In recent times, folks have been more and more on the lookout for new methods to kind platonic connections, as loneliness and social isolation have grow to be extra prevalent.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General went as far as to label this concern a public well being disaster. Distant staff, who miss the on a regular basis interactions present in an workplace, and youthful people desirous to create their grownup social circles primarily based on shared pursuits and hobbies, are amongst these in search of significant friendships.
Because of on-line relationship apps, the stigma related to discovering connections on-line has largely light away. This has welcomed a brand new wave of apps centered on fostering friendships and constructing native communities.
In keeping with estimates from Appfigures, over a dozen local-focused friendship apps have collectively generated roughly $16 million in shopper spending within the U.S. thus far this yr. Some notable examples embrace Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF. Moreover, these apps have garnered roughly 4.3 million downloads so far in 2025.
The apps purpose to supply a much less awkward answer than, for example, approaching a stranger on the fitness center or native café and attempting to strike up a dialog. These platforms clearly point out that everybody utilizing the app is on the lookout for the identical factor — friendship, not romance — making it a lot much less intimidating to provoke conversations.
From main gamers like Meetup to newer ones like 222, there are many apps that cater to the rising demand for significant friendships. We’ve compiled an inventory of them so that you can check out.
222
The app 222 is an iOS-only social occasions platform that facilitates in-person meetups by pairing a gaggle of strangers primarily based on their persona take a look at outcomes. The app sends invites to close by public social occasions, akin to wine bars and comedy golf equipment. There may be then a vetting course of, and chosen members are notified on the day of the occasion. A bonus for many who really feel socially anxious: You’re allowed to carry a plus-one.
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The service expenses a $22.22 curation charge or a month-to-month subscription for a similar value.
BFF
Courting big Bumble is among the many extra established gamers to enter the friendship area, launching its friend-finding characteristic in 2016, which then spun out right into a stand-alone app in 2023. The friend-making app has just lately undergone a big redesign, with an elevated emphasis on facilitating group meetups, catering to customers’ needs to develop their social circles.
BFF is out there totally free obtain on iOS and Android gadgets.
Clyx
Clyx is one other rising app within the group-based social networking panorama, with a powerful concentrate on discovering native occasions. The social platform helps customers discover group occasions by integrating information from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok. Moreover, Clyx permits customers to add their contact lists, serving to them see which occasions their associates plan to attend. The app additionally features a characteristic that recommends different customers to attach with at these occasions.
As of now, Clyx operates completely in two cities: Miami and London. Nonetheless, it has plans to develop to further areas within the close to future, with New York Metropolis and São Paulo on the prime of the checklist. The app is out there on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Les Amís
Les Amís is a friendship app tailor-made for ladies, transgender, and LGBTQ+ people that leverages AI to match customers primarily based on comparable pursuits and encourages participation in native occasions, akin to pottery lessons, guide golf equipment, and wine tastings. Matches are made each Monday, permitting customers to speak and plan meetups later within the week.
Out there on iOS and Android, Les Amís serves cities throughout Europe, together with Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm. Within the U.S., the app is out there in Austin and New York, with plans to develop to Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles.
The app makes use of a paid membership mannequin that varies by metropolis, with charges of $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.
Meetup
The local event-discovery platform has been round since 2002, serving to tens of millions of customers join with others who share comparable pursuits. Customers can RSVP to occasions; be part of teams that cater to quite a lot of hobbies, professions, or social causes; and create their very own teams and occasions. They will additionally chat with group members and put up updates and pictures from gatherings.
Meet5
This European community-building app just lately launched within the U.S., concentrating on customers over 40 who need to meet new folks of their space and take part in group actions akin to picnics, concert events, and mountaineering. Notably, in a short while, there have been round 777,000 U.S. downloads thus far throughout the App Store and Google Play Store, in response to Appfigures estimates.
Pie
Pie is one other one of many newer social apps available on the market. It options an AI-driven quiz designed to foretell which customers are more than likely to be suitable with one another. Every one who RSVPs to a Pie occasion takes a quick persona evaluation, and the algorithm organizes attendees into teams of six, who’re then added to a gaggle chat inside the Pie app, permitting them to work together with one another earlier than the occasion.
At the moment, the app is just accessible in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco. Customers can obtain Pie from the App Store and Google Play Store.
Timeleft
Timeleft is a comparatively new platform that helps you arrange weekly dinner dates with teams of strangers. The app makes use of a particular algorithm to match you with others, taking into consideration your age, gender, and persona. Customers are matched with 4 different folks, however they solely be taught minor particulars about them the night time earlier than, together with their occupations and zodiac indicators.
Dinners happen at a particular restaurant on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. To assist everybody break the ice, the app provides a recreation with dialog starters. After dinner, there may be an after-party at an area bar.
Customers can guide dinners on-line or by the app. By way of pricing, it varies relying on the nation and restaurant. Customers pay for a ticket up entrance and are liable for protecting their very own dinner and drinks.
Wyzr Pals
Wyzr Friends is an activity-based friendship app designed for adults 40 and older, catering to empty nesters, those that are divorced, and different customers in search of to attach with like-minded people. Customers can thumbs up or down potential associates and organize in-person actions primarily based on shared pursuits, akin to going to the films or mountaineering.
It’s accessible on iOS and Android gadgets within the U.S., Canada, Australia, Eire, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico.
Mmotion
Mmotion is a newly launched friendship app that blends location monitoring with social discovery to assist customers join with folks close by and discover new bars and eating places of their space. Upon becoming a member of, customers can take part in interest-based teams—akin to mountaineering, basketball, or artwork—view a map of energetic customers, and ship messages to these close by. The app additionally highlights new locations on the map, making it straightforward to discover a restaurant or venue to attempt.
Mmotion is at the moment solely accessible to customers in New York Metropolis on iOS and Android gadgets. Customers should first submit an software to be thought of.
This story was up to date after publication.
