Meetup
Find local and online groups built around shared interests, then show up to their events
by Meetup LLC · listed Nov 9, 2026
Quick verdict
Worth installing if you want to find recurring local groups and events; just check how active your area is, and budget for a subscription if you plan to organize.
Best for People new to a city or looking for a regular hobby group who want to meet others in person around a shared interest
Reviewed by AppsPicks on Nov 9, 2026. How we review
Meetup review
Meetup is a directory of interest-based groups and the events they run, from hiking clubs and language exchanges to tech talks and board game nights. You browse or search by topic, check a map of what is happening near you, RSVP, and chat with organizers and other members. It suits people who have moved to a new city, want a regular hobby with other people, or are looking for professional networking outside a work setting.
Day to day, the app works mostly as a calendar of upcoming events from groups you have joined, plus suggestions for new ones. Saving events, getting reminders and messaging attendees are straightforward. How useful it is depends heavily on your area: big cities tend to have plenty of active groups, while smaller towns can feel sparse or full of inactive listings.
Why we picked it: It remains one of the most widely used places to find recurring, in-person groups around a specific interest, and joining and attending is free.
Watch out for: Starting your own group requires a paid organizer subscription, and some member features sit behind an optional upgrade.
What we like
- Huge range of topics, from tech and careers to sports and hobbies
- Map and category search make it easy to see what is nearby
- Joining groups and RSVPing to most events costs nothing
- Covers both in-person and online events
- Group discussions and direct messages keep members in touch between events
What could be better
- Running a group requires a paid organizer plan
- Event quality and activity vary a lot by city
- Some groups and events listed are inactive or rarely updated
- Android users rate it noticeably lower than iPhone users
Questions about Meetup
Is Meetup free?
Browsing, joining groups and attending most events is free. Organizers pay a subscription to host groups, and some groups charge their own event fees. There is also an optional paid upgrade for members.
Which platforms is it on?
Meetup is available on iPhone and Android, and the same account works on the meetup.com website.
Can I use it without living in a big city?
Yes, but expect fewer active groups in smaller towns. Online events can help fill the gap.
What can I do in the app besides attend events?
You can save events for later, message other members and organizers, take part in group discussions, and start your own group if you take out an organizer plan.
Are there alternatives?
Eventbrite covers ticketed events, while Facebook Groups and Bumble BFF are common options for finding local communities and friends.
From the developer: how Meetup describes itself
Pursue your interests with people who share them, both online and in person. With over 60 million members, Meetup helps you build a career network, discover a tech community, create a personal brand, make time for your hobbies, and meet friends who share similar interests.
Easily meet people you know you’ll get along with and create groups of friends that will be as excited as you to embrace your hobbies, participate in online or local events or engage in discussions. Download the Meetup app and host your own events or join one of the 100,000 Meetup events with new people happening every week.
Discover local and online events
Meet new people and get matched with over 330,000 groups and friends based on your network of interests, from tech conferences to free yoga and everything in-between Explore online or local events by category, search by keyword, or see what’s popular in your area with a map Save events you’re interested in and come back to them later. Pick and choose the people and friends you want to meet at all the events that you like Have discussions with the people you meet and use direct messaging to stay in touch with your new friends Meet people who are interested in the same local or online events, create new groups of friends and expand your online network
Start a group
Host your own events online and in person by creating a group on your favorite topic, and meet friends who wants to participate Watch your community of friends and network of people grow as your group is recommended to interested people and potential new friends to meet Easily personalize and schedule events on-the-go, and manage your group from anywhere Keep the momentum going between events by sharing photos and using discussions and instant messaging to connect with the people and friends in your group that you are keen to meet
Get in touch with questions or suggestions: [email protected]
In order to recommend Meetup events that are hosted by local groups, we use your device's precise location (GPS and network-based).
EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Privacy Policy: https://www.meetup.com/privacy/
Text from the app store listing, quoted for reference. Our own take is above.
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