Periwinkle Launches Managed PDS for Bluesky AT Protocol
Berlin-based startup Periwinkle is introducing a new way for users to exit centralized Big Tech social media platforms. By providing a fully managed service for the AT Protocol—the open-source technology underpinning Bluesky—the company allows individuals to maintain their own social media presence on custom domains without the technical burden of server maintenance.
Bridging the gap to decentralized social media
Founder Charles Blumenthal, a former software engineer at McKinsey, launched the service to address the complexity of the AT Protocol for average users. While the protocol allows users to store data—including follows, posts, and profiles—on their own Personal Data Server (PDS), the technical barrier to entry remains high for many.
Periwinkle manages the infrastructure, handling updates, monitoring, and backups for its users. Blumenthal positions the service as a “first-to-market fully managed PDS service,” drawing a parallel to the evolution of blogging platforms. Just as users choose between hosted WordPress.com sites and self-hosted WordPress.org installations, Periwinkle offers a middle ground for decentralized social networking.
Service Tiers and Market Vision
Periwinkle offers a variety of plans tailored to different needs, ranging from individual users to organizations:
- Free Plan: Includes 500MB of storage.
- Basic Plan ($4/mo): Offers 5GB of storage and support for five handles.
- Pro Plan ($14/mo): Provides 25GB of storage with extended backup retention.
- Team Plan ($30/mo): Features 50GB of storage and service-level agreements.
Blumenthal believes the demand for this service will grow as more users seek control over their personal data. While competitors such as Blacksky and Eurosky exist within the ecosystem, Periwinkle focuses on a managed experience for those prioritizing sovereignty without the technical overhead. Currently self-funded, Blumenthal is exploring potential investment opportunities in Europe to expand his team.
