Meetup alternative
Meetup alternative: Masqot for tech communities
Meetup has been the go-to tool for local groups for years. But organizer plans are paid, and the free starter plan is only for first-time organizers, with 10 attendees per event. If you run a tech community and want a place where you can start for free and people stay connected after the event, take a look at Masqot. The comparison below is based on each platform's own pages.
Last updated: 04.11.2026
In short
The difference in short
- Meetup. A platform where local groups on every topic meet up. Organizers pay for a plan; some member features are part of the Meetup+ subscription.
- Masqot. Focused on the tech ecosystem: communities, events and people in one network. There's a free plan for organizers, and individual membership is free.
Comparison
Masqot vs Meetup: comparison table
| Feature | Masqot | Meetup |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Tech ecosystem (AI, software, entrepreneurship) | Local groups on any topic |
| Free plan for organizers | Starter: no time limit, 1 community, 250 members, 3 channels, 2 events a month | Starter: first-time organizers only; 1 group, 2 in-person events a month, 10 attendees per event |
| Paid plans | Plus ₺149/month + VAT, Pro ₺249/month + VAT | Standard from $29.99/month; Pro from $55/month per group (price varies by location) |
| Cost for members | Individual membership is free | Free; full profiles, messaging anyone and the full attendee list are part of Meetup+ |
| Paid ticket sales | Not yet; you can add an external registration link to the event | Yes; attendees pay a service fee, and a payment processing fee is deducted from the organizer |
| Staying in touch after the event | Mutually approved introductions, messaging once accepted; follow people | Free members can only write to the group's organizers; messaging anyone requires Meetup+ or a paid organizer plan |
| Conversation inside the community | Topic channels and posts | Group discussions and event chat |
| Announcements to members | Bulk email and push notifications (quota depends on plan) | Basic group communication; segmented messaging and email list export on the Pro plan |
| Languages | 8 languages: Turkish, English, German, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, French, Azerbaijani | 13 languages (includes Turkish, not Arabic) |
| Mobile app | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
| Data | Servers in Germany | Meetup describes itself as a US-based data controller |
Masqot
- Focus
- Tech ecosystem (AI, software, entrepreneurship)
- Free plan for organizers
- Starter: no time limit, 1 community, 250 members, 3 channels, 2 events a month
- Paid plans
- Plus ₺149/month + VAT, Pro ₺249/month + VAT
- Cost for members
- Individual membership is free
- Paid ticket sales
- Not yet; you can add an external registration link to the event
- Staying in touch after the event
- Mutually approved introductions, messaging once accepted; follow people
- Conversation inside the community
- Topic channels and posts
- Announcements to members
- Bulk email and push notifications (quota depends on plan)
- Languages
- 8 languages: Turkish, English, German, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, French, Azerbaijani
- Mobile app
- iOS and Android
- Data
- Servers in Germany
Meetup
- Focus
- Local groups on any topic
- Free plan for organizers
- Starter: first-time organizers only; 1 group, 2 in-person events a month, 10 attendees per event
- Paid plans
- Standard from $29.99/month; Pro from $55/month per group (price varies by location)
- Cost for members
- Free; full profiles, messaging anyone and the full attendee list are part of Meetup+
- Paid ticket sales
- Yes; attendees pay a service fee, and a payment processing fee is deducted from the organizer
- Staying in touch after the event
- Free members can only write to the group's organizers; messaging anyone requires Meetup+ or a paid organizer plan
- Conversation inside the community
- Group discussions and event chat
- Announcements to members
- Basic group communication; segmented messaging and email list export on the Pro plan
- Languages
- 13 languages (includes Turkish, not Arabic)
- Mobile app
- iOS and Android
- Data
- Meetup describes itself as a US-based data controller
Meetup prices are "from" prices in US dollars and vary by country.
Who it's for
Who benefits from switching from Meetup to Masqot
- New communities that want to start for free. Masqot's Starter plan has no time limit and doesn't require you to be a first-time organizer. There's no attendee limit per event either.
- Tech-focused groups. AI, software, data, blockchain, design and startup communities are already on Masqot. Your members also see other communities and people in the same field.
- People who care about the network after the event. On Masqot, attendees send each other introduction requests after the event; once both sides accept, they can message. Members don't pay for this.
- Multilingual communities. 8 languages including Arabic, with right-to-left support.
Let's be honest
When Meetup might be a better fit
Masqot isn't the right choice for every need.
- If you sell tickets. Paid ticket sales aren't available on Masqot yet. For now, you can add an external registration or ticket link to your event.
- If you run a non-tech group. For running, book or language exchange groups, Meetup's general audience is larger.
- If you want to open your community right away, without applying. To open a community on Masqot, you submit a short Creator application; our team reviews and approves it.
Moving over
Moving your community from Meetup
You can use both platforms side by side for a while; you don't have to switch all at once.
Apply
Apply for Creator; only two fields are required.
Set up your community page
Once approved, open your community page and channels.
Share the link
Announce your Masqot community page link in your old group; members join with their own Masqot profiles.
Publish your next event on Masqot
Registrations, reminders and the attendee list all come together in your panel.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Meetup?
Yes. Masqot's organizer plan Starter is free with no time limit: 1 community, 250 members, 3 channels and 2 events a month. Individual membership is free too.
What are some apps like Meetup?
Common choices are Masqot for tech communities, Luma for event pages and tickets, and Kommunity for communities and selling memberships. For a detailed list, see our "Networking and community platforms in 2026" page.
Can I contact people from an event on Masqot afterwards?
Yes. You can send introduction requests to people at events you attended; once they accept, you can message each other. You don't pay for this.
Can I sell tickets on Masqot?
Not yet. You can add an external ticket link to your event page.
Can I automatically transfer the members of my Meetup group to Masqot?
No. Member lists aren't imported in bulk; members join with their own profiles through your community page link. That way, personal data isn't moved without its owners' permission.
Which countries can Masqot be used in?
Masqot is available in 8 languages and can be used anywhere, on web and mobile. Its servers are in Germany.
Sources
Competitor information comes from each platform's own official pages, read on 04.11.2026. Prices and features can change over time. If you spot something wrong or out of date, write to us and we'll fix it.
Start your community for free
Applying takes a few minutes. You can apply even if you don't have a community yet.