A significant number of users are frustrated by the requirement to invite at least three friends before they can use the app. This gating mechanism is seen as a barrier, with approximately 60% of negative reviews mentioning this issue. Users feel it limits their ability to explore the app independently and is perceived as a forced growth strategy.

I wanted to use this app with my partner, but it requires inviting three friends, which is unnecessary and frustrating.

Users report problems with calendar syncing, particularly with Google Calendar. Events either do not sync properly or disappear, affecting around 10% of users who mention this issue. This inconsistency undermines the app's reliability as a scheduling tool.

My Google Calendar events aren't syncing with Howbout, making it unreliable for planning.

Several users experience app crashes, freezing, and slow performance, especially on Android devices. These technical issues are highlighted by about 15% of users, impacting their overall experience and leading to app deletions.

The app crashes frequently and is too slow, making it unusable for me.

There are concerns about the app's data collection practices, particularly the requirement for phone numbers and access to contacts. Approximately 5% of users express discomfort with these privacy implications, fearing data misuse.

I don't like that the app requires my phone number and access to my contacts, which feels invasive.