# Mastodon vs Forus App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mastodon at none against Forus App's 10. Mastodon also leads on ads (none vs shown). Forus App's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 48%) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Forus App sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Mastodon asks for nothing beyond the download.

Mastodon ships an update monthly, Forus App weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 14, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mastodon | Forus App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mastodon/id1571998974/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **13K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 48.4% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 111 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Mastodon GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1571998976) | [Forus Digital Ltda](https://appshunter.io/developer/1729445941) |

## What reviewers say

### Mastodon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mastodon/id1571998974)

Connect with others on a decentralized social network. Follow creators, engage in discussions, and share content chronologically without algorithms or ads. Customize your experience with lists and filters.

**Highlights:** Chronological feed, No algorithms or ads, Discover writers, artists, and more, Post with images, videos, and polls, Create custom lists, Filter content, Cross-server communication

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Friendly and welcoming community
- 🚀 Decentralized and free from corporate control
- 🔒 No data collection or ads
- 🤖 Good alternative to Twitter
- 💡 Ability to self-host servers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🤔 Confusing onboarding and server selection
- 📱 Limited functionality compared to web version
- 🔍 Difficulty finding and following people
- 🕰️ Slow or delayed notifications

**Reported bugs**

- Can't log in or create account
- Keyboard freezes during editing
- Inconsistent behavior when switching accounts
- Notifications not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add local and federated timelines
- Improve search and discovery features
- Implement edit and delete post functionality
- Add support for animated GIFs
- Provide better accessibility options


### Forus App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forus-app/id1613210612)

Connect, share, and explore with a focus on personalized experiences and quality content. This social networking platform aims to provide a refreshing alternative to addictive apps, offering a new era of digital interaction.

**Highlights:** Personalized experiences, Quality content, Freedom from addictive platforms, Connect with others, Share content, Explore the world

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Copper | $0.99 | per month |
| Premium Silver | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Gold | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Platinum | $39.99 | per month |
| Spinel Card | $0.99 | one-time |
| Amethyst Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| Copper Card | $7.99 | one-time |
| Silver Card | $14.99 | one-time |
| Gold Card | $29.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Card | $79.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mastodon free?

Mastodon is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Forus App free?

Forus App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Mastodon or Forus App have ads?

Forus App shows ads; Mastodon does not.

### Which is updated more often, Mastodon or Forus App?

Mastodon ships an update monthly, and Forus App weekly. Most recently, Mastodon was updated on November 14, 2026 and Forus App on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*