Comparison

Vicinity vs Pulse

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

Head to head
About

Vicinity

Connect instantly with people nearby through live chatrooms and private messaging. This social tool aims to foster real-time connections within communities, encouraging face-to-face interactions. Discover local events, ask for recommendations, or simply chat with those around you.

Highlights
  • Live chatrooms based on location radius
  • Private messaging
  • Place-based voice/chat rooms
  • Voice and video calling (Premium)
  • Dark mode support
  • Moderated chat for safety
Features
Read full description

Vicinity is a spatial communication network — the group chat for IRL. A real-time social layer tied to where you are, not who you follow. No algorithms — just your local world, live. Open the app and connect with everyone nearby across multiple topic channels. Send message requests, create group chats, or join landmark rooms at iconic locations worldwide — but only if you're physically there. The internet you walk through, not the one you scroll. As connection with those physically around us quietly erodes, Vicinity gives your location a shared context — a common channel for real community. Potential uses • Meet new people nearby • Organize meetups by topic • Chat with others at a sports game, bar, or concert • Coordinate a class study group • Get help from a neighbor • Invite others to a block party • Recommend shows, restaurants, or events to people nearby • Ask locals for tips when traveling • Coordinate group activities • Host a game night with people nearby — trivia, chess, poker, and more Core features • Vicinity chat: multiple topic channels for your radius • Live Games: host or join real-time multiplayer games with people nearby — trivia, chess, poker, blackjack, werewolf, mahjong, and more • Landmark rooms: audio and text chat at iconic locations worldwide — only if you're physically there • Private messaging: send message requests to anyone you meet in the chatroom • Profile photos: free for everyone • Premium: group chats, photos in DMs, voice & video calls, ad-free, and more Stars — the fun economy • Earn stars FREE by winning Live Games or inviting friends • Spend stars on fun extras: chat colors, profile borders, badges, hosting events, and promoting posts • Gift stars or cosmetics to friends right in your DMs — chat colors, borders, and badges they keep • Trophy badges: climb the ladder from Bronze to the ultra-rare Diamond — the ultimate status flex Dark Mode Vicinity supports both light and dark mode. Privacy and security All location-based rooms are fully moderated. Distance sharing is optional — you control what you share. Download Vicinity. Community restored. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Pulse

Features
Read full description

Welcome to GeoTalk! A location-based chat app that brings people closer, literally! Discover and connect with amazing people in your area! GeoTalk makes it easy to find new friends, join exciting events, and explore your neighborhood like never before. Find your tribe! With our advanced location filters, you can search for users based on distance, age, interests, and more! Chat away! Enjoy private messaging, group chats, and public forums to share your thoughts, experiences, and local tips! Be a part of the global community! GeoTalk is available in multiple languages, so you can chat with locals and travelers alike. Your privacy is our priority! GeoTalk ensures your personal information is safe and secure. You control your location visibility and who you connect with. Ready to start exploring? Download GeoTalk now and join the fastest growing location-based chat community!

Screenshots

Vicinity4 screens
Pulse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pulse at none against Vicinity's 1. Pulse also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence and device support 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. Vicinity sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $10.99 per year. Pulse asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Vicinity ships an update every 4 days, Pulse every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Vicinity versus Pulse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVicinityPulse
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (37 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings37 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size84 MB57 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperEsketit LLCSalim Alkaabi

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Vicinity

Subscriptions1
  • Subscription Features$10.991 Year
None

Pulse

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Vicinity free?
Vicinity is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pulse free?
Pulse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Vicinity or Pulse have ads?
Vicinity shows ads; Pulse does not.
Which is updated more often, Vicinity or Pulse?
Vicinity ships an update every 4 days, and Pulse every 6 days. Most recently, Vicinity was updated on October 10, 2026 and Pulse on September 28, 2026.

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