If you searched for the Shapr networking app and kept landing on Shapr3D, a 3D design tool that has nothing to do with it, you’re not alone. Shapr was the app that showed professionals a short list of people each day and opened a chat only when the interest was mutual. It’s no longer on Google Play, and its old website also has no download links. Here’s what happened to it, what it did well, and where those features live now.
Miss swiping for business contacts? Kradoz lets you swipe through professionals, and a chat opens only when you both swipe right. Free, Android for now.
What happened to the Shapr networking app?
Shapr started in Paris in 2015. It grew quickly, especially in the United States and France. By 2017 the company said it had about 500,000 members, according to the French tech site Frenchweb.
Then things went quiet. In 2023, the French HR consultancy Lincoln bought Shapr, as the deal news site CFNEWS reported that April. The networking app then closed the same year, according to Wikipedia’s entry on Shapr. Today its Google Play listing returns a “not found” page, while shapr.co still shows the old pitch with no way to download anything.
So if you were hoping to reinstall it, there’s nothing official to reinstall. Old APK files still circulate on download sites. Even so, an app that nobody maintains gets no security fixes, and the people you’d want to meet stopped using it long ago. For this reason, it’s safer to leave those files alone.
What made the Shapr networking app different
At first glance, Shapr’s idea was simple. Instead of an endless feed, it suggested 10 to 15 profiles a day based on your tagged interests, your location and your work history. Then you swiped right on people you wanted to meet and left on the rest. Nobody learned about your swipe unless they swiped right on you too, so there were no unwanted requests.
A few other details also kept people coming back:
- Interest tags. You could add up to twelve hashtags, so matches shared real topics rather than just job titles.
- Goals. You told Shapr what you were after, such as a job, investors, a business partner, freelance work or a mentor.
- Quick sign-up. You could join with LinkedIn or email, so your profile filled in fast.
- A free plan. Paid plans, which Blog du Modérateur listed at €8 to €19.99 a month in 2019, added a bigger daily list. They also showed who had already swiped right on you.
In short, Shapr made networking feel light. You could get through your daily list in about two minutes on a train. Better still, every chat started with two people who had both said yes.
What to look for in a Shapr replacement
Before you install anything, check that the app keeps the parts that made Shapr worth opening:
- Mutual opt-in. Nobody should be able to message you until you’ve said yes too.
- Real profiles. Some form of identity check, such as LinkedIn verification, helps keep fake accounts out.
- Clear goals. Matching should follow what people want, rather than only their job titles.
- Recent updates. Look at the “Updated on” date in the store before you commit. An app that hasn’t changed in a year or more may be on its way out.
- Your field and region. You want people in your industry and time zone, such as founders in Berlin or researchers in Toronto.
Is there an app like the Shapr networking app today?
A handful of apps borrowed the swipe idea, and a few earlier favorites have also gone quiet. Our guide to networking apps that still work in 2026 covers which ones are live. Kradoz is the app we build, so read this part with that in mind. It keeps the habits Shapr users relied on every day:
| What you used on Shapr | How it works on Kradoz |
|---|---|
| Swipe right to connect, left to pass | Swipe right to request a connection, left to pass |
| Chat only after mutual interest | Double opt-in: chat opens only when both people swipe right |
| Interest tags and networking goals | Goal-based discovery by skills, industry and intent |
| Sign-up with LinkedIn | LinkedIn verification, optional but recommended |
| Free plan with paid upgrades | Free, with no paid tier |
| iPhone and Android apps | Android now, iPhone version in development |
All in all, that covers the core of what made Shapr useful: a quick swipe, no cold messages, and a reason to talk behind every match. For the full side-by-side view, see also our Kradoz vs Shapr comparison.
Where Kradoz is different from Shapr
It would be easy to call Kradoz the new Shapr networking app. However, it isn’t quite that, and a few differences matter:
- It’s built around goals. Shapr was a broad meet-interesting-people app. Kradoz focuses on founders, mentors, mentees, investors and researchers, so it suits people who know what they’re looking for.
- It’s free. Matching and chat cost nothing because there’s no paid tier.
- It’s Android only for now. Meanwhile, the iPhone version is in development.
On the other hand, if you mostly miss local coffee meetups, an events app may suit you better. Our Kradoz vs Meetup comparison lays out the trade-offs.
How to pick up where you left off on Shapr
Whether you used Shapr in New York, Paris or London, the same routine carries over. Here’s how to set it up on Kradoz:
- Install Kradoz from Google Play.
- Choose your goal first, just as you did on Shapr: a co-founder, a mentor, a research partner or investors.
- Verify with LinkedIn if you can. It’s optional, but it gives people one more reason to trust a stranger.
- Write a profile that says what you want this quarter. “Looking for a technical co-founder for a logistics tool” tells people far more than “passionate entrepreneur”.
- Swipe on people you’d actually meet. When you both swipe right, chat opens.
- Suggest something small, such as a 15-minute call or a coffee. That’s how Shapr matches turned into real contacts, and it still works.
When chat opens, skip “Hi, how are you?” and say why you swiped. For example: “I saw you’re hiring your first engineer in Austin. I did the same last year and made two costly mistakes. Happy to share them if useful.” A first line like that gives the other person something to answer.
For a closer look at the mechanics, read about how swipe-based professional matching works. You can also see how Kradoz works step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Shapr networking app still available?
No. Its Google Play listing no longer exists, and its website also offers no downloads. In fact, Wikipedia lists the service as closed in 2023.
What happened to Shapr?
The French HR consultancy Lincoln bought Shapr in 2023. After that, the networking app shut down within the same year.
Can I still download the Shapr networking app on Android?
Not from Google Play. Copies on third-party APK sites are old and unmaintained, so they’re worth avoiding.
Is there a free app like Shapr?
Yes. Kradoz is free with no paid tier, and it also uses the same swipe and mutual-match model. It’s on Android now, while the iPhone version is in development.
Is Kradoz connected to Shapr?
No. Kradoz is an independent app from Kradoz LLC, founded in 2024, with no link to Shapr or Lincoln.
Swipe, match, then talk
Shapr showed that networking feels easier when both people choose the conversation. Still, that idea didn’t disappear with the app. If you liked how Shapr worked, get Kradoz on Google Play, set your goal, and start with five swipes today.
