Bamboo vs Meetup
A room with 200 strangers - or a small meetup with people matched to you?
Meetup gets you into a room. It does not get you into a conversation - and a room of 200 is where most people stand at the edge and leave early. Bamboo starts from the person, not the venue.
Join Bamboo - freeBamboo and Meetup, side by side
| Criterion | Meetup | Bamboo |
|---|---|---|
| Group size | Large, usually dozens of people | Small and intimate |
| Matching | To groups by interest, not to people | Personal matching from your profile |
| Intent | A shared topic | Interests + goals + chemistry |
| Who is coming | The full attendee list needs a paid Meetup+ subscription | The attendee list is open to every approved member, free |
| After the event | Unrestricted direct messages need Meetup+ | Chat, a second meetup, a community |
| Cost | Some events and groups charge, and there is a paid Meetup+ tier | Free - no subscription, no card |
Where Meetup falls short
- It is easy to get lost in a big group without meeting anyone
- It matches you to groups, not people - you gamble that someone relevant turns up
- The event ends and the connection evaporates
- Seeing who is coming takes a paid Meetup+ subscription
What Bamboo gives you
- Small meetups where you actually get to know people
- Personal matching, not a gamble
- The meetup is the start, not the end
- See who is coming, free
Who each one is for
Pick Meetup if
- You want a regular group around a set topic and do not mind that it is big.
- You are comfortable starting a conversation with strangers at an event.
- Your city has an active group in your field, in Israel or abroad.
- You want to start and run a group of your own.
Pick Bamboo if
- You prefer a small meetup or a 1:1 to a full room.
- You want to be matched to people by profile, not only to a topic.
- You want to see who is coming without a paid subscription.
- You want the connection to carry on after the meetup, in chat and a second meetup.
Common questions
How much do Meetup and Bamboo cost?
Meetup has a free account, but some events and groups charge, and the full attendee list and unrestricted direct messages need a Meetup+ subscription. Joining Bamboo is free, and the attendee list is open to every approved member.
Which cities do they work in?
Meetup is a global platform where organizers open groups, so what exists in your city depends on who started a group there. Bamboo runs in Israel, and Tel Aviv is its first city.
Are Meetup or Bamboo dating apps?
No. Meetup is a platform for groups and events around shared interests. On Bamboo you meet friends, people to work with and mentors, in small meetups in public places.
What is the main difference between Meetup and Bamboo?
Meetup matches you to groups by interest, and at the event you find someone to talk to on your own. Bamboo matches you to people by interests, goals and city, and proposes a small meetup with a place and a time.
Can I use both?
Yes. Meetup is good for finding a regular group around a hobby or a profession, and Bamboo for a small meetup with people matched to you.
Ready to actually meet people?
Bamboo matches you with the right people and moves you to a real meetup - in your city, free.
Download the app