Lately, individuals have been more and more on the lookout for new methods to type platonic connections, as loneliness and social isolation have turn into extra prevalent.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon Basic went as far as to label this subject a public well being disaster. Distant staff, who miss the on a regular basis interactions present in an workplace, and youthful people desirous to create their grownup social circles based mostly on shared pursuits and hobbies, are amongst these looking for significant friendships.
Due to on-line relationship apps, the stigma related to discovering connections on-line has largely light away. This has welcomed a brand new wave of apps centered on fostering friendships and constructing native communities.
In accordance with estimates from Appfigures, over a dozen local-focused friendship apps have collectively generated roughly $16 million in shopper spending within the U.S. thus far this yr. Some notable examples embrace Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF. Moreover, these apps have garnered roughly 4.3 million downloads up to now in 2025.
The apps goal to offer a much less awkward resolution than, for example, approaching a stranger on the gymnasium or native café and attempting to strike up a dialog. These platforms clearly point out that everybody utilizing the app is on the lookout for the identical factor — friendship, not romance — making it a lot much less intimidating to provoke conversations.
From main gamers like Meetup to newer ones like 222, there are many apps that cater to the rising demand for significant friendships. Under, we’ve compiled a listing of them so that you can check out.
222
222 is an iOS-only social occasions platform that facilitates in-person meetups by pairing a gaggle of strangers based mostly on their character check outcomes. The app sends invites to close by public social occasions, reminiscent of wine bars and comedy golf equipment. There’s then a vetting course of, and chosen contributors are notified on the day of the occasion. A bonus for many who really feel socially anxious: you’re allowed to deliver a plus one.
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The service costs a $22.22 curation price or a month-to-month subscription for a similar value.
BFF
Courting big Bumble is among the many extra established gamers to enter the friendship house, launching its friend-finding characteristic in 2016, which then spun out right into a standalone app in 2023. The friend-making app has just lately undergone a important redesign, with an elevated emphasis on facilitating group meetups, catering to customers’ wishes to develop their social circles.
BFF is offered without cost obtain on iOS and Android gadgets. A premium subscription is offered, providing options reminiscent of seeing who has appreciated your profile, limitless swipes, SuperSwipes, and extra.
Clyx
Clyx is one other rising app within the group-based social networking panorama, with a robust concentrate on discovering native occasions. The social platform helps customers discover neighborhood occasions by integrating information from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok. Moreover, Clyx permits customers to add their contact lists, serving to them see which occasions their buddies plan to attend. The app additionally features a characteristic that recommends different customers to attach with at these occasions.
As of now, Clyx operates solely in two cities: Miami and London. Nevertheless, it has plans to broaden to further areas within the close to future, with New York Metropolis and São Paulo on the high of the listing. The app is offered on the App Retailer and Google Play Retailer.
Les Amis
Les Amis is a friendship app tailor-made for ladies, transgender, and LGBTQ+ people that leverages AI to match customers based mostly on related pursuits and encourages participation in native occasions, reminiscent of pottery lessons, e-book golf equipment, and wine tastings. Matches are made each Monday, permitting customers to talk and plan meetups later within the week.
Obtainable on iOS and Android, Les Amis serves cities throughout Europe, together with Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm. Within the U.S., the app is offered in Austin and New York, with plans to broaden to Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles.
The app makes use of a paid membership mannequin that varies by metropolis, with charges of $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.
Meetup
The native occasion discovery platform has been round since 2002, serving to thousands and thousands of customers join with others who share related pursuits. Customers can RSVP to occasions, be a part of teams that cater to quite a lot of hobbies, professions, or social causes, in addition to create their very own teams and occasions. They’ll additionally chat with group members and submit updates and pictures from gatherings.
Meet5
This European community-building app just lately launched within the U.S., focusing on customers over 40 who need to meet new individuals of their space and take part in group actions reminiscent of picnics, live shows, and mountaineering. Notably, in a short while, there have been round 777,000 U.S. downloads thus far throughout the App Retailer and Google Play Retailer, in response to Appfigures estimates.
Pie
Pie is one other one of many newer social apps in the marketplace. It options an AI-driven quiz designed to foretell which customers are almost certainly to be appropriate with one another. Every one who RSVPs to a Pie occasion takes a quick character evaluation, and the algorithm organizes attendees into teams of six, who’re then added to a gaggle chat inside the Pie app, permitting them to work together with one another earlier than the occasion.
Presently, the app is just obtainable in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco. Customers can obtain Pie from the App Retailer and Google Play Retailer.
Timeleft
Timeleft is a comparatively new platform that helps you set up weekly dinner dates with teams of strangers. The app makes use of a particular algorithm to match you with others, considering your age, gender, and character. Customers are matched with 4 different individuals, however they solely be taught minor particulars about them the evening earlier than, together with their occupations and zodiac indicators.
Dinners happen at a specific restaurant on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. To assist everybody break the ice, the app provides a sport with dialog starters. After dinner, there may be an after-party at an area bar.
Customers can e-book dinners on-line or via the app. By way of pricing, it varies relying on the nation and restaurant. Customers pay for a ticket upfront and are additionally liable for overlaying their very own dinner and drinks.
Wyzr Pals
Wyzr Pals is an activity-based friendship app designed for adults 40 and older, catering to empty nesters, divorcees, and different customers looking for to attach with like-minded people. Customers can thumbs up or down potential buddies and prepare in-person actions based mostly on shared pursuits, reminiscent of going to the flicks or mountaineering.
It’s obtainable on iOS and Android gadgets within the U.S., Canada, Australia, Eire, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico.
