Cactoide
Cactoide is a free, open-source event RSVP platform designed for mobile use, with web access and self-hosting available.
What Cactoide is
Cactoide is a free, open-source event RSVP platform designed for mobile use, with web access and self-hosting available. Organizers can create events without accounts, then share each event’s unique URL through platforms or messaging apps. Guests open the link and enter a name to respond, also without registering. Organizers can leave capacity unlimited or set a cap, and can use special invite links to limit who may RSVP. Public events can be found and shared across connected Cactoide instances. Event pages offer calendar addition through ICS or webcal links, with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and Outlook listed as compatible. The project README describes self-hosting with Docker Compose and a database; operators can enable federation using the FEDERATION_INSTANCE environment variable and configure an instance name and list. Cactoide is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and is community-supported. The README presents it as an option for small companies and groups. It also notes that proper internationalization is not implemented, despite translation files being included in an i18n folder.
Good
- Organizers and guests can participate without accounts
- Capacity can be unlimited or restricted
- Invite links can limit who RSVPs
- Calendar links support ICS and webcal
Watch out
- Proper internationalization is not implemented
- Self-hosting setup uses Docker Compose and a database
Who it suits
Cactoide suits small companies and groups that want to organize events and collect RSVPs through shareable links without requiring accounts. It also fits people interested in self-hosting and federation across connected instances.
Verdict
Cactoide offers link-based event responses with capacity controls, calendar links, and federation. Its lack of proper internationalization may matter for groups that need localized use.
The facts
Each one read from Cactoide's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- The project README describes Cactoide as an alternative to Meetup, Eventbrite, and Partiful for small companies and groups.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Calendar integration
- The project README documents ICS or webcal calendar links compatible with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and Outlook, with automatic time zone handling.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Capacity
- Organizers can choose unlimited RSVPs or set a limited event capacity.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Event creation
- Organizers can create events through a streamlined form without an account.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Federation
- Connected Cactoide instances can discover and share public events across the network.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Federation setup
- The README says instance operators can enable federation with the FEDERATION_INSTANCE environment variable and configure an instance name and instance list.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The project describes itself as an alternative to Meetup, Eventbrite, and Partiful for small companies and groups.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Internationalization
- The README says proper internationalization is not implemented, though the project includes language translation files.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Invite-only events
- Special invite links let organizers limit RSVPs to people with the link.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- The README says proper internationalization is not implemented, though language translation files are included in an i18n folder.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under AGPL-3.0.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The project is licensed under AGPL-3.0.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Cactoide is a federated, mobile-first event RSVP platform for creating events, sharing unique URLs, and collecting RSVPs without registration.checked 9 Oct 2026
- RSVPs
- Guests can RSVP by opening an event link and entering their name without creating an account.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The README documents running Cactoide with Docker Compose and a database.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- Each event gets a unique URL that can be shared through platforms or messaging apps.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README describes the project as community-supported and provides [email protected] for direct contact.checked 9 Oct 2026
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