Blapp - Black-owned businesses icon
Blapp Review: Comprehensive Directory for Supporting Black-Owned Businesses

by Thanx Ma Inc.

4.1
IOSReference
Blapp serves as a discovery platform for locating Black-owned businesses across the United States. The iOS application enables users to search, filter, and share local enterprises while facilitating direct connections to purchasing platforms.

Detailed Review

Blapp positions itself as a specialized directory application dedicated to promoting economic support for Black-owned businesses nationwide. Developed by Thanx Ma Inc., the platform addresses growing consumer demand for tools that facilitate intentional spending within underrepresented entrepreneurial communities. The app operates primarily as a discovery engine rather than a transactional platform, focusing on connecting users with verified businesses while leveraging existing e-commerce and review ecosystems. The application's core functionality centers around location-based searching with multiple viewing formats. Users can toggle between map and list views to identify nearby businesses, with filtering capabilities across categories including food, retail, services, and entertainment. Search functionality allows for specific product or service queries, while sharing features enable users to distribute findings through native iOS sharing options. Notably, the app integrates with third-party platforms including Etsy and Yelp for actual transactions, positioning itself as a discovery layer rather than a closed ecosystem. User experience demonstrates thoughtful design with intuitive navigation and clean visual presentation. The interface prioritizes ease of use with clear categorization and minimal learning curve. Real-world usage patterns suggest the app serves both planned purchasing scenarios and spontaneous discovery situations, with users reporting increased awareness of local Black-owned businesses they might otherwise overlook. The absence of in-app purchasing requires external platform jumping, which creates some friction but maintains focus on the app's core discovery mission. User feedback consistently highlights the app's social impact and practical utility, with numerous five-star reviews emphasizing both emotional and functional value. Earth Peddler's October 2021 review notes the app's potential for expansion, describing it as 'phenomenal and will only get better as it expands into more markets.' Similarly, jonesrooy's October 2021 review praises how the app 'got me out of my rut of going to the same five places over and over again,' indicating successful discovery functionality. These patterns suggest users value both the ideological purpose and practical business-finding capabilities. The application demonstrates significant strengths in filling a specific market gap with thoughtful execution, though limitations exist in geographical coverage and platform dependencies. Its primary value lies in centralized discovery of businesses that often lack visibility in mainstream directories, while the reliance on external platforms for transactions creates some workflow fragmentation. Ideal use cases include conscious consumers seeking to diversify spending habits, urban explorers looking for new local businesses, and community advocates promoting economic equity through targeted support.

Key Features

  • Interactive map display showing all nearby Black-owned businesses with precise geographical positioning and distance indicators
  • Category filtering system allowing users to narrow results by business type including restaurants, retail, and professional services
  • Product-specific search functionality enabling targeted queries for particular items or services across all listed businesses
  • Social sharing integration that facilitates sending business recommendations through messaging and social media platforms
  • Third-party platform linking that redirects users to Yelp or Etsy for reviews, bookings, and purchases

Why Users Love It

Fills important market gap
Clean, intuitive interface

Perfect for: Conscious consumers seeking to support Black entrepreneurship economically

Screenshots

Blapp - Black-owned businesses screenshot 1Blapp - Black-owned businesses screenshot 2Blapp - Black-owned businesses screenshot 3Blapp - Black-owned businesses screenshot 4Blapp - Black-owned businesses screenshot 5Blapp - Black-owned businesses screenshot 6

User Reviews

LalDawg
Oct 30, 2021

Hope this guy becomes a billionaire. What a great app. So good to see another man in tech Hope this guy becomes a billionaire. What a great app.

Earth Peddler
Oct 29, 2021

This is phenomenal and will only get better as it expands into more markets. Please spread the word. Solid start This is phenomenal and will only get better as it expands into more markets. Please spread the word.

veer the king
Oct 22, 2021

A superb solution for the need of the hour! Can’t recommend this app highly enough. Easy to use and practical! A superb solution for the need of the hour! Can’t recommend this app highly enough.

Meli GeeJay
Oct 16, 2021

So amazing & convenient! Thank you for this 💕 Amazing 😊 So amazing & convenient! Thank you for this 💕

jonesrooy
Oct 11, 2021

So grateful for Blapp! It’s a great way to help support Black-owned businesses, and also got me out of my rut of going to the same five places over and over again! Love Blapp! Download now! Fun way to do good and find awesome businesses! So grateful for Blapp! It’s a great way to help support Black-owned businesses, and also got me out of my rut of going to the same five places over and over again! Love Blapp! Download now!

App Details

Developer

Thanx Ma Inc.

Platform

ios

Rating

4.1

Last Updated

9/7/2025