Vicinity vs ChessRAF
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
ChessRAF
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ChessRAF is the social network for in-person chess (OTB). Discover real games near you, join events, and build a local community of players. What you can do • Explore chess places: parks, clubs, cafés, and regular meet-up spots. • Create and join events: publish meetups or tournaments, check dates, and participate. • Meet nearby rivals: connect with players, follow updates, and stay in the loop. • Use the map to find local activity and plan your next game. Built for over-the-board chess ChessRAF focuses on what happens off-screen: games, people, and community. Get started in 1 minute 1. Sign in 2. Create your profile 3. Discover a place or join an event If you run a club or a local spot, ChessRAF helps you get discovered and grow your community.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ChessRAF at none against Vicinity's 1. ChessRAF also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). Vicinity's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 weeks). On price 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
Both are free to download. Vicinity sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $10.99 per year. ChessRAF asks for nothing beyond the download.
Vicinity ships an update every 4 days, ChessRAF every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Vicinity | ChessRAF |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (37 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 90.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 37 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 4 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 84 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Esketit LLC | JOSE MANUEL DOMINGUEZ GARCIA |
In-app purchases
Vicinity
- Subscription Features$10.991 Year
ChessRAF
No in-app purchases









