Feeling disconnected? You’re not alone. As loneliness and social isolation rise, more people are actively seeking platonic connections—especially remote workers missing office small talk and young adults building social circles around shared interests. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General even labeled loneliness a public health crisis, underscoring the need for new ways to meet people offline.
The stigma around meeting online has faded thanks to dating apps, and that shift has paved the way for a new generation of platforms built specifically for friendship and local community. According to SensorTower estimates, U.S. consumer spending on local-focused friendship apps has reached roughly $16 million so far this year, with about 4.3 million downloads in 2025. The promise is simple: remove the awkwardness of approaching strangers by connecting people who are clearly there for the same thing—friendship, not romance.
If you’re ready to meet people near you, try these standout friendship apps designed for real-life group activities and meaningful connections.
222
An iOS-only social events platform, 222 brings small groups of strangers together at local spots like wine bars and comedy clubs. Sign up, take a personality test, and the app curates invites to nearby public events. There’s a vetting step, and selected attendees are notified on the day. Feeling nervous? You can bring a plus one. Pricing is a $22.22 curation fee per event or a monthly subscription at the same price.
BFF
Bumble’s friend-finding experience focuses on platonic connections and recently doubled down on group meetups to help users grow their social circles faster. BFF is free on iOS and Android, with a premium tier that unlocks extras like seeing who liked you, unlimited swipes, and SuperSwipes.
Clyx
Clyx blends group-based social networking with local event discovery by pulling in listings from sources like Ticketmaster and TikTok. You can sync your contacts to see which events friends plan to attend, and the app suggests people to meet at those gatherings. Clyx currently operates in Miami and London, with expansion plans for New York City and São Paulo. Available on iOS and Android.
Les Amis
Designed for women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ people, Les Amis uses AI to match users by shared interests and nudges them toward real-world activities like pottery classes, book clubs, and wine tastings. New matches roll out every Monday so you can chat and plan meetups for later in the week. Available on iOS and Android in European cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, and Stockholm; in the U.S., it’s live in Austin and New York with Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles on the roadmap. Membership fees vary by city (for example, $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam).
Meetup
A veteran in the space since 2002, Meetup helps people find and form groups around hobbies, careers, and causes—and RSVP to in-person events. You can join existing communities or start your own, chat with members, share updates, and post photos after gatherings.
Meet5
This European community-building app has expanded to the U.S., catering primarily to people over 40 who want to meet nearby and join group outings like picnics, concerts, and hikes. It has quickly gained traction, with around 777,000 U.S. downloads so far across iOS and Android, according to SensorTower estimates.
Pie
Pie uses an AI-powered quiz to predict compatibility and form small groups that click. When you RSVP to a Pie event, you take a brief personality assessment; the app then creates groups of six and opens a group chat so everyone can break the ice before meeting. Pie is currently available in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco on iOS and Android.
Timeleft
Timeleft organizes weekly group dinners for strangers and makes it easy to say yes to a new social plan. Its algorithm considers factors like age, gender, and personality to form tables of five. The night before, you get a few fun details about your dinner companions—think occupation and zodiac sign. Dinners are set for Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at selected restaurants, complete with conversation-starter games and an optional after-party at a nearby bar. Pricing varies by country and venue; you buy a ticket upfront and cover your own food and drinks.
Wyzr Friends
Built for adults 40 and older—especially empty nesters and divorcees—Wyzr Friends focuses on activity-based meetups. Give a thumbs up or down on potential friends, then plan outings that match your interests, from hiking to movie nights. It’s available on iOS and Android across the U.S., Canada, Australia, Ireland, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mexico.
Why these friendship apps work
– They remove ambiguity by making everyone’s intent clear: platonic connection.
– Group formats reduce first-meeting pressure and help conversations flow.
– Local event discovery gets you off the couch and into real-life activities faster.
Quick tips to get more from friendship apps
– Be specific in your profile about interests and availability.
– Opt into group meetups to meet several new people at once.
– Say yes to low-stakes events like coffee, trivia, or walks.
– Follow up quickly after a good connection to keep momentum.
– Trust your instincts and meet in public places.
Making friends as an adult shouldn’t feel impossible. With these friend-finding apps, you can meet people nearby, share experiences, and build a social circle that sticks—no awkward cold approaches required.
