As loneliness and social disconnection rise, a new generation of **friendship-focused apps** is trying to do for platonic relationships what dating apps did for romance.[3] These platforms promise to help you meet people nearby, join group activities, and even find like‑minded friends across the world — all from your phone.
Below is an overview of some of the most talked‑about **friend-making apps as of 2025**, what they’re good at, and who they’re really for.
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## Why “friend apps” are suddenly everywhere
According to app analytics firm Appfigures, more than a dozen *local‑focused friendship apps* have generated around **$16 million in consumer spending in the U.S. this year** and about **4.3 million downloads**.[3] That’s a strong signal that people are actively looking for tools to build new social circles, especially in big cities and after major life changes like moving, graduating, divorce or becoming an empty nester.[3]
The stigma around “meeting people online” has faded thanks to dating apps, and now that same model is being used to help people find **friends, hobby groups, and local communities**.[3][2]
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## BFF (by Bumble): Swiping for friends instead of dates
**Best for:** People who like the dating‑app interface and want both 1:1 and group hangouts.
Bumble launched its friend‑finding feature back in 2016 and spun it out into a **standalone BFF app in 2023**.[3] In 2025, BFF has been redesigned to focus more on **group meetups** and helping users grow their wider social circles, not just find a single “new bestie.”[3]
You:
– Create a profile with interests, photos and prompts.
– Swipe through potential friends (similar to dating apps).[2]
– Join or create small group meetups via the new design tweaks focused on social events.[3]
BFF is **free on iOS and Android** and is one of the most established players in this space.[3][2]
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## Timeleft & Meet5: Local groups, not endless chat
**Best for:** People who want *real‑life* group dinners and activities instead of just messaging.
TechCrunch highlights **Timeleft** and **Meet5** as notable local friendship apps in the emerging “friend‑tech” wave.[3] While details vary by app, they share a common idea:
– Focus on **small group outings** (like dinners, drinks, hikes) rather than private 1:1 chats.
– Use **events and RSVPs** to bring 4–8 strangers together in person.
– Reduce the pressure of “cold DMing” by giving you something structured to do together.
They’re part of a broader move from “social media” to **social utility** — tools that actually get you off your phone and into the real world.[3][2]
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## Les Amís: Curated for women & LGBTQ+ communities
**Best for:** Women, trans and LGBTQ+ users who want curated, local, identity‑aware friendships.
**Les Amís** is a friendship app designed specifically for **women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ people**.[3] It uses **AI‑based matching** around shared interests and nudges users into **local events** like pottery classes, book clubs and wine tastings.[3]
Key details:
– New matches drop every **Monday**, giving you a weekly batch rather than constant swiping.[3]
– Available across major European cities (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Stockholm) and in **Austin and New York** in the U.S., with expansion planned.[3]
– Uses a **paid membership model**, e.g. around **$70 in New York** and **€55 in Amsterdam**, with pricing varying by city.[3]
If you want a safer, more intentional environment than generic social apps, this one is built around that premise.
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## Pie: Personality‑based group matching
**Best for:** Young professionals who like quizzes and structured socials.
**Pie** is a newer social app that uses an **AI‑driven personality quiz** to sort people into compatible small groups.[3] When you RSVP to a Pie event:
– You take a short **personality assessment**.[3]
– Pie’s algorithm groups attendees into **tables of six** people.[3]
– You’re all placed into a **group chat** inside the app before the event, so you can break the ice in advance.[3]
Pie currently operates in **Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco**, on both iOS and Android.[3] It’s ideal if you dislike unstructured mingling and prefer guided, curated social scenarios.
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## Wyzr Friends: For people 40+ rebuilding their social lives
**Best for:** Over‑40s, empty nesters, and people post‑divorce looking for peers.
**Wyzr Friends** targets **adults 40 and older**, especially empty nesters and people coming out of long relationships who want to rebuild a social life.[3]
Features include:
– Thumbs‑up/thumbs‑down style browsing of potential friends.[3]
– Planning **activity‑based meetups** like movie nights or hikes built around shared interests.[3]
– Availability on iOS and Android across **the U.S., Canada, Australia, Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico**.[3]
If most friend apps feel too Gen‑Z, Wyzr Friends is built for a different life stage.
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## Mmotion: Map‑based social discovery
**Best for:** City dwellers who want to explore new places with new people.
**Mmotion** mixes **location tracking and social discovery** to help you meet people nearby and find interesting venues.[3] Once you join:
– You can enter **interest‑based groups** (basketball, hiking, art, etc.).[3]
– See a **map of active users** and message those nearby.[3]
– Discover **new bars, restaurants, and spots** highlighted inside the app.[3]
It’s best suited to people comfortable with location sharing who want to combine exploring their city with making friends.
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## Global friend‑making & niche options
Beyond local meetups, a broader ecosystem of friend apps is emerging:
– **Voice‑based friendship apps** like *Bubblic* emphasize audio messages and deeper, journal‑style conversations where you connect through voice rather than appearance.[2]
– **Penpal‑style apps** such as *Slowly* recreate letter‑writing with delayed delivery and global matches for long‑form cultural exchange.[2]
– **Gen‑Z‑focused platforms** like *Yubo* and *Hoop* use swipes, live hangs and Snap‑style interactions to help teens and young adults meet peers worldwide.[4][8]
– **Interest‑driven apps** like *BeFriend* or hobby platforms (Meetup for events, Discord for gamers) center everything around shared passions, from gaming to book clubs.[5][2]
These tools recognize that not everyone wants the same thing: some want **local brunch friends**, others want **deep late‑night voice talks**, and some just want **people to game or create with**.
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## How to pick the right “friend app” for you
When you’re choosing where to invest your time, ask:
– Do I want **local, in‑person** friends (Timeleft, Meet5, Pie, BFF, Les Amís, Wyzr Friends, Mmotion)?[3]
– Do I prefer **1:1 chats** or structured **group events**?[3][2]
– Is my **identity or life stage** (LGBTQ+, women, 40+) a key factor (Les Amís, Wyzr Friends)?[3]
– Am I more comfortable with **voice, text, or video**?[2][4]
– How much do **cost and city availability** matter right now?[3]
Friendship apps can’t do the vulnerable part for you — showing up, following through, and being open — but they can dramatically reduce the hardest step: **finding people who also want to meet someone new.**
Original source: TechCrunch – As people look for ways to make new friends, here are the apps promising to help