How to Switch from Meetup to OpenMeet (Step-by-Step)

Tired of paying Meetup $50/month? Here’s how to move your community to OpenMeet without losing momentum.

Before You Start

What you’ll need:

• 10 minutes
• Your Meetup group’s member list (or access to message them)
• A Google, GitHub, or AT Protocol (Bluesky) account for login

What you won’t need:

• A credit card
• Technical skills
• Permission from Meetup

Step 1: Create Your OpenMeet Account

1. Go to platform.openmeet.net
2. Click “Sign In” and choose your login method
3. That’s it — you’re in

No trial period countdown. No credit card required.

Step 2: Create Your Group

1. Click “Create Group”
2. Fill in:
   • Name: Use your existing group name (or refresh it!)
   • Description: Copy from Meetup or write something new
   • Category: Pick what fits
   • Location: Your city/region
3. Save

Your group now has a shareable link like platform.openmeet.net/groups/your-group-name-abc123.

Step 3: Create Your Next Event

Don’t migrate old events — focus forward:

1. Click “Create Event” in your group
2. Add your next scheduled meetup
3. Include:
   • Clear title
   • Date and time
   • Location (address or virtual link)
   • What to expect

Pro tip: Create 2-3 upcoming events so members see you’re active.

Step 4: Invite Your Members

Here’s where the real migration happens. You have options:

Option A: Meetup Message (Recommended)

Send a message to your Meetup group:

We’re moving to OpenMeet!

After [X years] on Meetup, we’re switching to OpenMeet — a free, open-source platform. Same community, no monthly fees for organizers.

Join us here: [your OpenMeet group link]

Our next event: [event name] on [date]

See you there!

Option B: Event Announcement

Create a final Meetup event titled “We’re Moving to OpenMeet” and include your new group link in the description.

Option C: Gradual Transition

Post events on both platforms for a month, then go OpenMeet-only.

Step 5: Update Your Other Channels

Don’t forget to update:

• Your website/blog
• Social media profiles
• Email signatures
• Any flyers or promotional materials

What About Your Meetup History?

Your old events, photos, and discussions stay on Meetup (until you cancel). Some organizers keep their Meetup profile with a pinned message pointing to OpenMeet.

Common Questions

Will my members follow?

Most active members will — they’re there for the community, not the platform. Expect 60-80% of regulars to make the switch.

What if some members prefer Meetup?

That’s okay. The members who value your community will follow. The ones who only browse Meetup’s directory probably weren’t coming to events anyway.

Can I import my member list?

Not automatically, but you don’t need to. Share your OpenMeet link and let members join themselves. It’s actually cleaner this way — you get a list of people who actively want to participate.

What about payment processing for events?

OpenMeet doesn’t handle payments directly yet. For paid events, continue using your existing payment method (Venmo, PayPal, Eventbrite, etc.) and include the link in your event description.

Why Organizers Are Switching

Ready to Switch?

1. Create your group: platform.openmeet.net
2. Join our Discord: discord.gg/eQcYADgnrc
3. Questions?: support@openmeet.net

Already made the switch? We’d love to hear your story. Drop us a note and we might feature your community on our homepage.