As people look for ways to make new friends, here are the apps that promise to help them

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

In 2023, the American surgeon general went so far as to call this issue a public health crisis. Remote workers, who miss daily interactions in the office, and young people eager to create their adult social circles based on common interests and hobbies, are among those seeking meaningful friendships.

Thanks to online dating apps, the stigma associated with seeking relationships online has largely disappeared. This has welcomed a new wave of apps focused on fostering friendships and building local communities.

More than a dozen locally-focused friendship apps have collectively generated about $16 million in U.S. consumer spending so far this year, according to Appfigures estimates. Some notable examples include Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF. Additionally, these apps have garnered around 4.3 million downloads in 2025 so far.

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 make it clear that everyone using the app is looking for the same thing – friendship, not romance – making it much less intimidating to start conversations.

From major players like Meetup to newer ones like 222, there are plenty of apps that meet the growing demand for meaningful friendships. We’ve put together a list for you to try.

222

The app 222 is a iOS only Social events platform that facilitates in-person meetings by matching 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. There is then a selection process and selected participants are notified on the day of the event. A bonus for those feeling socially anxious: you’re allowed to bring a +1.

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

Best friend

Dating giant Bumblebee is among the most established players to enter the field of friendship, launching its friend search function in 2016, which then transformed into a standalone app in 2023. The app for making friends recently underwent a significant overhaulwith a greater emphasis on facilitating group meetings, thereby fulfilling users’ desire to expand their social circles.

BFF is available for free download at iOS And Android devices.

Clyx

Clyx is another emerging application in the group social media landscape, with a strong emphasis 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 which events their friends are planning to attend. The app also includes a feature that recommends other users to tune in during these events.

For now, Clyx operates exclusively in two cities: Miami and London. However, it plans to expand to other areas in the near future, with New York and São Paulo topping the list. The application is available on the App store And Google Play Store.

Friends

Friends is a friendship app designed for women, transgender and LGBTQ+ people, which leverages AI to match users based on similar interests and encourages participation in local events, such as pottery classes, book clubs and wine tastings. Matches take place every Monday, allowing users to chat and plan matches later in the week.

Available on iOS And AndroidLes Amís serves cities across Europe, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, ​​Berlin, Madrid, Paris and Stockholm. In the United States, 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 fees of $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.

Encounter

THE local event discovery platform has been around since 2002, helping millions of users connect with others with similar interests. Users can RSVP to events; join groups that cater to a variety of hobbies, professions, or social causes; 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 development 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 such as picnics, concerts and hikes. Notably, in a short time, around 777,000 downloads were made in the United States across the world. App store And Google Play Storeaccording to Appfigures estimates.

Pie

Pie is another of the most recent social apps on the market. It features an AI-powered quiz designed to predict which users are most likely to be compatible with each other. Each person who responds to a Pie event undergoes a brief personality assessment, and the algorithm organizes participants into groups of six, which 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.

Time remaining

Time remaining is a relatively new platform that helps you organize weekly dinners 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 they only learn minor details about them the day before, including their occupations and zodiac signs.

Dinners take place at a selected restaurant on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. To help everyone break the ice, the application offers a game with conversation starters. After dinner, there is an after-party at a local bar.

Users can book dinners online or through the application. In terms of price, it varies depending on the country and the restaurants. Users pay for a ticket in advance and are responsible for covering their own dinner and drinks.

Wyzr Friends

Wyzr Friends is a activity based friendship app designed for adults 40 and older, catering to empty nesters, those who are divorced, and other users looking to connect with like-minded people. Users can give potential friends a thumbs up or down and arrange in-person activities based on shared interests, like going to the movies or hiking.

It is available on iOS And Android devices in the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Philippines, Singapore and Mexico.

Mmotion

Mmotion is a newly launched Friendship app that combines location tracking and social discovery to help users connect with people nearby and explore new bars and restaurants in their area. Once registered, users can participate in groups based on their interests, such as hiking, basketball, or art, view a map of active users, and message those nearby. The app also highlights new places on the map, making it easier to find a restaurant or venue to try.

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

This story was updated after publication.