# Couchsurfing: Stay, Meet, Host — user reviews > 878 indexed App Store user reviews of Couchsurfing by CouchSurfing International Inc., rated 4.50/5 from 9,247 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/couchsurfing-stay-meet-host/id525642917/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/couchsurfing-stay-meet-host/id525642917.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 7,011 · 4★ 1,249 · 3★ 238 · 2★ 130 · 1★ 619 ## What do users think of Couchsurfing? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Connecting travelers - 👍 Great for networking - 👍 Life-changing experiences - 👍 Excellent community - 👍 Wonderful way to travel **Cons** - 🐛 Buggy and slow - 💰 Mandatory paid subscription - 🔒 Verification issues and lack of refunds - 🕸 Inactive users and lack of hosts - 🤖 Poor customer service **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes and freezes - Unreliable notifications - Inaccurate location data - Glitches in messaging and profile editing **Most requested features** - Improved search and filtering options - Better notification system - Ability to view past references - Easier account management and data access - Cleaning up inactive accounts ## Newest reviews (19 of 878) ### 2/5 — The new version is an unusable downgrade *2026-08-31, version 7.2.11* The new version of the app is unusable. It looks like it's been made by AI. It's so slow. It's a travel app that's used in places with weak internet connection and it's so slow it's impossible to load. The app keeps showing unread notifications even though I went over them several times to check they are all read. Hugely disappointing ### 2/5 — Review was not posted *2026-08-28, version 7.2.11* I wrote a positive review for a guest and then I answered a question after the review, but the second question was posted on the guests profile and not my actual review. Please fix this! ### 3/5 — The update ruined it *2026-08-26, version 7.2.11* What a beautiful app that brings people together. Unfortunately, the update ruined the experience and I no longer use it every month like I used to. My closest friends I met on this app, the update deleted our messages and past experiences. Super disappointed.hopefully someone will see how disappointed we are with the update and make changes. ### 1/5 — Arruinaram o app *2026-08-22* O app era ótimo e agora ficou com um design horrível. Quem aprovou isso? ### 1/5 — If your app costs then say so *2026-08-19, version 7.2.11* If your app costs then say so before i spend 10mins logging in and putting my personal data for you to sell ### 1/5 — Too cluttered and too complicated *2026-08-18, version 7.2.11* Normally, I don’t write reviews, but this used to be one of my favorite apps but after they changed it, it’ll be became too cluttered, hard to find stuff and very hard to use, and the interface is not smooth at all and since it changed, many people have stopped using it and I will stop using it if it doesn’t change, after my subscription is done ### 3/5 — New update sucks *2026-08-18, version 7.2.11* New update sucks guys. ### 2/5 — Not liking the update *2026-08-17, version 7.2.11* I usually embrace change, but I do dislike this update; difficult to find things, the photos appear cropped, there’s now no longer keyword search. Did you have a group of testers before launching it? Do you use TestFlight? ### 1/5 — Ugly New Format *2026-08-15* I wish there was a way to revert back to the old format of the app. The new one is extremely awful! ### 1/5 — Disappointment *2026-08-15, version 7.2.11* The owner's greed broke the app. Why can't I even change my email or profile without paying for a subscription? ### 1/5 — Sad *2026-08-15* Stupid greedy pigs ruined this once amazing community with their pay model. It’s been over for years - waiting for something to take it’s place! ### 1/5 — Not working *2026-08-15, version 7.2.11* I like the app the way it designed. After one hour of use I can’t find anyone. It keeps saying reset the filter. The app is matching all those hosts or travelers which has the same interest us you. So I go reset the filter it automatically on the option again in filter says we match people who got same interest us me. This is ridicules. It seems very good at the beginning. But now the filter on by itself. It doesn’t work for me now. I am uninstalling now. ### 1/5 — Scam app *2026-08-15, version 7.2.11* They logged me out after subscribing $5 to this app ### 1/5 — Horrible design ! *2026-08-15, version 7.2.11* Clearly you have incompetent staff that has no idea about web design, the site is horrible, slow ugly to look at, if you can’t redesign this bring back the old version ### 1/5 — Horrible redesign *2026-08-14, version 7.2.11* Total disaster. Awful navigation, full of bugs, filters don’t work properly, and using the app now is 20 harder than before the redesign. I guess this what they mean by “a.l. slop”. A total disaster ### 1/5 — Terrible design *2026-08-12, version 7.2.10* Come back to the old version of the app! This one is so bad ### 1/5 — AI (not human) Designed *2026-08-12, version 7.2.10* NOT user-friendly. Lots of unnecessary bells and whistles that distract from primary functions that work less efficiently than the previous version. Small type, tiny useless photo icons, notification alarms for the slightest activity you do in app as well as any Friend’s any trip. Multiple Chat features are confusing and based on category. All past guest conversations and photo captions are lost. Hangouts is mixed in with auto-generated local curated public Events and not as expedient to use. Multiple levels and inefficient menus for every communication. Plus CS reprimands you by email for not using their clunky platform and trying to take your guest vetting off-app to actual, real phone contact! Of the 50+ international CouchSurfers I know, no one likes the new app, so it’s mind boggling it has such a high rating here. Many of my friends have now opted out of CS until the former ease-if-use is restored again. Others overseas can’t afford it anymore. But it has attracted a lot of newbies… who are mostly free loaders and don’t care about cultural exchange. 👎 ### 1/5 — Please bring back the old version. *2026-08-11* I had been a subscriber for years and cancelled because of the new layout update, which was very confusing. Please bring back the old version. . Eu era assinante a anos e cancelei devido a nova atualização de Layout que ficou muito confusa. Voltem a versão antiga por favor. **Developer response:** Anos de conexões reais. É exatamente isso que o Couchsurfing é feito para criar. Obrigado por fazer parte dessa comunidade por tanto tempo. ### 1/5 — I’m off. *2026-08-10, version 7.2.9* How can CS claim a 4.8 star rating when every recent review is awarded one star? This is misleading for new subscribers, while long standing members (like me, 15 years +) are all jumping ship. The original concept and site was brilliant, and brought dozens of the ‘right’ people to my door. Revision of the well established and familiar format was pointless, the only fix needed was a spring clean-out of the hundreds of names without any profile details cluttering up the site. Time to move over to the Couchers website. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Bad updates *2026-08-31, version 7.2.11* Since the new look and the updates, the app sucks more what it used to be: instead of fix the problems they just changed the look. 1- location never been accurate. 2-why you send me notifications about all my friends travel and trips which confuses me, and don’t let me me see the important notifications. 3- it is hard to get access to messages and read them. 4- for the hangout it shows people very far away. 5-the look is not very good and hard to read and navigate. ### 1/5 — GenZ sucks *2026-08-30, version 7.2.11* I recently hosted 2 GenZ people - separate instances - and they were both super entitled. Didn’t clean up after themselves, complained about my early wake-up time, complained about me having only one set of keys so their schedule was tied to mine, and the list goes on. All of these expectations were made clear to them ahead of time and they agreed to abide by house rules. Moreover, one of them wrote me a negative review with demonstrably false information about the agreed dates of stay, and CS has done nothing to take that review down. F GenZ, f CS. F doing good deeds. I’m listing my home on AirBnB. ### 1/5 — Awful update *2026-08-30* The new version is awful. Bring back the old layout. ### 1/5 — Revert back the old design and GUI *2026-08-30, version 7.2.11* They’ve absolutely killed the whole application after upgrade. It is a nightmare what you did with the application after upgrading it. ### 1/5 — Worst app update I ever saw *2026-08-29, version 7.2.11* This app should be updated back to the old design. I met lot of users who only were complaning about the new app! Please, make it back as it was before! ### 1/5 — Update sucks *2026-08-29, version 7.2.11* I rarely leave reviews but the interface on this app is soooo bad. Can’t delete messages (can only archive), can’t delete notifications. Keeps telling me I have notifications when I don’t. I hope they fix. ### 1/5 — Couchsurfing *2026-08-27, version 7.2.11* Was amazing but the new app and concept has changed it.. please go back to as it was.. current app sucks .. I hope if you get enough bad reviews you will really consider it ### 1/5 — Member since 2007, everything good is gone now *2026-08-27* Been a loyal member since 2007, such a great concept until Couchsurfing layout design change in May 2026. Now totally useless, all the good things are gone and I still can’t figure out how to see or do anything. You shattered a community, broke a really good thing. SEP 2026 UPDATE: Couchsurfing traffic dropped 90% over past 3months for reason, website now offers free membership to everyone. Just logged in and can’t figure out what it’s about, I can’t use it for anything. Free membership is pointless, I have no problem paying if I can actually use it. Thanks but no thanks. Don’t sign up here until it reverses to something that can be used, look for other similar options and communities. ### 1/5 — Give us the calendar back. *2026-08-26, version 7.2.11* This latest version of the app is rubbish. I regularly get requests for a stay when I already have someone booked in. Plus I can’t block out dates when I’m busy. I’ve already given them this feedback several times over and there has been no response. I’m almost ready to leave couch surfing because of this lack of support. ### 1/5 — Não funciona mais *2026-08-22* A mudança de layout trouxe uma experiência de usuário horrível. Soma-se a isso, o fato de ser obrigatoriamente cobrado, o que afasta os viajantes (que normalmente tem orçamento restrito). Agora o app pediu uma atualização de perfil que não finaliza! Chega na última etapa e não conclui! Eu paguei 1 ano de assinatura recentemente e não estou conseguindo usar o app. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Best app *2026-08-24, version 7.2.11* It changed my life since 2015 ### 5/5 — I love this app but New UI is not good *2026-07-30* Best app when it comes to travelling and I can’t imagine travelling without CS now but this new update version is not good. Not very user friendly, very confusing AI and extra irrelevant features. Please get back the old version, nobody is liking this change. ### 5/5 — For real travelers *2026-07-29, version 7.2.8* This app is beautiful when it comes to finding true travelers around the world and connecting with wonderful locals. Unfortunately, there will always be those who tried to take advantage of something great and misuse as a dating app. Those people are to be reported and kicked off. Other than that, I am thankful for the creation of this app. ### 5/5 — Bonjour *2026-07-21, version 7.2.6* Bienvenue ### 5/5 — So lovely app *2026-07-20, version 7.2.6* Recent updates not so convenient but so far ok ### 5/5 — Community is awesome, app asks for more money *2026-07-19, version 7.2.6* The CouchSurfing community is amazing. This app does a great job connecting wonderful people. A big headache is the “verification” cost. After subscribing, the app suddenly demands verification. It’s optional, but is displayed prominently everywhere. It’s a racket — completely unnecessary with the long-standing reference system. ### 5/5 — I love the new design! *2026-07-11, version 7.2.6* Whoa! Modern! Different but what an improvement! ### 5/5 — Thank you *2026-07-04, version 7.2.5* I know a lot of us are not happy with the update, but still I wanted to thank you for keeping Couchsurfing culture alive. It brings people together. That’s the point ### 5/5 — Great App - Great Organization *2026-07-01, version 7.2.5* Just like music, Couchsurfing brings the world together. The newly upgraded app makes it easier than ever to connect with hosts, surfers, and locals in over 200,000 cities. With enhanced safety features and a vibrant global community, Couchsurfing remains the ultimate way to experience the world. ### 5/5 — Couchsurfing *2026-06-30, version 7.2.5* Love this all.. I have hosted for years and surf as well .. ! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*