NearfolkNearfolk vs Dex: a gentle nudge or a personal CRM?
Dex is a personal relationship manager with reminders, groups, custom tags and a browser extension, sold as a paid subscription. Nearfolk is a small friend app that suggests at most three people a day and keeps contacts on your device. They suit different people. Facts checked October 2026.
Coming soon to iPhone
What is the main difference?
Dex's listing says it reminds you to keep in touch with people you would otherwise forget, and helps you organize relationships with groups, tags and views. It also mentions a browser extension that works with social networks and Gmail.
Nearfolk avoids lists on purpose. It offers three suggestions a day and never shows an overdue count. Dex facts were checked on October 10, 2026. Nearfolk is not released and has no price or rating yet.
Nearfolk vs Dex at a glance
| Nearfolk | Dex | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Gentle daily nudges for friends | Personal CRM for a network |
| Daily load | At most 3 people | Regular reminders you configure |
| Organizing | Orbit rhythms and circles | Groups, custom tags, views |
| Words to send | Editable conversation starters for 8 occasions, cards | Not described in its listing |
| Integrations | Contacts picked one at a time on the device | Browser extension for social networks and Gmail |
| Account | None; data on the iPhone, encrypted with a Keychain key | Check its App Privacy section |
| Minimum iOS | See App Store when released | 18.0 |
| Price | Not released; free plan keeps 10 people, optional Plus planned | Paid subscription service |
| US App Store rating | Not yet rated | 4.4 from about 260 ratings (October 2026) |
What does Dex do better?
Dex is the stronger tool for scale. Groups, custom tags, views and a search through notes in one place suit someone with hundreds of contacts or a networking habit. The browser extension means less typing.
If you think of relationships as a portfolio, Dex has the tooling. Nearfolk deliberately does not.
What does Nearfolk do better?
Nearfolk is lighter on the heart. Its three-a-day rule keeps the task finishable, and Not now moves a person to tomorrow with no penalty. Starters help with the first line, and a card is a ten-second gesture.
The free plan keeps 10 people, 1 circle and 3 replies in the jar. Plus is optional, and nothing you added is hidden if you stay free.
Who should pick which?
- Choose Dex if you maintain a large network and want tags, groups and integrations.
- Choose Nearfolk if you have a small circle that matters and want a calm daily prompt.
- Dex needs iOS 18.0 or newer, so check your iPhone before you commit.
Source, checked October 10, 2026: Dex on the App Store.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nearfolk a Dex alternative?
For friends, yes. Nearfolk does not do professional networking, tags or a browser extension. It aims at a small circle and a calm routine.
Is Dex free?
The listing shows a free download but says Dex is a paid subscription service. Check the listing for current terms.
Does Nearfolk read my whole address book?
No. iOS shows its own picker and Nearfolk receives only the contact you tap.
How many people can I add to Nearfolk for free?
The free plan keeps 10 people. Plus makes room for more, and nothing you added is deleted or hidden if you stay free.
Which one needs a newer iPhone?
Dex lists iOS 18.0 as the minimum. Check Nearfolk's requirement on its App Store page when it is released.