@Linux_Is_Best@misskey.de @chris https://wedistribute.org/2018/04/blushy-crushy-fediverse-idol-a-chat-with-lain-about-pleroma/ That is deliberate. The developer specifically said they didn't want it to become "too corporate".

I'm guessing some like it because it has a more laidback vibe to it, and the software is apparently more efficient to run than Mastodon or Misskey. Pleroma also adopted features like search much earlier than Mastodon did.

Another possibility is that it could be a cultural thing. Mastodon is based in Germany and hate speech is something that is much more frowned upon there (especially as Pleroma is an older project from before folks like Trump). Someone might be less inclined to use that.

Misskey is based in Japan, which while tends to be less puritanical (someone will often point out that freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution there), actually does appear to have a hate speech law. It's also worth considering that Japan has a relatively stable politics.

From what I remember, Pleroma actually had some pretty interesting features. If it wasn't for that theme, I could honestly see there being more adoption (although, the developer worries about it becoming too corporate).