In recent times, there’s been an increasing trend of individuals seeking new ways to create platonic connections as loneliness and social isolation have become more common.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared this issue a public health crisis. Remote workers missing regular office interactions and younger people keen on forming adult social circles based on shared likes and hobbies are among those searching for genuine friendships.
Thanks to online dating apps, the stigma around making connections online has greatly diminished, leading to a surge in apps aimed at promoting friendships and local communities.
Appfigures estimates indicate that more than a dozen locally-focused friendship apps have collectively generated about $16 million in U.S. consumer spending this year. Notable examples include Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF. Additionally, these apps have achieved roughly 4.3 million downloads up to 2025.
These apps offer a less awkward solution compared to approaching someone at places like gyms or cafés. The platforms indicate that all users are interested in friendship, not romance, making it easier to start conversations.
From well-established apps like Meetup to new ones like 222, there are plenty of options catering to the growing demand for significant friendships. Here’s a list for you to explore.
222
The app 222 is an iOS-only social events platform that enables in-person meetups by matching strangers based on their personality test results. It invites participants to nearby public social events, such as wine bars and comedy clubs, through a vetting process, notifying selected individuals on the event day. A plus for those who are socially anxious: you can bring a guest.
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The service has a $22.22 curation fee or a monthly subscription at the same price.
BFF
Bumble, a major player in dating apps, entered the friendship arena with its friend-finding feature in 2016, which later evolved into a separate app in 2023. The friend-making app recently underwent a significant redesign emphasizing group meetups, catering to users’ interests in expanding their social circles.
BFF is available for free on iOS and Android devices.
Clyx
Clyx is another rising app in group-based social networking with a strong focus on discovering local events. It helps users find community events by integrating data from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok. Additionally, Clyx allows users to upload their contact lists, letting them see which events their friends plan to attend. The app also recommends other users to connect with at these events.
Currently, Clyx operates exclusively in Miami and London, with plans to expand to more locations like New York City and São Paulo. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Les Amís
Les Amís is a friendship app tailored for women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ individuals that uses AI to match users based on shared interests, encouraging participation in local events such as pottery classes, book clubs, and wine tastings. Matches happen every Monday, allowing users to chat and plan meetups later in the week.
Available on iOS and Android, Les Amís serves various European cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm. In the U.S., the app is available in Austin and New York, with plans for cities like Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles.
The app operates on a paid membership model, which varies by city, with fees of $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.
Meetup
The local event-discovery platform has been around since 2002, assisting millions in connecting with others sharing similar interests. Users can RSVP to events, join groups for various hobbies, professions, or causes, and even create their own groups and events. Members can also chat and share updates and photos from gatherings.
Meet5
This European community-building app recently launched in the U.S., focusing on users over 40 aiming to meet new people for group activities like picnics, concerts, and hiking. In a short time, there have been about 777,000 U.S. downloads across the App Store and Google Play Store, as per Appfigures’ estimates.
Pie
Pie is one of the newer social apps, featuring an AI-powered quiz that predicts user compatibility. Each attendee at a Pie event takes a brief personality assessment, and the algorithm groups them into sets of six, allowing them to chat within the Pie app before the event.
Currently, available only in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco, users can download Pie from the App Store and Google Play Store.
Timeleft
Timeleft is a relatively new app helping users organize weekly dinner dates with strangers. With an algorithm that considers age, gender, and personality, it matches users with four others, but they only find out minor details like occupations and zodiac signs the night before.
Events are at selected restaurants on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m