# AroundU vs Backpackr

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AroundU at none against Backpackr's 1. AroundU also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backpackr sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. AroundU asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for AroundU against 5.0 for Backpackr. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

AroundU ships an update every 10 days, Backpackr monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AroundU | Backpackr |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aroundu/id6744299663/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpackr/id6757887080/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **2** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 148 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.5** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [NEXTGEN TECH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1806949468) | [1000543729 Ontario Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1723613376) |

## What reviewers say

### AroundU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aroundu/id6744299663)

Connect with people nearby who share your interests for spontaneous activities. Find or create social gatherings, from parties and music jams to gym runs and gaming nights. It's a quick way to build a social life and make new connections.

**Highlights:** Connect with people for shared activities, Discover local events and gatherings, Create your own social events, Meet people based on current mood, Find flatmates and activity partners, Real-time social planning

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Backpackr

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpackr/id6757887080)

Connect with fellow travelers worldwide to discover new destinations and plan adventures. Find companions for your next trip, share experiences, and organize meet-ups.

**Highlights:** Discover travel buddies, Connect with global travelers, Find people going to the same destination, Organize meet-ups, Share photos with friends, See what's happening nearby

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Backpackr Plus | $4.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AroundU free?

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

### Is Backpackr free?

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

### Which has better reviews, AroundU or Backpackr?

AroundU and Backpackr are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do AroundU or Backpackr have ads?

Neither AroundU nor Backpackr shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AroundU or Backpackr?

AroundU ships an update every 10 days, and Backpackr monthly. Most recently, AroundU was updated on October 1, 2026 and Backpackr on October 11, 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.*