Comparison

GroupMe vs Locale IO

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

Head to head
About

GroupMe

Easily connect with friends, family, and colleagues through group chats, direct messages, and shared media. Add anyone via phone or email, control notifications, and express yourself with custom emojis and internet content.

Highlights
  • Add contacts via phone number or email
  • SMS chat for non-app users
  • Customizable notifications
  • Exclusive emoji and GIF support
  • Shared media gallery
  • Direct messaging
  • Web access
Features
Read full description

GroupMe - the free, simple way to stay in touch with the people who matter most. Family. Roommates. Friends. Coworkers. Teams. Vacations. Greek Life. Bands. Faith Groups. Events. “Lifechanger.... utterly indispensable” -Gizmodo START CHATTING Add anyone to a group via their phone number or email address. If they don’t have the app, they can start chatting over SMS immediately. CONTROL NOTIFICATIONS You’re in charge! Mute specific chats, or the entire app – you can even leave or end group chats. SAY MORE THAN WORDS With an extensive set of exclusive emoji, you can express yourself in a whole new way. THE WHOLE INTERNET IN YOUR GROUP Meme images, search for and send GIFs and videos, and see content shared from URLs displayed in the chat. SHARE NOW, RELIVE LATER The gallery saves your memories. Easily explore the photos and videos shared in your group now, or later. LEAVE TEXTING BEHIND With direct messages, you can use all the features you love for group chat, but one-on-one. CHAT WHEREVER YOU ARE Including from your computer at groupme.com Stay in touch whether you’re separated by a hallway or a hemisphere. Get your group together. We want to hear your feedback! Support: https://aka.ms/groupmesupport Twitter: @GroupMeSupport Facebook: facebook.com/groupme Instagram: @GroupMe Love, Team GroupMe NOTE: SMS chat currently available in US only. Standard text messaging rates may apply. Privacy Policy: https://groupme.com/privacy Made with love in Seattle

About

Locale IO

Features
Read full description

Locale - Rediscover Community Locale connects you with what’s happening around you. Browse local events on an interactive map or scroll a curated feed, filter by category and distance, and keep track of what you want to attend. For people who love local life • Explore events on a map or in a feed • Filter by category, date, and distance • Save events and follow your favorite businesses • Add events to your calendar • Share events with friends • Get reminders and updates when you turn on notifications For businesses and venues • Create and manage event listings with photos, pricing, and ticketing links • Showcase your business profile • See views, RSVPs, and engagement on your events • Share events with a link that opens in the app or on the web Built for your neighborhood Locale is built to help communities rediscover each other, starting in Hoboken, NJ. Whether you’re looking for live music, food and drink, arts, fitness, family activities, or a night out, Locale puts local life in the palm of your hand. Account & privacy Sign in with email, Google, or Apple. A verified phone number helps keep accounts secure. You can manage notification preferences and delete your account anytime from Settings. Locale does not currently sell tickets or process payments directly; ticket links may open third-party sites. Support: info@localeapp.io/support Terms: https://localeapp.io/terms Privacy: https://localeapp.io/privacy Locale is currently available in the United States.

Screenshots

GroupMe4 screens
Locale IO1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Locale IO at none against GroupMe's 10. GroupMe's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks) and chart position (#10 vs unranked). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. GroupMe sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Locale IO asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GroupMe ships an update weekly, Locale IO every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
GroupMe versus Locale IO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGroupMeLocale IO
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.6M ratings) — better—
Positive reviews29.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6M — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#10 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size389 MB59 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperSkype Communications S.a.r.lLocale Development LLC

Bugs and requests

GroupMe

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to log in or account issues
  • Problems with adding/removing group members
  • Disappearing messages and chat history
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to delete/edit messages
  • Announcement mode for admins
  • Pinned messages
  • Improved group management features
  • Better cross-device/platform sync

Locale IO

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

GroupMe

One-time10
  • Most Wanted Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Michigan Wolverines Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Wisconsin Badgers Emoji Pack$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Florida Gators Emoji Pack$0.99
  • March Madness Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Most Wanted 2 Emoji Pack$0.99
  • University of Alabama Emoji Pack$1.99
  • University of Texas Emoji Pack$1.99
  • Adventure Time$1.99
  • University of Notre Dame Emoji$1.99
None

Locale IO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GroupMe free?
GroupMe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Locale IO free?
Locale IO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GroupMe or Locale IO have ads?
Neither GroupMe nor Locale IO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GroupMe or Locale IO?
GroupMe ships an update weekly, and Locale IO every 2 weeks. Most recently, GroupMe was updated on November 11, 2026 and Locale IO on November 5, 2026.

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