Comparison

Are.na vs Would App

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Are.na

This platform allows creatives and researchers to save and organize any type of content into collections. It provides a distraction-free space to connect and build ideas, fostering collaboration and community. It is independent, ad-free, and algorithm-free.

Highlights
  • Save any content type
  • Organize into collections
  • Distraction-free space
  • Collaborate on projects
  • Share ideas privately or publicly
  • Thoughtful community
Features
Read full description

Since 2011, Are.na has been the platform of choice for creative researchers, designers, artists, academics, and rabbit-hole enthusiasts. Completely independent, free from ads, algorithms, and unhealthy business practices, Are.na is a calm, thoughtful space for you to connect your ideas and build new ones. - Save any kind of content into collections. - Organize links, videos, images, and texts in a clean, distraction-free space. - Share ideas and collaborate on projects with anyone, anywhere. - Invite friends to work together privately or in public. - Tap into a thoughtful community where curiosity is valued. - Break out of your filter bubble. Are.na is powered by people, not ads.

About

Would App

This social networking app allows you to discreetly express interest in your existing contacts. If mutual interest is indicated, both users are notified, enabling connections without the pressure of direct initiation. It focuses on people you already know, eliminating strangers and profiles.

Highlights
  • Contacts-based interest indicator
  • Mutual interest notifications
  • No stranger profiles
  • Anonymous invite feature
  • Discreet interest exploration
  • Facilitates reconnection
Features
Read full description

SEE WHO WOULD Would is a contacts-based app for shooting shots with the people you know. Import your contacts, and toggle the “Would” button if you want to indicate interest. If both of you Would, you’ll each receive a notification. It’s up to you two to take it from there. Would provides a way to express interest in people you know without the stakes. No strangers, no profiles, no misses. Nothing happens, unless you both Would. Mutual interest only: Nothing happens unless both people are interested. It’s a secret crush revealer that only works if it goes both ways. No profile: No one will know you're using Would unless you tell them—or invite them to download the app with the anonymous invite feature. No strangers: Would is all about the people you already know, not strangers you’ll never meet. No making it weird: Quit worrying about rejection. See who’s interested without having to make the first move. Reconnection: Whether it’s a random cutie from way back, the one who got away, or *that* ex, Would is that “hey” text you want to send without having to send it first. Discretion: Questioning? Closeted? Just curious? Would allows you to discreetly explore possibilities you might not be sure about.

Screenshots

Are.na4 screens
Would App3 screens

Verdict

The call

Are.na and Would App both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Would App's written reviews are positive against 52% of Are.na's. Would App also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). Are.na's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (357 vs 9). On price, rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Are.na against 4.9 for Would App. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Are.na has 357 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of Are.na's written reviews are positive against 100% of Would App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Are.na ships an update fortnightly, Would App every 9 months. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Are.na versus Would App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAre.naWould App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (357 ratings) — better4.9 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings357 — better9
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB19 MB
Age rating+1717+
DeveloperWhen It Changed Inc.Would USA, Inc.

Customer experience

Are.na

All ratings354 ratings
Positive98.9%
Neutral0.6%
Negative0.6%
Written reviews194 reviews
Positive52.1%
Neutral19.1%
Negative28.9%

Would App

All ratings9 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Are.na

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Inability to login or sign up
  • Blocks not loading or duplicating
  • App crashing when viewing GIFs/animations
  • Inconsistent behavior across iOS versions
  • Navigation issues due to 'Dynamic Island'

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to sort channels by connections
  • Landscape mode support on iPad
  • Password reset functionality
  • Multiple image/video uploads
  • Improved channel management

Would App

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Are.na

No in-app purchases

None

Would App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Are.na free?
Are.na is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Would App free?
Would App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Are.na or Would App?
Are.na is rated higher. Are.na averages 4.9 out of 5 from 357 ratings, while Would App averages 4.9 from 9 ratings.
Do Are.na or Would App have ads?
Neither Are.na nor Would App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Are.na or Would App?
Are.na ships an update fortnightly, and Would App every 9 months. Most recently, Are.na was updated on November 4, 2026 and Would App on November 4, 2026.

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