Quick answer
The main apps for meeting other vanlifers in 2026 are RME (a free community app with Meet, events, caravans and a Friends Map), Crossroads (a free, volunteer-run nomad app that needs an invite code), nomatch (nomads nearby, no swiping), Vanderlust and aki (newer iPhone apps for finding travelers nearby), and Nomadtable (city meetups for travelers). Facebook groups, Reddit and Meetup are still where many gatherings are announced. Sēkr, once the best-known option, has closed.
Key points
- Pick by how you want to meet: browse people nearby, join events, or travel together.
- RME and Crossroads put events on a map; RME also has caravans you can follow and join.
- nomatch, Vanderlust and aki are newer apps focused on travelers near you; most are iPhone only.
- Location privacy differs a lot. Check whether an app shows an exact pin, an area or nothing.
- Sēkr closed and RVillage closed in 2023; don’t plan around either.
How do the vanlife meetup apps compare?
| App | How you meet people | Location privacy | Price, as listed | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RME | Discover travelers nearby in Meet, events on the map with Going and an event chat, caravans you can follow and join | Friends Map with Ghost, Town, Approximate (within 20 miles) or Precise, shared only with mutual friends; event pins can stay hidden until a set time | Core app free; optional Supporter plans and Ember packs | Android; iPhone (see availability below) |
| Crossroads | Nearby events “from quiet campfires to desert dance parties,” a friend map and upcoming destinations | Location detail set per friend, or Hidden Mode | Free; joining needs a 6-digit invite code | iPhone on the App Store; its site also links to Google Play |
| nomatch | Live map of nearby nomads with “down for” tags; contacts shared only on mutual interest | No in-app chat or swiping; photo and vehicle verification | Free; nomatch+ $6.99/mo, $39.99/yr, or $49.99 lifetime | iPhone and Android |
| Vanderlust | Nearby traveler matching, a map of spots and events, spot chat, rig profiles and meetups | Not described in detail on its listing | Free; Pro $2.99/mo or $22.99/yr | iPhone |
| aki | Find vanlifers nearby, see who is heading your way (Trip Sync), meetups | No public exact-location map or exact pins | Free; $4.99/mo or $39.99/yr | iPhone |
| Nomadtable | Browse and join activities with travelers in a city | Not vanlife-specific; city based | Not shown on its site | iPhone and Android |
| Meetup | Local vanlife and camping groups with events | Groups choose where to meet | Free to join; Meetup+ is optional | Web, iPhone, Android |
Available on the App Store for iPhone and on Google Play for Android.
Which one should I use?
- You want to see who is around tonight: a nearby-people app such as RME’s Meet, nomatch, Vanderlust or aki.
- You want plans, not chats: events and caravans. RME and Crossroads put events on a map; RME adds dated caravan routes with Open, Request or Invite-only joining.
- You want your friends on a map: RME’s Friends Map or Crossroads’ friend map, both with adjustable location detail.
- You’re in a city, not a campsite: Nomadtable or Meetup.
- You want the biggest audience for an announcement: a regional Facebook group or r/vanlife, then put the event in an app so people can find it later.
Many vanlifers use two: one app for the people and one campsite app for where to sleep. A busy app in your region matters more than any feature list, so try the one your friends already use.
How do I meet other vanlifers safely?
- Meet first at a public place: a trailhead, a coffee shop, a busy campground or an organized gathering.
- Don’t share your exact campsite with someone you just met. Use an approximate or town-level setting until you know them.
- Tell a friend where you’re going and when you’ll check in.
- Use apps that verify accounts and let you block and report. On RME every account verifies a phone number, and each number can be used once.
- Trust your gut and leave if something feels off. You have wheels.
What does RME do differently?
RME was started by a vanlifer who couldn’t find other vanlifers on his first trip. It puts people, events and places in one app, with privacy controls on every place your location appears.
Meet shows travelers near you in Discover. Follow each other and you can message; “Show me in Discover” is a switch you control, and every profile and conversation can be blocked or reported.
Events on the Roam map can be filtered by Public, Friends, Attending and Mine, with Going, a waitlist and an event chat. Organizers can keep the exact pin hidden until a set time or share it only with people going, and can ask guests to agree to event rules before they join.
Caravans are dated routes other travelers can follow and join. The organizer chooses Open, Request (approve each person) or Invite only (with a code), and can show the route approximately until someone is approved.
Friends Map shares your location only with mutual friends, at the level you pick: Ghost (hidden), Town (your general town), Approximate (a random point within 20 miles) or Precise. Precise can go to all mutual friends or only the friends you choose, for 2 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours or until you turn it off.
Every account verifies a phone number to finish setup, and each number can be used on one account only. Members must be 18 or older.
Roam spots, Trailprint, Events and Friends Map are included with a free RME account. The app shows the current plan details, so check there for anything that is still optional.
Apps to meet other vanlifers
Each app’s description and price come from its own website or App Store page, checked October 2026.
RME
Best for: People, events, caravans and a Friends Map in one app
Meet, events with hidden-pin and rules options, caravans and Friends Map; the core app is free.
Crossroads (opens in a new tab)
Best for: A free, volunteer-run nomad community
Nearby events and a friend map with per-friend location detail; invite code required.
nomatch (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Low-pressure introductions without swiping
Live map of nomads nearby with “down for” tags; contacts exchanged only on mutual interest.
Vanderlust (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Finding travel buddies near camping spots
Its listing says “Vanderlust is the one to find who to park with”: matching, spots and events, rig profiles.
aki (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Seeing who is heading your way
Trip Sync matches routes and dates; no public feed or exact pins.
Meetup (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Local groups and recurring meetups
Free to join groups and RSVP; some organizers charge dues.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to meet other vanlifers?
It depends on how you like to meet. For people, events and caravans in one free app, RME. For a volunteer-run community with an invite code, Crossroads. For low-pressure introductions without swiping, nomatch. Many travelers use one of these alongside Facebook groups.
Is there a free app to meet vanlifers?
Yes. RME’s core app is free, Crossroads is free with an invite code, and nomatch, Vanderlust and aki are free to download with optional paid tiers.
What replaced Sēkr for meeting people?
Sēkr has closed. Former users have moved to community apps such as RME, Crossroads and nomatch, and to Facebook groups and Meetup for gatherings.
Do these apps show my exact location?
It varies. RME’s Friends Map only shares with mutual friends at the level you choose, including Ghost and Town. Crossroads lets you set detail per friend. aki says it has no public exact-location map. Check each app’s settings before you go.
Are vanlife meetup apps dating apps?
Most present themselves as community apps. nomatch says it is friendship-first with dating as an opt-in. Read each app’s description to see how it is meant to be used.
Sources
Sources and further reading are listed below. Research dates and any illustrative assumptions are identified in the article. Tell us at support@roammeetexplore.com if something has changed.
- Crossroads (opens in a new tab)
- Crossroads App Store page (opens in a new tab)
- nomatch App Store page (opens in a new tab)
- nomatch on Google Play (opens in a new tab)
- Vanderlust App Store page (opens in a new tab)
- aki App Store page (opens in a new tab)
- Nomadtable (opens in a new tab)
- Meetup Help: searching and joining for free (opens in a new tab)
- sekr.com closure notice (opens in a new tab)
Disclosure: RME publishes this page. We make RME. Other apps, events and tours mentioned are run by their respective organizations. Check their current details before making plans.