# Groups.io App vs Igloo

The clearest difference is rating: Igloo at 3.7 against Groups.io App's 3.0. Igloo also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (119 vs 26). Groups.io App's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Igloo sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Groups.io App asks for nothing beyond the download.

Igloo holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 119 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Groups.io App's written reviews are positive against 43% of Igloo's.

Groups.io App ships an update every 15 months, Igloo every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Groups.io App | Igloo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/groupsio-app/id1553820507/reviews) | **[3.7 (119 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/igloo/id6475702560/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 26 | **119** |
| Positive reviews | 36.0% of reviews | **43.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 29 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Groups.io, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482415932) | [Eskimo Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1037652122) |

## What reviewers say

### Groups.io App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/groupsio-app/id1553820507)

This app provides a modern platform for online communities with powerful management tools. It offers advanced features like hashtag organization, topic muting, and integrations with other services. Users can find, join, and manage groups, receiving real-time notifications.

**Highlights:** Advanced group management, Hashtag archive organization, Mute individual topics, Real-time push notifications, Integrated Chat, Calendar, Polls, Integrations with RSS, Trello, Github, Member synchronization with Slack

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Igloo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/igloo/id6475702560)

This IRC client has been completely re-engineered for enhanced performance and stability. It offers a refined user experience with a redesigned interface, simultaneous file transfers, and optimized bouncer integration. Enjoy secure communication, versatile file sharing, and extensive customization options.

**Highlights:** Multi-file DCC/XDCC transfers, Redesigned user interface with themes, Optimized for bouncers (ZNC), Comprehensive network support, SSL/TLS encryption, Inline media viewing, VoiceOver accessibility

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly License | $0.99 | per month |
| Yearly License | $7.99 | per year |
| Free Trial | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime License (Upgrade) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime License | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Clean, minimalistic, and modern interface
- 🚀 Fast and responsive app performance
- 🔗 Seamless bouncer integration with IRCv3 support
- 📱 Best IRC client available for iOS/iPadOS
- 💬 Active developer with responsive support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive pricing compared to competitors
- 🔄 Forced upgrade from previous version with license non-transfer
- 😤 Developer has dismissive and snarky attitude in responses
- 📵 Cannot stay connected in background (Apple limitation)
- 🚫 Misleading 'free' app store listing (trial only)

**Reported bugs**

- App disconnects when screen turns off or app backgrounded
- Theme selection not persisting between app launches
- User list menu jumps unexpectedly on tap
- Link opening requires multiple taps instead of single tap
- Copy/paste functionality hidden and unintuitive

**Requested features**

- Restore /ignore command for blocking users
- IRCv3 CHATHISTORY extension implementation
- DCC file transfer support
- Ability to hide/disable Slap function
- Color customization for usernames


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Groups.io App free?

Groups.io App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Igloo free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Groups.io App or Igloo?

Igloo is rated higher. Groups.io App averages 3.0 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Igloo averages 3.7 from 119 ratings.

### Do Groups.io App or Igloo have ads?

Neither Groups.io App nor Igloo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Groups.io App or Igloo?

Groups.io App ships an update every 15 months, and Igloo every 2 weeks. Most recently, Groups.io App was updated on October 7, 2026 and Igloo on October 7, 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.*