"Using Growlr has been an overall good experience. On meeting other men like me, the app sure delivers! There are some really great bears like myself who share the same interests and there are also cool features for you to easily meet up with them. However, the technicality of the app still needs improvement because the app often crashes even when I've updated it. Also, there are issues with the message feature. I've often experienced losing most of my messages and if I didn't connect with someone outside the app, it's difficult to recall your last dialogue." Mikey, 38
Growlr App Review Hong Kong November 2026: Successful gay dates or bust?
A free and fun social networking app to help find friendship and dates within the gay community around the world or in the neighborhood. All about Growlr in Hong Kong.
2.5poor
Growlr is a dating app for gay bears worldwide looking for casual dates and short term relationships
- Over 10 million members worldwide
- Matches based on location and dating information
Flirts
Casual dating
Relationships
Is Growlr right for me?
last updated
Estimated active members in Hong Kong1,730
Women / Men
39% 61%
FromHK$38.98/mo
Age
Growlr Hong Kong in 10 seconds
- Growlr is a dating app for gay bears all around the world who are looking for casual dates and short-term relationships
- The app has over 10 million members worldwide. Know more about the community here
- Registration is free and quick. Learn more here
- The app is available for iOS and Android users
- Works by allowing its members search for potential partners based on location and dating information
- Sending and receiving messages are free
- The app is easy to use
- Some profiles have incomplete information
- Members can upgrade to premium to explore more special options. See more here
Is Growlr right for you?
Find out if Growlr is the right service for you or if there are better options.
Better than Growlr
Who is Growlr for, and not for?
Growlr is for…
- For single bears who are looking for short-term relationships or casual dates
- For chasers who are looking for like-minded gay bears
- For single gay men who are looking for flirtatious encounters
…and not for
- People who are looking for gay sugar daddies and babies
- Singles who are looking for long-term and serious relationships
- Not suitable for women and lesbians
Growlr pros & cons
- Growlr is free and offers affordable premium plans for those who want to upgrade
- Has an accepting gay bear community
- The app's general interface is intuitively easy to use
- Most profiles are incomplete because the app doesn't require users to finish account setups
- The free account has a lot of advertisements
- In 2020, the app incorrectly suspended its users due to over-aggressive anti-spam settings
What Growlr really costs in Hong Kong
Compared with other dating services, Growlr is average-priced.
Growlr Pro
Membership subscription for full sized private pictures, videos, live video calls, and ad free browsing. It renews automatically unless you turn it off.Total
1 month
78.05 HKD / month
78.05 HKD
3 months
62.47 HKD / month
187.42 HKD
6 months
58.58 HKD / month
351.48 HKD
12 months
46.87 HKD / month
562.42 HKD
Our pick: 12 months for 562.42 HKD, that is 46.87 HKD per month, 40% less per month than 1 month.
FLASH!
Gets your profile viewed faster by opening your private media to all users in specific areas
Add on membership for one month at the listed price. It is a separate boost style purchase, not the main Pro membership, and it renews unless cancelled.Total
1 month
38.98 HKD / month
38.98 HKD
SHOUT!
Send messages to many active users in a specified area
Add on membership for one month at the listed price. It is a separate boost style purchase, not the main Pro membership, and it renews unless cancelled.Total
1 month
38.98 HKD / month
38.98 HKD
Growlr costs last updated on Nov 1, 2026
Payment options in Hong Kong
Via Mobile PhoneApp Store
No anonymous payment.With Growlr you cannot pay anonymously, the charge appears on your bank statement.
On your bank statement
The company does not publish what the statement shows and the checkout page or first invoice tells
Growlr costs screenshot
Upgrading to a PRO membership will get you access to special features such as viewing of full-sized private pictures and videos, live video calls, and removing advertisements.
Free vs. paid services in Hong Kong
FeatureFreeGrowlr ProFLASH!SHOUT!
Profile creation
includedincludedincludedincluded
Chatting with other members
includedincludedincludedincluded
Member and profile search
includedincludedincludedincluded
Viewing members' profiles
includedincludedincludedincluded
Private photosMembership subscription for full sized private pictures, videos, live video calls, and ad free browsing.
not includedincludednot includednot included
VideosMembership subscription for full sized private pictures, videos, live video calls, and ad free browsing.
not includedincludednot includednot included
Live video callsMembership subscription for full sized private pictures, videos, live video calls, and ad free browsing.
not includedincludednot includednot included
Ad free browsingMembership subscription for full sized private pictures, videos, live video calls, and ad free browsing.
not includedincludednot includednot included
Boosts, bought separatelyAdd on membership for one month at the listed price. It is a separate boost style purchase, not the main Pro membership.
not includednot includedincludedincluded
Private media to all users in specific areasGets your profile viewed faster by sharing your private media to all users in specific areas.
not includednot includedincludednot included
Send messages to many active usersSend messages to many active users in a specified area.
not includednot includednot includedincluded
You can create a profile, search, view profiles, and chat for free. Paid plans add private photos, video chat, ad free browsing, or boost style features.
Who is signed up on Growlr in Hong Kong?
Exclusively on DatingScout: online member numbers for dating services are usually far off, so we estimate how many people are really on Growlr from traffic data and interest, updated monthly, with history.
Growlr is a dating app exclusively made for the gay community. Initially, the members are only gay males, but later on, other members of the LGBTQ+ community were able to register too.
The app has millions of members worldwide.
You can meet members around your neighbourhood oo by checking out the nearby function.
910-58%
Rough estimate of active members
6,000
Weekly active members in Hong Kong
8,650
Members in Hong Kong
4.4
App Store rating in Hong Kong
3.5
Google Play rating worldwide
2k
2k
7k
2k
850
910
MayJunJulAugSepOct
Estimated active members, last 6 months
| Women | Men |
|---|---|
| 39% | 61% |
Gender
| 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
21% 18-24 |
26% 25-34 |
21% 35-44 |
16% 45-54 |
16% 55+ |
Age of members
Last data update: October 2026
How does Growlr work?
A dating app designed for the gay bear community, available on iOS and Android globally
Basic features like messaging are free, with premium options for additional features like video chatting and ad-free browsing
Users can engage with features like local check-ins, event listings, and the SHOUT! broadcast message system
The app offers both public and private photo galleries, though it has an outdated interface and some bugs
Growlr ensures safety through user-reported concerns but does not perform background checks
Making contact on Growlr
★★★★★ 3.5/5
- Members can be searched using basic info like who's online and nearby
- See and talk with members via video-chat
- Create and view posts on your "Feed" section
- Everybody can send messages for free
- Growlr has a chat function
Profile quality
★★★★★ 2.5/5
- Profile and pictures can be viewed for free
- Completing your profile is optional
- Profiles contain only little information
- Profile pictures are visible to everybody for free
- You can edit your profile information later
The Growlr app
★★★★★ 3.0/5
- Growlr app is free to download on your Apple or Android smartphone
- The design is simple and easy to use
- The function of the app is also understandable
- Available on Google Play and Apple App Store
- App's design is a bit outdated
Our field test
★★★★★ 3.0/5
I was having a hard time finding people who will understand my sexuality since I came from a conservatve family. That's why I always use special apps and trying new once every now and then. Growlr helped me find new friends who I can meet and, you know, do some stuf with. So far so good. It's just a little
Special features
Growlr keeps your dating game more fun and exciting with the following special features.
Finding people 2
BearsFree
You get to find bears based on three different sections, "online", nearby" and favourites". The "online" section shows you a list of people who are recently active. The "nearby" sections show you a list of users who are closest to your current location. There's also a "global" section if you wish to see other members in a different location. The "favourites" section shows the users you have marked as your favourites sorted by distance.
CheckinsFree
This feature lets you see a list of venues closest to where you are, and will then show a list of Growlr members near your area as well. You just need to tap on the venue to show you the venue details which will then show you a list of users who are in that area.
Showing interest 1
MeetsFree
This section shows you a list of meet requests that you will receive from other bear members. This also shows you a list of meet requests that you sent out to the person you marked as favourite or are attracted to.
Profile and visibility 1
NtotesFree
This section shows you a blank space to save personal notes or memos. You can add, edit, delete notes here and the most recent note will be seen at the top of the list.
Community and events 2
EventsFree
This section has two parts which are the "events" and "birthdays". For the events part will display a list of upcoming bear events. In the birthdays part, you get to see your favourites profile with their birthday listed down.
BarsFree
This section shows you a list of bars that are frequented by bears. The venue closest to you is shown at the top of the list.
Final results
2.5
“Growlr brings a whole new perspective on men meeting men and hooking up with other bears. This is because it helps you do just that in a fun and engaging environment. There's so much you can do when you're a free member, but a lot more when you avail of their paid features. The only downside with this app is that it crashes frequently on your phone and your messages can be erased completely. It also cannot be downloaded on older versions of smartphones. The app is simple and it's also easy to use. However, statistics show that most bears would prefer casual dates or hook-ups than real and serious relationships. If you're into that type, you can check out our other Dating Apps.”
Is Growlr right for me?
tested November 2026
Signup3.0
Making contact3.5
Profile quality2.5
App3.0
Field test3.0
Overall2.5/ 5
Alternatives: Better than Growlr
Compare Growlr with other dating sites
| Activity |  Growlr2.5Read review |  Hong Kong Cupid4.0Read review |  BuddyGays4.0Read review |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Growlr is a dating app for gay bears worldwide looking for casual dates and short term relationships | Hong Kong Cupid is a dating site for Western men meeting Hong Kong women for serious relationships | BuddyGays is a dating site for gay men looking for casual flirts or serious relationships |
| Activity | 1,730 est. active members | 1,180 est. active members | 5,000 members |
| Costs and prices | Growlr Pro 1 month: 78.05 HKD / month 3 months: 62.47 HKD / month 6 months: 58.58 HKD / month 12 months: 46.87 HKD / month | GOLD 1 month: 200.00 HKD / month 3 months: 133.33 HKD / month 12 months: 66.67 HKD / month | Premium Package 1 month: 189.00 HKD / month 3 months: 119.00 HKD / month 6 months: 89.00 HKD / month |
| Free features | Profile creation Chatting with other members Member and profile search Viewing members' profiles | Basic Matching Send interest Communicate with paying members | Creating an account Playing "Cute or Not" game Viewing profiles |
| Premium features | Open private photos Video chatting Saved searches Ad-free browsing | Communicate with all members Live chat with instant messenger Send and receive messages No ads Hide your profile and browse anonymously Rank above other members Double your Profile Space VIP profile highlighting Exclusive search features Advanced matching algorithms Translate messages into your language | Sending private message Instant messaging Browsing photo albums |
| Right for me?Read review | Visit AdultfriendfinderRead review | Right for me?Read review |
Growlr experience reports
Cancelling your Growlr subscription
How you can cancel
- Via the app store's subscription management
Contact details
| Company | Initech LLC |
|---|---|
| Address | Columbia, Ohio, USA |
| support@growlrapp.com |
Do subscriptions auto-renew?
Subscriptions renew automatically.
Money-back guarantee
- Growlr does not offer a money-back guarantee
Do your credits expire?
Credits you buy on Growlr do not expire.
Is Growlr right for me?Growlr FAQ
What is Growlr?
Growlr is a social networking app designed for gay bears to meet other bears. It was operated in 2010 at their headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and has gained 10 million members since then.
What do you mean by bears?
Bears are masculine gay men that belong to an inclusive community of gay people.
How does Growlr work?
It is an app that can be downloaded on your smartphone for free. You just need to register in the app, which is also free. You will only be required basic information like name, e-mail, password, and location for the signing up to be successful.
USABILITY
How do I search for other bears?
The search section is divided to 3 parts namely online, nearby or favourites. Online would show a list of bears who are active. Nearby would show bears who are online and near your current position. Favourites would show bears that you have marked as favourites or that you are attracted to. There's also a section in the app called "Events" where you can find upcoming bear events. There's also a "Checkins" section where you can find nearest locations where a lot of bears are usually gathering.
How do I send messages to other bears?
If a bear is currently online, you can click on their profile for free viewing and click on a chat button. The chat feature is also free.
How many bears can I mark as favourite?
The maximum number of bears you can tag as your favourite is 75.
FREE SERVICES
Are there free features on Growlr?
Yes. You can view members' profiles and photos. You can also send them a chat directly and search and mark your favourite bears. You can also send a meet request to other bears.
COSTS
What features do I need to pay for?
Growlr has extended features that you need to pay for like upgrading to PRO membership with their respective fees per month, the SHOUT feature where you can advertise or say hello to other bears within a 5 mile radius, and FLASH feature where your profile gets boosted quickly.
What do I get when I purchase a PRO membership?
When you purchase their PRO membership, you get ad-free browsing, get access to live video calls and open private photos and views, save searches and even anonymous viewing.
How do I pay for the PRO membership?
Your purchase be charged directly to your iTunes or Google Play account. You can also change the settings manually to stop auto-renewal.
SECURITY
Is Growlr safe to use?
Growlr is relatively safe and easy to use. However, since background checks are not conducted on every member of the app, precautions should be taken when connecting with other members and meeting them in public places. Should you have any complaints about other members, you can send them an e-mail at support@growlapp.com.
You did not find your question? Ask us!
Thank you for your question. We will answer it as soon as possible.
Security
- Does Growlr sell your data?
- No, Growlr does not sell your data.
- Was Growlr hacked in the past?
- No, Growlr was never hacked.
- How accurately does Growlr track your location?
- Growlr tracks your approximate location.
- Do your Growlr profile pictures or profile information appear in Google Search Results?
- No, your Growlr photos and personal information will not appear in Google Search Results.
- Who can view your pictures on Growlr?
- All Growlr users can view your pictures.
- Is your phone number required for signing up at Growlr?
- No, you can sign up at Growlr without a phone number.
- Can you erase your personal data on Growlr?
- Yes, Growlr provides an option for users to erase their data.
Why can you trust us?
- We have been testing and publishing online dating reviews for over 17 years
- We have carefully reviewed over 3,576 dating services
- Our dating site reviews and results are objective and independent in contrast to many other comparison sites
- We update our reviews every month based on new site/app offerings and feedback from our readers
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Founder of DatingScout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"
Chris founded DatingScout 17 years ago, and today he is one of the leading Online Dating Experts. He is the author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies" and the author of the Internet's largest online dating study analyzing 20 Million Profile Pictures with artificial intelligence. Chris Pleines holds a master degree in media science and appeared in numerous television interviews and publications to give expert advice as well as tips about online dating.