Best Growl Apps

103+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

3.9 avg rating
17 free apps
Updated October 2026

GROWLR is the household name in growl, but it's far from the only option. We track 103+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Compare top Growl Apps (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1GROWLR: Gay Bears Near YouGROWLR: Gay Bears Near YouFree4.3★ (50K)NoYesNov 2026
2Grindr - Gay Dating & ChatGrindr - Gay Dating & ChatFree4.4★ (390K)YesYesNov 2026
3SCRUFF - Gay Dating & ChatSCRUFF - Gay Dating & ChatFree4.4★ (30K)NoYesNov 2026
4BiggerCityBiggerCityFree4.5★ (6.9K)YesYesNov 2026
5Daddyhunt– Gay Dating & ChatDaddyhunt– Gay Dating & ChatFree4.3★ (6.2K)YesYesNov 2026
6Adam4Adam Gay Dating Chat A4AAdam4Adam Gay Dating Chat A4AFree4.7★ (49K)YesYesNov 2026
7u4Bear: Gay bear socialu4Bear: Gay bear socialFree4.1★ (258)NoYesNov 2026
8Bear Sounds (Growl & Roar)Bear Sounds (Growl & Roar)$0.991.0★ (1)NoNoJul 2026

Top Picks for Growl

GROWLR: Gay Bears Near You#1
4.3😞(50K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
GROWLR: Gay Bears Near You screenshot 1
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GROWLR: Gay Bears Near You screenshot 5

Connect with Bears and Bear Chasers globally. This app facilitates meeting new people, dating, and chatting through instant messages, video calls, and photo sharing. Discover local and international events, bars, and runs.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Efficient app
  • 👍 Friendly community
  • 👍 Good for finding like-minded individuals
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Reliable network

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
  • 🔒 Security and privacy concerns
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly
  • 📢 Excessive ads and pop-ups
  • 🤖 Overrun with spam and bot accounts
  • 🤔 Confusing and outdated UI
  • 🚫 Limited features without paid subscription
Grindr - Gay Dating & Chat#2

Grindr - Gay Dating & Chat by Grindr LLC

Meet & Date Local LGBTQ People
Strong Contender
🌐 Social Networking
4.4😞(390K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#3in Social Networking
Grindr - Gay Dating & Chat screenshot 1
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Connect with LGBTQ+ individuals for friendships, dates, or travel recommendations. Easily create a profile, chat, and share photos with people nearby. Offers premium features for enhanced control and an ad-free experience.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Variety of users
  • 🤝 Helps build LGBTQ community
  • 😊 Good for hookups and dating

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription fees
  • 🤖 Lots of bots and fake profiles
  • 🔞 Inappropriate content and harassment
  • 🔒 Lack of security and privacy
  • 🐛 Buggy and glitchy app
  • 📍 Inaccurate location tracking
  • 💤 Declining user experience with updates
  • 📢 Intrusive and excessive advertising
SCRUFF - Gay Dating & Chat#3

SCRUFF - Gay Dating & Chat by Perry Street Software, Inc

Match, connect & meet new guys
Worth Considering
🌐 Social Networking
4.4😐(30K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#15in Social Networking
SCRUFF - Gay Dating & Chat screenshot 1
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SCRUFF - Gay Dating & Chat screenshot 5

Connect with gay, bi, trans, and queer individuals for dating and social networking. Offers private and secure messaging, profile customization, and event discovery. Features verified profiles and video chat for enhanced connections.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Fast and reliable app
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🤝 Genuine and engaging community
  • 🌍 Global connectivity and travel features
  • 📸 Customizable photo albums

Room to Improve

  • 🔒 Limited blocking and privacy controls
  • 💰 Excessive paywall for basic features
  • 🔍 Inconsistent moderation and enforcement of guidelines
  • 🤖 Presence of fake and inactive profiles
  • 🤷‍♂️ Confusing layout and navigation changes

More Growl apps to explore

FAQ about Growl

What are the best growl apps for iPhone?
GROWLR: Gay Bears Near You tops our growl apps ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.3-star average from 50K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 17 of the top growl apps we rank are free to download, including GROWLR: Gay Bears Near You and Grindr - Gay Dating & Chat.
GROWLR: Gay Bears Near You has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 103+ growl apps on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.