# Flatmates vs Backpacker

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backpacker at none against Flatmates's 10. Backpacker also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Flatmates sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Backpacker asks for nothing beyond the download.

Flatmates ships an update every 3 weeks, Backpacker daily. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flatmates | Backpacker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (57 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flatmates/id1489897686/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **57** | — |
| Positive reviews | 16.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 76 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [realestate.com.au Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/389488966) | [Owen Hewitt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1179777091) |

## What reviewers say

### Flatmates

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flatmates/id1489897686)

Find your perfect flatmate or a new home with Australia's leading shared accommodation app. Browse thousands of listings, create detailed profiles, and connect safely with a secure messaging platform. Easily list a spare room or search for available properties.

**Highlights:** Thousands of property and people listings, Easy listing creation for spare rooms, Detailed search for rooms and flatmates, Listing alerts for new properties, Create 'room-wanted' profiles, Secure messaging platform, Listing moderation and support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Boost Plan | $5.99 | one-time |
| Offer Plan | $12.99 | one-time |
| Person Basic Plan | $12.99 | one-time |
| Property Offer | $12.99 | one-time |
| Person Offer | $12.99 | one-time |
| Basic Plan | $17.99 | one-time |
| Person Full Plan | $19.99 | one-time |
| Full Plan | $22.99 | one-time |
| Property Basic Plan | $22.99 | one-time |
| Property Full Plan | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Helpful for finding accommodation
- 🌟 Great app overall

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and glitchy
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔍 Lack of functionality
- 📥 Delayed messages for non-subscribers
- 🤖 Fake listings and scammers

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes
- Login and account issues
- Messaging and profile viewing problems
- Inconsistent app behavior

**Requested features**

- Improved search and filtering options
- Better messaging and notification system
- Removal of inactive/taken listings
- More user verification and security measures


### Backpacker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpacker/id6752948846)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flatmates free?

Flatmates is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Backpacker free?

Backpacker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Flatmates or Backpacker have ads?

Neither Flatmates nor Backpacker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Flatmates or Backpacker?

Flatmates ships an update every 3 weeks, and Backpacker daily. Most recently, Flatmates was updated on September 22, 2026 and Backpacker on September 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*