# The Xpat App vs JoinLinks

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Xpat App at none against JoinLinks's 3. The Xpat App also leads on ratings volume (388 vs 43). JoinLinks's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. JoinLinks sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. The Xpat App asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for The Xpat App against 4.7 for JoinLinks. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Xpat App has 388 ratings behind it against 43, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of The Xpat App's written reviews are positive against 92% of JoinLinks's.

The Xpat App ships an update every 2 months, JoinLinks every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Xpat App | JoinLinks |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (388 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-xpat-app/id1545205322/reviews)** | [4.7 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joinlinks/id1667954026/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **388** | 43 |
| Positive reviews | 85.0% of reviews | **91.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 30 MB | 245 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [XPAT, INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1545205324) | [Join Links](https://appshunter.io/developer/1591282554) |

## What reviewers say

### The Xpat App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-xpat-app/id1545205322)

Connect with and learn from the Black expat community worldwide. This app fosters knowledge sharing, community building, and engagement through live chats, virtual events, and discussions. Access a global directory of resources and support groups to enhance your experience abroad.

**Highlights:** Knowledge sharing, Community building, Live chat, Virtual events, Global expat directory, Resources and support groups

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👥 Vibrant community of like-minded expats
- 🌍 Global network connecting Black diaspora
- 💡 Innovative platform filling a unique niche
- 🎯 Helpful resources and peer advice
- 👍 User-friendly interface and design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent glitching and technical issues
- 🔐 Safety concerns regarding forced location disclosure
- ⚠️ Inconsistent moderation and community management
- 🚫 Exclusionary behavior from app creator
- 🔑 Authentication and login problems

**Reported bugs**

- App glitching and crashing
- Email becoming invalid preventing sign-in
- Password reset functionality not working
- Unable to sign up after account issues

**Requested features**

- Optional location and origin disclosure settings
- Improved customer support and response system
- Better content moderation policies
- Enhanced security features for user privacy


### JoinLinks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joinlinks/id1667954026)

Easily make meaningful friendships in real life by discovering or creating local hangouts and interest-based communities. Connect with others through a live feed and dedicated group chats to build lasting connections.

**Highlights:** Discover local hangouts and events, Create your own hangouts, Join interest-based communities, Connect via live feed and group chats, Share memories in community photo vaults, Build real friendships

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| JoinLinks Plus 3 Months | $6.99 | per 3 months |
| JoinLinks Plus Yearly | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Xpat App free?

The Xpat App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is JoinLinks free?

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

### Which has better reviews, The Xpat App or JoinLinks?

The Xpat App is rated higher. The Xpat App averages 4.8 out of 5 from 388 ratings, while JoinLinks averages 4.7 from 43 ratings.

### Do The Xpat App or JoinLinks have ads?

Neither The Xpat App nor JoinLinks shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Xpat App or JoinLinks?

The Xpat App ships an update every 2 months, and JoinLinks every 2 weeks. Most recently, The Xpat App was updated on November 3, 2026 and JoinLinks on November 3, 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.*