Radius is a Meetup-style app for finding people with shared interests, joining local groups and events, or starting your own community. It's free for small groups (up to 100 members, 2 organisers), with a Pro plan at $15/month per group for unlimited members and extra features — joining groups and attending events is always free, even on the free tier.
If you don't need Radius's Pro features, several alternatives below cost nothing at all, though most don't publish detailed pricing pages, so "free" may mean the core app rather than every feature.
Comparison table
| Product | Free tier | Starts at | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meetup for iOS and Android | Yes | Not stated | Finding established groups on the original platform |
| Gathered | Yes (free/open source) | Not stated | Making connections at events you already attend |
| Knowhere | Yes | Not stated | Planning and attending local events with friends |
| MeetingPlace.io | Yes | Not stated | Basic group creation and joining |
| NextIsOnMe | Yes | Not stated | Casual, spontaneous local meetups |
| Dots Network | Yes | Not stated | Sharing rough location for spontaneous meetups |
| Radius – A Meetup.com Alternative | Yes (up to 100 members) | $15/mo per group (Pro) | Groups that outgrow the free tier |
Meetup for iOS and Android
Meetup for iOS and Android (site) is the mobile app for the long-running Meetup.com platform, letting people discover groups and events built around shared interests. It suits anyone who wants access to Meetup's large, existing base of established groups rather than a newer, smaller network. The app itself is free to download and use for browsing groups and events, though no pricing details are stated for any premium features that may exist on the web platform. Limitation: since it's the incumbent Radius is positioned against, expect the same organiser-facing costs Meetup is known for, even if not listed here.
Gathered
Gathered (site) is built for making and sharing connections at events and meetups you're already attending, rather than for discovering new ones. It suits people who want a lightweight networking layer at conferences or gatherings. No pricing information is listed on the site, and the app appears to be open source with no stated monetization model, so it's effectively free. Limitation: with no pricing or business model described, long-term support and updates aren't guaranteed.
Knowhere
Knowhere (site) helps people discover, plan and attend local events with friends. It suits social groups planning outings together rather than large public communities. It's free to download and use on iOS, with business or company features available for free too, though a paid tier is implied without specifics. Limitation: pricing for any advanced or business features isn't published, so costs beyond the free app are unclear.
MeetingPlace.io
MeetingPlace.io (site) positions itself as an alternative to Meetup for creating and joining groups. It suits users looking for a simple, no-frills group tool. No pricing details are available at all — the underlying site content doesn't clearly describe the product's pricing structure. Limitation: with minimal verifiable information about the product itself, it's hard to confirm feature depth or reliability before trying it.
NextIsOnMe
NextIsOnMe (site) is an event-based social app for discovering and hosting casual, local meetups. It suits people who want spontaneous, low-commitment gatherings rather than structured recurring groups. The app is stated to be completely free, with no pricing page or subscription mentioned. Limitation: as a newer app (launched October 2025), its group and event coverage is likely smaller than more established platforms.
Dots Network
Dots Network (site) lets people share their general presence in a city or area without revealing an exact location, aimed at spontaneous meetups with friends. It suits close friend groups coordinating casually rather than people discovering new public communities or events. It's free to download and use on iOS, with no pricing page or paid tiers mentioned. Limitation: it's focused on presence-sharing between friends, not on finding new groups or events, so it doesn't fully replace Radius's group-discovery function.
How to choose
If you want to stay within an existing large network of groups, Meetup's app is the safest bet. If your goal is friend-to-friend coordination rather than public group discovery, Dots Network or NextIsOnMe fit better. If you're already running a group and expect to outgrow 100 members, Radius's stated $15/month Pro plan is the only option here with a clearly published price.
FAQ
Is Radius free to use? Yes, joining groups and attending events is always free, and there's a free tier for groups up to 100 members and 2 organisers.
Which alternatives have published pricing? None of the six alternatives list specific prices; all are described as free or freemium without a stated cost for any paid tier.
When would I need Radius's Pro plan? When your group needs more than 100 members or more than 2 organisers, per the $15/month per group Pro plan.