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

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

In 2023, the US Surgeon General even called this issue a public health problem. Remote workers, who miss the daily interactions found in the office, and young people who are eager to form adult circles based on their interests and hobbies, are among those looking for meaningful friendships.

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

According to estimates from Appfigures, more than a dozen location-focused dating apps have collected nearly $16 million in consumer spending in the US so far this year. Some notable examples include Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF. Additionally, these apps have received an estimated 4.3 million downloads so far in 2025.

The apps aim to provide a not-so-easy solution to, for example, walking up to a stranger at the gym or a local cafe and trying to start a conversation. These forums clearly show that everyone using the app is looking for the same thing – friendship, not romance – which makes it less intimidating to start conversations.

From big players like Meetup to newcomers like 222, there are plenty of apps that address the growing need for meaningful friendships. We have compiled a list of them for you to try.

222

The 222 app is an iOS-only event platform that delivers in-person encounters by matching a group of strangers based on their personality test results. The app sends invitations to nearby social events, such as wine bars and comedy clubs. Then there is a screening process, and the selected participants are notified on the day of the event. Bonus for those feeling anxious: You’re allowed to bring a plus-one.

The service charges a maintenance fee of $22.22 or a monthly subscription at the same price.

The BFF

Dating giant Bumble is among the first to enter the dating space, launching its friend-finding feature in 2016, followed by a standalone app in 2023. The app for making friends has just undergone a major redesign, with an added emphasis on helping groups meet, catering to their social needs to grow users’ desires.

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

The Clyx

Clyx is another emerging app in the group-based social networking space, with a focus on finding local events. The social media platform helps users find public events by combining data from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok. Additionally, Clyx allows users to upload their contact list, helping them see what events their friends are planning to attend. The app also includes a feature that recommends other users to contact it in these events.

As of now, Clyx only operates in two cities: Miami and London. However, it has plans to expand to more locations in the near future, with New York City and São Paulo at the top of the list. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Les Amís

Les Amís is a friendship app designed for women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ people that uses AI to match users based on similar interests and encourages participation in local events, such as pottery classes, book clubs, and wine tastings. The same is done every Monday, allowing users to chat and schedule meetings 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 fees of $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.

Get together

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 serve a variety of hobbies, professions, or social goals; and create their own groups and events. They can also chat with group members and post updates and photos from gatherings.

Get together 5

This European community-building app recently launched in the US, targets users over 40 who want to meet new people in their area and participate in group activities such as picnics, concerts, and hiking. Notably, in the short term, there have been about 777,000 US downloads so far on the App Store and Google Play Store, according to Appfigures estimates.

Pie

Pie is one of the newest social media apps on the market. It also features AI-driven questions designed to predict which users are likely to be compatible with each other. Each person who RSVPs to a Pie event takes a short personality test, and an algorithm organizes attendees into six groups, which are then added to a group chat within the Pie app, allowing them to interact with others 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 left

Timeleft is a relatively new platform that helps you plan 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 learn only small details about them the night before, including their occupations and zodiac signs.

Dinners take place at a designated restaurant on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm To help everyone break the ice, the app offers a game with conversation starters. After dinner, there is a party at a local bar.

Users can book dinner online or through the app. In terms of prices, they vary by country and restaurant. Users pay for the ticket in advance and are responsible for covering their own dinner and drinks.

He took a bath

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

The app helps users find local events, such as concerts, trivia nights, and comedy shows, while 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 “programs,” which are small group meetings associated with specific events. Users can browse these programs and request to join, chat with a group, and add new friends, making it easier to show up at events with people rather than appearing alone.

It is available to download from the App Store.

Wyzr Friends

Wyzr Friends is a work-based friendship app for adults 40 and older, catering to empty nesters, divorcees, and other users looking to connect with like-minded people. Users can thumb up or down potential friends and organize personalized activities based on their interests, such as going to the movies or hiking.

Available for iOS and Android devices in the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico.

Motion

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. After joining, users can participate in interest-based groups – such as hiking, basketball, or art – view a map of active users, and send messages to those nearby. The app also highlights new places on the map, making it easy 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.