Report updated Apr 23, 2026

Drink Buddies is a well-regarded stickers app that is completely free. With a 3.9/5 rating from 66 reviews, it maintains solid user satisfaction. Users particularly appreciate visual appeal & cuteness, though uninstallation confusion remains a common concern.

What is Drink Buddies?

Drink Buddies is a free iMessage sticker app providing cute, beverage-themed illustrations (boba, coffee, lassi). It targets social media users who enjoy 'kawaii' aesthetics to enhance their chats. While the app has a positive sentiment due to its art quality, it is currently a legacy project that has not been updated since 2018, leading to technical stagnation and user confusion regarding uninstallation.

Current Momentum

v1.1 · 92mo ago

Zombie

Drink Buddies has not received an update since September 2018 and is currently in maintenance mode.

Active Nemesis

Sumikko Gurashi

Sumikko Gurashi

By Imagineer Co.

Other Rivals

Stickers++
Yummy: Food, grocery & more

7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸

Stickers

No ranking data

Rating Pulse 🇺🇸

Recent User Mood

What makes this app unique?

What Does It Look Like?

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What Are The Key Features?

iMessage Sticker IntegrationStandard

Allows users to send custom drink-themed stickers directly within iMessage conversations

Themed Beverage CollectionDifferentiator

Curated library of illustrations featuring coffee, boba tea, and mango lassi

How much does it cost?

Free
  • Completely free to download and use

The app follows a simple, free-to-use model without visible in-app purchases or subscription tiers, likely serving as a portfolio piece or hobby project.

What do users think recently?

Medium confidence · 19 reviews analyzed

How did the latest release land?

Overall
3.9/ 5
(66)
Current version
3.9/ 5
0.0 vs overall
(66)
Main signal post-update: visual Appeal & Cuteness.

What is the recent mood?

Excited

Recent user voice shows a excited sentiment. Users appreciate visual appeal & cuteness and social engagement, but report uninstallation confusion and platform exclusivity.

Limited review volume (19 reviews). Sentiment analysis will deepen as more data lands.

View the full user-sentiment analysis

Mood gauge, ratings & review-volume history, every praise / complaint / request, and sentiment over time.

Go deeper

What is the competitive landscape for Drink Buddies?

How's The Stickers Market?

Market outlook for this category

Available very soon

The rivals identified

The outtake for Drink Buddies

Strengths to defend, gaps to attack

Core Strengths

  • High-quality 'kawaii' art style that drives positive sentiment
  • Strong social engagement value (users report stickers bring joy to recipients)
  • Simple, free-to-use model with no monetization friction

Critical Frictions

  • Stagnant development (last updated in 2018)
  • Critical UX gap: users cannot find or delete the sticker pack easily
  • Single-platform (iOS) limitation

Growth Levers

  • Expansion to Android/WhatsApp to meet user demand
  • Adding instructional onboarding to reduce 'scam' accusations
  • Monetizing through seasonal or limited-edition drink packs

Market Threats

  • IP-driven competitors like Sumikko Gurashi with active maintenance
  • Utility apps like Stickers++ offering better organization tools
  • OS updates breaking legacy code from 2018

What are the next best moves?

high

Add 'How to Use/Delete' guide to App Store screenshots

Directly addresses the 'Uninstallation Confusion' theme which is the leading cause of 1-star 'scam' reviews.

medium

Perform a technical compatibility update for modern iOS

The app hasn't been updated since 2018 (v1.1.2), posing a significant risk of breaking on newer devices or OS versions.

medium

Explore WhatsApp/Telegram sticker porting

Addresses the 'Platform Exclusivity' complaint from users wanting the stickers on non-iPhone devices.

Feature Gaps vs Competitors

  • Active maintenance and iOS compatibility updates (available in Sumikko Gurashi)
  • Sticker organization and utility tools (available in Stickers++)
  • Cross-platform support for Android (requested by users, standard in modern apps like Yummy)

Key Takeaways

Drink Buddies is a high-quality art asset library trapped in a neglected technical shell. If I were the PM, I would prioritize fixing the uninstallation UX to stop the 'scam' accusations and then leverage the existing 'kawaii' appeal to expand into cross-platform sticker markets like WhatsApp.

Where Is It Heading?

Stable

Last updated in 2018 (v1.1.2) — indicates a legacy project in maintenance mode.

Positive mood regarding art quality — core assets remain competitive despite age.

High-frequency 'Uninstallation Confusion' complaints — unaddressed UX friction damaging the brand.

FAQ

Is Drink Buddies good for boba tea fans?
Yes. The app features a curated collection of 'kawaii' illustrations specifically including boba tea, coffee, and mango lassi, which users report adds fun and excitement to their conversations.
How does Drink Buddies compare to Sumikko Gurashi?
While Drink Buddies offers free, generic drink stickers, Sumikko Gurashi is an active category leader using established character IP. Sumikko Gurashi is updated regularly, whereas Drink Buddies has not been updated since 2018.
Why can't I delete Drink Buddies stickers from my iPhone?
Many users struggle to delete the pack because it is an iMessage sticker app, not a standard home screen app. You must manage or remove it through the iMessage app drawer settings.
Is there an Android version of Drink Buddies?
No. Currently, Drink Buddies is exclusive to iOS iMessage. User reviews frequently request an Android version, but the developer has not released one as of the latest data.

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Drink Buddies, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Cite this report

Marlvel.ai. “Drink Buddies Intelligence Report.” Updated Apr 23, 2026. https://marlvel.ai/apps/drink-buddies

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