Lately, folks have been more and more searching for new methods to kind platonic connections, as loneliness and social isolation have turn out to be extra prevalent.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon Normal went as far as to label this problem 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 in search of significant friendships.
Because of 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 targeted on fostering friendships and constructing native communities.
In keeping with estimates from Appfigures, over a dozen local-focused friendship apps have collectively generated roughly $16 million in client spending within the U.S. thus far this 12 months. 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 supply a much less awkward resolution than, as an illustration, 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 searching 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. Beneath, we’ve compiled an inventory 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, comparable to wine bars and comedy golf equipment. There’s then a vetting course of, and chosen members are notified on the day of the occasion. A bonus for many who really feel socially anxious: you’re allowed to convey a plus one.
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The service prices a $22.22 curation price or a month-to-month subscription for a similar worth.
BFF
Relationship big Bumble is among the many extra established gamers to enter the friendship house, launching its friend-finding function in 2016, which then spun out right into a standalone app in 2023. The friend-making app has lately undergone a important redesign, with an elevated emphasis on facilitating group meetups, catering to customers’ needs to develop their social circles.
BFF is on the market at no cost obtain on iOS and Android units. A premium subscription is on the market, providing options comparable to seeing who has favored your profile, limitless swipes, SuperSwipes, and extra.
Clyx
Clyx is one other rising app within the group-based social networking panorama, with a robust deal with discovering native occasions. The social platform helps customers discover group occasions by integrating knowledge from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok. Moreover, Clyx permits customers to add their contact lists, serving to them see which occasions their mates plan to attend. The app additionally features a function 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 increase to further areas within the close to future, with New York Metropolis and São Paulo on the prime of the listing. The app is on the market on the App Retailer and Google Play Retailer.
Les Amis
Les Amis is a friendship app tailor-made for girls, transgender, and LGBTQ+ people that leverages AI to match customers based mostly on comparable pursuits and encourages participation in native occasions, comparable to 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.
Accessible 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 on the market in Austin and New York, with plans to increase 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 comparable pursuits. Customers can RSVP to occasions, be a part of teams that cater to a wide range of hobbies, professions, or social causes, in addition to create their very own teams and occasions. They will additionally chat with group members and submit updates and photographs from gatherings.
Meet5
This European community-building app lately launched within the U.S., concentrating on customers over 40 who need to meet new folks of their space and take part in group actions comparable to picnics, live shows, and climbing. 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 keeping with 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 most definitely to be suitable with one another. Every one that RSVPs to a Pie occasion takes a short character evaluation, and the algorithm organizes attendees into teams of six, who’re then added to a gaggle chat throughout the Pie app, permitting them to work together with one another earlier than the occasion.
Presently, the app is barely accessible 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 manage weekly dinner dates with teams of strangers. The app makes use of a particular algorithm to match you with others, taking into consideration your age, gender, and character. Customers are matched with 4 different folks, however they solely study 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 recreation 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. When it comes to pricing, it varies relying on the nation and restaurant. Customers pay for a ticket upfront and are additionally answerable for protecting their very own dinner and drinks.
Wyzr Buddies
Wyzr Buddies is an activity-based friendship app designed for adults 40 and older, catering to empty nesters, divorcees, and different customers in search of to attach with like-minded people. Customers can thumbs up or down potential mates and organize in-person actions based mostly on shared pursuits, comparable to going to the flicks or climbing.
It’s accessible on iOS and Android units within the U.S., Canada, Australia, Eire, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico.
