GROWLR review
A bear-community dating app with profile discovery, messaging, live video and local event listings.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
GROWLR is a mobile social and dating app for gay men, especially bears and people interested in bears. It is aimed at adults 18 and older who want to discover profiles nearby or worldwide, chat privately, and connect around bear-community events. Members can search by location, name, and description, browse online users or favorites, and share photos and videos. Its focus is specific: people seeking a broader general dating audience may find a community-centered app less suited to that goal.
Discovery goes beyond a standard profile list. Check-ins let members share a location and find nearby users, while listings cover local bear events and bars. SHOUT! broadcasts reach users within a selected radius. These features give GROWLR social and local-discovery uses alongside dating, but they are oriented toward people who want to engage with the bear community rather than use a general-purpose dating app. Live video calls, galleries, and media sharing add ways to interact within the app.
GROWLR is available for iOS and Android, and the free app has optional GROWLR PRO subscriptions. The US App Store listing shows a starting price of 9.99; subscription pricing may vary by region or platform. The product details identify GROWLR PRO but do not distinguish what individual subscription options add, so buyers should check the offer shown for their platform before subscribing. Support is by email. GROWLR is a reasonable fit for bear-community daters who value chat, video, check-ins, and event listings; people who need desktop access or support beyond email should consider another option.
GROWLR pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Browse nearby, online, worldwide and favorite profiles
- Includes private messaging, live video calls and media sharing
- Check-ins and local listings support in-person community discovery
- Where it doesn't
- Available on iOS and Android, with mobile-only deployment
- Support is limited to email
- GROWLR PRO subscription pricing may vary by region or platform
GROWLR fact sheet, pricing and score →
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