222 vs Midnight Runners

Pricing

222 is priced at $$ (Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience), while Midnight Runners comes in at Free (All events are completely free).

Format & matching

222 uses groups of Small groups, compared to Midnight Runners’s 20-100+ per event, and 222 relies on algorithm-based matching while Midnight Runners 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.

Midnight Runners: Head to the Midnight Runners website and find your city's page. Each city has its own Instagram and community hub where upcoming events are posted. Events are managed through the free Heylo app — download it and join your city's Midnight Runners group to RSVP. Show up in running gear (some events offer bag drop, check beforehand), and you'll join a 5-10km bootcamp run with music, exercise stops, and a cool-down. No pace pressure — all fitness levels are welcome. Events typically run weekly, with occasional party runs and special events.

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.

Midnight Runners: Completely free — no membership fees, no hidden costs, ever. Active in 18 cities worldwide, so you can join runs while traveling. Music and exercise stops make it feel more like a party than a workout. Volunteer-led with 240+ crew captains who genuinely care about community. All fitness levels welcome — no pace requirements or experience needed.

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.

Midnight Runners: No dedicated app — event management happens through Heylo, a third-party platform. Event availability depends on local volunteer crew captains, so some cities are more active than others. Large group sizes mean less intimate social interaction compared to smaller dinner clubs. Primarily running-focused — if you don't enjoy running, the social side alone might not be enough.

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 Midnight Runners: Midnight Runners is one of the most impressive community-building stories in fitness. The fact that it's entirely free and volunteer-run, yet operates in 18 cities with consistent quality, is remarkable. The experience is genuinely fun — portable speakers, choreographed stops, and a post-run social vibe that naturally builds friendships. If you're in a city with an active chapter, just show up once. You'll know immediately if it's for you.