The fragmented world of decentralized social media just got a little more connected. A new application called Indigo launched today, offering users a single interface to browse, post, and manage their presence across both Mastodon and Bluesky — two of the most prominent alternatives to billionaire-owned platforms. Developed by Soapbox Software, the team behind the cross-posting tool Croissant, Indigo aims to solve a growing pain point for users who want to leave centralized networks but are reluctant to choose between competing open protocols.
Bridging the Open Social Web
Decentralized social media has seen a surge in interest as concerns over algorithmic control, data privacy, and platform moderation intensify. However, the ecosystem remains split. Mastodon operates on the ActivityPub protocol, which is also used by Meta’s Threads. Bluesky runs on its own AT Protocol. For users, this has meant maintaining separate accounts, separate apps, and separate feeds. Indigo eliminates that friction by presenting both networks in a single unified timeline that syncs across devices.
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Co-creator Ben McCarthy, who also developed the Obscura apps, told TechCrunch that Indigo builds on the team’s experience with Croissant while adding standalone features designed for daily use. The app distinguishes posts by network: Bluesky profiles appear with a blue outline, while Mastodon profiles are outlined in purple, making it easy to see where content originates at a glance.
Features and Subscription Model
Beyond unified browsing, Indigo includes a composer that allows users to cross-post to both services simultaneously. The app also supports custom feeds and lists from both networks, accessible through a dedicated menu. Users can track notifications across Mastodon and Bluesky, and use universal search to find content across both platforms.
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Additional tools include auto-scroll to top as new posts arrive, NSFW content hiding, keyword and user muting, reply filtering, and dark mode. The core browsing and notification features are free, but cross-posting, timeline syncing across devices, and trend tracking require a paid subscription. Pricing is set at $4.99 per month, $34.99 per year, or a one-time purchase of $119.99 for users committed to the open social web. The app is currently available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Why This Matters for the Decentralized Movement
The launch of Indigo reflects a broader shift in the social media sector. Users are increasingly seeking alternatives to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, but the decentralized ecosystem has struggled with fragmentation. By providing a easy bridge between Mastodon and Bluesky, Indigo lowers the barrier to entry for newcomers and offers a practical solution for power users who want to maintain a presence across both networks without managing multiple apps.
The app also highlights the growing maturity of the open social web. Tools like Croissant and now Indigo demonstrate that developers are building infrastructure to make decentralized platforms more accessible, not just as alternatives, but as viable daily drivers for mainstream audiences.
Conclusion
Indigo enters a market where demand for decentralized social media is rising, but usability remains a hurdle. By unifying Mastodon and Bluesky under one roof, the app offers a practical, feature-rich experience that may help bridge the gap between early adopters and a broader user base. Its success will depend on whether the convenience of a unified timeline outweighs the cost of a subscription — and whether the open social web continues its momentum as a credible alternative to centralized platforms.
FAQs
Q1: Is Indigo free to use?
Yes, basic browsing and notifications are free. Cross-posting, timeline syncing across devices, and trend tracking require a subscription starting at $4.99 per month.
Q2: Which platforms does Indigo support?
Indigo currently supports Mastodon (ActivityPub) and Bluesky (AT Protocol). It does not yet support Threads or other ActivityPub-based services.
Q3: Can I use Indigo on Android?
Not yet. Indigo is currently available only on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The developers have not announced Android plans.
