# Connect Fireside — Photo, Video & Thought Sharing > Private photo, video, and thought sharing platform with a monthly membership. (iPhone/iPad app by Connect Fireside.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connect-fireside/id664960371 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Connect Fireside](https://appshunter.io/developer/664960374) - Category: Photo & Video - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.80/5 from 11 App Store ratings · 26 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.6 · 79 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2013-08-29 - Data updated: 2026-08-21 - Monetization: subscription - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connect-fireside/id664960371/reviews.md ## What is Connect Fireside? We built Fireside because we are pretty sure Zuckerberg and the armies of venture capitalists don’t have our best interests in mind. You are welcome to use it. There is a membership fee of $5/month because servers, maintenance and updates don’t grow on trees. Your first month of membership is included in the app download, after which you will be asked to purchase a membership to continue using our service. We trust us. But we understand you don’t know us, so we made simple user agreements and privacy policies. The short story is by charging for our service, we don’t need to hold your eyeballs and personal data hostage with ads and click bait. We are literally two people, so send us an email and one of us will be in touch. Email: connect@connectfireside.com Learn more at: www.connectfireside.com ## Key features - Photo sharing - Video sharing - Thought sharing - Ad-free experience - Privacy-focused ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 Year Membership | $59.99 | one-time | | 6 Month Membership | $29.99 | one-time | | Twelve Month Subscription | $59.99 | one-time | | Six Month Subscription | $29.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 26) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connect-fireside/id664960371/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Love this!!! *2023-07-03* This app is amazing!!!! ### 5/5 — Private Social Media *2015-09-08* A great app that lets you stay connected without selling yourself & your friends to the advertisers. This is what the internet was meant to be. Sharing information with people not advertisers. ### 5/5 — I know who my friends are. *2015-09-07* Fireside has given me fresh start. A place to feel free to be real, but still be social. I was beginning to think I had to swear off social media to escape the fake insanity of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I'm so happy I have Fireside! Now I can be private without being a luddite. The hardest part is convincing your closest friends to give it a chance. It's worth the effort though, at least I think so! ### 4/5 — Good way to stay connected *2015-09-03, version 2.6* Great way to keep track of growing kids and friends and family. ### 5/5 — personal documentary *2015-09-03* I've recently "sold" a family friend on this great app to document the building of his house! He was looking for a good way to document the process and share with family and friends without "broadcasting to the world" Fireside fit the bill completely! I'm so looking forward to how it all develops down the road and am thrilled to be a part of it! My own circle of family and friends is growing and I truly enjoy sharing my little world with them, feeling secure knowing that it's just us! ### 5/5 — Privacy at a bargain *2015-09-03* A great alternative to Facebook and Instagram. The idea if paying a small fee for privacy is hard to accept at first, but then it makes complete sense: For the cost of 1 cup of coffee a month, I no longer have to worry about privacy settings or how my information is being used. Love that. The more I use it the better I like it. ### 5/5 — this app rocks! *2015-09-03* I am so grateful for this app. Here's what I see when I open it: my closet friends and their honest, hysterical posts- in text and picture forms. Pictures of their kids going about their days, posts about really challenging or really silly moments. Just the day to day. Nothing fancy. Simple and connected. I feel far more connected to the favorite people in my life because of this app. And the design is really gorgeous. It's simple. It's easy. It's clear. No ads. All private. Like really private. At first, it can feel a little funny connecting to the people you love- you have to know their email address, you have to ask them to join you (via text or email)- it takes some work. Get past it. It's so worth it for the opportunity to feel like I am having a cup of coffee, or sitting around the fire, with the people I absolutely love the most. They live far away but this is the next best thing. Great app. 4+ stars. For sure. ### 4/5 — great updates! *2015-09-03, version 2.6* I like the recent updates! ### 5/5 — I love Fireside! *2015-09-03* Private! I love Fireside for its privacy policy. Fireside is everything I have ever wanted from social media - the ability to share photographs and thoughts with my family and close friends- no ads, no strings attached and no BS. ### 5/5 — Great PRIVATE way to share life's moments *2015-09-03* This is an awesome app for sharing with family and close friends - not the whole world. Actual privacy is hard to come by but this is the real deal. Clean design and very user friendly. ## Frequently asked questions about Connect Fireside ### What is Connect Fireside? Connect Fireside is an application designed for sharing photos, videos, and thoughts. It prioritizes user privacy and aims to provide an experience free from ads and data exploitation, unlike many mainstream social media platforms. ### How does Connect Fireside make money? The app operates on a membership fee of $5 per month. This subscription model allows the developers to cover server costs, maintenance, and updates without relying on advertising or selling user data. ### Is there a free trial for Connect Fireside? Yes, your first month of membership is included with the app download. After this initial period, you will be prompted to purchase a membership to continue using the service. ### What are the privacy policies for Connect Fireside? The app emphasizes user privacy and has simple user agreements and privacy policies. By charging a membership fee, they avoid the need to hold user data hostage with ads and clickbait. ### Who is behind Connect Fireside? Connect Fireside is developed by a small team of two individuals. They encourage users to reach out via email for any inquiries or support, ensuring a personal touch. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.34 — 2026-08-12 Fixed user interface for iPhone SE. Tweaks to image filters. ### 3.3 — 2026-07-21 New image filter added. Stability and performance enhancements. ### 3.2 — 2021-07-01 Stability and UI improvements, including improved Fireside "Stained Glass" layout with more full image frames. ### 3.1 — 2021-06-08 Improved handling of in-app purchases. ### 3.0 — 2021-06-05 Updated for iOS 13, as well as new iPhone models. 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User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-21.*