Roost App Gains Popularity with Deliberately Slow Messaging

A new social app called Roost is attracting users by intentionally slowing down digital communication to the pace of real-world birds and animals.

Launched as a side project by Logan Mendelsohn, a senior product manager in trust and safety at Ticketmaster, Roost allows users to send messages via virtual birds that travel at realistic speeds. A falcon delivers messages quickly, while a hummingbird or snail takes significantly longer – sometimes hours or days depending on distance. Users build a “rookery” of four birds and can choose slower options like turtles for added delay.

The app has grown rapidly, reaching nearly 300,000 users within weeks after a viral Threads post highlighted friends communicating in Elizabethan English through the platform. Its appeal lies in reducing the pressure of instant notifications and encouraging more intentional messaging.

Roost also includes a “Pen Pals” feature for anonymous messaging within age groups and mini-games. Location sharing is limited by default to the city level, with optional precise sharing for close friends. Photo sharing is not yet supported as the developer prioritizes content moderation tools.

Mendelsohn has emphasized trust and safety in the app’s design from the start. He used AI tools like Claude Code during development and initially for bird artwork, which drew criticism from users. In response, he launched a contest for artists to contribute original illustrations. The app generates revenue through in-app purchases for additional birds but has no external funding. Mendelsohn continues development in his spare time.

While initially seeming like a gimmick app, Roost’s success may come from the fact that it forces users to be less constantly connected with their social media. Both incoming and outgoing messages are slow, meaning that users are less incentivised to respond immediately or expect immediate responses.