Short answer: MeetNow itself is free. Every plan shows who pays for the plan, chosen by the host when they post it: host pays, split, pay your own, or free. You see the label before you ask to join, and the money is settled in person at the plan, because MeetNow does not handle payments.
Who pays is one of the most useful parts of a MeetNow plan: it removes the awkward moment when the bill arrives. This page explains each option with an example, and how to choose one if you are hosting. For the bigger picture, see what MeetNow is and how it works.
Is MeetNow free?
Yes. Hosting a plan is free and asking to join a plan is free. The only costs are those that come with the plan itself, such as a coffee, a meal, a court booking or a ticket. The who-pays label tells you how those costs are handled.
The four who-pays options
Host pays
The host covers the cost for the guests. It is a generous option that works best for small, simple plans where the host knows roughly what it will cost.
Example: “Coffee on the Sliema seafront, Saturday at 10:30, 1 seat, host pays.”
Split
The group shares the cost. It suits plans with one shared bill or booking, such as a dinner where everyone shares plates, or a padel court shared by four players.
Example: “Dinner in St Julian’s, Friday at 20:00, 4 seats, split.”
Pay your own
Everyone pays for what they order or buy. It is the simplest option when people’s spending will vary, such as drinks at a bar, or when everyone needs their own ticket.
Example: “Concert in Valletta, 3 seats, pay your own ticket.”
Free
The plan costs nothing. Walks, runs, swims at a public beach and picnics are natural free plans.
Example: “Evening walk along the Sliema promenade, 5 seats, free.”
Money is settled in person
MeetNow does not handle payments. There is nothing to pay inside the app, and the app does not collect money on anyone’s behalf. Whatever the plan’s label says is settled between the people at the plan, in person, in whatever way the group agrees.
A few habits help it go smoothly:
- Read the label before you ask to join. If a plan says split and that does not suit you, look for another plan.
- Agree the details in the group chat. For a split dinner, for example, agree whether drinks are included.
- Settle up at the end of the plan. Do it before people leave, so nobody has to chase anyone afterwards.
- If something changes, say so. If a host can no longer pay, or the cost turns out very different, tell the group in the chat before the plan.
How to choose an option when you host
When you post a plan, choose the option that matches what you have in mind. A simple rule of thumb:
- One shared cost, similar for everyone (court booking, shared plates)? Choose split.
- Costs that vary from person to person (drinks, tickets, à la carte meals)? Choose pay your own.
- Small plan and you would like to treat your guests? Choose host pays.
- Nothing to buy? Choose free.
If the plan has a known cost, it helps to mention roughly what it is in the description. The full hosting flow is in how to host a plan on MeetNow, and guests can read how to ask to join a plan.
What if someone does not pay their share?
Because money is settled in person, a clear label and a quick word in the group chat prevent most problems. If someone leaves without paying their share on a split or pay-your-own plan, talk to them calmly and directly first; it is often a simple misunderstanding. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, you can block them. Hosts can also keep the first plan with new people small and low-cost, such as a coffee, so little is at stake while everyone gets to know each other.
Who pays on dinners and drinks
Dinners and drinks are where the question comes up most. For worked examples, see joining a group dinner with new people in Malta, which shows how host pays, split and pay your own work at the table, and meeting new people for drinks in Malta, where pay your own is usually the simplest choice.
Related questions
- What is the MeetNow app and how does it work?
- How do I host a plan on MeetNow?
- How do I ask to join a plan on MeetNow?
- Is MeetNow safe?
Frequently asked questions
Is MeetNow free?
Yes. MeetNow is free for hosts and guests. Any cost belongs to the plan itself, and the who-pays label shows how it is handled.
Can I pay through the MeetNow app?
No. MeetNow does not handle payments. Costs are settled in person between the people at the plan.
What does “split” mean?
Split means the group shares the cost of the plan, such as a dinner bill or a court booking. Agree the details in the group chat beforehand.
Can the who-pays option be changed?
The host chooses the option when posting the plan. If anything about costs changes, the host should tell guests in the group chat before the plan.
Which option is best for a first plan?
For many first plans, pay your own or free keeps things simple and comfortable for everyone.
Want to turn this into an actual plan? MeetNow is a free app for meeting people in person: a host posts a plan at a public place, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins. It is live on the web now, starting in Malta, with the phone apps on the way: open MeetNow and see the plans near you.
