Clockout vs Hampton
Clockout and Hampton are both networking 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
Clockout is priced at $$ (Free to join (application required), Clockout Gold ~$8-28/month, $2 per RSVP), while Hampton comes in at $$$$ (Annual membership (pricing disclosed during application process)).
Format & matching
Clockout uses groups of Varies, compared to Hampton’s 8 per core group, and Clockout relies on algorithm-based matching while Hampton uses manual / self-select matching.
How they work
Clockout: Download the app and submit an application — Clockout's concierge team reviews every profile, so there's a waitlist (or you can skip it with a friend's invite code). Once accepted, build your profile with your career info, interests, and goals. Browse thousands of professional clubs and local events — mixers, galas, brunch clubs, rooftop socials — and RSVP to what sounds good. The AI-powered intro engine also recommends people you should meet based on your goals and industry. There's a gamified streak system that rewards consistent engagement.
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
Clockout: AI-powered introductions match you with people aligned to your professional goals. Massive community — 4,500+ clubs and groups across industries. Application-based vetting keeps the quality of members intentional. Gamified streaks and rewards make networking feel less like a chore. Events range from casual brunches to curated galas — something for every comfort level.
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
Clockout: The waitlist and application process means you can't just sign up and go tonight. Clockout Gold subscription ($8-28/month) plus $2 per RSVP adds up fast if you're active. Heavily skews Gen Z — professionals in their 30s+ may feel out of place. New York-centric energy, with uneven community density in smaller cities.
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 Clockout: Clockout is trying to be what LinkedIn should have been for in-person connections — and for Gen Z professionals, it's actually pulling it off. The application process and concierge vetting give it a members-club feel without the Soho House price tag, and the AI matching is a genuine step up from randomly showing up at networking happy hours. My concern is the layered pricing: free to join but Gold subscription plus per-event RSVPs means an active month could run $30-50+. If you're in your twenties, building a career in a major city, and want to meet ambitious people IRL, Clockout is one of the better options out there right now.
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.
