Lately, folks have been more and more searching for new methods to type platonic connections, as loneliness and social isolation have develop into extra prevalent.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General went as far as to label this subject a public well being disaster. Distant employees, 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.
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.
Based on estimates from Appfigures, over a dozen local-focused friendship apps have collectively generated roughly $16 million in shopper spending within the U.S. up to now this yr. Some notable examples embody Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF. Moreover, these apps have garnered roughly 4.3 million downloads to date in 2025.
The apps intention to supply 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 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 bunch of strangers based mostly on their persona check outcomes. The app sends invites to close by public social occasions, reminiscent of wine bars and comedy golf equipment. There may be then a vetting course of, and chosen individuals are notified on the day of the occasion. A bonus for individuals who really feel socially anxious: you’re allowed to carry a plus one.
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The service expenses a $22.22 curation charge 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 area, 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 major redesign, with an elevated emphasis on facilitating group meetups, catering to customers’ wishes to develop their social circles.
BFF is obtainable totally free obtain on iOS and Android units. A premium subscription is obtainable, 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 deal with discovering native occasions. The social platform helps customers discover group 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 pals plan to attend. The app additionally features a characteristic that recommends different customers to attach with at these occasions.
As of now, Clyx operates completely in two cities: Miami and London. Nonetheless, 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 obtainable on the App Store and Google Play Store.
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, reminiscent of pottery courses, ebook 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 obtainable 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 local event discovery platform has been round since 2002, serving to tens of millions of customers join with others who share comparable 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 will additionally chat with group members and publish updates and photographs from gatherings.
Meet5
This European community-building app just lately launched within the U.S., focusing on customers over 40 who wish to meet new folks of their space and take part in group actions reminiscent of picnics, live shows, and climbing. Notably, in a short while, there have been round 777,000 U.S. downloads up to now throughout the App Store and Google Play Store, in accordance with Appfigures estimates.
Pie
Pie is one other one of many newer social apps available on the market. 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 short persona evaluation, and the algorithm organizes attendees into teams of six, who’re then added to a bunch 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 Store and Google Play Store.
Timeleft
Timeleft is a comparatively new platform that helps you arrange 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 persona. Customers are matched with 4 different folks, however they solely be taught minor particulars about them the night time earlier than, together with their occupations and zodiac indicators.
Dinners happen at a particular restaurant on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. To assist everybody break the ice, the app affords a recreation with dialog starters. After dinner, there may be an after-party at an area bar.
Customers can ebook 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 accountable for protecting their very own dinner and drinks.
Wyzr Pals
Wyzr Friends 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 pals and prepare in-person actions based mostly on shared pursuits, reminiscent of 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.