Getting started
SkillSwap Local is a community platform in Kathmandu where you can trade what you know for what you want to learn — no money needed. Here's how to begin.
Create your account
Visit the app and sign in with Google, or create an account using your email and a password (minimum 6 characters). Check your email inbox to confirm your account if signing up with email.
💡 Use your real name — people trust and respond more to real identities.Set up your profile
Go to the Profile tab. Upload a clear photo of yourself, write a short bio, and list the skills you offer. A complete profile gets up to 4× more swap requests than an empty one.
💡 Click your avatar (top-right) at any time to quickly jump to your profile.Browse skills near you
Head to the Browse tab. Use the search bar to find skills, or use filters like Tech, Design, Language, Food, Fitness, or Music to narrow things down. Cards with a % match badge are suggested by our AI as your best fits.
Post your own skill offer
Go to Post skill, fill in what you offer, what you want in exchange, add a description, and hit post. Your listing will appear live immediately for others to see.
💡 Free users can post 3 times per month. Upgrade to Premium or Pro for more.Writing a great skill offer
A well-written listing gets significantly more requests. Here's what makes a great post.
Good example: "I'll redesign your mobile app screens or create brand assets (logo, social kit). 5 years experience with Figma. Available 3 hrs/week on weekends. Looking for conversational English practice, 1 hr/week."
Weak example: "I do design. I want English." — This gets very few responses because people don't know what to expect.
Be specific about your experience
Mention years of experience, tools you use, examples of past work, or any certifications. "5 years" or "IELTS 8.5" builds immediate trust.
State how much time you can give
Be clear — "2 hrs/week" or "3 sessions/month". People want to know the commitment before they reach out.
Say what you want in return, clearly
Don't be vague. "I want someone to build a 5-page website for my catering business" is far better than "I want web help".
How a swap works
Once you find someone you'd like to swap with, here's the full journey from request to completion.
Send a swap request
Click Request swap on any skill card. This notifies the person and adds the swap to your My swaps tab with a Pending status.
Message each other
Use the Msg button to get in touch. Agree on the schedule, location (online or in-person), and exact scope of the swap before starting.
💡 Always agree on the terms upfront to avoid misunderstandings later.Mark as active, then complete
Once you've both agreed and started, click Mark active. When the exchange is fully done (both sides delivered), click Mark complete to earn your points and improve your trust score.
Rate each other
After completing, leave an honest rating. Ratings build your public reputation and help others know you're a reliable swapper. High ratings unlock featured listings and more opportunities.
Plans & pricing
SkillSwap is free forever for basic use. Upgrade if you want to post more, get featured, or access advanced tools. Swaps themselves are always 100% free — no money ever changes hands for the skills themselves.
Plan payments unlock platform features only — you never pay for the skill exchanges themselves. The whole point of SkillSwap is trading skills, not money.
| Feature | Free Rs 0 | Premium Rs 149/mo | Pro Rs 299/mo | Business Rs 799/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill posts per month | 3 | 15 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Browse & search skills | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Send swap requests | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Public profile | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Premium badge on listings | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Priority in search results | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Featured listing badge | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI match insights | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified tick | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Priority support | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Team seats | — | — | — | Up to 5 |
| Business page + analytics | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Invoice support | — | — | — | ✓ |
You can also earn 1 month of Pro free by inviting a friend who joins and completes their first swap. Go to the Invite & earn tab to get your referral link.
Points & trust score
Every action on SkillSwap earns you points. Points build your trust score, push you up the leaderboard, and can unlock future rewards and perks.
Your Trust Score (shown on your profile) is calculated from your completed swaps, ratings received, profile completeness, and time on the platform. A score above 85 gets you featured on the leaderboard.
Community rules
SkillSwap is built on trust and respect. These rules keep the community safe and fair for everyone.
✅ Do
🚫 Don't
Violations of community rules may result in your account being suspended or permanently banned. Repeat offenders are removed without warning. If you experience any issues, contact us immediately at hello@skillswaplocal.com.
Staying safe while swapping
SkillSwap is a local community platform. Most exchanges are wonderful, but follow these guidelines to stay safe.
Meet in public for the first time
For in-person swaps, always meet in a public place first — a café, library, or co-working space. Get comfortable before sharing home or office addresses.
Keep communication in the app first
Start by messaging through SkillSwap. Only share personal contact numbers once you feel confident about the other person.
Check ratings and swap history
Before accepting a swap, look at the person's rating and number of completed swaps. Someone with 10+ completed swaps and 4.8★ is a much safer bet than a brand-new account.
Report suspicious behaviour
If anyone asks you for money, makes you uncomfortable, or behaves inappropriately — report them immediately. Use the report button on their card or email us directly.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Still have questions?
We're a small team in Kathmandu and we actually reply. Reach out anytime.