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SPECIFICTION
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Cactoide

cactoide.org

WebSelf-hosted
Visit cactoide.org
Spec score 7.2 #20 of 24 in Invitation Maker Software

What it is

Cactoide is a free, open-source event RSVP platform for web use or self-hosting. Organizers create events without accounts, receive a unique URL, and share it through platforms or messaging apps. Guests follow the link and enter their name without registering. Events can accept unlimited responses or use a capacity limit, and special invite links can restrict participation to people who have them. Public events may be discovered and shared across connected Cactoide instances. Event pages provide ICS or webcal calendar links, with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and Outlook listed as compatible. Self-hosting documentation uses Docker Compose and a database; operators can enable federation with the FEDERATION_INSTANCE environment variable and configure instance details. The project is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and described as community-supported. Its README positions it as an alternative for small companies and groups. Proper internationalization is not implemented, although translation files are included.

Spec sheet

Product
Cactoide is a federated, mobile-first event RSVP platform for creating events, sharing unique URLs, and collecting RSVPs without registration.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cactoide.org
Audience
The project README describes Cactoide as an alternative to Meetup, Eventbrite, and Partiful for small companies and groups.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The README describes the project as community-supported and provides [email protected] for direct contact.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project is licensed under AGPL-3.0.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Calendar integration
The project README documents ICS or webcal calendar links compatible with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and Outlook, with automatic time zone handling.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Capacity
Organizers can choose unlimited RSVPs or set a limited event capacity.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cactoide.org
Event creation
Organizers can create events through a streamlined form without an account.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cactoide.org
Federation
Connected Cactoide instances can discover and share public events across the network.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cactoide.org
Federation setup
The README says instance operators can enable federation with the FEDERATION_INSTANCE environment variable and configure an instance name and instance list.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended audience
The project describes itself as an alternative to Meetup, Eventbrite, and Partiful for small companies and groups.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Internationalization
The README says proper internationalization is not implemented, though the project includes language translation files.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Invite-only events
Special invite links let organizers limit RSVPs to people with the link.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cactoide.org
Known limitation
The README says proper internationalization is not implemented, though language translation files are included in an i18n folder.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Open source
The project is licensed under AGPL-3.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
RSVPs
Guests can RSVP by opening an event link and entering their name without creating an account.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cactoide.org
Self-hosting
The README documents running Cactoide with Docker Compose and a database.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Sharing
Each event gets a unique URL that can be shared through platforms or messaging apps.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cactoide.org

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Guests RSVP without accounts
  • Capacity limits or unlimited responses
  • Federated public event discovery
  • ICS and webcal calendar links
  • Free and AGPL-3.0 licensed

Limits

  • Proper internationalization is not implemented
  • Self-hosting requires Docker Compose and a database
  • Community-supported project

Who it suits

Cactoide suits small companies and groups that want link-based event responses without account registration. It also fits operators willing to self-host an AGPL-3.0 project.

Verdict

Cactoide keeps event creation and RSVP collection simple through shareable links and no registration. Self-hosting and federation are available, but internationalization remains incomplete.

Where Specifiction places it

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