Meetup has unveiled a redesigned mobile app aimed at enhancing real-life connections among users. The update comes as the platform experiences a resurgence in popularity, particularly among younger demographics. With Gen Z and young Millennials representing 40 percent of its active user base as of late 2025, Meetup is poised to capitalize on this growth.
The app’s redesign, which began rolling out on March 15, 2024, aligns with Meetup’s recently revamped website. Key improvements include updated fonts, colorful icons, and enhanced spacing, all designed to create a more vibrant and modern user experience. According to Chiara Vivaldi, Meetup’s product lead, the new interface retains essential features while making them easier to access. Users can now quickly find their profiles and groups directly from the app’s homepage.
Modern Features Encourage Participation
Bending Spoons, the Italian tech company that has managed Meetup since 2024, aims to foster a welcoming environment for users, particularly women. The redesigned app introduces features such as a gender and age breakdown of attendees on event pages, allowing potential participants to better gauge the social landscape before attending. Enhanced user profiles provide deeper insights into who users may encounter at events.
In an effort to recognize dedicated community leaders, Bending Spoons will also introduce a new Super Organizer badge. This feature highlights top event planners, signaling to users that those organizing events are committed to building a strong community. Vivaldi emphasizes that these enhancements are intended to reduce the apprehension of attending events where users might not know anyone.
The company has ambitious plans for the future, aiming to streamline the experience for both attendees and organizers. In early 2025, Meetup will unify its separate apps for members and organizers into a single platform. This change responds to the fact that approximately 75 percent of Meetup’s organizers began their journey as members. Vivaldi states, “Organizers are part of the community. They want to be in the action, and so having them within the same app is conducive to that.”
Enhancing Event Management
The upcoming unified app will not only retain existing features for organizers but will also introduce enhancements, including QR-based ticketing for check-ins and attendance tracking. These upgrades are designed to simplify event management and make it easier for users to engage with the platform.
The changes come after a challenging period for Meetup, which has seen various ownership changes since its inception. Originally founded by Scott Heiferman before being sold to WeWork in 2017, the platform faced uncertainties as WeWork declared bankruptcy in 2023. Since then, Bending Spoons has focused on revitalizing the brand and its offerings.
With a 20 percent year-over-year increase in new registrations, Meetup is positioning itself as a leading platform for in-person gatherings. If it has been a while since you last used Meetup, the redesigned app is now available for download on both the App Store and Google Play, inviting users to reconnect and engage in their communities.
