VoidSay is the Simpler Cactus Comments Alternative
Cactus Comments is a clever federated system built on Matrix. But it requires a Matrix homeserver and your readers need Matrix accounts. VoidSay is free, managed, and works with accounts your readers already have.
Why People Are Switching from Cactus Comments
Simple Setup
Cactus needs a Matrix homeserver — fascinating tech but heavy infrastructure. VoidSay is one line of HTML and you're done.
Rich Media
YouTube, X/Twitter, Instagram auto-embeds. Cactus is text-only. Your readers get a richer experience with VoidSay.
Broader Audience
Cactus requires Matrix accounts. VoidSay accepts Google, GitHub, and Passkeys — readers can comment without learning new protocols.
Feature Comparison: VoidSay vs Cactus Comments
| Feature | VoidSay ✅ | Cactus Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Free forever, managed | ✅ Free (Matrix-based, self-hosted) |
| Managed Hosting | ✅ Fully managed, zero setup | ❌ Requires Matrix homeserver |
| Privacy | ✅ No tracking, no data selling | ✅ Federated, decentralized |
| Markdown | ✅ Full Markdown + GFM | ⚠️ Limited Markdown |
| Dark Mode | ✅ Built-in dark/light | ⚠️ CSS theming |
| YouTube Embed | ✅ Auto-embed + timestamp | ❌ Not supported |
| X/Twitter Embed | ✅ Auto-embed cards | ❌ Not supported |
| Instagram Embed | ✅ Auto-embed feed | ❌ Not supported |
| Site Owner Dashboard | ✅ Developer Portal | ⚠️ Matrix client moderation |
| SSO / OAuth | ✅ Google, GitHub, Passkeys | ✅ Matrix accounts (federated) |
| Page Speed | ⚡ < 50ms load | ✅ Lightweight |
| Pro Plan | $29/mo — Pro badge, priority | N/A (open source) |
How to Switch from Cactus to VoidSay
Remove Cactus Embed
Delete the Cactus Comments snippet from your site.
Add VoidSay Embed
Paste our one-line embed. No Matrix, no federation config.
Welcome All Readers
Anyone with a Google or GitHub account can now comment. No Matrix required.
<iframe src="https://voidsay.com/embed?url=YOUR_PAGE_URL" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0"></iframe>What Switchers Say
“I love the idea of federated comments, but Cactus was too complex for my readers. VoidSay keeps things simple and my comment section is alive again.”
— Open Source Maintainer, Remote
“Cactus is brilliant technically, but my non-technical readers couldn't figure out Matrix. VoidSay's Passkeys + OAuth onboarding is seamless.”
— Blogger, Helsinki
Ready for Simple, Powerful Comments?
No federation to manage. No Matrix to learn. Just great comments that work.
Get Started Free →