As people look for ways to make new friends, here are the apps promising to help

In recent years, people have been increasingly looking for new ways to form platonic connections, as loneliness and social isolation become more prevalent.

In 2023, the US Surgeon General went so far as to call the issue a public health crisis. Remote workers, who miss the daily interactions found in an office, and younger individuals who are eager to create their own adult social circles based on shared interests and hobbies, are among those looking for meaningful friendships.

Thanks to online dating apps, the stigma associated with finding connections online has largely faded. This has welcomed a new wave of apps focused on fostering friendships and building communities.

According to AppFigures estimates, more than a dozen locally focused friendship apps have collectively generated nearly $16 million in consumer spending in the U.S. so far this year. Some notable examples include Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF. Additionally, these apps have garnered nearly 4.3 million downloads so far in 2025.

The apps aim to provide a less awkward solution than, say, approaching a stranger at the gym or local coffee shop and trying to strike up a conversation. These platforms clearly communicate that everyone using the app is looking for the same thing — friendship, not romance — which makes starting conversations less intimidating.

From mainstream apps like Meetup to newer apps like 222, there are plenty of apps that meet the growing demand for meaningful friendships. We’ve compiled a list of them for you to try.

222

The 222 app is an iOS-only social networking platform that facilitates in-person encounters by pairing up a group of strangers based on their personality test results. The app sends invitations to nearby public social events, such as wine bars and comedy clubs. A screening process then takes place, and selected participants are notified on the day of the event. Bonus for those who are socially anxious: You’re allowed to bring an extra person.

The service charges an organization fee of $22.22 or a monthly subscription for the same price.

Belgian franc

Dating giant Bumble is among the more established players to enter the friendship space, having launched a friend search feature in 2016, which it then spun off into a standalone app in 2023. The friend-making app recently underwent a major redesign, with an increased focus on facilitating group meetups, catering to users’ desires to grow their social circles.

BFF is available to download for free on iOS and Android devices.

Clicks

Clyx is another emerging app in the group-based social networking space, with a strong focus on discovering local events. The social platform helps users find community events by integrating data from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok. Additionally, Clyx allows users to upload their contact lists, which helps them see what events their friends plan to attend. The app also includes a feature that recommends other users to connect with at these events.

As of now, Clyx operates exclusively in two cities: Miami and London. However, it plans to expand into additional regions in the near future, with New York City and São Paulo at the top of the list. The application is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Why Amis?

Les Amís is a friendship app designed specifically for women, trans people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, leveraging artificial intelligence to match users based on similar interests and encourage participation in local events, such as pottery classes, book clubs, and wine tastings. Matches are made every Monday, allowing users to chat and plan meetups for later in the week.

Available on iOS and Android, Les Amís serves cities across Europe, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, ​​Berlin, Madrid, Paris and Stockholm. In the US, the app is available in Austin and New York, with plans to expand to Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.

The app uses a paid membership model that varies by city, with a fee of $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.

Meeting

The local event discovery platform has been around since 2002, helping millions of users connect with others who share similar interests. Users can respond to events; Join groups that cater to a variety of hobbies, careers, or social issues; And create their own groups and events. They can also chat with group members and post updates and photos from gatherings.

Meeting5

This European community-building app recently launched in the United States, targeting users over 40 who want to meet new people in their area and participate in group activities like outings, concerts, and hikes. Notably, in a short time, there have been around 777,000 downloads in the US so far across the App Store and Google Play Store, according to Appfigures estimates.

pie

Pie is one of the newer social apps on the market. It features an AI-based test designed to predict which users are most likely to be compatible with each other. Each person who responds to a Pie event takes a brief personality assessment, and the algorithm organizes attendees into groups of six, who are then added to a group chat within the Pie app, allowing them to interact with each other before the event.

Currently, the app is only available in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco. Users can download Pie from the App Store and Google Play Store.

remaining time

Timeleft is a relatively new platform that helps you organize weekly dinner dates with groups of strangers. The app uses a special algorithm to match you with others, taking into account your age, gender, and personality. Users are matched with four other people, but know only minor details about them the night before, including their professions and zodiac signs.

Dinner takes place at a selected restaurant on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm and to help everyone break the ice, the app offers a game with conversation starters. After dinner, there’s an after-party at a local bar.

Users can book dinner online or through the app. As for prices, they vary according to the country and restaurant. Users pay for their tickets in advance and are responsible for covering their own dinner and beverage costs.

Washed

Washed Up is a social event discovery app launched in early 2026, designed for people in the Los Angeles area who want an easier way to find things to do and meet new people.

The app helps users discover local events, such as concerts, trivia nights and comedy shows, while also giving them a built-in way to connect with others who plan to attend. Instead of going to events alone, users can create or join “plans,” which are small group meetups tied to specific events. Users can browse these plans, request to join, chat with the group, and add new friends, making it easier to show up at events with people rather than alone.

It is available for download on the App Store.

Weezer friends

Wyzr Friends is an activity-based friendship app designed for adults ages 40+, catering to singles, divorcees, and other users seeking to connect with like-minded individuals. Users can like or dislike potential friends and arrange personal activities based on shared interests, such as going to the movies or hiking.

It’s available on iOS and Android devices in the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico.

a movement

Mmotion is a newly launched friendship app that blends location tracking and social discovery to help users connect with people nearby and explore new bars and restaurants in their area. When they join, users can participate in interest-based groups — such as hiking, basketball, or art — and view a map of active users and send messages to people nearby. The app also highlights new places on the map, making it easier to find a restaurant or place to try.

Mmotion is currently only available to users in New York City on iOS and Android devices. Users must first submit an application to be considered.

This story was updated after publication.