What is the difference between 222 and Hampton?

222 is a friendship app that uses algorithm-based matching with groups of Small groups, priced at $$ (Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience), available in 0 cities. Hampton is a networking app using manual / self-select matching with groups of 8 per core group, priced at $$$$ (Annual membership (pricing disclosed during application process)), available in 13 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. Hampton's strengths: Extremely curated membership — ~8% acceptance rate ensures high-caliber peers.

Which is better, 222 or Hampton?

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 Hampton if you prefer manual / self-select matching, 8 per core group groups, and monthly events — Curated peer groups for tech founders.. Both are available as IRL social apps. Compare pricing (222: $$, Hampton: $$$$) and city availability on Søren to find the best fit for meeting people in real life.

222

Hampton

222 vs Hampton

222 is a friendship app and Hampton is a networking app. They take different approaches to helping you meet people IRL — here’s a detailed comparison.

Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026

At a glance

222 Hampton

CategoryFriendshipNetworking

Price$$ — Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience$$$$ — Annual membership (pricing disclosed during application process)

Group SizeSmall groups8 per core group

MatchingAlgorithm-basedManual / Self-select

Frequencyon-demandmonthly

Age Range21+—

PlatformsiOSWeb

Cities0 cities13 cities

Founded20242022

Pricing

222 is priced at $$ (Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience), while Hampton comes in at $$$$ (Annual membership (pricing disclosed during application process)).

Format & matching

222 uses groups of Small groups, compared to Hampton’s 8 per core group, and 222 relies on algorithm-based matching while Hampton 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.

Hampton: Head to joinhampton.com and submit an application. Hampton is invitation-only with an ~8% acceptance rate — you'll need to be an active founder or CEO of a tech-enabled business with at least $3M in annual revenue, $3M in capital raised, or a $10M+ previous exit. If accepted after a paper screening, structured interview, and community veto process, you pay an annual membership fee and get placed into a Core group of eight curated founders in your city. Your Core group meets in person ten times a year, facilitated by a trained moderator. Beyond that, you get access to local chapter events (dinners, workshops, signature experiences) and a private Slack network of 1,000+ members for rapid Q&A on business and personal topics.

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.

Hampton: Extremely curated membership — ~8% acceptance rate ensures high-caliber peers. Core groups of 8 create real accountability and trust over time. In-person only meetings in your city — no Zoom calls pretending to be community. No-solicitation policy means nobody is trying to sell you anything. Bootstrapped company with long-term vision — not optimizing for a VC exit.

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.

Hampton: Pricing is not transparent — you have to apply just to learn the cost. Strict eligibility requirements exclude early-stage founders. Currently in 16 cities — if you're not in one, you're out of luck. No app — everything runs through a website and Slack.

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 Hampton: Hampton isn't for most people, and that's the point. If you're a tech founder doing $3M+ in revenue and you're tired of generic networking events full of people pitching you, this is the real deal. The Core group model — eight people, same group, ten meetings a year — creates the kind of trust and candor you can't get from a conference or a Slack community alone. The price tag and exclusivity will turn off a lot of people, but for the founders who get in, the ROI is reportedly massive. Just know that this is a long-term commitment, not a casual membership you dip into.