SpareRoom vs Balancers
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).
Balancers
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Balancers: The Space We Couldn’t Find Stop waiting for the vibe to change. Start making it happen. Balancers is the app for people who are done waiting for that one friend with the packed calendar. We built this for the professionals and the curious who want more than just another digital connection. We’re here to simplify your social life by moving it back into the real world. Why Balancers? Real Over Digital: No superficial interactions. We’re dedicated to face-to-face connections that actually stick. The "Say Hi First" Culture: Our events are built for the solo-adventurer. Every game, social, and workshop is designed so you can show up alone and meet new people naturally. Host-Led, Not Host-Managed: Our hosts aren't just there to check tickets; they are on the floor to get you involved and make sure the "London Cold Shoulder" stays at the door. Key Features Discover the Room: Find everything from high-energy games nights and themed socials to wellness workshops and outdoor adventures. Rewards for Showing Up: Earn coins just for participating. Redeem them for drinks, gadgets, and exclusive perks at the welcome desk. The Best Deals: Access exclusive discounts with partner brands that actually fit your life. The Gallery: Relive the night and find the people you met through our event photo galleries. How It Works Explore: Browse a curated list of events that actually sound fun. Join Solo: Grab a ticket in two taps. No plus-one required, ever. Show Up: Meet the hosts, join the challenges, and earn rewards. Stay Connected: Use the app to find your new circle, track your coins, and see what’s coming up next.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Balancers at none against SpareRoom's 10. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Balancers asks for nothing beyond the download.
SpareRoom ships an update fortnightly, Balancers every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SpareRoom | Balancers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 92 MB |
| Age rating | +4 | 17+ |
| Developer | Flatshare Ltd | Life Balancer LTD |
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
Balancers
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
Balancers
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SpareRoom free?
Is Balancers free?
Do SpareRoom or Balancers have ads?
Which is updated more often, SpareRoom or Balancers?
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