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

In recent years, more people have been exploring new ways to build platonic relationships, as feelings of loneliness and social isolation continue to rise.

Back in 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General officially described the issue as a public health crisis. Remote workers — who miss the casual, everyday interactions of office life — along with younger people looking to build social circles around shared interests and hobbies, are among those actively seeking meaningful friendships.

With the widespread adoption of online dating platforms, the stigma around forming connections online has largely disappeared. This shift has paved the way for a growing number of apps focused specifically on helping people build friendships and strengthen local communities.

Data from Appfigures suggests that more than a dozen locally focused friendship apps have generated around $16 million in consumer spending in the U.S. so far this year. Popular platforms like Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF are among the key contributors. Altogether, these apps have reached roughly 4.3 million downloads to date in 2025.

These platforms aim to remove the awkwardness often associated with approaching strangers in places like gyms or cafés. Since everyone on these apps is there with the same goal — to make friends rather than pursue romantic relationships — starting a conversation becomes far less intimidating.

From long-established platforms like Meetup to newer entrants such as 222, there is now a wide range of options catering to the increasing demand for genuine social connections. Here’s a closer look at some of these apps.

222
The app 222 is an iOS-only platform focused on organising real-life social gatherings. It matches groups of strangers based on personality test results and invites them to nearby events, including wine bars and comedy clubs. After a selection process, chosen participants are notified on the day of the event. For those who may feel nervous, the app allows users to bring a guest.

The service costs $22.22 per curated event or offers a monthly subscription at the same rate.

BFF
Bumble, known primarily for dating, entered the friendship space with its BFF feature in 2016 and later launched it as a standalone app in 2023. Recently redesigned, the app now places greater emphasis on group meetups, helping users expand their social networks more easily.

BFF is available as a free download on both iOS and Android.

Clyx
Clyx is an emerging social networking app centred around discovering local events. It pulls data from platforms such as Ticketmaster and TikTok to help users find nearby activities. Users can also upload their contact lists to see which events their friends plan to attend and receive suggestions on who to connect with.

Currently, Clyx is available in Miami and London, with expansion plans for cities like New York and São Paulo. It can be downloaded from both the App Store and Google Play.

Les Amís
Les Amís is designed for women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ users. It uses AI to match people with similar interests and encourages participation in local activities such as pottery classes, book clubs, and wine tastings. Matches are made weekly, giving users time to chat before meeting up.

The app operates in several European cities, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm, as well as in U.S. cities such as Austin and New York. Expansion plans include Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles. Pricing varies by location, with memberships costing $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.

Meetup
Meetup has been helping people connect through shared interests since 2002. Users can join groups, RSVP to events, create their own gatherings, and interact with others through chats and shared content. The platform supports a wide variety of activities, from hobbies to professional networking.

Meet5
Originally popular in Europe, Meet5 has recently entered the U.S. market, focusing on users aged 40 and above. The app organises group activities such as picnics, concerts, and hikes. According to Appfigures, it has already reached approximately 777,000 downloads in the U.S. across app stores.

Pie
Pie is a newer app that uses an AI-based quiz to determine compatibility among users. Attendees of an event complete a short personality assessment, and the system forms groups of six. These groups are then placed in a chat within the app, allowing members to interact before meeting in person.

At present, Pie is available in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco, and can be downloaded on both major app platforms.

Timeleft
Timeleft focuses on organising weekly group dinners with strangers. Its algorithm matches users based on factors such as age, gender, and personality. Each user is paired with four others, with limited details — like professions and zodiac signs — revealed the night before.

Dinners take place every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at a designated restaurant. The app also includes icebreaker games to help conversations flow, followed by an optional after-party at a nearby bar. Users pay for a ticket and cover their own food and drinks, with pricing varying by location.

Washed Up
Launched in early 2026, Washed Up is an event discovery app designed for people in Los Angeles. It helps users find local happenings such as concerts, trivia nights, and comedy shows, and enables them to connect with others attending the same events.

Users can create or join small group meetups called “plans,” chat with participants, and build connections before attending. The app is currently available on the App Store.

Wyzr Friends
https://wyzrfriends.com/ is geared toward adults aged 40 and older, including empty nesters and those going through life transitions such as divorce. The app allows users to swipe through potential friends and arrange activities based on shared interests, such as movies or outdoor adventures.

It is available on iOS and Android in several countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico.

Mmotion
Mmotion is a recently launched app that combines location tracking with social discovery. It helps users connect with nearby people and explore local venues such as bars and restaurants. Users can join interest-based groups, view nearby active users on a map, and message others nearby.

The app is currently limited to New York City and requires users to apply for access. It is available on both iOS and Android devices. As the demand for meaningful social connections continues to grow, these platforms are attempting to redefine how people meet, interact, and build friendships in an increasingly digital world.