# Backpackers Social vs Backpack buddies

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backpack buddies at none against Backpackers Social's 8. Backpackers Social's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backpackers Social sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.00 per month. Backpack buddies asks for nothing beyond the download.

Backpackers Social ships an update every 5 weeks, Backpack buddies monthly. The most recent releases landed on December 24, 2025 and May 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backpackers Social | Backpack buddies |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Size | 77 MB | 79 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BACKPACKERS LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686984596) | [Darren Rowe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1733975036) |

## What reviewers say

### Backpackers Social

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpackers-social/id6448929508)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Donation $3 | $3.00 | per month |
| Donation $6 | $6.00 | per month |
| Donation $10 | $10.00 | per month |
| Donation $20 | $20.00 | per month |
| Donation $3 | $3.00 | one-time |
| Donation $6 | $6.00 | one-time |
| Donation $10 | $10.00 | one-time |
| Donation $20 | $20.00 | one-time |


### Backpack buddies

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpack-buddies/id6504427462)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backpackers Social free?

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

### Is Backpack buddies free?

Backpack buddies is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Backpackers Social or Backpack buddies have ads?

Neither Backpackers Social nor Backpack buddies shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backpackers Social or Backpack buddies?

Backpackers Social ships an update every 5 weeks, and Backpack buddies monthly. Most recently, Backpackers Social was updated on December 24, 2025 and Backpack buddies on May 16, 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.*