Socials vs Timeleft
Last updated 30 October 2026.
Timeleft is the best-known dinner-with-strangers service in the world, and Socials by Detor is the one made in Amsterdam and Utrecht. Both put four to six people who have not met at a table booked for them. We are Socials, so this is written by one side; the facts about Timeleft are from timeleft.com on the date at the top of this page, and where its site did not say, the table says so.
Side by side
| Socials by Detor | Timeleft | |
|---|---|---|
| What you book | A social table (dinner, drinks, coffee, brunch), an activity meetup, an event, or a free hobby club | A dinner; in some cities also drinks, coffee or a walk |
| Group size | About 6, never fewer than 4 or more than 12 | 4 to 6 |
| When, in Amsterdam | Several dates a week; see Discover | Wednesdays and Fridays at 19:00 |
| Matching | A few answers given once: language, age range, what you came for; a person checks every group | A questionnaire and their algorithm |
| Before you meet | The others see your first name and pronouns only; no profiles, nothing to browse | Per their app |
| After you meet | A group chat that opens an hour before and stays open two weeks; phone numbers hidden in it | "Impressions": up to five traits you give the people you met, and see theirs |
| Paying | A seat price per session, shown before you pay; no membership; your own bill at the venue | A membership is needed to confirm a booking; your own meal |
| Bookings at once | As many dates as you like | Up to five upcoming bookings |
| Bring a friend | Yes, one, in the same group | Per their app |
| Where | Amsterdam, Utrecht, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Vilnius | More than 200 cities in 52 countries |
Where Timeleft is the better pick
Reach and routine. If you travel, or you want a dinner in almost any large city, Timeleft's 200 cities are unmatched. Its fixed Wednesday and Friday dinners also suit people who like one standing appointment in the week, and more than four million people have joined it, so a table is rarely short of people.
Questions people ask
Is Socials a Timeleft alternative?
Yes. Both seat a small group of strangers at a table booked for them. Socials has no membership, adds activity meetups, events and free hobby clubs, and shows the others only your first name and pronouns before you meet. Timeleft runs in far more cities.
Does Socials need a subscription like Timeleft?
No. On Socials a seat has a price per session, shown before you pay, and there is no membership. Timeleft needs an active membership to confirm a booking, according to its FAQ.
Can I use both?
Many people in Amsterdam do. They are different evenings with different people, and the right one is the one whose dates fit your week.