small tools that do one thing well
MapMates
retiredOriginal domain: mapmates.io
The community map for expats and digital nomads
Drop a pin, see who's around, and connect in real life. Interactive map across 50+ cities with coffee chat requests, smart filtering, and private communities. 142 members in 38 countries. Completely free, no algorithms restricting access.
Project archive. MapMates was discontinued by DigiWares. The original domain is retained here only as part of the project archive. The original domain is displayed for historical context and is intentionally not linked.
// what we built
The details below describe the product while it was active.
- Interactive map across 50+ cities worldwide
- Quick profile creation in seconds
- Coffee chat requests with direct messaging
- Smart filtering by category (nomad, remote worker, expat, entrepreneur)
- "Near Me" feature to find people within walking distance
- Private communities: create invite-only maps for groups
- Country Mode for enhanced location privacy
- Completely free — no paid tiers, no hidden costs
// who it was for
- Remote workers building a social circle in a new city
- Digital nomads finding local communities while traveling
- Community leaders facilitating real-world meetups
- Business networking and cofounder discovery
// historical project notes
Is MapMates free?
Yes, completely free. No paid tiers, no hidden costs, no algorithms restricting access.
Do I need to sign up?
No signup needed to browse. Add your profile when you're ready to connect.
Which cities are active?
Bangkok, Bali, Lisbon, Chiang Mai, Mexico City, Barcelona, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, and 40+ more.