Wafrn: The Tumblr Vibes Are Back – but Decentralized
The new era of Tumblr, Wafrn.app
If you've ever missed the golden age of Tumblr — the custom themes, the reblogs, the chaos, the community — you’re not alone. Many users have searched for that same kind of energy after Tumblr’s decline. While some platforms have tried to fill that void, Wafrn might be the closest we’ve come to a true spiritual successor — one that’s also rooted in something Tumblr never was: decentralization and user control.
What Is Wafrn?
Wafrn.app is a free, open-source, Tumblr-style social network that lives in the Fediverse — the network of interconnected platforms like Mastodon, Pleroma, and Pixelfed. Created by an indie developer known as @gabboman, Wafrn is still under active development, but it's already building a dedicated community of artists, writers, and fandom lovers who want a more personal, customizable space.
It's not just another blogging site — it’s a platform where you can fully edit your profile with custom CSS, schedule posts, send and receive "asks", and actually own your content. On top of that, Wafrn federates with Mastodon and other platforms using ActivityPub, and they're currently working on support for AT Protocol (used by Bluesky), which would make it one of the most connected platforms out there.
Think of it like Tumblr, but with way more control and no corporate overlords watching what you post.
Customization & Community
Wafrn allows full profile customization, so if you’re someone who used to spend hours editing your Tumblr theme, you’ll feel right at home. The platform encourages creativity and weirdness — whether that’s through aesthetics, blogs, or interactions. You can:
Design your profile with full custom CSS
Enable ask boxes for anonymous or public questions
React to posts with emojis
Schedule or queue posts
View everything on a dashboard-style feed
What’s more, Wafrn is queer-friendly and takes moderation seriously. The main instance (app.wafrn.net) is community-run and makes it clear that hate speech, harassment, and bigotry aren’t tolerated. It’s a safe space for marginalized communities to post, create, and connect.
Mobile Experience (Still in Progress)
Wafrn is also working on native apps for iOS and Android. Right now, you can find the Android app through F-Droid or Google Play, and the iOS version is in TestFlight beta. The apps are still very much a work in progress, but updates are frequent, and the developer is active and open to feedback.
Why It Matters
Wafrn isn’t trying to be the next Twitter or Instagram. It’s intentionally slow-paced, personal, and community-driven. You don’t need to chase likes or go viral — the focus is on expression, connection, and fun. It also fits perfectly into the Fediverse, meaning you can follow people from Mastodon or even interact with Bluesky users (once AT support is fully launched).
This platform is ideal for:
Artists and writers looking for a creative home
People tired of algorithmic feeds
Queer and alt communities wanting safer online spaces
Tumblr exiles still missing that chaotic cozy vibe
Things to Know
Accounts are manually approved on the main instance. This helps with spam control but can take time.
VPN users may get blocked during signup. This is a moderation decision to help prevent trolls, but it may affect privacy-minded folks.
Still in development — it's not always perfectly polished, but the dev is responsive and working on improvements.
Final Thoughts
Wafrn is like a love letter to the old internet — the one where people made their own spaces, wrote long rambly posts, and built community through shared weirdness. It’s not perfect, but it’s promising. If you’ve been craving a Tumblr-style experience with modern ethics and open-source roots, Wafrn is 100% worth checking out.
Useful Links
Wafrn main site: https://app.wafrn.net
GitHub (dev updates): https://github.com/gabboman/wafrn
Android app (F-Droid): https://f-droid.org/packages/dev.djara.wafrn_rn/
Reddit thread on Wafrn: r/fediverse
Tumblr user Foone on Wafrn: https://foone.tumblr.com/post/773284433799299072