# Spotted by Locals City Guides — user reviews > 173 indexed App Store user reviews of Spotted by Locals City Guides by Spotted B.V., rated 3.70/5 from 106 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spotted-by-locals-city-guides/id470967003/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spotted-by-locals-city-guides/id470967003.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 62 · 4★ 8 · 3★ 6 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 25 ## What do users think of Spotted by Locals City Guides? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Authentic local recommendations from residents - 🗺️ Offline maps functionality - 💎 Discovers hidden gems off tourist trail - 📱 User-friendly interface and easy navigation - 🌍 Covers diverse cities worldwide - 💰 Affordable pricing per city guide - 🔄 Frequently updated content - 🎯 Curated selections vs overwhelming crowdsourced reviews - 📍 GPS integration with offline capability - ✍️ Well-written, passionate descriptions from locals **Cons** - 💳 Pay-per-city model can be expensive for multiple cities - 🔍 Poor categorization and filtering system - 🌐 Limited city coverage, especially outside Europe/North America - 📊 Inconsistent content quality across cities - ⚠️ Incomplete coverage within major cities - 🔐 Poor customer support and communication - 🐛 App synchronization issues between web and mobile - 📉 Outdated or closed locations still listed - 🎯 Inconsistent spotter qualifications and expertise - 💬 Lack of transparency about spotter credentials **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes on startup - Password reset functionality missing - Maps fail to render without updates - Excessive battery drain - Forced review prompts blocking app usage - Duplicate purchases between web and app - Map rendering issues in some cities - Unresponsive customer support - Content synchronization failures - Recurring update notifications **Most requested features** - Search functionality for city selection - Route planning between multiple spots - Ability to create and save custom itineraries - Journal feature to record visited spots - Better map landmarks and transit information - More photos for each location - Filter for new posts only - Scheduled background updates instead of on-app prompts - Spotter expertise and qualification information - Free trial or preview of full content before purchase - Unified account across web and mobile platforms ## Newest reviews (12 of 173) ### 2/5 — App versus website *2026-04-12, version 7.0.33513* Why would I pay for access on the app when I can have it for free on your website? ### 3/5 — I loved the app before the update! *2024-07-21* I loved the option to add own restaurants and places but this is not possible anymore. Also it is the third time that all by bought cities are deleted… ### 4/5 — Different ideas, weak categories *2022-10-26* I like that this app employs people to identify personal favorites from the locals perspective. Very useful for the European cities especially. What does not work so well is the categorization of spots. For example, arts and culture might bring up a shopping place to buy furniture or an Italian restaurant. That’s not really what that category should be about. ### 5/5 — Explore like a local *2021-08-29, version 6.8.2* I love this app because it acts as a pocket guide for travelers or even locals. Even in my own city, I like reading about where fellow locals go. I think this app is perfect for those wandering around a city they are unfamiliar with and they’ll be able to see what’s nearby for a meal or viewpoint or place to visit. It’s a great travel companion! ### 5/5 — Your futur favorite spots *2021-08-24* Great app to discover a city by yourself, whether you are a tourist or a local. I use it when I want to go out in a neighborhood I don’t know well and I always find something to see and learn or a charming place to take a break. ### 5/5 — A great tool for your travels abroad! *2021-08-23* A great tool when travelling to discover spots recommended by locals who like to think outside the box! Each article has a personal touch to it and the interactive map is just what you need when you are lost for ideas or need a break! ### 5/5 — Make the best out of your trip *2020-06-27* The app is a loyal travel mate for me and made it possible to explore cities apart from typical tourist spots. I can truly recommend the app and the people behind it. Amazing! **Developer response:** Thank you so much for this wonderful review. It makes our day :) ### 2/5 — Unusable *2020-06-09* There are some good places but descriptions are unreadable: the font is way too small, the app ignores my operating system settings. **Developer response:** Hi Artem, thanks a lot for your review. It's great to hear you like our locals' tips. For most readers the font size is ok, but you're absolutely right that we should make it possible to increase font size. We will make that happen in a next version - thanks for your suggestion. Are you sure our locals' tips are only worth 2 stars? Review are super important for us as a small publisher run by volunteers. Please feel free to contact me any time with suggestions via bart@spottedbyocals.com. Bart van Poll - co-founder Spotted by Locals. ### 2/5 — Weak. *2020-05-24* You can’t use filters like “rating/number of likes/opened or closed/distance” and the map is not clear - too difficult to find a specific neighborhood in a city that’s not familiar. **Developer response:** Hi Silvia, thanks a lot for being a user and for your review with constructive feedback. We will keep working on improving the maps which we agree can be improved! And adding new filters - "open/closed" is something we'd love to add for sure, but "ratings or likes" would not be appropriate for a curated travel guide like ours in our opinion. What we find most important: I hope our locals helped you find some hidden jewels :) Are you sure our locals' tips are only worth 2 stars? This is very disappointing to us, and quite damaging! We'll do our best to impress you next time with more surprising spots you wouldn't have otherwise found. All the best on behalf of our 500 Spotters, Bart van Poll (co-founder). ### 5/5 — Great app for the tourist *2020-05-18* I came across this app while traveling berlin and it is one of the best apps on the AppStore for tourists. A must have app for all travelers. ### 5/5 — Great App for local insights *2020-05-17* I highly recommend using this app to get the best out of this unique concept where you get to see the spots that the locals of that city (that you visiting) recommend. I know how they work (since I write for them : disclaimer) so can vouch for the authenticity of the spots recommended here. Help them with this initiative and consider buying it : you won’t regret ! The founders are super responsive to any queries or concerns so you are in good hands. **Developer response:** Thanks a lot for your kind review Rahul! So happy you like your fellow locals' spots and use the app when traveling :) ### 5/5 — Like recs from a friend! *2020-04-22, version 6.7.2* It’s a great way to find out about stuff that’s not in al the tourist books or trip advisor. You can be in a city and experience it like a local instead of a tourist. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — They are scammers *2025-10-09, version 7.0.30248* I’ve just signed up for a year membership, they took 2yr subscription. No way of changing or contacting them. ### 1/5 — Poorly Organized and Difficult to Use *2025-06-10, version 7.0.27891* I was super excited to find these guides, but they are a total time and money waster IMO. First of all I purchased a guide twice b:c the website and mobile app don’t seem to be synchronized. Once I finally got access, there is zero organization in the categories. Filtering on restaurant means sifting through dozens and dozens of random reviews with no organizing principle. Who has the time? Save your money. ### 1/5 — They never reply *2024-09-06, version 7.0.24668* I lost my password after subscribing and renewal of subscription. There is not a reset password option. I have emailed them many times via their feedback link but they have never responded. If you subscribe make sure you never lose your password. ### 1/5 — doesn’t have anything for Dallas *2024-02-26, version 7.0.19423* Dallas is a major city how is there nothing for big D. delete this trash app from the app store ### 1/5 — No info on Porto portugal *2023-06-20, version 7.0.2* there’s a picture of it but there’s is zero information. false advertising ### 1/5 — Unintuitive and buggy *2022-05-25* The app is laggy and does not offer a intuitive way to see spots or anything. The map is hidden ans nothing can be seen on it. There seem to be only a few cities, without further explanation. Devastating. **Developer response:** Dear traceorm, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding our previous app. We deeply regret to hear about the issues you experienced, as it is our utmost priority to offer a seamless and user-friendly experience for our users. We would like to inform you that since your review, we have launched a brand new version of our app. This updated app has been built from the ground up to address the concerns that our users expressed about the previous version. It includes an enhanced, easy-to-navigate design and a much more responsive, lag-free user interface. The visibility and functionality of the map have been greatly improved, allowing you to see and explore our featured spots with ease. Moreover, we have expanded our coverage to include many more cities worldwide. Each city in our app now has a dedicated section that provides detailed information and context to aid your exploration. We invite you to download and try our new app. We are confident that it will offer a significantly improved user experience compared to its predecessor. Please let us know your thoughts on the new version. Your feedback is invaluable to us as we continually strive to improve our service. ### 1/5 — Far better resources out there *2022-05-09, version 6.8.4* Trip advisor alone beats this. The app has the audacity to ask for payment to unlock the full reviews? Not at all worth it for free! ### 1/5 — Not working *2022-01-03, version 6.8.3* Well it’s not working ### 1/5 — Asia doesn’t count *2020-02-17, version 6.7.1* Apparently you need to live in Europe, or North America to get the most out of this app. ### 1/5 — Not worth the money. *2019-07-09, version 6.5* Do not waste your money. I purchased the Montreal app hoping for good insight into things to: Do, See, Eat,... You are better off walking around and finding out for yourself or just asking your Uber driver. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Long time user *2026-02-16, version 7.0.31532* I have recently become a spotter because I believe in this user generated approach. You discover far more and in cities outside the norm With an app like this. ### 5/5 — The Inside Scoop *2025-08-14, version 7.0.27891* About to make my fourth trip with Spotted by Locals in hand. Nice to have inside advice from locals for quick reference as I wonder these cities. The performance of the app seems to get better and better. ### 5/5 — The best travel app! *2023-09-27, version 7.0.2* Spotted by locals is a must for any traveler. It enhances any trip. I have used it in several European cities and with a GPS & recommendations from local residents that are not touristy it is the best!! Also very reasonable. I’m about to go to Copenhagen and just bought my guide! ### 5/5 — Quick customer service response *2023-08-09, version 7.0.2* I updated the app and for a while, thought I had lost all previous purchases. Received a very prompt reply to my query. All working fine within a few hours. My favorite way of exploring a new (or sometimes well known city) and has been for several years now. ### 5/5 — Best travel app *2023-08-07* Best app for real insights and up-to-date locations where locals hang out. Tourist-trap-free and worth every cent! **Developer response:** Thank you so much for your kind words - they mean a lot to us! ### 5/5 — SPOTTED BY LOCALS *2023-07-31, version 7.0.2* These folks live in the cities they are talking about and know what is going on. Check this app out. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2023-07-12, version 7.0.2* I’ve used Spotted by Locals in Paris and Rome and in both places the spotters offered great suggestions for food, bars and interesting spots to check out. It’s also helpful in showing spots that are clustered in areas so you can check out a few things once in the area. Highly recommended 👍🏻 ### 5/5 — Great! *2023-02-24, version 7.0.2* Besides loving the idea od this app, I love its new look and feel! Now it’s much more user-friendly and easy to navigate. ### 5/5 — Love the Rome app *2022-06-25, version 6.8.4* Lots of good tips/interesting places to check out. Only wish I could have stayed in Rome longer to check out more. I’ll be back. **Developer response:** Dear HenriettaS, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that our tips and suggestions helped enhance your experience in Rome. It's always a challenge to try and see everything in such a city of rich history and culture. We're sorry that you didn't get a chance to check out all the places you wished to, but the beauty of travel is that there's always a next time. We're excited to hear that you'll be returning and we look forward to providing you with even more unique and fascinating places to visit. Until then, safe travels and we can't wait to help you discover more of Rome on your next trip! ### 5/5 — Inspiring Ideas - Excellent Spots *2021-12-09* I‘ve used the app in cities I consider I know fairly well and am continuously surprised and delighted by the ideas and spots I find! Good to have some real Insider Tipps shared and well described by locals who obviously know (and LOVE) their city! The concept of Spotted by Locals is really charming and a refreshing idea in times of mass- and group tourism flooding the world - great stuff to be discovered by individual travelers who don’t want to simply be a tourist! The new features of the app are very useful and I really like the map and the sorting function! Off course I‘ve already added my personal favorites and am looking to be back and use the Spotted by Locals app in places I‘ve been and new exciting cities around the world! --- *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 2026-08-28.*