# Withlocals vs exploreCHQ

The clearest difference is ads: exploreCHQ at none against Withlocals's shown. exploreCHQ also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Withlocals's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (654 vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

exploreCHQ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Withlocals has 654 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Withlocals ships an update weekly, exploreCHQ every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Withlocals | exploreCHQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (654 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/withlocals-private-tours/id655695313/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explorechq/id1658590686/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **654** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 87.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 76 MB | 135 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Withlocals B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/919099996) | [THE CHAUTAUQUA BIRD TREE AND GARDEN CLUB INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1658590688) |

## What reviewers say

### Withlocals

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/withlocals-private-tours/id655695313)

Discover unique city experiences with private tours led by local guides. Personalize your itinerary based on your interests, from food and culture to family-friendly adventures. Explore hidden gems and authentic local stories, skipping tourist crowds.

**Highlights:** Private tours with local guides, Personalized city and food experiences, Discover hidden gems and authentic spots, Skip tourist traps and crowds, Explore at your own pace, Verified traveler reviews, Secure in-app booking and payment

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use app
- 🚀 Intuitive and user-friendly
- 🤝 Great way to connect with local guides
- 💰 Affordable private tours
- 🌍 Covers many destinations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and freezes
- ⚠️ Unreliable guide availability
- 🕰️ Slow response from customer service
- 💳 High commission fees for hosts
- 🔍 Lack of transparency in reviews

**Reported bugs**

- Issues with login and account creation
- Inability to view full review history
- Glitches in chat and messaging features
- Inconsistent app behavior across devices
- Problems with location and map integration

**Requested features**

- Improved app stability and performance
- Better communication with guides before tours
- More detailed review system for guides
- Expansion to more countries and cities
- Flexible cancellation and refund policies


### exploreCHQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explorechq/id1658590686)

Discover the natural beauty of the Chautauqua Institution campus with this self-guided touring app. Explore thousands of trees, hundreds of gardens, and the thriving lakeshore habitat alongside its renowned cultural activities.

**Highlights:** Self-guided campus tours, Discover trees and gardens, Explore lakeshore habitat, Information on local flora and fauna, Highlights cultural activities

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Withlocals free?

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

### Is exploreCHQ free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Withlocals or exploreCHQ?

exploreCHQ is rated higher. Withlocals averages 4.8 out of 5 from 654 ratings, while exploreCHQ averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Withlocals or exploreCHQ have ads?

Withlocals shows ads; exploreCHQ does not.

### Which is updated more often, Withlocals or exploreCHQ?

Withlocals ships an update weekly, and exploreCHQ every 2 months. Most recently, Withlocals was updated on October 23, 2026 and exploreCHQ on October 19, 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.*