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Software · head to head

Grip vs Meetup

Grip logo

Grip

Software

AI-powered event networking

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Meetup logo

Meetup

Software

Find your people

From
$55/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Grip no published pricing - requires contacting sales for custom quotes; Meetup organizer fees tripled following Bending Spoons acquisition in 2024
  • They diverge on capability: Grip covers AI recommendations, Meetup covers Groups.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Grip and Meetup actually diverge.

Attributes where Grip and Meetup differ
AttributeGripMeetup
Starting priceOn request$55/month
PlatformsWeb, MobileWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20142002

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Grip

  • AI recommendations
  • Meeting scheduler
  • Intent data
  • Lead scoring
  • Analytics
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot
  • Cvent

Only in Meetup

  • Groups
  • Events
  • RSVP System
  • Messaging
  • Event Photos
  • Recommendations
  • Google Calendar
  • Zoom

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Grip

  • Event planningnot Meetup
  • Ticket salesnot Meetup
  • Attendee managementnot Meetup
  • Virtual eventsnot Meetup
  • Event marketingnot Meetup

Meetup

  • Finding local groups and events around a shared interestnot Grip
  • Organising a recurring in-person groupnot Grip
  • Running online events alongside physical onesnot Grip
  • Growing a community by drawing on Meetup's existing member basenot Grip

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Grip

  • No published pricing - requires contacting sales for custom quotes
  • Roundtables limited to 25 active audio/video participants out of 100 max attendees
  • Only Standard sessions supported for in-person-only events; other formats require virtual or hybrid setup
  • Platform setup requires privacy policy and user agreement, plus delivery manager coordination

Meetup

  • Organizer fees tripled following Bending Spoons acquisition in 2024
  • Increased paywalling of core community features
  • Platform is buggy with many unfixed issues
  • Customer support no longer available with AI responses only
  • Issues with billing accuracy and unauthorized recurring charges
  • Poor technical support responsiveness to organizer complaints

Pricing, plan by plan

Grip

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Grip review.

Meetup

$55/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Meetup review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Grip if

  • You need ai recommendations.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want meeting scheduler.
Grip review

Choose Meetup if

  • You need groups.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want events.
Meetup review

Questions people ask

Is Grip or Meetup better?
Neither clearly leads. Grip starts at On request and Meetup at $55/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Grip or Meetup?
Grip starts at On request and Meetup at $55/month.
Does Grip or Meetup run on more platforms?
Grip runs on Web, Mobile. Meetup runs on Web, iOS, Android.
What is Grip best used for?
Grip is most often used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events. Of those, event planning and ticket sales are not what Meetup is typically brought in for.
What can Grip do that Meetup cannot?
Grip covers AI recommendations, Meeting scheduler, Intent data, Lead scoring. Meetup covers Groups, Events, RSVP System, Messaging. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Grip: How does Grip's AI matchmaking work?

Grip uses 16 machine learning algorithms on billions of interaction data to generate over 70 million recommendations annually. It analyzes attendee preferences and behaviors to suggest relevant connections.

Source
Meetup: What is Meetup Pro pricing?

Meetup Pro starts at $55 per group per month, or $47 per group per month for six-month commitments. Enterprise plans are available at custom pricing. A one-week free trial is offered.

Source
Grip: What are the main features?

Grip includes AI-powered matchmaking, interactive floor plans, direct messaging and video, meeting scheduling, sponsored sessions, live streams, and round tables for networking events.

Source
Meetup: What features does Meetup Pro include?

Meetup Pro includes event scheduling, group management, member engagement tools, community-building features, and integrations with platforms like Zoom and Mailchimp.

Source
Grip: How is Grip priced?

Grip uses custom pricing based on event needs. Pricing is not publicly listed; organizers must contact sales for quotes.

Source
Meetup: Does Meetup charge organizers fees?

Yes, Meetup charges organizers fees for hosting groups and events. Organizer fees have increased significantly following the Bending Spoons acquisition in 2024.

Source
Grip: Can I integrate Grip with existing event management systems?

Yes. Grip acquired Connectiv EMS and integrates with existing event management systems, allowing you to use Grip's features with your current event tech stack.

Source
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