Best Apps to Make New Friends in 2024

The Rising Demand for Platonic Connections

A growing number of individuals are actively seeking avenues for establishing platonic relationships, driven by increasing rates of loneliness and social disconnection.

The prevalence of this issue was formally recognized in 2023 when the U.S. Surgeon General designated social isolation as a public health crisis.

Factors Contributing to the Trend

Remote employees, often lacking the casual social interactions of a traditional workplace, and young adults aiming to build social networks around common interests are particularly motivated to forge new friendships.

The acceptance of online platforms for relationship building has significantly increased, largely due to the widespread use of online dating apps.

Growth of Friendship-Focused Apps

This shift has paved the way for a new generation of applications specifically designed to facilitate friendships and strengthen local communities.

Data from Appfigures indicates that over a dozen friendship apps focused on local connections have generated roughly $16 million in consumer spending within the U.S. during the current year.

Apps like Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF are prominent examples, collectively achieving approximately 4.3 million downloads as of 2025.

Advantages of Using Friendship Apps

These platforms offer a more comfortable alternative to initiating conversations with strangers in public settings, such as gyms or cafés.

The explicit focus on friendship, rather than romantic pursuits, reduces the potential for miscommunication and makes initiating contact less daunting.

Available Options for Finding Friends

A diverse range of applications, from established services like Meetup to newer entrants like 222, are available to meet the increasing need for meaningful friendships.

Below is a curated list of apps to explore for those seeking to expand their social circles.

222: A Platform for Facilitating In-Person Connections

The 222 application is a social events platform exclusively available on iOS. It focuses on creating opportunities for face-to-face interactions by connecting individuals who share compatible personality traits, as determined by a personality assessment.

How 222 Organizes Social Gatherings

The app functions by extending invitations to users for social events happening in their vicinity. These events typically take place at public venues like wine bars and comedy clubs.

Following the invitation, a selection process is implemented. Those chosen to participate receive notification on the day of the scheduled event.

Addressing Social Anxiety

Recognizing that some users may experience social apprehension, 222 offers a feature allowing attendees to bring a companion to the event.

Cost of Service

Users can access the platform's services through either a one-time curation fee of $22.22 or a recurring monthly subscription, also priced at $22.22.

222 aims to provide a curated and comfortable environment for individuals seeking to expand their social circles through real-world interactions.

BFF

Recognized primarily as a dating platform, Bumble has also established a presence in the realm of friendship. Its friend-finding functionality was initially introduced in 2016.

Subsequently, this feature was developed into a separate application in 2023.

A recent, substantial redesign of the BFF app prioritizes the organization of group gatherings. This change directly addresses user preferences for expanding their social networks.

The application can be downloaded without cost on both iOS and Android operating systems.

Key Features

• The app focuses on connecting individuals seeking platonic relationships.
• Group meetup facilitation is a core component of the redesigned platform.
• BFF aims to assist users in broadening their existing social circles.

Users are able to access BFF on a variety of mobile devices.

The platform’s evolution reflects a growing demand for applications dedicated to fostering friendships.

Clyx

Clyx represents a newly developed application within the realm of group social networking. Its primary function centers around the discovery of events happening locally.

This social platform facilitates the location of community gatherings by consolidating information sourced from platforms such as Ticketmaster and TikTok.

Key Features

• Users are able to upload their existing contact lists.
• This feature allows individuals to identify which events their acquaintances are intending to visit.
• The application also provides recommendations for connecting with other attendees at these events.

Currently, Clyx’s operational scope is limited to two metropolitan areas: Miami and London. Expansion plans are underway, targeting additional cities in the coming months.

New York City and São Paulo are prioritized as the next locations for service rollout.

The Clyx application can be downloaded and utilized on both the App Store and Google Play Store.

The platform aims to enhance social experiences by connecting users with relevant events and potential connections within their communities.

Les Amís: A Friendship Platform

Les Amís is a dedicated friendship application designed for women, transgender individuals, and those identifying as LGBTQ+. It utilizes artificial intelligence to connect users who share common interests.

The platform actively promotes engagement in community activities, ranging from creative pursuits like pottery classes to intellectual gatherings such as book clubs and social events like wine tastings.

New user matches are generated on a weekly basis, specifically every Monday. This allows ample time for conversation and the subsequent arrangement of in-person meetings.

Availability and Geographic Reach

Les Amís is accessible through both iOS and Android operating systems.

Currently, the app provides its services in several major European cities. These include Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm.

Within the United States, Les Amís is presently available in Austin and New York. Future expansion plans encompass the addition of Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Membership and Costs

Access to Les Amís requires a paid subscription. The cost of membership is determined by the user’s location.

For example, a membership in New York is priced at $70, while the fee in Amsterdam is €55.

Meetup

Established in 2002, Meetup functions as a platform for discovering local events and fostering connections. It has facilitated connections for millions of individuals with shared interests.

Core Functionality

The platform allows users to register their attendance for events. It also enables participation in groups focused on diverse hobbies, professional fields, and social initiatives.

Group and Event Creation

Users possess the capability to establish their own groups and organize events. This empowers them to build communities around specific passions or needs.

Communication and Sharing

Communication within groups is supported through a dedicated chat feature. Members can also share updates and photos documenting their experiences at gatherings.

Meetup provides a space for individuals to connect, collaborate, and cultivate relationships based on common ground.

Meet5

A European application focused on community development has recently become available in the United States.

The app is designed for individuals aged 40 and above who are seeking opportunities to connect with others locally and engage in shared experiences.

Key Features and Growth

Meet5 facilitates connections through group activities, including outings like picnics, attendance at concerts, and hiking expeditions.

Appfigures estimates indicate a rapid adoption rate, with approximately 777,000 downloads recorded across both the App Store and Google Play Store within a concise timeframe.

This demonstrates a significant demand for platforms that cater to social interaction among this demographic.

The app provides a focused environment for building relationships and fostering a sense of belonging.

Users can discover and join events based on their interests, promoting organic connections.

Meet5 distinguishes itself by specifically targeting an older age group, addressing a potentially underserved market.

The substantial download numbers suggest the app is successfully filling a niche in the social networking landscape.

Pie

Pie represents a recently launched social application. It utilizes an artificial intelligence-powered questionnaire to determine potential compatibility between users.

Prior to a Pie event, participants complete a concise personality evaluation. The application’s algorithm then arranges attendees into groups of six, facilitating interaction through a dedicated group chat within the Pie app.

Functionality and Availability

This pre-event communication allows individuals to connect before physically meeting. Currently, Pie’s services are limited to select cities.

The app is accessible for download on both the App Store and Google Play Store, specifically for users located in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Key Features

• AI-Driven Matching: A core component is the use of artificial intelligence to suggest compatible connections.
• Personality Assessment: Users complete a brief quiz to determine their personality traits.
• Small Group Interactions: Attendees are organized into groups of six for focused engagement.
• Pre-Event Chat: A group chat is created within the app to foster connections before the event.

These features are designed to enhance the social experience and facilitate meaningful interactions.

Timeleft: Facilitating Social Connections Through Shared Dinners

Timeleft represents a novel platform designed to facilitate weekly social gatherings, specifically dinner dates, among individuals who are initially strangers. A unique matching algorithm is employed by the application to connect users based on factors such as age, gender, and personality traits.

This algorithm pairs users with a group of four others, though detailed information remains limited until the day preceding the event. Participants receive only basic insights regarding their potential companions, including their professions and astrological signs.

How Timeleft Dinners Work

These organized dinners are held at pre-selected restaurants every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. To encourage interaction and ease initial awkwardness, the app provides a curated game featuring conversation prompts.

Following the dinner, an optional social extension is offered in the form of an after-party hosted at a nearby bar. This provides a more relaxed setting for continued conversation.

Booking and Costs

Reservations for Timeleft dinners can be made either online via the platform’s website or directly through the mobile application. The cost of participation is variable.

Pricing is determined by both the geographical location and the chosen restaurant. Users purchase a ticket in advance, and are then individually responsible for the cost of their meal and any beverages consumed.

• Ticket Purchase: Required upfront.
• Individual Expenses: Dinner and drinks are paid separately.
• Scheduling: Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

Wyzr Friends

Wyzr Friends is a friendship application focused on activities, specifically created for adults aged 40 and above.

The app aims to assist empty nesters, individuals who are divorced, and others in establishing connections with people who share similar interests.

How it Works

Potential friends are evaluated by users through a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down system.

Once a mutual connection is established, users can then coordinate real-world activities based on their common hobbies, like attending films or going for hikes.

Availability

Wyzr Friends is accessible on both iOS and Android platforms.

Currently, the application is available for download and use in the following countries:

• The U.S.
• Canada
• Australia
• Ireland
• The Philippines
• Singapore
• Mexico

The app provides a platform for adults to forge new friendships centered around shared experiences and activities.