On the client-side of things, Nostros and Nozzle are distributed through the IzzyOnDroid repository, so as such are confirmed to be free software; the rest of the clients (unless some offer direct download) are in Jewgle hell unfortunately, especially since using Aurora is shaky at best right now anonymously.

Bluesky's so-called decentralization (as expected) is a complete sham, and giving it charitability leaves much to be desired in its current state. But considering its original parent, it makes sense that the supposedly decentralized nature still retain some form of centralization so as to not either end up like ActivityPub (dead) or lose its advantage in ensuring people use Bluesky the way Twitter (before it let Bluesky spin off) wants it to.

The main advantage something like AP has despite being a dead protocol developmentally is its longevity; developers and users know it in and out, including what breaks it, and so build around and on it accordingly. Nostr is what Deso is without the baggage of a fucking lying piece of shit running it, a simple protocol that officially doesn't do anything more than offer a way to instantly transmit notes (and other stuff) through relays. In fact, I see it as more a social media focused iteration of XMPP, and have said as such in the past since relay operators and clients can decide at will which NIP's will be supported and subsequently standardized by the community.

The people (fedi expats like me, and journos being the exception) on it now are mainly maxifags, but it's looking as if that'll change soon. Ideally soon.