I’ve been using Meetup to organize and join events but lately it’s not meeting my needs. Are there other apps or platforms similar to Meetup that offer great ways to connect with local groups or events? Looking for suggestions, especially for community-driven activities.
1. Eventbrite
Homepage Link: eventbrite.com
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Wide variety of events, trusted brand, global reach, user-friendly interface for event organizers and attendees.
- Cons: Fees for paid events can be steep, limited interactive features compared to Meetup.
Features:
- Easily create and promote events.
- Ticketing system for free or paid events.
- Recommendations based on your preferences and location.
- Supports online and offline events with integrated streaming options for virtual meetups.
User Reviews: Users love Eventbrite for its streamlined ticketing and event discovery features, but many feel it’s more focused on professional or commercial events rather than informal gatherings.
Verdict: Best for those organizing professional events or looking for structured event discovery. It’s versatile but lacks the social group/community vibe of Meetup.
2. Facebook Groups & Events
Homepage Link: facebook.com
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Free and accessible to a huge user base, tons of local groups exist already, easy event management.
- Cons: Not tailored for event organizing, spam can become an issue, algorithms can hinder visibility of posts and events.
Features:
- Join or create local groups with people who share your interests.
- Built-in event creation tools.
- Messaging options to interact with group members.
User Reviews: Many users note that Facebook’s ubiquity makes it great for publicizing events, but privacy and clutter within groups can detract from the experience.
Verdict: Solid backup option with large user-generated group ecosystems, though less tailored for meetup-style engagement.
3. Meetup Pro
Homepage Link: meetup.com/pro
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Focused on helping organizers run multiple Meetup groups efficiently, great for scaling events.
- Cons: Subscription cost is higher, best suited for businesses or professional groups.
Features:
- Enhanced analytics for event organizers.
- Access to Meetup’s vast network of users.
- Tools for managing multiple groups.
User Reviews: Meetup Pro is raved about by organizations and brands hosting multiple groups but isn’t ideal for personal/local individual users.
Verdict: Only viable if you’re already invested in Meetup but would require extra tools and analytics.
4. Nextdoor Events
Homepage Link: nextdoor.com
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Focuses exclusively on local communities, promotes face-to-face interaction with neighbors, free to use.
- Cons: Limited range of event types, more leaning towards neighborhood or community-focused events.
Features:
- Discover and post local events easily.
- Hyperlocal audience encourages participation.
- Private messaging for neighbors without sharing personal information.
User Reviews: Nextdoor is championed by those wanting closer connections within their local area, though less effective for broader, niche-themed groups.
Verdict: Great for hyperlocal connections, but not a full-fledged Meetup replacement for hobbyists and specialized interest groups.
5. Slack Communities (Public Workspaces)
Homepage Link: slack.com
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Highly collaborative, ideal for forming small niche communities, messaging capability is excellent.
- Cons: Primarily designed for workplace productivity, requires effort to build and grow a local group.
Features:
- Chat and voice call options.
- Easy integration with event tools like Google Calendar.
- Searchable public shared Slack workspaces by interests/locations.
User Reviews: Members find Slack great for consistent interaction between known participants, but its tools are geared more toward digital collaboration than IRL meetups.
Verdict: Works as a community-building solution but falls short on event discovery or in-person group organizing.
6. Discord
Homepage Link: discord.com
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Great for managing niche-interest communities, free with powerful moderation tools, robust voice/video chat options.
- Cons: Can feel overwhelming for casual users, more gamified compared to Meetup.
Features:
- Create a ‘server’ for your group with text and voice channels.
- Community event management via bots to schedule meetups.
- Vast online communities already available for quick joining.
User Reviews: Gamers and tech-savvy users absolutely swear by Discord but admit it may intimidate newcomers unfamiliar with its interface.
Verdict: Fantastic for building thriving digital-first communities but requires tech know-how and lacks built-in meetup tools.
7. Bizzabo
Homepage Link: bizzabo.com
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Tailored to businesses and organizations for hosting professional events.
- Cons: Overkill for small groups, paid tiers often out of reach for casual organizers.
Features:
- Event websites and registration systems.
- Networking tools for large event attendees.
- Analytics capabilities.
User Reviews: Widely praised among corporate event organizers but often ignored by those looking for casual gatherings or hobby groups.
Verdict: A top choice for professional applications but avoid if your focus is on personal meetups.
8. CitySocializer
Homepage Link: citysocializer.com
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Built specifically for socializing and meeting new people. Offers both online and offline events.
- Cons: Requires a subscription to access premium group networking tools.
Features:
- Pre-scheduled meetups organized under themes or interests.
- Focuses on smaller, intimate events to foster personal connections.
- User-matching algorithms promote compatibility.
User Reviews: Many love how easy it is to find like-minded attendees for casual meetups, though subscription charges can be a turn-off.
Verdict: Great for social butterflies seeking new friends and casual events, but not as robust for community organizers.
9. LinkedIn Groups & LinkedIn Events
Homepage Link: linkedin.com
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Amazing for professional networking, broad reach for targeting attendees in specific demographics.
- Cons: Limited to a professional audience, lacks casual or hobby-oriented options.
Features:
- Group creation and management for shared professional interests.
- Dedicated event pages to gather RSVPs and communicate updates.
- Easy connection and interaction with attendees.
User Reviews: Professionals find LinkedIn events especially effective for webinars and conferences, while personal event seekers are left wanting more.
Verdict: Exceptional for career-focused meetups, but communities based on hobbies or arts might prefer other platforms.
10. Shapr
Homepage Link: shapr.co
Pros & Cons:
- Pros: Networking-first, swipe-to-connect feature similar to dating apps encourages ease of use.
- Cons: Geared more toward one-on-one connections instead of group events.
Features:
- Matches based on user interests and location.
- Primarily enables professional relationship building over sizable events.
- The app is available for free with optional premium upgrades.
User Reviews: Shapr fans love its Tinder-like simplicity for networking but criticize its limited scalability for larger gatherings.
Verdict: Perfect for creating initial connections, but you’ll need another platform to take those acquaintances toward group-level engagement.
TL;DR Verdict
The best Meetup alternative is Eventbrite for structured and professional events. Prefer Facebook Groups or Nextdoor if you want informal or localized connections. For tech-savvy hobby groups, Discord might serve well, and those pursuing 1:1 networking can try Shapr. Choose according to specific needs!