Comparison

Vibes Map vs JoinLinks

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

Head to head
About

Vibes Map

Discover the unique atmosphere of cities through user-generated 'vibe' votes. Find out where the energy is, beyond just popular landmarks or dining spots. Experience the intangible spirit that makes a place special.

Highlights
  • User-generated vibe votes
  • Discover city essence
  • Find where the action is
  • Sense intangible spirit
  • Explore city atmosphere
Features
Read full description

Vibes Map is user-generated vibe votes that help you find the special essence of a city. Vibes Map answers the question, ‘Where is it HAPPENING?’ Google Maps can tell you where the restaurants are, it can tell you how to navigate to the Eiffel Tower, but it can’t tell you where the ‘vibe’ is. Vibes are hard to define, but you know it when you feel it. Vibe: a characteristic emanation, aura, or spirit that infuses or vitalizes someone or something and that can be instinctively sensed or experienced.

About

JoinLinks

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
Read full description

Make Real Friends. Join Real Communities. Host Real Events. JoinLinks is the easiest way to build meaningful friendships in real life — and now, the easiest way to host the events and communities that bring people together. Whether you're new to a city or just looking to meet new people, JoinLinks helps you find others who share your interests and gives you the tools to turn connections into community. Create or join Links — real-world hangouts hosted by people nearby. From coffee meetups to weekend hikes, Links make it simple to get together in the real world. Build your Community — start or join interest-based communities, each with its own group chats, dedicated feed, event links, and private photo vault. Approve members, spin up multiple chat channels, and give your people a place to belong. Host and sell out your events — turn any Link into a ticketed event. Set prices, sell tickets right in the app, and check guests in at the door with a built-in scanner and live dashboard. The Wallet tracks your sales and payouts with simple Stripe setup.* Stay connected — share posts and photos on the Live Feed, reply in threads, @mention friends, and switch between accounts without logging out. Offline mode keeps your tickets and content available even when the venue Wi-Fi doesn't cooperate. Whether you're into running clubs, creative workshops, foodie adventures, or just want to meet good people, JoinLinks helps you make it happen. Key Features: • Discover local hangouts and events hosted by real people • Create your own Links and invite others to join • Sell tickets to your events and get paid, with check-in tools at the door* • Join interest-based Communities with group chats, feeds, and photo vaults • Post, react, and connect on the Live Feed • Switch between multiple accounts instantly • Access your tickets and content even when you're offline JoinLinks is your gateway to a more social, connected life. Wherever you are, there's a Link waiting for you. *Ticketing and payouts requires host verification. ToS: https://www.joinlinks.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.joinlinks.com/privacy

Screenshots

Vibes Map4 screens
JoinLinks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Vibes Map at none against JoinLinks's 3. Vibes Map also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). JoinLinks's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (40 vs 1). On price and ads 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. JoinLinks sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Vibes Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Vibes Map holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: JoinLinks has 40 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Vibes Map ships an update every 3 months, JoinLinks every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Vibes Map versus JoinLinks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVibes MapJoinLinks
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.7 (40 ratings)
Positive reviews—90.0% of reviews
Number of ratings140 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB246 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperCory StoutJoin Links

Customer experience

Vibes Map

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

JoinLinks

All ratings40 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

In-app purchases

None

Vibes Map

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

JoinLinks

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • JoinLinks Plus 3 Months$6.993 Months
  • JoinLinks Plus Yearly$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Vibes Map free?
Vibes Map 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, Vibes Map or JoinLinks?
Vibes Map is rated higher. Vibes Map averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while JoinLinks averages 4.7 from 40 ratings.
Do Vibes Map or JoinLinks have ads?
Neither Vibes Map nor JoinLinks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Vibes Map or JoinLinks?
Vibes Map ships an update every 3 months, and JoinLinks every 2 weeks. Most recently, Vibes Map was updated on June 5, 2026 and JoinLinks on September 10, 2026.

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