SpareRoom vs Drybar UK
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SpareRoom
Find your ideal room or flatmate with the UK's leading platform. Browse thousands of listings across the UK, connect with potential housemates, and secure your perfect living situation on the go.
- Room and roommate search
- Thousands of UK listings
- On-the-go access
- User support
- Connect with housemates
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As the UK’s number 1 flatshare site, we’ve helped over 13,000,000 people to find their perfect room or roommate. With our apps, you can do it all while on-the-go. Repeatedly featured by Apple as App Of The Day and in the categories of Your New Home, Apps for the Weekend, What’s Hot, and Popular Apps and Games. Rated by The Sunday Times as one of the top apps on the App Store. SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE Whether you’re starting university, relocating to the UK, tired of living alone, weighing up what to do with an empty room, or, quite simply, searching for another flatmate or flatshare, we’re the service for you. UNRIVALLED CHOICE With thousands of flatsharing opportunities to choose from in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and right across the UK, you’ll be able to find your perfect flatmate or flatshare. OUR PHILOSOPHY Experience has taught us that flatsharing is as much about the people as it is about the property. To help you find the best of both, we provide unparalleled tools, choice, and support. As a result, on average, every 3 minutes someone finds a flatmate through SpareRoom. HELP & SUPPORT Our award-winning customer support team are here to help you with your search. If you require support, come across a problem, or want to provide feedback, you can get in touch by email (support@spareroom.co.uk) or phone (1 877 834 2909).
Drybar UK
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At Drybar, our philosophy is simple. Focus on one thing and be the best at it. For us, that’s blow-dries. With that purpose in mind, we are focused on giving each and every client the premier blow-dry experience while providing professional quality products and tools to better help clients achieve and maintain the perfect blowout at home. Easily book a blow-dry appointment for you and all your friends. View, edit, or cancel your upcoming appointments on your personal home screen and seamlessly rebook your favourite service & location with just a few taps. You can find a Drybar location while on the go and become a Barfly with our Signature or Premium Memberships to ensure your hair is perfect on your most important dates throughout the month. 4 Reasons you'll love our new Mobile Booking App. 1. Get access to promotions and offers sent only to App users. 2. Book all your blowout appointments easily & frequently. 3. Join & manage your monthly Barfly Membership. 4. Find style inspiration for your next appointment.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Drybar UK at none against SpareRoom's 10. SpareRoom's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). 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
Both are free to download. SpareRoom sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Drybar UK asks for nothing beyond the download.
SpareRoom ships an update fortnightly, Drybar UK every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SpareRoom | Drybar UK |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (4.2K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 49.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4.2K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 40 MB |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | Flatshare Ltd | Harrods Limited |
Bugs and requests
SpareRoom
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes and sign-outs
- Inconsistent behavior between app and website
- Issues with updating and editing listings
Requested features
4 requests- Better messaging/communication tools
- More advanced search and filtering options
- Improved verification of listings and users
- Feedback/review system for landlords/tenants
Drybar UK
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SpareRoom
- Boost$9.99
- 7-Day Upgrade$12.99
- 1-Week Upgrade2 variants$15.00
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- Verification$15.00
- 14-Day Upgrade$23.99
- 30-Day Upgrade2 variants$25.99
- 4-Week Upgrade2 variants$30.00
Drybar UK
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SpareRoom free?
Is Drybar UK free?
Do SpareRoom or Drybar UK have ads?
Which is updated more often, SpareRoom or Drybar UK?
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