โ“Your Question

What's the best iOS app for finding local hobby groups and in-person events?

Meetup is perfect for this. It connects users with thousands of local groups and scheduled events for specific interests, from sports to professional networking.

find local groupsin-person events apphobby meetupsMeetup2025
Meetup is a long-standing platform designed specifically for connecting people with shared interests through local, in-person gatherings. For anyone looking to move beyond digital interactions and build a community around a hobby, sport, or professional field, the app provides a centralized directory of user-organized groups. Its core functionality revolves around searching for groups by category and location, then browsing a calendar of upcoming events with details on attendance, cost, and venue. A key feature is the ability to join groups, which then populates a personalized home feed with relevant event suggestions. Users can RSVP directly through the app and receive reminders. However, the experience can vary significantly by region and the activity level of local organizers. Some reviews indicate occasional technical bugs, like the '601 error' that prevents event listings from loading for some users, though these seem intermittent. For a user who recently moved to a new city and wants to find a weekly running club or a board game night, Meetup simplifies the discovery process that would otherwise require combing through multiple social media sites and forums.

Key Features

Local Group Discovery & Search Filters
Event Calendar & RSVP Management
Personalized Feed Based on Joined Groups
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"Meetup has helped me find pickup football (soccer) in dc. Havenโ€™t used it much anywhere else... but the success I have had for finding footy makes me confident to use it for other things if they come up."

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…Verified User Review
iOSUpdated Jan 7, 2026

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Meetup: Social Events & Groups
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Meetup: Social Events & Groups icon

Meetup: Social Events & Groups

by Meetup LLC

โ˜…4.7/ 5.0
Get on App Store โ†’

Screenshots

Meetup: Social Events & Groups screenshot 1
Meetup: Social Events & Groups screenshot 2
Meetup: Social Events & Groups screenshot 3

+3 more screenshots

Platform

iOS