What is Spotted by Locals?

Spotted by Locals is a travel guide app (iOS and Android) with authentic local tips for more than 80 cities worldwide. The Next App built the Flutter app with map integration, in-app purchases and social login.

What makes the app different from Google Maps or TripAdvisor?

Spotted by Locals works exclusively with hand-selected tips from real local residents. There are no algorithms, no sponsored listings and no hotel-paid reviews.

Can you build a travel guide app or consumer app too?

Yes. The Next App has experience building consumer apps with map integration, in-app purchases and social features.

Spotted by Locals — travel guide app

Client

Spotted by Locals

Platform

iOS & Android

Type

Consumer app / Travel guide

Technology

Flutter / GraphQL / NestJS

Service

App Development

About the project

Flutter travel guide app with map, GraphQL, in-app purchases and social login for 80+ cities

Spotted by Locals, founded in 2008, is a travel guide app where local residents share their favourite spots with travellers. No algorithms, no sponsored content — just honest recommendations from people who live in the city every day.

We built the Flutter app for iOS and Android, including a map integration that lets travellers navigate directly to tips, in-app purchases for city guides and social login via Google, Facebook and Apple. The backend runs on NestJS with a GraphQL API.

Features

Local tips for more than 80 cities worldwide
Map integration: navigate directly to the tip
In-app purchases for city guides
Social login via Google, Facebook and Apple
Available for iOS and Android

Spotted by Locals app — home overview with local tips

Spotted by Locals app — map view with tips

80+ cities

Local tips for travellers in cities worldwide, from Amsterdam to Zagreb

Since 2008

Spotted by Locals has been sharing authentic local knowledge with travellers for over 15 years

iOS & Android

Built in Flutter: one codebase, native experience on both platforms

Challenge and approach

The challenge

Authentic travel in a world full of algorithms

Spotted by Locals wanted a platform where genuine local knowledge takes centre stage, without the noise of sponsored content or algorithmic recommendations. The challenge was to build an app that scales to 80+ cities, with map integration, in-app purchases and social login.

The approach

Flutter for iOS and Android, GraphQL for flexible data

We built the app in Flutter so iOS and Android are served from a single codebase. The backend runs on NestJS with a GraphQL API. Authentication works via JWT with social login via Google, Facebook and Apple. Flutter Map handles the map display.

Result

A complete platform for local travel

The app gives travellers a native experience on iOS and Android, with map integration, in-app purchases and social login. Spotted by Locals can independently manage new cities and tips via the CMS.

80+ cities

Local tips available for travellers worldwide, from Europe to Asia

Map & navigation

Flutter Map integrates tips directly on the map so travellers can navigate immediately

In-app purchases

Travellers buy city guides directly in the app via the App Store or Google Play

★★★★★

"You do everything I expect from a technical partner. Being honest, keeping commitments and sometimes holding us back as the client to speed up the process. Without any doubt, next time I would build our app with The Next App again."

Jorn van der Eng — Spotted by Locals

Technology

Built with

FlutterDartiOS & AndroidGraphQLNestJSNode.jsTypeScriptMySQLJWTOAuthFlutter MapIn-app purchasesDocker

FAQ

Frequently asked questions aboutSpotted by Locals

What is Spotted by Locals?: Spotted by Locals is a travel guide app (iOS and Android) with authentic local tips for more than 80 cities worldwide. The Next App built the Flutter app with map integration, in-app purchases and social login.
What makes the app different from Google Maps or TripAdvisor?: Spotted by Locals works exclusively with hand-selected tips from real local residents. There are no algorithms, no sponsored listings and no hotel-paid reviews.
Can you build a travel guide app or consumer app too?: Yes. The Next App has experience building consumer apps with map integration, in-app purchases and social features.