and additional CPU or memory as activity increases. Avoid choosing a platform solely because it has the longest feature list or appears in an automatic installer.
Self-Hosted Social Network vs Social Media Platform
| Self-Hosted Social Network | Large Social Media Platform |
|---|---|
| You control the website, branding, software configuration, and community rules. | The platform controls the underlying service, interface, and many policy decisions. |
| Member data and content are stored in the hosting environment you administer, subject to the software and services you choose. | Data is stored and processed according to the provider's systems, policies, and terms. |
| You are responsible for updates, security, backups, privacy configuration, moderation, and hosting resources. | The provider handles the infrastructure and core platform maintenance. |
| You can build a focused community around an organization, interest, customer base, family, or niche. | Built-in audiences and discovery can make it easier to reach people already using the platform. |
| Costs depend on hosting, administration, development, storage, and growth. | Basic participation may be free, but reach, advertising, features, or business tools may involve additional costs or limitations. |
Many organizations use both approaches: a self-hosted community for controlled, structured interaction and mainstream social platforms for broader discovery and outreach.
Softaculous
With this automatic script installer, you can install, try out, uninstall as many apps as you like. It is just that simple. With hundreds of amazing scripts for Image galleries, E-commerce, blogs, Forums, Wikis, social networking, ad management. Available with any of our hosting plans
Take the Softaculous demo for a spin, see reviews and more.
pH7Builder
pH7Builder, formerly known as pH7CMS, is an open-source platform focused on dating services, social discovery, and social networking websites. It is written in object-oriented PHP and uses an MVC architecture. Softaculous currently lists pH7Builder in its Social Networking category, but administrators should still confirm the project's current requirements, release notes, modules, and upgrade instructions before deployment.
pH7Builder Hosting
Open Source Social Network
Open Source Social Network (OSSN) is a PHP-based open-source platform that lets you create your own fully self-hosted social network, similar to Facebook but with complete control over data, users, and design. It comes with profiles, timelines, groups, messaging, photos, and notifications built in, making it ideal for private communities, niche networks, or enterprise collaboration sites without relying on third-party social media platforms.
Open Source Hosting
Etano
Etano can be used to start up a dating site, a social networking site, a classifieds site or any other type of site involving groups of people, companies, products.
Etano Hosting
HumHub
HumHub is a free social network software and framework built to give you the tools to make communication and collaboration easy and successful. It provides a framework for building customized social networks, intranets, and collaborative communities. With HumHub you can create your own customized social network, social intranet or huge social enterprise application that really fits your needs.
HumHub Hosting
UNA
UNA is a Community Management System for building and running modern social websites. UNA (United Networking Applications) is a customizable open-source social networking platform. Every component module, tool, template or language is treated as an “app”. Apps control customization of design and navigation; the addition of new features and integration of 3rd-party APIs; site monitoring and configuration; permissions and database structure setup; translation and texts editing. UNA is designed for customizable community projects that may require integration with existing infrastructure and additional modules. UNA is a fully responsive system, with mobile and tap-friendly layout, optimised for all screens sizes.
UNA Hosting
Hubzilla
Hubzilla is an open-source platform for interconnected websites built around decentralized identity, communications, permissions, publishing, and federation. It is designed for communities that want independently operated sites that can communicate across compatible networks. Its current Softaculous listing has recent 2026 release activity, but administrators should still review official requirements and upgrade documentation before installation.
Hubzilla Hosting
Elgg
Elgg is an open-source social engine for building custom social environments for organizations, groups, education, business, and other communities. It supports an extensible plugin-based approach and remains actively maintained, with current Elgg releases listed by Softaculous in 2026. Check the requirements for the specific Elgg major version you plan to install because supported PHP versions vary by release line.
Elgg Hosting
GNU Social
GNU social is free software for public or private social communication and federated microblogging. It grew from the StatusNet project and can connect independent servers rather than requiring one centralized service. The Softaculous catalog still lists GNU social, but its listed release date is substantially older than several other applications on this page, so verify current upstream maintenance, PHP compatibility, security status, and federation requirements before choosing it for a new production site.
GNU Social Hosting
Dolphin
Dolphin is an older self-hosted community platform from BoonEx with profiles, messaging, groups, media, and modular community features. The original Dolphin.Pro code remains available, and Softaculous still lists Dolphin in its Social Networking category. Because it belongs to an older product line, review its current release age, PHP compatibility, security status, support resources, and migration options before using it for a new production community.
Dolphin Hosting
Oxwall
Oxwall is an open-source PHP/MySQL social networking platform with profiles, activity feeds, messaging, groups, forums, media features, plugins, and themes. It remains listed in the Softaculous Social Networking catalog. Before starting a new site, check the project's latest release date, supported PHP version, plugin compatibility, security notices, and available support because older community software can require more careful compatibility planning.
Oxwall Hosting
Jcow
Jcow is a PHP-based social networking script for self-hosted communities with features such as profiles, messaging, activity feeds, groups, forums, photos, and videos. It is still listed in the Softaculous Social Networking catalog. For a new deployment, confirm the latest project release, supported PHP and database versions, extension compatibility, documentation, and security-maintenance status rather than relying on older scalability or feature claims.
Jcow Hosting
Family Connections
Family Connections is an open-source PHP-based social networking system designed specifically for building private, family-focused communities. Hosted on SourceForge, it includes tools for sharing photos and videos, maintaining a family tree, posting updates, and managing events, calendars, and contact directories—all within a secure, members-only environment. Its structure supports long-term archiving of memories and intergenerational storytelling, making it a practical choice for preserving family history in a centralized, self-hosted platform. The system is lightweight, customizable, and aimed at users who want full control over their private social network rather than relying on mainstream social media platforms.
Family Connections Hosting
Social Networking Hosting Requirements
Most self-hosted social networking applications need a compatible web server, a supported PHP version, a database such as MySQL or MariaDB, HTTPS, reliable email delivery, adequate storage, and enough CPU and memory for active members. Requirements vary by application and version. Some platforms also depend on scheduled tasks, command-line tools, caching, image processing, queues, or specific PHP extensions, so always check the current official installation documentation.
Communities with large media libraries, frequent notifications, private messaging, chat, or many simultaneous users can require substantially more resources than a small private network. Plan for database growth, uploaded media, backup storage, email volume, caching, and a practical upgrade path as activity increases.
Social Network Security & Privacy Best Practices
- Keep the core application, PHP or other runtime, themes, modules, plugins, and server software on supported versions.
- Use HTTPS throughout registration, login, account, messaging, and administration pages.
- Protect administrator accounts with strong unique credentials and multi-factor authentication when supported.
- Use least-privilege administrator, moderator, member, database, file, and directory permissions.
- Configure registration controls, moderation, rate limits, CAPTCHA or other supported anti-abuse tools to reduce automated spam and fake accounts.
- Review privacy defaults for profiles, messages, groups, uploaded media, member directories, and search visibility before launch.
- Restrict file uploads by type and size using controls supported by the application and hosting environment.
- Remove unused modules and extensions, and avoid add-ons that no longer receive maintenance or security updates.
- Maintain separate, tested backups of the database, application files, configuration, and member-uploaded media.
- Review logs and unusual account, login, posting, or upload activity, and establish clear moderation and privacy policies for your community.
How to Start a Social Networking Website
- Define the community: Decide who the network serves, whether it is public or private, and which member interactions are essential.
- Choose the software: Compare maintenance status, profiles, groups, messaging, privacy, moderation, media, extensions, and migration options.
- Confirm hosting requirements: Check the current PHP version, database, storage, memory, scheduled tasks, email, and other server requirements.
- Install the platform: Use Softaculous when the supported application and version are available, or follow the project's official installation documentation.
- Enable HTTPS: Protect logins, profiles, messages, administration, and other member interactions with encrypted connections.
- Configure privacy and permissions: Decide what guests, members, moderators, and administrators can view, publish, upload, or manage.
- Configure email and abuse controls: Test registration, password resets, notifications, verification, moderation, and supported anti-spam measures.
- Test the member experience: Create test accounts and verify profiles, groups, messages, media uploads, privacy settings, mobile layouts, and accessibility.
- Create starter content and rules: Publish community guidelines, privacy information, help content, and useful discussions before inviting members.
- Maintain and measure: Monitor resource usage, backups, security, moderation workload, software updates, and member feedback after launch.
Software Maintenance Status
Softaculous currently lists 12 applications in its Social Networking category: pH7Builder, Dolphin, Oxwall, Jcow, Open Source Social Network, HumHub, Etano, UNA, Family Connections, Hubzilla, GNU social, and Elgg. All 12 programs on this page therefore remain relevant to the current Softaculous catalog.
Release activity varies considerably. In 2026, Softaculous shows recent releases for projects including pH7Builder, Hubzilla, and Elgg, while some other entries have much older listed release dates. Installer availability should not be treated as proof of active upstream development. Before starting a production community, check the project's official release history, supported runtime versions, security notices, documentation, extension compatibility, and upgrade path.
Social Networking Performance Factors
| Factor | Why It Matters | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent users | More simultaneous activity increases application and database work. | CPU, memory, database load, response time, and concurrency. |
| Photos and video | Media increases storage, bandwidth, processing, and backup requirements. | Storage, upload limits, image processing, bandwidth, and backup size. |
| Extensions and modules | Extra functionality can add queries, scripts, remote calls, and background tasks. | Use maintained extensions and measure performance before and after additions. |
| Database growth | Profiles, feeds, messages, notifications, sessions, and activity data accumulate. | Database size, indexes, maintenance, slow queries, and search configuration. |
| Caching and runtime | Application and server configuration can materially affect response times. | Supported PHP version, OPcache, application caching, and database settings. |
| Background jobs | Notifications, email, feeds, media processing, and scheduled tasks consume resources. | Cron jobs, queues, email volume, task frequency, and failed-job logs. |
Universal speed ratings are not reliable because results depend on software version, configuration, extensions, database size, traffic, caching, server resources, network location, and the page or action being tested.
WordPress Social Community Options
WordPress can also support community features through plugins, but social-sharing buttons and social-icon widgets are not the same as social networking software. If your goal is to build member profiles, groups, activity streams, private messaging, directories, or other community features inside WordPress, evaluate plugins specifically designed for those functions. Check current WordPress and PHP compatibility, privacy controls, moderation, extension maintenance, database impact, and migration options before adding a community plugin to a production site.
If your goal is only to help visitors share pages to external social networks, a lightweight sharing or social-links plugin may be appropriate, but it should be evaluated as a marketing or sharing tool rather than as a self-hosted social network.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Networking Software
What is self-hosted social networking software?
Self-hosted social networking software is installed on hosting you control and provides tools for operating an independent online community. Depending on the platform, members may create profiles, publish updates, join groups, exchange messages, share media, and manage privacy settings. If you are new to hosting applications, the RSH Web Services support center provides hosting, cPanel, Softaculous, security, and website-management guidance.
What is the best social networking software for a small community?
There is no single best platform for every small community. OSSN can suit a familiar general social-network experience, HumHub can fit collaboration and private organizations, and other platforms serve specialized needs. Compare maintenance, moderation, privacy, required features, and server requirements first. This guide to choosing a hosting provider explains hosting factors such as resources, security, backups, scalability, and support.
What is the best free social networking software?
Several programs on this page are open-source or available without a conventional commercial software license, but “free” does not mean maintenance-free. Hosting, administration, updates, backups, moderation, privacy management, extensions, and development can still require time or money. Compare the current project status and total operating requirements instead of choosing solely on license price.
What is the difference between OSSN, HumHub, UNA, and Elgg?
OSSN focuses on familiar social-network features such as profiles, feeds, groups, messaging, photos, and notifications. HumHub emphasizes collaboration and intranet-style communities. UNA uses a modular approach for highly customizable communities. Elgg is an extensible social engine for custom social environments. The best fit depends on your required features, integrations, privacy model, development needs, and hosting environment.
What hosting does social networking software need?
Requirements vary by application and version, but common needs include supported PHP, MySQL or MariaDB, HTTPS, email delivery, storage, memory, CPU, and backups. Some platforms also use scheduled jobs, command-line tools, caching, or image processing. The web hosting FAQ covers hosting resources, migration, security, cPanel, backups, DNS, and performance topics.
Can I install social networking software with Softaculous?
Yes, when the application is available in the Softaculous catalog provided by your hosting account. Softaculous currently lists the 12 social-networking programs covered on this page. Catalog availability and upstream project maintenance are separate issues, so check current release activity and compatibility before installation. The RSH Web Services blog index includes additional hosting, Softaculous, security, and website-management resources.
How much hosting does a growing social network need?
There is no universal resource number because demand depends on concurrent users, database size, profiles, feeds, messages, media uploads, search, extensions, caching, email, and background jobs. Monitor actual CPU, memory, storage, database load, and response times as membership grows. The hosting service guide explains scalability, performance, security, storage, backups, and other factors to consider.
How do I protect member profiles and private data?
Use HTTPS, keep the application and extensions updated, secure administrator accounts, apply least-privilege permissions, configure privacy defaults carefully, moderate registrations and uploads, and maintain tested backups. Collect only information your community actually needs and understand the privacy obligations that apply to your operation. RSH's general FAQ also covers website security and account-management topics.
Can I create a private social network for a business or organization?
Yes. Platforms such as HumHub and Elgg can be evaluated for private organizational communities, collaboration, or intranet-style use. Confirm that the software provides the access controls, private spaces, member management, integrations, and privacy settings your organization requires. Also test email notifications, backups, administrator permissions, and the upgrade process before inviting real users.
What is the difference between a self-hosted social network and Facebook or other social platforms?
A self-hosted network gives the operator more control over software configuration, branding, community rules, and the hosting environment, but also makes the operator responsible for maintenance, security, backups, privacy settings, moderation, and resources. Large social platforms handle their own infrastructure and offer built-in audiences, but users and organizations operate within the platform's features, policies, and terms.
Can I move an existing social networking site to another host?
Usually, but migration difficulty depends on the application, database, uploaded media, extensions, domain configuration, and source and destination server environments. Create a complete recovery point before moving and test accounts, messages, media, email, permissions, and background jobs afterward. Review website backup best practices and the hosting migration guidance before changing DNS.
Hosting a Self-Hosted Social Network
A social network needs dependable hosting, HTTPS, database support, reliable email delivery, backups, and room to grow as profiles, messages, media, notifications, and concurrent activity increase. RSH Web Services provides social networking hosting with cPanel and Softaculous for compatible applications. Verify the software's current requirements first, then choose resources appropriate for your expected community and growth.
See Social Networking Hosting Options
Summary
The right self-hosted social networking software depends on the community you are building. OSSN can suit a familiar general social network, HumHub can support collaboration and intranet-style communities, UNA offers extensive modular customization, Hubzilla focuses on decentralized communication, Elgg provides an extensible social engine, and pH7Builder targets dating and social discovery. Older applications can still appear in software installers, so always check current maintenance and compatibility before a new production deployment.
Whichever platform you choose, plan for HTTPS, privacy controls, moderation, reliable email, software updates, tested backups, database growth, media storage, and enough server resources for peak activity. Matching maintained software with appropriate hosting and ongoing community management creates a stronger foundation for a useful, secure, and sustainable social network.
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