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Linkiva vs Fabriq: Which Relationship App Is Right for You?
Fabriq uses Dunbar's Number layers to organize your social circle. Linkiva uses Balance Score and emotional dynamics. Here is an honest look at how they compare.
Fabriq is a social wellness app that organizes relationships using Dunbar's Number layers (inner circle, close friends, acquaintances), with relationship goals and reminders at $4.99/mo on iOS. Linkiva tracks relationship quality through Balance Score, emotional dynamics, interaction logging, and weekly reflections at $0.99/mo on iOS. Choose Fabriq if you want a structured framework based on social science layers. Choose Linkiva if you want emotional insights into the quality and reciprocity of your relationships.
At a Glance
| Feature | Linkiva | Fabriq |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Emotional dynamics and relationship quality | Social circle organization via Dunbar's layers |
| People Management | Add people with relationship context and notes | Organize into Dunbar layers (5, 15, 50, 150) |
| Interaction Tracking | Log interactions with emotional context and Balance Score | Track touchpoints with relationship goals and streaks |
| Insights | Balance Score, emotional dynamics, weekly reflections | Layer-based overview, goal completion, relationship health score |
| Privacy | Zero tracking, no analytics, no ads | Collects usage analytics; no ads |
| Data Export | Full JSON export included | Limited export options |
| Pricing | Free trial, then $0.99/mo | Free tier; premium at $4.99/mo |
| Platform | iOS (iPhone) | iOS (iPhone) |
Approach to Relationships
Fabriq is built around Dunbar's Number — the anthropological theory that humans maintain relationships in concentric circles of about 5 closest people, 15 good friends, 50 regular contacts, and 150 meaningful acquaintances. The app lets you sort people into these layers and set frequency goals for how often you want to connect with each group.
Linkiva takes a different angle. Instead of organizing people by layer, it focuses on the emotional quality of each relationship. The Balance Score measures give-and-take, emotional dynamics capture how interactions feel, and weekly reflections help you notice patterns. The question Linkiva asks is not "how often did you talk?" but "how does this relationship actually feel?"
Robin Dunbar's research at Oxford suggests that the quality of social interactions matters far more than quantity. Having five deeply supportive relationships produces better health outcomes than having fifty superficial ones.
— Robin Dunbar, "Friends: Understanding the Power of Our Most Important Relationships" (2021)
Both apps draw on real social science, but they emphasize different aspects. Fabriq focuses on maintaining contact frequency across your social circles. Linkiva focuses on understanding the emotional depth and reciprocity of your connections — a key aspect of social wellness.
- Fabriq: Dunbar's layers (5/15/50/150), frequency goals, streak tracking, contact reminders
- Linkiva: Balance Score, emotional dynamics, interaction logging with emotional context, weekly reflections
Features and Tracking
Fabriq gives you a visual map of your social circle with people arranged in concentric rings. You set goals for how often to contact people in each layer — daily for your inner 5, weekly for your close 15, and so on. Streaks and reminders keep you accountable. It gamifies the process of staying in touch.
Linkiva skips the gamification and instead gives you reflective tools. When you log an interaction, you capture emotional context — was it energizing or draining, warm or tense? The Balance Score aggregates these over time to show you which relationships feel reciprocal and which might need attention. Smart reminders nudge you toward people you have not connected with recently.
A 2023 study in Computers in Human Behavior found that relationship-tracking apps that prompted emotional reflection — not just contact logging — led to a 34% increase in users' reported relationship satisfaction after eight weeks.
— Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 142 (2023)
- Fabriq: Visual social map, layer-based goals, streaks, contact reminders, relationship health score
- Linkiva: Interaction logging with emotional context, Balance Score, emotional dynamics, smart reminders, weekly reflections
Privacy and Pricing
Both apps are ad-free, which is a positive sign for the relationship app category. Fabriq collects some usage analytics to improve the product — standard practice for most apps. Linkiva collects nothing: zero analytics, zero tracking, all data stays on your device.
On pricing, Fabriq charges $4.99 per month for premium features. Linkiva charges $0.99 per month with all features included after a free trial. Both offer enough in their free or trial tiers to evaluate the experience before committing.
Relationship data — who you talk to, how often, and how those conversations feel — is among the most personal information an app can collect. Privacy-first design in this category is not a luxury but a responsibility.
— Electronic Frontier Foundation, "Privacy and Social Apps" (2024)
- Fabriq: No ads; collects usage analytics; $4.99/mo premium; limited export
- Linkiva: No ads; zero analytics; $0.99/mo; full JSON export included
Who Should Choose What
Choose Fabriq if...
You like the Dunbar's Number framework and want to organize people in concentric circles. You respond well to goals, streaks, and gamified reminders. You want a visual social map. You are comfortable with standard analytics collection.
Choose Linkiva if...
You care more about relationship quality than contact frequency. You want emotional insights like Balance Score and dynamics. Privacy is non-negotiable and you want zero data collection. You prefer a simpler, more affordable option at $0.99/mo.
Looking for more options? See our full list of Fabriq alternatives.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Linkiva and Fabriq?
Fabriq organizes relationships using Dunbar's Number layers (inner circle, close friends, acquaintances). Linkiva uses Balance Score and emotional dynamics to track the quality and reciprocity of each relationship.
What is Dunbar's Number and how does Fabriq use it?
Dunbar's Number theory suggests humans can maintain about 150 meaningful relationships, organized in layers of increasing closeness (5, 15, 50, 150). Fabriq uses these layers to help you prioritize who to stay in touch with.
Which app is more affordable, Linkiva or Fabriq?
Linkiva costs $0.99 per month after a free trial. Fabriq costs $4.99 per month. Both offer free trials to get started.
Does Linkiva have relationship goal-setting like Fabriq?
Fabriq offers explicit relationship goals and reminders based on Dunbar layers. Linkiva takes a different approach with Balance Score, emotional dynamics, and weekly reflections that help you understand relationship patterns over time.
Which app is more private, Linkiva or Fabriq?
Linkiva collects zero analytics, has no ads, and keeps all data on-device. Fabriq collects some usage analytics to improve the product. If privacy is your top priority, Linkiva is the more private option.
Can I use Linkiva and Fabriq on Android?
Both Linkiva and Fabriq are currently available on iOS only. Neither app supports Android at this time.