Best Apps to Make New Friends in 2026
▼ Summary
– Loneliness and social isolation have led to a growing demand for platonic connections, prompting the U.S. Surgeon General to declare it a public health crisis in 2023.
– A new wave of friendship-focused apps has emerged, capitalizing on reduced stigma from online dating and collectively generating millions in consumer spending and downloads.
– These apps provide a structured, less intimidating alternative to spontaneous in-person interactions by clearly signaling a shared goal of friendship over romance.
– The market includes diverse apps like Bumble BFF, Meetup, and newer entrants such as 222, Clyx, and Les Amís, which use algorithms, event integration, and personality tests to facilitate connections.
– Many apps target specific demographics or use unique models, such as group dinners (Timeleft), age-focused communities (Meet5, Wyzr Friends), or city-specific launches with subscription or fee-based access.
Finding genuine friendship in today’s world can feel like a challenge, especially as remote work and shifting social dynamics leave many people seeking deeper connections. The growing demand for platonic relationships has sparked a wave of innovative apps designed to move beyond digital chats and foster real-world community. This shift is significant; loneliness has been recognized as a serious public health concern, prompting many to seek new avenues for building their social circles. The success of dating apps has paved the way, reducing the stigma of meeting people online and opening the door for platforms focused solely on friendship.
These applications offer a structured, less intimidating alternative to randomly striking up a conversation in public. Everyone on these platforms shares the same goal: to make new friends. Industry data shows this sector is thriving, with numerous friendship-focused apps generating millions in revenue and attracting millions of downloads. From long-standing community hubs to fresh startups, there are now more options than ever for finding your people.
One notable entry is 222, an iOS-exclusive platform that organizes in-person meetups. It uses personality test results to curate groups of strangers and sends invitations to local events at venues like wine bars or comedy clubs. After a vetting process, selected participants are notified on the day. A helpful feature for those with social anxiety is the allowance for a plus-one. The service operates on a curation fee or monthly subscription model.
Bumble BFF is a major player, having evolved from a feature within the popular dating app into its own standalone platform. It recently underwent a significant redesign to place greater emphasis on facilitating group meetups, aligning with users’ goals to expand their social networks. The app remains free to download on both iOS and Android.
For those interested in local happenings, Clyx is an emerging app with a strong focus on discovering community events. It aggregates data from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok and allows users to sync their contacts to see which events friends plan to attend. It also suggests other users to connect with at these gatherings. Currently available in Miami and London, with plans to expand to cities like New York, it can be found on major app stores.
Les Amís is a friendship app designed for women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ individuals, using AI to match members based on shared interests. It encourages participation in local events like pottery classes or book clubs. Matches are delivered weekly, allowing time to chat and plan meetups. It operates in several European and U.S. cities with a paid membership model, and fees vary by location.
A veteran in the space, Meetup has been connecting people around shared interests since 2002. The platform allows users to RSVP to events, join groups centered on hobbies or professions, and even create their own gatherings. It includes features for chatting with group members and sharing photos from events.
Meet5 is a community-building app that recently launched in the U.S., particularly appealing to users over 40. It facilitates group activities like picnics, concerts, and hiking. Estimates indicate it has seen substantial download numbers since its stateside release.
Pie is a newer social app that uses an AI-driven quiz to predict compatibility among users. Those who RSVP to an event take a brief personality assessment, and the algorithm then forms groups of six. These small groups are added to a chat within the app to interact before the event takes place. It is currently available in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Timeleft organizes weekly dinner dates with groups of strangers, using an algorithm that considers age, gender, and personality. Users are matched with four others, learning only minor details like occupations beforehand. Dinners are held on Wednesday evenings at selected restaurants, complete with conversation-starting games and an optional after-party at a local bar. Users purchase a ticket upfront and cover their own meal and drinks.
Launched recently, Washed Up is an event discovery app for the Los Angeles area. It helps users find local happenings like concerts or trivia nights and provides a way to connect with others attending. Users can create or join small “plans” tied to specific events, allowing them to arrive with a group rather than alone. It is available on the App Store.
Wyzr Friends is designed for adults 40 and older, including empty nesters or those navigating life changes. The activity-based app lets users express interest in potential friends and arrange in-person activities based on shared interests. It is available in several countries including the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Finally, Mmotion is a new app that blends location tracking with social discovery to help users connect with people nearby and explore new local spots. Users can join interest-based groups, view a map of active users, and message those nearby. The app also highlights new restaurants and venues. It is currently only available to users in New York City via an application process.
(Source: TechCrunch)
