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

by Thanx Ma Inc.

3.9
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

Ranking History

Track Blapp - Black-owned businesses's performance in Reference over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#38

Best Rank

#38

All-time high

Average Rank

#38

30-day average

User Reviews

J K Laster
Jun 11, 2024

Easy to find black owned businesses. Used it in 9 cities already. Love BLAPP!!! This is amazing!!! Easy to find black owned businesses. Used it in 9 cities already. Love BLAPP!!!

mmmargot
Aug 3, 2022

This app is pretty amazing because it’s locally based wherever you are! It will show you more Black-owned businesses than you knew existed. I use it to find restaurants and also boutiques near me. I’ve also found amazing skin and hair care products from Black creators through Blapp. Love the new community features too, can’t wait to learn from my friends and follow other Blappers! Blapp yes! This app is pretty amazing because it’s locally based wherever you are! It will show you more Black-owned businesses than you knew existed. I use it to find restaurants and also boutiques near me. I’ve also found amazing skin and hair care products from Black creators through Blapp. Love the new community features too, can’t wait to learn from my friends and follow other Blappers!

NycDesigner24
Sep 11, 2024

I love this app! Perfect for traveling to quickly find an establishment to support. Love it! I love this app! Perfect for traveling to quickly find an establishment to support.

Westwilson99
Jul 19, 2025

Love the idea and implementation, support who supports you! 🫶🏿🫶🏿🫶🏿 Exceptional Love the idea and implementation, support who supports you! 🫶🏿🫶🏿🫶🏿

JustAThought?
Jul 16, 2025

I believe nowadays in America as African-American also mixed. I believe we should showcase and do black and brown businesses and when I mean brown Mexicans, Hispanics, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Indians, etc., even Chinese, but I know y’all get the point. They’re in our community just as much as we are. Hear me out!!!! I believe nowadays in America as African-American also mixed. I believe we should showcase and do black and brown businesses and when I mean brown Mexicans, Hispanics, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Indians, etc., even Chinese, but I know y’all get the point. They’re in our community just as much as we are.

App Details

Developer

Thanx Ma Inc.

Platform

ios

Rating

3.9

Last Updated

11/30/2025