Base vs Frnds of Frnds

Pricing

Base is priced at $$$ ($100/month + event costs extra), while Frnds of Frnds comes in at Free (Free to use).

Format & matching

Base uses groups of 6-12 per event, compared to Frnds of Frnds’s 1:1, and Base relies on algorithm-based matching while Frnds of Frnds uses manual / self-select matching.

How they work

Base: Head to base.club and fill out their application form. You'll select your city, choose a personality archetype (Artist, Scholar, Sage, Explorer, Leader, Healer, or Alchemist), and share what you're looking for — community, intellectual conversation, networking, or inspiration. Every applicant has a one-on-one call with the membership team before being accepted, so this isn't a sign-up-and-go situation. Once you're in, Base matches you to weekly events: intimate Circles with guided conversation prompts on the table, curated Experiences like tastings or workshops, and matched dinners at rotating venues across your city. The algorithm learns your preferences over time based on your attendance and feedback.

Frnds of Frnds: Download the app and connect your contacts so it can map your social graph. Your friends — even ones in relationships — can create matchmaker profiles and recommend people they think you'd hit it off with. Every match you see is someone connected to your real social circle, not a random stranger. When both sides are interested, you match and can start chatting. The whole premise is 'don't talk to strangers' — your friends do the vetting for you.

What to love

Base: Personality-based matching creates genuinely interesting tables. Vetted membership keeps the quality of conversations high. Variety of event formats — dinners, circles, and experiences — keeps things fresh. Available in 10+ US cities with more launching in 2026. The archetype system adds a fun, intentional layer to the matching.

Frnds of Frnds: Every match is vetted through your actual friend network. Friends can play matchmaker, which makes the whole thing more fun. Completely free — no paywalls or premium tiers. The trust factor is real — you're not meeting total strangers. Founded by college students who clearly understand their demo.

Reality check

Base: $100/month is steep, especially since event costs are extra on top. Application and vetting process means you can't just sign up and go tonight. No iOS or Android app — everything runs through the website. Limited to US cities for now — no international availability.

Frnds of Frnds: Requires a minimum number of contacts to start matching — barrier to entry. iOS only, no Android app available. Very new and small user base — your area might be empty. If your friends aren't on it, the whole concept falls apart.

Søren's take

On Base: Base feels like what you'd get if Soho House and Timeleft had a baby — the exclusivity of a members' club with the personality-matching smarts of a modern social platform. The vetting process is a double-edged sword: it keeps out the LinkedIn pitch-bro energy, but it also means you can't impulse-join after a lonely Tuesday. At $100/month plus event costs, it's not cheap, but the people who thrive here are the ones who show up consistently and let the matching algorithm learn them. If you're in one of their cities and want curated, intellectually stimulating social experiences without the cringe of traditional networking, Base is worth the application.

On Frnds of Frnds: Frnds of Frnds is solving a real problem: the best dates usually come from introductions, not algorithms. The mutual-friends concept is genuinely smart, and the fact that it's free is refreshing. But there's a chicken-and-egg problem — you need your friends on the app for it to work, and it requires a minimum number of contacts to even start. If you're a college student or in a city where it's catching on, it's worth trying. If you're the first person in your friend group to download it, you might be staring at an empty screen.