mCaptcha
Privacy-focused proof-of-work CAPTCHA system that silently protects websites without tracking users or requiring image solving. Drop-in replacement for reCAPTCHA.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-11-07
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- Open Source
- Hosting Model
- Self-host (your server)
- Platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- Installation
- Clone https://github.com/mcaptcha/mcaptcha or deploy with Docker Compose
- Operational Setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- Where Your Data Lives
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cloudflare Turnstile.
Replaces 3 paid apps
up to $45/mo ($540/yr) in subscriptions
mCaptcha FAQ
Common questions
Is mCaptcha free and open source?+
mCaptcha is an open-source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. Privacy-focused proof-of-work CAPTCHA system that silently protects websites without tracking users or requiring image solving. Drop-in replacement for reCAPTCHA.
What paid software does mCaptcha replace?+
mCaptcha serves as a free replacement for 3 paid SaaS applications: Cloudflare Turnstile, hCaptcha, reCAPTCHA, saving up to $45/month ($540/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up mCaptcha?+
Installation: Clone https://github.com/mcaptcha/mcaptcha or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup notes: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
What is the catch or trade-off with mCaptcha?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cloudflare Turnstile.