As People Look for Ways to Make New Friends, Here Are the Apps Promising to Help

In recent years, more people have been seeking ways to form platonic connections as loneliness and social isolation have become increasingly common. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General went so far as to describe loneliness as a public health crisis. Remote workers who miss everyday office interactions, along with younger adults looking to build social circles around shared interests, are among those seeking meaningful friendships.

As online dating has become mainstream, the stigma around meeting people through apps has largely faded. This shift has opened the door for a new generation of platforms explicitly designed to help people make friends and build local communities.

According to Appfigures estimates, more than a dozen local-focused friendship apps have collectively generated approximately $16 million in consumer spending in the U.S. so far this year. Notable examples include Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble's BFF. Together, these apps have reached approximately 4.3 million downloads in 2025.

These platforms aim to offer a less awkward alternative to approaching strangers at places like gyms or cafés. By clearly signalling that users are seeking friendship rather than romance, the apps make it easier and less intimidating to start conversations.

From long-established platforms like Meetup to newer entrants such as 222, there is no shortage of options catering to the growing demand for genuine social connection. Below is a look at some of the apps people are turning to.

222

Image Credits:222 (screenshot)

222 is an iOS-only social events app that organises in-person meetups by grouping strangers based on personality test results. The app sends invitations to nearby public events, such as comedy clubs or wine bars. Participants go through a vetting process, and those selected are notified on the day of the event. For users who feel socially anxious, the app allows them to bring a plus-one.

The service charges a $22.22 curation fee or offers a monthly subscription at the same price.

Bumble BFF

Image Credits: Bumble

Dating company Bumble entered the friendship space in 2016 with its BFF feature, which later became a standalone app in 2023. The platform has recently been redesigned with a stronger focus on group meetups, reflecting users' desire to expand their social circles rather than form one-on-one connections.

Bumble BFF is available for free on iOS and Android devices.

Clyx

Image Credits: Clyx

Clyx is an emerging social app centred on discovering local events. It pulls data from platforms such as Ticketmaster and TikTok to surface nearby happenings. Users can upload their contact lists to see which events friends plan to attend, and the app also recommends other users to connect with at these events.

Currently, Clyx operates in Miami and London, with plans to expand to cities including New York and São Paulo. It's available on both the App Store and Google Play Store.

Les Amís

Image Credits: Les Amis

Les Amís is a friendship app designed for women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ individuals. It uses AI to match users with similar interests and encourages participation in local activities, including book clubs, pottery classes, and wine tastings. Matches are released every Monday, giving users time to chat and plan meetups.

The app is available on iOS and Android in several European cities, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm. In the U.S., it operates in Austin and New York, with plans to expand to Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles. Pricing varies by city, with memberships costing $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.

Meetup

Image Credits: Meetup

Founded in 2002, Meetup is one of the longest-running platforms dedicated to connecting people around shared interests. Users can RSVP to events, join interest-based groups, create their own meetups, and communicate with other members. The platform supports a wide range of hobbies, professional interests, and social causes.

Meet5

Image Credits: Meet5

Meet5 is a European community-building app that recently launched in the U.S., targeting users over 40 who want to meet new people through group activities like concerts, hikes, and picnics. According to Appfigures' estimates, the app has already reached around 777,000 downloads in the U.S. across iOS and Android.

Pie

Image Credits: Pie

Pie is a new social app that uses an AI-powered quiz to predict user compatibility. Each person attending a Pie event completes a short personality assessment, and the algorithm groups attendees into six-person clusters. These groups are placed into a shared chat before the event to help break the ice.

Pie is currently available in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco on both iOS and Android.

Timeleft

Image Credits: Timeleft

Timeleft helps users organise weekly group dinners with strangers. The app's algorithm matches participants based on age, gender, and personality. Users are grouped with four others and receive limited details about their matches — such as occupations and zodiac signs — the night before the dinner.

Dinners take place on Wednesday evenings at selected restaurants, followed by an optional after-party at a nearby bar. Users pay an upfront ticket fee and cover their own food and drink; pricing varies by location.

Wyzr Friends

Image Credits: Wzyr Friends

Wyzr Friends is designed for adults aged 40 and older, including empty nesters and divorced individuals. The app focuses on activity-based connections, allowing users to schedule in-person meetups around shared interests, such as hiking or going to the movies.

The app is available on iOS and Android in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico.

Mmotion

Image Credits: Motionn (Image has been modified)

Motion is a recently launched friendship app that combines location tracking with social discovery. Users can join interest-based groups, view nearby active users on a map, and message people nearby. The app also highlights new bars and restaurants to explore.

Motion is currently limited to New York City and requires users to apply before gaining access. It's available on iOS and Android.