@beardalaxy Pleroma is much more lightweight and is apparently much easier to set up. Plus, you can use the Mastodon FE with it if you still prefer the Mastodon UI. Also, the lead developer isn't an SJW unlike Mastodon.

But Mastodon, despite it's negative reputation is commonly referred to when referring to the Fediverse as a whole. People are more familiar with Mastodon and are probably not aware that other software like Pleroma and GNU Social exist.