What is the difference between 222 and Butter?

222 is a friendship app that uses algorithm-based matching with groups of Small groups, priced at $$ (Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience), available in 0 cities. Butter is a friendship app using manual / self-select matching with groups of Varies, priced at Free (Free to use; you cover any activity costs), available in 0 cities. Key differences include their matching approach, pricing model, and city coverage. 222's strengths: No profiles, no DMs, no swiping — removes all the friction and awkwardness of typical social apps. Butter's strengths: You choose the activity, so every meetup is something you actually want to do.

Which is better, 222 or Butter?

It depends on what you're looking for. Choose 222 if you prefer algorithm-based matching, Small groups groups, and on-demand events — Curated nights out with algorithm-matched strangers.. Choose Butter if you prefer manual / self-select matching, Varies groups, and on-demand events — Create a plan, pick who joins, and go do it.. Both are available as IRL social apps. Compare pricing (222: $$, Butter: Free) and city availability on Søren to find the best fit for meeting people in real life.

222

Butter

222 vs Butter

222 and Butter are both friendship apps that help you meet people in real life, but they take different approaches. Here’s how they stack up across pricing, format, cities, and more.

Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026

At a glance

222 Butter

CategoryFriendshipFriendship

Price$$ — Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experienceFree — Free to use; you cover any activity costs

Group SizeSmall groupsVaries

MatchingAlgorithm-basedManual / Self-select

Frequencyon-demandon-demand

Age Range21+—

PlatformsiOSiOS, Android

Cities0 cities0 cities

Founded2024—

Pricing

222 is priced at $$ (Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience), while Butter comes in at Free (Free to use; you cover any activity costs).

Format & matching

222 uses groups of Small groups, compared to Butter’s Varies, and 222 relies on algorithm-based matching while Butter uses manual / self-select matching.

How they work

222: Download the app and complete a detailed personality quiz — it covers your interests, values, social style, and what kind of experiences you're into. 222 uses this to build a 'curation profile' that determines which events you get invited to and who you'll be grouped with. When an experience is available in your city, you'll get an invite — say yes, and you're in. On the night of, you show up to the venue and meet your group. The evening is planned for you: dinner, drinks, a venue, maybe a second stop. All you have to do is show up and be yourself.

Butter: Download the app and create a profile. Browse plans others have posted — anything from dinner parties to run clubs to coffee catch-ups — or host your own by setting the activity, time, and location. When someone wants to join your plan, they send a request and you decide who to accept. Show up, do the thing, and meet people who are genuinely into the same stuff. After the plan, you can stay connected through the app or just show up to the next one.

What to love

222: No profiles, no DMs, no swiping — removes all the friction and awkwardness of typical social apps. Personality-based matching means you're not just thrown in with random strangers. Full evening experiences (dinner + activity) feel like a real night out, not a forced meetup. All members are vetted before being selected for events. Strong TikTok community and word-of-mouth reputation in major cities.

Butter: You choose the activity, so every meetup is something you actually want to do. Host-picks-guests model means more intentional, higher-quality connections. Alcohol-free plans are a first-class option, not an afterthought. Free to use with no subscription paywall. Covers a wide range of activities beyond just dining.

Reality check

222: iOS only — no Android app available. Limited to a handful of US cities plus Toronto. Event costs add up on top of the free app. You can't choose who you go with — the algorithm decides.

Butter: Currently limited to Melbourne — most people can't use it yet. Only four screenshots on the listing, so the app experience is a bit opaque. Success depends heavily on local user density and active hosts. No algorithmic matching — you have to browse and self-select.

Søren's take

On 222: 222 is one of the more interesting approaches to IRL social I've seen. By removing profiles and messaging entirely, they've eliminated the part of friendship apps that feels most like work. The personality matching and curated evenings mean you show up, meet cool people, and go somewhere fun — all without planning anything. The catch is availability: it's iOS-only and in just a few cities, so if you're not in NYC, LA, SF, or Chicago, you're out of luck for now. If you are, though, it's worth trying at least once.

On Butter: Butter is doing something refreshingly different: instead of matching you with strangers and hoping for the best, it lets you build plans and invite people into them. The host-selects-guests model gives you real agency, and the focus on alcohol-free and activity-based plans feels genuinely modern. The catch is that it's Melbourne-only for now, so unless you're there, you're on a waitlist. If you are in Melbourne and tired of apps that promise connection but deliver small talk, Butter is worth a serious look.