Platform Comparison 2026

Novad vs Nomad List

Two platforms, two approaches. Novad matches cities to your feelings in 3 minutes (free). Nomad List gives you 1,000+ cities to filter ($99). Which fits your decision-making style?

3 min
Match time (Novad)
Free
Core access (Novad)
$99
Full access (Nomad List)

The problem

Why People Look for Nomad List Alternatives

$99 paywall

Full access to Nomad List requires a one-time payment of $99. You pay before knowing if the data actually helps you decide.

Spreadsheet overload

1,000+ cities with 50+ filter options. You spend more time analyzing data than actually making a decision.

No personalization

Everyone sees the same rankings. Your priorities, personality, and lifestyle have no effect on the results.

The Novad approach

Feelings First, Data Always

Nomad List asks you to filter. Novad asks you how you want to feel.

You tell us what matters - calm, adventure, creative energy, community - and we translate that into measurable city attributes. The algorithm scores 300+ cities across 8 dimensions and returns 5-7 matches with transparent explanations of why each city fits your profile.

Same budget, different feelings? Different cities. That is the point. Two people can both afford Lisbon, but one needs calm recovery and the other needs creative chaos. They should not get the same list.

3 min quiz
AI matching
Chat assistant

Side by side

Feature Comparison

FeatureNomad ListNovad
How you find citiesFilter 50+ metrics manuallyEmotional matching in 3 minutes
City coverage1,000+ cities300+ curated cities
PersonalizationSame rankings for everyoneUnique matches based on your profile
AI assistantChat + natural language matching
Cost dataAggregated averagesReal prices (rent, coffee, coworking)
Exploration viewsList with filtersGallery, ranking, 3D globe
City guidesData tablesNeighborhoods, vibes, local tips
Free tierCore features free forever
Price$99 one-timeFree + $8.99/mo Pro

Pricing

What You Pay

Nomad List

One-time purchase

$99
  • 1,000+ cities with full data
  • Spreadsheet-style filters
  • Community forum access
  • City rankings and scores
  • One-time payment, lifetime access
Free forever

Novad

Free core + optional Pro

$0 / $8.99 Pro
  • City matching quiz (free forever)
  • Emotional profiling + AI matching
  • 300+ curated city guides
  • AI chat assistant (Pro)
  • Gallery, ranking, 3D globe views
  • No ads, no data selling

Which One Fits You?

Choose Nomad List if you...

  • Want maximum city coverage (1,000+)
  • Enjoy filtering data across dozens of metrics
  • Already know which data points matter to you
  • Prefer researching on your own terms
  • Want a one-time payment with lifetime access

Choose Novad if you...

  • Feel overwhelmed by too many options
  • Want personalized results based on your lifestyle
  • Prefer quick answers over long research sessions
  • Like the idea of AI helping with your decision
  • Want to start free and upgrade only if needed

Try the quiz. It takes 3 minutes.

No signup required. No payment. Just honest city matching based on how you want to feel.

Take the City Quiz

FAQ

Common Questions