What is the difference between Base and Hank?

Base is a friendship app that uses algorithm-based matching with groups of 6-12 per event, priced at $$$ ($100/month + event costs extra), available in 10 cities. Hank is a friendship app using interest-based matching with groups of Varies, priced at Free (Free to download and use), available in 0 cities. Key differences include their matching approach, pricing model, and city coverage. Base's strengths: Personality-based matching creates genuinely interesting tables. Hank's strengths: Purpose-built for 55+ — no competing with twenty-somethings or navigating dating-app mechanics.

Which is better, Base or Hank?

It depends on what you're looking for. Choose Base if you prefer algorithm-based matching, 6-12 per event groups, and weekly events — A vetted social club for curious minds.. Choose Hank if you prefer interest-based matching, Varies groups, and on-demand events — Walks, coffee, and happy hours for adults 55+.. Both are available as IRL social apps. Compare pricing (Base: $$$, Hank: Free) and city availability on Søren to find the best fit for meeting people in real life.

Base

Hank

Base vs Hank

Base and Hank 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

Base Hank

CategoryFriendshipFriendship

Price$$$ — $100/month + event costs extraFree — Free to download and use

Group Size6-12 per eventVaries

MatchingAlgorithm-basedInterest-based

Frequencyweeklyon-demand

Age Range25-5055+

PlatformsWebiOS, Web

Cities10 cities0 cities

Founded20232020

Pricing

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

Format & matching

Base uses groups of 6-12 per event, compared to Hank’s Varies, and Base relies on algorithm-based matching while Hank uses interest-based 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.

Hank: Download the app and create a profile. Browse a calendar of local activities — walks, coffee meetups, happy hours, museum visits, book clubs, and more — happening near you or online. Join anything that catches your eye. Before the event, you can see other attendees' profiles and start a conversation. After the activity, stay connected with people you clicked with through in-app messaging. If you don't see the right activity, create your own — set the time, place, and description, and Hank handles the rest.

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.

Hank: Purpose-built for 55+ — no competing with twenty-somethings or navigating dating-app mechanics. Completely free with no subscription walls or premium tiers. Both in-person and online activities mean you can participate regardless of mobility. You can host your own events, not just join existing ones. Clean, simple interface designed for accessibility.

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.

Hank: Currently strongest in the New York area — thinner activity selection in other regions. No Android app yet (planned but not launched). Smaller user base compared to mainstream apps means fewer activities in less populated areas. No algorithmic matching — you browse and choose activities yourself.

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 Hank: Hank fills a gap that's been wide open for years: most friendship apps are designed for people in their 20s and 30s, and the 55+ crowd has been left to figure it out on their own. Hank's approach is refreshingly straightforward — here's a calendar of things to do, go do them with people your age. No personality quizzes, no swiping, no algorithms. The free pricing is a big deal for this demographic. The main limitation is geographic reach — it started in NYC and is still building out — but if you're 55+ and looking for community, this should be on your phone.