As people are looking for ways to make new friends, here is an app that promises to help

With loneliness and social isolation becoming more common in recent years, people are increasingly searching for new ways to form platonic connections.

In 2023, the US surgeon general went to label the issue a public health crisis. Young people who missed everyday interactions found in the office and wanted to create an adult social circle based on shared interests and hobbies, are those who are looking for meaningful friendships.

Thanks to online dating apps, the stigma associated with finding connections online is almost gone. This welcomes a new wave of apps focused on cultivating friendships and building communities.

Estimates from Sensortower show that more than 12 locally concentrated friendship apps have collectively generated around $16 million in consumer spending in the US so far this year. Some notable examples include Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble BFF. Additionally, these apps have garnered around 4.3 million downloads so far in 2025.

The app aims to provide a more troublesome solution than trying to get closer to strangers and start a conversation at a gym or local cafe, for example. These platforms clearly show that everyone using the app is looking for friendship rather than romance.

From major players like Meetup to newer ones like 222, there are plenty of apps that cater to the growing demand for meaningful friendships. Below is a list of them to try.

222

222 is an IOS-only social events platform that promotes face-to-face meetups by pairing groups of strangers based on personality test results. The app sends you invitations to nearby public social events, such as wine bars and comedy clubs. There will then be a review process and the selected participants will be notified on the day of the event. Bonus for those who feel socially unsure: you are allowed to bring a plus one.

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

BFF

Dating Giant Bumble is one of the more established players to enter the friendship space, launching the Friends Research feature in 2016 and spinning out into a standalone app in 2023. Recently, the app that creates friends wants to nurture the “social world” for its users, with a focus on promoting group meetups.

BFF is free to download on iOS and Android devices. Premium subscriptions are available and offer features such as viewing profile lovers, unlimited swipes, super swipes and more.

CLYX

Clyx is another emerging app in a group-based social networking landscape, focusing on discovering local events. Social platforms help users to find community events by integrating data from platforms such as Ticketmaster and Tiktok. Additionally, Clyx helps users upload contact lists and see which events their friends will be participating in. The app also includes features that encourage other users to connect with these events.

Currently, Clyx operates only in two cities, Miami and London. However, there are plans to expand into additional areas in the near future, with New York City and Sao Paulo at the top of the list. This app is available in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Reims

Les Amis is a friendship app for women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ individuals who use AI to match users based on similar interests and encourage participation in local events such as pottery classes, book clubs and wine tastings. Matches take place every Monday, allowing users to chat and plan meetups later in the week.

Available on iOS and Android, Les Amis serves European cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, ​​Berlin, Madrid, Paris and Stockholm. In the US, the app is available in Austin and New York, and plans to expand to Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.

The app costs $70 in New York and 55 euros in Amsterdam, and uses paid membership models that vary by city.

Meet up

The local event discovery platform has been around since 2002, helping millions of users connect with other users who share similar interests. Users can use RSVP for events, join groups that address a variety of hobbies, occupations, or social causes, or create their own groups and events. You can also chat with group members, and post meeting updates and photos.

Meet5

The European Community Building App was recently launched in the US, with over 40 users looking to meet new people in their area and participate in group activities such as picnics, concerts and hiking. In particular, Sensortower estimates that so far there have been around 777,000 US downloads across the App Store and Google Play Store.

pie

Pie is another new social app on the market. It features an AI-driven quiz designed to predict which users are most likely to be compatible with each other. RSVP receives a simple personality rating for PIE events, and the algorithm organizes participants into groups of six, added to group chats 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.

Remaining time

Timeleft is a relatively new platform and helps you organize your weekly dinner dates with groups of strangers. This app uses special algorithms to match others, taking into account age, gender and personality. Users match the other four, but only learn a few details the night before, such as occupation and constellations.

Dinner will be held at the selected restaurant on Wednesday at 7pm to help everyone break the ice. This app offers games with conversation starters. After dinner there will be an after party at the local bar.

Users can book dinner online or via the app. Pricing varies by country and restaurant. Users are also responsible for paying tickets in advance and covering their own dinner and drinks.

wyzr’s friends

WYZR Friends is an activity-based friendship app designed for adults over 40 years old, serving empty nestas, divorces, and other users who want to connect with like-minded individuals. Users can arrange face-to-face activities based on shared interests, such as encouraging potential friends, going to movies and hiking.

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