We analyzed 38 negative reviews from the top 5 Backpacking Companion apps on the App Store. Here's what users hate most.
Ranked by frequency — how often each complaint appears in negative reviews.
45% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"How can you claim it is free and after 4 taps "connect" it's asking you to pay $4.99 just for verification?"
"I haven't even seen how the app works yet, and they are already forcing me to pay before I can continue"
32% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"They ask you for fee after fee. They also state it's a one time low fee but it adds up. It feels really scum"
"This app started with a good idea and then quickly turned into a horrible experience through micro transactions for everything that make you feel fleeced for more money"
26% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"I have no way of finding people close to me! Only in my same country which is quite big (USA)!"
"You're essentially just shown people from all over the world who have unspecified travel plans. I want to meet people who will also be in a specific city during a specific time frame"
18% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"the app is so dead, nobody is active."
"Even in major metropolitan cities, this app is a barren landscape. No one is on here"
13% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"There were only two gender options, so anyone outside the gender binary cannot properly use the app"
"As a gay man, I was able to select men as my preference for what profiles are being shown to me, but it appears that women sti"
16% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"I open the app and get a blank white screen after signing up and giving away personal information to setup a profile"
"I went to sign in this evening and it said an administrator removed my account... I'm pretty bummed, but mostly conf"
Design and usability issues driving negative reviews.
Users are required to pay a verification fee after only 3-4 interactions, before they can evaluate if the app has value or active users in their area
"How can you claim it is free and after 4 taps "connect" it's asking you to pay $4.99 just for verification? Makes no sense to me. You don't even get to really try the app before its asking you for money"
Users encounter multiple unexpected payment requests, including repeated verification fees and feature unlocks that feel deceptive
"Tried using app and found someone I liked so I paid the "entry fee" but it would not allow me to continue. Lost that one! I continued on to other people but they want you to pay the "entry fee" again"
Users experience freezing during profile creation and lack visibility into what the app offers before completing setup
"I was trying to do my profile and it froze in a section and won't move forward. If you have a suggestion for how to get out of that let me know! Frustrating."
The app sends misleading notifications about matches and uses pushy tactics that feel inauthentic
"They create matches even if you haven't liked anyone else's profile and send emails and notifications about cancellation. Way too aggressive in pushing usage. Seems scammy."
Get the complete Backpacking Companion market intelligence report — including missing features, pricing insights, build recommendations, and competitor weaknesses.
View Full Report — $9.9930-day money-back guarantee