W | Bear vs Encountr
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
W | Bear
This social networking app connects individuals within the gay bear community. Build meaningful relationships, share your life through photos and videos, and discover local and global events. It's an inclusive space for diverse identities to connect and celebrate.
- Connect with users nearby or globally
- Explore profiles with shared interests
- Share photos and videos
- Discover local and global events
- Inclusive community for diverse identities
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
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Discover W | Bear, the social networking app designed by bears, for the gay bear community. Build meaningful connections, share your world, chat with friends, and explore events – all in one inclusive space. Meet & Connect • Find friendly faces nearby or around the world. • Explore profiles with shared interests and values. • Start conversations and build lasting connections. Share & Explore • Share photos and videos that reflect who you are. • Interact with posts by liking and commenting. • Use tags to connect with others who share your identity and interests. Stay in the Loop • Discover local and global bear events – from casual meetups to big celebrations. • Find out who’s attending and connect before the fun begins. Celebrate Diversity • However you identify – bear, cub, otter, chaser, or beyond – you’re welcome here. • Be part of a community rooted in friendship, authenticity, and mutual respect. Easy to Use • Create your profile in minutes. • Navigate smoothly with intuitive tools and design. • Continue conversations across devices without missing a beat. W | Bear is free to download and open to individuals 18 and older. Premium subscriptions are available for an enhanced experience. W | Bear Terms of Service: http://wnet.lgbt/tos.html W | Bear EULA: http://wnet.lgbt/eula.html Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
Encountr
This app fosters authentic connections within the LGBTQ+ community through live public chat rooms, private messaging, and video calls. It moves beyond endless swiping to encourage meaningful conversations and real encounters.
- Live public chat rooms
- Private messaging
- Photo and video sharing
- Create custom chat rooms
- Incognito mode
- Unlimited profile browsing
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Introducing Encountr: The Future of LGBTQ+ Dating and Social Connections Encountr is not just another dating app—it’s a vibrant social experiment designed to create authentic connections. It’s about rediscovering the excitement of real encounters and the unexpected joy of finding someone who truly gets you. Why Encountr Stands Out: Live Public Chat Room: Chat with anyone online in real time, based on what they’re saying or commenting. It’s like walking into a lively bar where you can connect with everyone around you. Freedom to Connect: Whether you’re looking for a date, or just a friendly chat, Encountr offers you the freedom to engage without any strings attached. Private Messaging & More: Send private messages, share photos, or even video call users. You have complete control over how you connect. What You Can Expect: Real-Time Conversations: Dive into live chats with singles who share your interests and values. It’s about more than just profiles—it’s about real connections. No More Endless Swiping: Say goodbye to the swipe vortex and embrace meaningful conversations based on shared experiences. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Encountr: Experience a touch of digital serendipity this Valentine’s Day and find love in unexpected places. For Travelers:If you're traveling for business or leisure, the Public Live Chat Room is a great way to discover local hotspots, such as popular clubs and top-rated restaurants, through real-time recommendations. Create Your Own Space: Want to connect with others around a specific topic? You can create your own chat rooms and start engaging conversations with people who share your interests. Encountr: Where Connections Happen OrganicallyIt’s like stepping into a bustling club from the comfort of your couch, powered by the energy of the LGBTQ+ community. Our goal is to create a space where real connections happen naturally. Encountr is free to download and use, allowing you to connect and explore. For those seeking an elevated experience, we offer an optional Plus subscription. Our Plus subscription unlocks a range of exclusive benefits: * Ad-Free Experience: Enjoy uninterrupted Browse without any advertisements. *Create an unlimited number of Public and Private Live Chat rooms. * Incognito Mode, which is the same as invisible: Explore profiles discreetly with enhanced privacy. Users will not see that you viewed them. * No Wall prohibiting you from seeing all user profiles. With Plus you see unlimited profiles with no restrictions. * Typing Status green check mark letting you know the user has read your message. * Plus Subscription Purchase & Management: Should you choose to upgrade to Encountr Plus, the payment will be charged to your iTunes account. Your account will automatically be charged for renewal every month. You have full control over your subscriptions. Auto-renewal can be easily turned off at any time by navigating to your iTunes account settings after purchase. Current Encountr Plus subscription pricing is broken into 4 Plans. 1 month $6.99 3 months $19.99 6 months $44.99 1 year $59.99 Privacy-policy : https://encountr.net/privacy-policy Terms & Conditions : https://encountr.net/terms-&-conditions
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Encountr at 100% against W | Bear's 40%. Encountr also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5). W | Bear's advantage is ratings volume (2.5K vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. W | Bear sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month and Encountr sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Encountr holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: W | Bear has 2.5K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of W | Bear's written reviews are positive against 100% of Encountr's.
W | Bear ships an update every 4 weeks, Encountr monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | W | Bear | Encountr |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (2.5K ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.5K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 85 MB | 220 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | gNetLabs, Inc. | Encountr, LLC |
Customer experience
W | Bear
Encountr
Bugs and requests
W | Bear
Reported bugs
5 issues- Crashes when switching between profiles
- Inability to delete account or photos
- Inconsistent behavior when blocking users
- Photos not showing up in global feeds
- Login issues and account lockouts
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to manage private album access
- Improved notification management
- Dark mode option
- Better photo/video upload and editing tools
- In-app support and feedback channels
Encountr
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
W | Bear
- 1 Month$12.991 Month
- 3 Months$28.993 Months
- 1 Year$79.991 Year
Encountr
- 1 Month$6.991 Month
- 3 Months$19.993 Months
- 6 Months$44.996 Months
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- 1 Year$59.991 Year









