Butter vs InterNations
Butter and InterNations 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
Pricing
Butter is priced at Free (Free to use; you cover any activity costs), while InterNations comes in at $$ (Free basic membership; paid plans vary by location and subscription period).
Format & matching
Both apps use groups of Varies, and Butter relies on manual / self-select matching while InterNations uses interest-based matching.
How they work
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.
InterNations: Sign up and set your city — InterNations has communities in over 420 cities worldwide. Browse upcoming events near you, from casual drinks to cultural outings to professional networking nights. Join interest-based groups (hiking, photography, new parents, whatever you're into) to find people on your wavelength. RSVP to events and show up — most are organized by volunteer community ambassadors. You can also post in forums, send messages, and connect one-on-one with people nearby.
What to love
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.
InterNations: Enormous reach — 420+ cities means it works almost anywhere in the world. Events are well-organized and span professional, social, and cultural categories. Interest-based groups let you find your niche within a large community. Strong for professional networking alongside social connections. Free tier is genuinely usable for browsing events and groups.
Reality check
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.
InterNations: Paid membership is required to message people or see who's attending events. Skews older and more professional — not the place for a rowdy night out. Event quality depends heavily on local ambassadors, which varies by city. The interface feels more web-era than modern app-first.
Søren's take
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.
On InterNations: InterNations is the 800-pound gorilla of expat networking. If you've moved abroad and want to meet people who understand the experience of navigating a new country, this is the most reliable option by sheer scale. The events are the real draw — well-organized, usually at interesting venues, and consistently attended. The downside is that the free tier feels like a teaser, and the paid plans aren't cheap. It also leans more professional-networking than casual-hangout, so if you're looking for a party, look elsewhere. But for building a real social foundation in a new city abroad, InterNations is hard to beat.
