Couchers just dropped a fresh fall update, and the vibe is simple: make hosting and surfing safer, easier, and more fun. But first, a bit of an introduction for people who are new to the world of couch surfing. Couchsurfing is a style of travel where locals host travelers on their couch or spare bed for free, trading stories, tips, and culture instead of money. It started in the early 2000s with Couchsurfing.com and grew fast, then later the company added paywalls and limits, so many in the community looked for free, community-run options like Couchers. The team moved to a quarterly release rhythm and packed this version with fixes and small wins that matter on the road.
If you have been curious about a free alternative to paywalled platforms, Couchers is building a healthier community around trust, transparency, and real travel.
Whatâs new on Couchers
The standout addition is a same-gender-only view for users who finish strong verification. It is free and helps some travellers feel more comfortable when searching. Map search got smoothing and ranking tweaks, so active hosts and new members both show up better. Host requests and references are clearer now, with better messages and a cleaner flow that reduces confusion.
There is a full redesign of the Edit Profile page, which highlights hosting status and meetup preferences so surfers understand you at a glance. Events got love too: co-organisers, reminders, and a few UI fixes that make finding community easier while you travel.
Behind the scenes, moderation and safety tools levelled up. Empty or non-hosting profiles hide by default, there are gentle check-ins for inactive hosts, and translations took a big step forward so more people can join in their own language. The mobile app is in progress, and the team is already preparing more news for the next release.
Couchers & Couchsurfing Guest etiquette – quick reminder ðŠ
- Send a personal request and arrive on time. Update your host if plans change.
- Bring a small thank-you (snacks, help with dinner) or lend a hand with chores.
- Keep spaces tidy, respect quiet hours, and ask before using anything.
- Follow house rules, no surprise guests, and confirm how long youâll stay.
- Share your plans and an emergency contact. Trust your gut on safety.
- Before you leave, say thanks and write an honest reference.
Why travellers should care
Couchers aims to be the safest and most active couch surfing community without fees. The update pushes the platform toward faster replies, stronger matches, and better local meetups. If you like real connections and low-cost travel, this is your space.
Couchsurfing but for free ðð―
Looking to help the project grow? They are seeking backend and frontend devs, UI/UX designers, community builders, translators, and blog writers.
