Bowrd
Open-source visual bookmarking: save images to boards, follow Fediverse accounts, and share collections — no ads, no algorithm.
Open source alternative to:
Bowrd is a free, open-source visual bookmarking tool built as a self-hostable alternative to Pinterest. You save images from third-party websites as entries, organize them into thematic boards, repin other people's entries into your own boards, and browse a chronological masonry feed of the entries and Fediverse posts you follow. A Discover view exposes public entries with tag filtering.
Bowrd is also a full Fediverse server: it implements ActivityPub, so every user profile is reachable from Mastodon, Pixelfed, or Vernissage, and you can follow Mastodon, Pixelfed, and Vernissage accounts directly from your Bowrd feed alongside local entries.
Where Pinterest runs ads and a recommendation algorithm, Bowrd's feed is chronological and the code is AGPL-3.0 licensed. The official hosted instance at bowrd.eu is invite-based, with a free tier (500 entries) and paid Pro/Unlimited plans; self-hosting is free and includes all features. It is built with PHP 8.3, Laravel 12, Tailwind CSS, and DaisyUI.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which platforms does Bowrd run on?
Bowrd is a web application accessed from any modern browser, both on the hosted instance and on a self-hosted server. There are no native desktop or mobile apps yet; a browser extension for clipping images from any page is on the roadmap.
Can I import my Pinterest boards?
Yes. Pinterest import is available on every hosted plan, including the free tier, and self-hosted instances include all features. On hosted plans the import also grants bonus entries.
What does the free hosted plan include?
The free plan at bowrd.eu includes unlimited boards, a public profile, and up to 500 entries, with Pinterest import included. Pro (5 EUR/month) raises the limit to 5,000 entries, and Unlimited (15 EUR/month) removes it entirely. Self-hosting is free and has no entry limits.
Can Mastodon or Pixelfed users follow my Bowrd account?
Yes. Bowrd is an ActivityPub server, so your profile has a Fediverse address that can be followed from Mastodon, Pixelfed, or Vernissage. In return, you can follow accounts on those platforms from your Bowrd feed.
What do I need to self-host Bowrd?
Bowrd is a standard Laravel 12 application running on PHP 8.3. You need Composer for the PHP dependencies and Node.js to build the Tailwind/DaisyUI frontend, then run the migrations and seeders. Sign-ups on your own instance are controlled by an invitation system.
Looking for contributors
This project is actively seeking help, join the community!
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Project Details
Repository details
Updated 9/2/2026, 3:00:16 PM
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