Why Choose OpenMeet? Because Connection Shouldn't Cost $24/Month

When Meetup.com raised their prices to $24/month just to create three events, we knew something had to change. People are lonelier than ever, and putting a price tag on community connection just feels wrong. That’s why we built OpenMeet - a platform that keeps community building free and accessible to everyone.

The Crisis of Connection

We’re living through a paradox: despite being more digitally connected than ever, real-world connections are falling apart. More people feel disconnected than ever before, trapped behind screens instead of meeting face-to-face. Meanwhile, platforms that should help solve this problem are making it worse by charging steep fees just to organize simple gatherings. At $24/month just to create three events, Meetup.com has made community building a luxury rather than a basic right.

A Better Way Forward

OpenMeet takes a different approach. We believe that bringing people together shouldn’t come with a monthly subscription. Our platform is built on a simple idea: make it free and easy for neighbors to meet neighbors.

For individuals, this means you can create unlimited events without paying a dime. Whether you’re starting a book club, organizing neighborhood gatherings, or planning hiking adventures, OpenMeet gives you all the tools you need to bring people together.

Community leaders get access to powerful tools for building stronger neighborhoods. From event planning and group communication to resource sharing and volunteer coordination, we provide everything needed to nurture thriving local communities.

For organizations with more complex needs, we offer premium features to help you serve your community better. Advanced event management, enhanced promotion options, and professional networking tools are available for those who need them.

Why Local Connections Matter

The importance of face-to-face connections goes far beyond just fighting loneliness. When neighbors know neighbors, communities become safer. Local businesses thrive when people gather and share recommendations. Support networks form naturally, providing help when it’s needed most. Every local connection strengthens the fabric of our communities.

Built Different

OpenMeet isn’t just another event platform - we’re built differently from the ground up. Our commitment to being free for typical use means anyone can start bringing people together without worrying about costs. Being open source means we’re built by the community, for the community. And our privacy-first approach ensures your data stays yours.

Setting up your first event takes just minutes, but the connections you’ll build can last a lifetime. We’ve stripped away the complexity and costs that keep people from organizing gatherings, making it simple to move from online to real-world connections.

Getting Started

We’re just getting started, but our goal is simple: make it easier for neighbors to meet neighbors without high monthly fees. While others are raising prices, we’re working to keep community building accessible to everyone.

Ready to try it out? Here’s how:

1. Visit platform.openmeet.net
2. Create your first event (it’s free!)
3. Invite your neighbors
4. Start connecting face-to-face

We’d love to hear your feedback as we build and improve the platform together.

P.S. Know someone paying too much for Meetup.com? Share OpenMeet with them - because community shouldn’t come with a monthly fee.