Comparison

The BuddyUp® vs JoinIN Social

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

Head to head
About

The BuddyUp®

This platform uses short videos to facilitate real-life connections and collaborations. Post requests for help, offer skills, or promote events to find local individuals for projects, gigs, or hangouts. It focuses on action and community building over endless scrolling.

Highlights
  • Post short videos for requests or offers
  • Discover local activities and events
  • Connect 1-on-1 or in small groups
  • Promote creative work or services locally
  • Build real relationships through action
  • Video showcases personality before meeting
Features
Read full description

The BuddyUp® is a Social Utility Platform where short videos lead to real-life connections. Most apps help you scroll. The BuddyUp® helps you do. Post a short video to ask for help with a project, offer a skill, promote an event, or find someone to do something with — then connect with real people in your area who respond. No endless browsing. No cold DMs. Just a quick video and the right people showing up. Whether you're a creative looking for collaborators, someone new to a city, or just tired of doing everything solo — The BuddyUp® turns what you need into who you need. What you can do on The BuddyUp®: - Post short videos to request help or offer your skills - Discover local activities and events from real people nearby - Link up 1-on-1 or in small groups for projects, gigs, or hangouts - Promote your creative work or services to your local community - Build real relationships through action, not just scrolling Why The BuddyUp® is different: - Video shows personality before you ever meet - Requests and offers spark natural, low-pressure connection - Everything is built around real-life meetups, not online chat - One app for creative collabs, local activities, and community help This isn't about followers. It's about finding your people and actually doing things together. Download The BuddyUp® and turn requests into real plans. It's not social media. It's social utility. Terms of Use: https://app.termly.io/policy-viewer/policy.html?policyUUID=31717252-f177-4a61-9d88-5f4505df452d Privacy Policy: https://app.termly.io/policy-viewer/policy.html?policyUUID=46773429-bfeb-4673-ae97-decaf18e1e91

About

JoinIN Social

Discover local activities and connect with like-minded people in your area. Easily create or join events, from casual meetups to group hobbies, fostering real-life connections beyond endless scrolling.

Highlights
  • Discover local activities on an interactive map
  • Filter events by interests, location, and schedule
  • Create and host events with AI suggestions
  • Join event group chats instantly
  • Identity verification and safety features
  • Save events to your calendar
Features
Read full description

Make Plans. Meet People. Build Community. Ever wanted to do something but wondered, "Who am I going with?" Or maybe you're part of a group that's tired of juggling multiple apps just to organize one gathering. That's where JoinIN comes in… JoinIN is a social connection app that helps you make plans, meet people, and bring communities together all in one place. Whether you're new to town, or organizing an existing group, JoinIN makes it easier to turn shared interests into real-life experiences. What do you want to joinIN? From weekend outings and fitness activities to casual, everyday hangouts with new and old friends, the possibilities start with you. 
• Explore experiences and communities that match your interests.
 • Manage who joined with activity conversations before, during, and after meeting up.
 • Use AI-powered tools to simplify planning. Manage your community from one app! Already have a group? Give your members a place to connect, stay informed, and get involved. • Create communities for clubs, organizations, and shared interests.
 • Keep conversations and upcoming activities together.
 • Organize recurring gatherings and manage participation.
 • Invite members and grow your community.
 • Sales dashboard to keep track of membership fees and more! Perfect for run clubs, college organizations, neighborhood groups, social clubs, and anyone bringing Ready to stop strolling, and start joining in?! Download JoinIN for free and start making real-world connections. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://joininapp.site/privacy-policy

Screenshots

The BuddyUp®4 screens
JoinIN Social4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: JoinIN Social at 5.0 against The BuddyUp®'s 4.5. JoinIN Social also leads on monetization model (free vs freemium). The BuddyUp®'s advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.5). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. The BuddyUp® sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $22.49 per month and JoinIN Social sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JoinIN Social holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 8 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
The BuddyUp® versus JoinIN Social: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe BuddyUp®JoinIN Social
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (8 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings88
Update frequency—Every 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB145 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperBuddy Upward, CoJoinin Social, LLC

In-app purchases

10 purchases

The BuddyUp®

Subscriptions1
  • Get Premium$22.491 Month
One-time9
  • Viewed You - 24hrs$1.99
  • Event Boost - 3 days$1.99
  • Boost Profile - 24hrs$1.99
Show 6 more
  • Buddy Pass - 3 days$1.99
  • Gig Charge$3.00
  • Viewed You - 7 days$5.99
  • Viewed You - 30 days$10.99
  • Buddy Badge - Forever$25.00
  • Buddy Pass - Forever$25.00
10 purchases

JoinIN Social

One-time10
  • Community Lifetime$49.99
  • Community Lifetime$99.99
  • Community Lifetime$149.99
Show 7 more
  • Community Lifetime$199.99
  • Community Lifetime$249.99
  • Community Lifetime$299.99
  • Community Lifetime$399.99
  • Community Lifetime$499.99
  • Community Lifetime$749.99
  • Community Lifetime$999.99

Questions

Is The BuddyUp® free?
The BuddyUp® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is JoinIN Social free?
JoinIN Social is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The BuddyUp® or JoinIN Social?
JoinIN Social is rated higher. The BuddyUp® averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while JoinIN Social averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do The BuddyUp® or JoinIN Social have ads?
Neither The BuddyUp® nor JoinIN Social shows ads.

Other comparisons