Isso
A lightweight, self-hosted commenting server written in Python and JavaScript, built as a drop-in replacement for Disqus.
Open source alternative to:
Isso is a lightweight commenting server written in Python and JavaScript, designed as a drop-in replacement for Disqus. You embed a single JavaScript file (about 65kB, 20kB gzipped) and readers get fast, ad-free commenting on your site with no third-party tracking.
Comments are written in Markdown, and users can edit or delete their own comments within 15 minutes by default. There is a moderation queue so unreviewed comments are not publicly visible, and the SQLite backend keeps setup simple. Isso also ships importers that migrate existing Disqus or WordPress comments without hassle.
Unlike Disqus, which is a hosted service with ads and user tracking, Isso runs entirely on your own server and database, giving you full control and privacy. It self-hosts easily with pip, source installs, or an official Docker image, making it a popular choice for blogs and static sites that want comments without a third party in the middle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which platforms does Isso run on?
Isso is a web server written in Python with a JavaScript client. You need Python 3.8 or later with development headers, SQLite 3.3.8 or later, and a working C compiler. Install it with pip install isso, then embed a single JavaScript file in your pages.
Can I import existing Disqus comments into Isso?
Yes. Isso ships importers for both Disqus and WordPress, so you can migrate existing comment threads without manual copying.
Does Isso support comment moderation?
Yes. Isso has a moderation queue, and comments waiting for activation are not publicly visible. By default, users can also edit or delete their own comments within 15 minutes of posting.
What formatting do comments support?
Comments are written in Markdown and rendered by the JavaScript client. Isso also supports configurable settings like vote-based ranking and reply notifications through its documentation.
Can I run Isso with Docker?
Yes. An official Docker image is published at ghcr.io/isso-comments/isso. The stable release tag is isso:release, while isso:latest is rebuilt on every push to the master branch; the maintainers recommend pinning to a release tag.
Repository details
Updated 8/8/2026, 2:00:48 AM
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