What it does
Mbin combines federated links, discussion, voting and short posts in topic spaces called magazines. The open-source application is available for continuing self-hosted use without a software subscription. Operators need hosting and a local administrator account.
A magazine's creator becomes its owner and can appoint moderators. Reports for moderated magazines appear in the account's Reports area. Subscriptions and blocks shape a member's reading view, while links and longer articles sit alongside a separate microblog section.
For a new server, create a user with the installation console, grant that user administrator status and update the federation keys. Then log in and create the special random magazine. It receives federated microblog posts that do not match another magazine; leaving it out prevents that unclassified content from arriving. Push notifications need their own generated keys.
Mbin's version 1.11 introduced a default instance block that applies to existing and new members. Members can override that soft block by unblocking the instance, so it differs from a compulsory federation ban.
The AGPLv3 license covers the software. Maintaining the server, database, queues and updates remains the operator's responsibility.
Strengths
- Magazine owners can appoint their own moderation team
- Links, discussion and microblog content share one community platform
Watch out for
- Members can override the default instance block
- Server operation includes database and queue maintenance
Best for
- Communities combining moderated topic spaces with federated short posts
Sources
- Release v1.11.0 · MbinOrg/mbin · GitHub (Oct 26, 2026)
- GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE (Oct 26, 2026)
- Join Mbin (Oct 27, 2026)
- Mbin user guide (Oct 27, 2026)
- Mbin first setup (Oct 27, 2026)
- Mbin original application repository (Oct 27, 2026)
- Mbin GNU Affero General Public License version 3 (Oct 27, 2026)