Overview
Meetup Starter is our free, entry‑level plan that empowers new and aspiring organizers to launch and manage groups in a simplified environment. It delivers a curated set of core Meetup features—so you can get hands‑on experience planning events, engaging members, and building community without a subscription fee.
Who Can Use Meetup Starter?
Meetup Starter is available in most regions where Meetup operates. This option is open to anyone looking to start their first Meetup group. If you already have a paid plan (or had it in the past) or belong to a sponsored Meetup Pro network, the Starter plan option won't be available at checkout, as you're not eligible for the plan.
What’s Included
The Meetup plan Starter includes:
1 group with unlimited members
Up to 2 in-person events per month
Up to 10 attendees per event
In-app communications via Group Discussions and Event Chat
💡 About the event limit on the Meetup Starter plan: You can publish up to two in-person events per calendar month, regardless of when the events are scheduled to take place. The event date does not affect the limit—only the number of times you click Publish in a given month. If you've reached the two-event limit, you'll need to wait until the next calendar month to publish additional events. You can refer to the table below to get a clearer overview:
| Event creation | Event date | Allowed in a Starter plan |
|---|---|---|
| Event #1 created in January | Event #1 taking place in January or any other month | ✅ |
| Event #2 created in January | Event #2 taking place in January or any other month | ✅ |
| Event #2 created in January | Event #2 taking place in February or any other month | ✅ |
| Event #3 created in January | Event #3 taking place in January or any other month | ❌ |
| Event #3 created in January | Event #3 taking place in February or any other month | ❌ |
| Event #3 created in February | Event #3 taking place in February or any other month | ✅ |
Every Starter feature is built to help you master Meetup basics before moving to a paid subscription: plan and run events at your own pace, test out new group themes, and refine how you attract and engage attendees. You’ll be able to:
Learn event management tools without commitment
Experiment with group topics and formats
Grow your confidence in attracting and engaging attendees
If you’re on Meetup Starter, you cannot:
Charge member dues for your group
Charge event fees for your events
Connect a Stripe account to receive payments
These features are available only on:
Standard Organizer plans
Pro Organizer plans
If you need to collect dues or event payments to support your group, you’ll need to upgrade your subscription first.
As a simplified option for first-time organizers, Meetup Starter brings fresh ideas, diverse organizers, and vibrant new communities into the Meetup ecosystem.