Belong

Belong is an iOS app for finding local activities and building connections through shared experiences. Users can browse dinners, drinks, coffee, sports, and other plans in their city, see who has joined, reserve a place, and attend. Local communities and chat help people connect before and after plans, share experiences, and stay in touch. Belong describes verified profiles, community moderation, and in-app safety features as support for meeting others. The app is free to download and use; optional subscriptions unlock additional features, and credits are available for eligible plans. Prices vary by country and are shown before purchase, and subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled. Users must be at least 18 or meet the minimum legal age in their country. Location must be enabled for nearby users to find a profile. Profile details other than email and phone number, including uploaded photos, are visible to other users in the app. Users can edit disclosed information, delete an account, and request a copy of stored personal data by email.

Belong brings local activity discovery, community chat, and profile-based connections together in one iOS app. Consider its location and profile visibility terms before creating an account.

Belong suits adults who have moved to a new city or want to expand their social circle through in-person activities. It is for iOS users comfortable enabling location and sharing profile information within the app.

Overview

Belong is an iOS app for finding local activities and meeting people through shared plans. It is best suited to adults who are new to a city or want to widen their social circle offline. Its combination of event discovery, community chat and profiles is appealing, but location and profile visibility deserve careful consideration before signing up.

Key features

Belong lets users browse dinners, drinks, coffee, sports and other local plans, see who has joined, reserve a spot and attend. That makes it a practical fit for people who would rather start a conversation around an activity than rely on online introductions alone. The app also offers local communities and direct messaging, so people can chat before or after a plan and keep in touch afterward.

Belong describes profiles as verified and cites moderation and built-in safety features as support for a trusted experience. These measures may help users feel more comfortable joining plans, but they do not remove the need to use good judgment when meeting people in person.

Location must be enabled for nearby users to find a profile. Profile information other than email address and phone number—including uploaded photos—is publicly visible within the app. Users can edit what they disclose, restrict device data access, delete an account or request a copy of stored personal data by email. The policy says data may be processed outside the user’s country and retained until the service ceases to exist or the account is deleted; those terms may not suit users who prefer minimal sharing or shorter retention.

Accounts require an email address and phone number for verification, or can be created through an existing social media profile. Belong integrates with various social platforms, though availability can change and a particular account link is not guaranteed. Users must be at least 18 or meet the minimum legal age in their country. Problems or inappropriate content can be reported in the app or sent to [email protected].

Pricing

Belong is free to download and use, with a free plan priced as free. That is enough to consider the app without an upfront subscription, though eligible plans may use credits and subscriptions unlock additional features.

Optional subscriptions and eligible-plan credits have custom pricing: prices vary by country and are shown before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled. The app does not need to be paid for simply to get started, but anyone considering paid features should check the displayed price and renewal terms before buying.

Platforms

Belong offers a native iOS app. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs Android or web access.

Who it's for

Belong makes the most sense for adults who have moved to a new city or want to meet people through shared real-world activities. Its local plans give social newcomers a concrete way to connect, while community chat can help carry those connections beyond a single outing. Users unwilling to enable location or make most profile information and photos visible within the app should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Activity-led introductions: Browsing plans, seeing attendees and reserving a spot gives users a shared occasion for meeting people.
• Connections can continue: Local communities and direct messaging support conversation before and after plans.
• No upfront cost to start: The free plan is available at no cost.
• Some account and data controls: Users can edit disclosed information, restrict device data access, delete an account and request a data copy.

Cons

• Location is central to discoverability: Nearby users need location enabled to find a profile.
• Profiles are broadly visible: Nearly all profile information, including uploaded photos, is publicly visible within the app.
• Paid terms require attention: Optional subscriptions renew automatically, and subscription and credit prices vary by country.
• iOS only: People looking for Android or web access will need another service.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Online Community Platforms.

• HumHub is a freemium alternative with Android, iOS, API, web and self-hosted availability. Its Community Edition is open source under AGPLv3, self-hosted on your own servers, and includes Module Marketplace access and community support; choose it when owning and running a community platform matters more than Belong’s local activity discovery.
• Jodel is a free-to-use freemium app for Android, iOS and web, with in-app purchases. Consider it when cross-platform access matters more than Belong’s specific focus on plans and shared outings.
• Heyspace is a freemium Android and iOS app with a free tier and a Premium Monthly plan at $4.99 a month. Choose it if its paid monthly option better fits your needs; Belong instead centers on local social activities.
• Neighbors is free on Android, iOS and web, available only in the United States, and does not require a Ring device. It is a better fit if you want a free, cross-platform option within that availability constraint rather than Belong’s activity-based social approach.
• Causes is a free app on Android, iOS and web. Consider it if you want a free, cross-platform alternative.
• DEV Community is a free service on Android, iOS and web, built on open-source Forem software that people can inspect and contribute to. Choose it if open-source software and broader platform availability are priorities.
• Geneva is free on Android, iOS and web, with group chats and community features. It may suit readers seeking those features across platforms rather than Belong’s local plans.
• Open Social offers a free open-source core for use in your own Drupal projects, alongside paid pricing. Consider it when building a Drupal community is the goal.

Verdict

Belong is a sensible choice for adults who want to meet people in a new city by joining local activities, with community chat to help connections last beyond an event. Its free entry point and activity-led format are the main reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if you need Android or web access, or are uncomfortable enabling location and making most profile details and photos visible within the app.