Bamboo vs Timeleft
Find out on the day who you are sitting with - or see who is coming before you sign up?
Bamboo is an Israeli alternative to Timeleft. On Timeleft a personality quiz seats you at a table of 4-6 strangers, and a preview of who you will meet arrives only on the day. On Bamboo the table is built around shared interests, goals and city, and you see who is coming before you sign up. Timeleft runs on a subscription and has no city in Israel; Bamboo is free, with no subscription and no card.
Join Bamboo - freeBamboo and Timeleft, side by side
| Criterion | Timeleft | Bamboo |
|---|---|---|
| How the group forms | A personality quiz: matched on personality, interests and age | Matched on interests, goals and city |
| Kind of meetup | Dinner every Wednesday, plus drinks, coffee and runs | Tables, coffee, small meetups or 1:1 - you choose |
| Who is coming | On the day: the venue and a preview of who you will meet | The attendee list, open to every approved member before signing up |
| Cost | A 1, 3 or 6 month subscription | Free - no subscription, no card |
| Focus | Global, with no city in Israel | Hebrew, focused on Israel (Tel Aviv first) |
Where Timeleft falls short
- No Israeli city on its list of cities
- You find out who you are sitting with only on the day
- Booking a seat takes a subscription
What Bamboo gives you
- See who is coming before you sign up, free
- No subscription and no card
- In Hebrew, in Israel, Tel Aviv first
Who each one is for
Pick Timeleft if
- You live in or travel to a city where Timeleft runs. It has no city in Israel right now.
- You enjoy the surprise of finding out on the day who you are sitting with.
- You want a fixed Wednesday dinner and are happy to pay for a subscription.
Pick Bamboo if
- You live in Israel and want to meet people in your own city, in Hebrew or English.
- You want to see who is coming to the table before you sign up.
- You are looking for friends, people to work with or mentors, matched on shared interests and goals.
- You would rather join with no subscription and no card.
Common questions
What is the difference between Bamboo and Timeleft?
Bamboo is an Israeli alternative to Timeleft. On Timeleft a personality quiz decides who you sit with, and a preview of the people arrives only on the day. On Bamboo matching runs on interests, goals and city, and the attendee list is open to every approved member before signing up.
How much do Timeleft and Bamboo cost?
Timeleft runs on a 1, 3 or 6 month subscription that gives access to book events in your city. Joining Bamboo is free, with no subscription and no card.
Is Timeleft in Israel?
Timeleft's list of cities showed no Israeli city when we checked in September 2026. Bamboo runs in Israel, and Tel Aviv is its first city.
Are Timeleft or Bamboo dating apps?
Neither. Timeleft presents itself as meetups that turn strangers into friends, for anyone 18 and over. On Bamboo you meet friends, people to work with and mentors, in small meetups in public places.
Can I use both?
Yes, they do not conflict. If you travel to a city where Timeleft runs you can join a dinner there, and use Bamboo to meet people at home in Israel.
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