In recent years, people have been looking for new ways to form more platonic relationships, as loneliness and social isolation have become more common.
In 2023 US Surgeon General went so far as to call the issue a public health crisis. Among those looking for meaningful friendships are remote workers who miss the daily interactions at the office and young individuals who are eager to create social circles for adults based on shared interests and hobbies.
Thanks to online dating apps, the stigma associated with finding a relationship online has largely been removed. It welcomed a new wave of programs aimed at fostering friendships and building local communities.
More than a dozen locally-focused friendship apps have generated a total of nearly $16 million in consumer spending in the U.S. so far this year, according to Appfigures estimates. Some notable examples include Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF. In addition, these apps have collected around 4.3 million downloads so far in 2025.
The apps aim to provide a less awkward solution than, say, approaching a stranger at the gym or local cafe and trying to strike up a conversation. These platforms make it clear that everyone using the app is looking for the same thing — romance, not friendship — making it less intimidating to start a conversation.
From major players like Meetup to newcomers like 222, there are plenty of apps catering to the growing demand for meaningful friendships. We have compiled a list of them for you to try.
222
Program 222 one For iOS only a social events platform that facilitates in-person meetings by connecting a group of strangers based on their personality test results. Program sends invitations to nearby social events such as wine bars and comedy clubs. A screening process is then carried out and the selected participants are informed about the day of the event. Bonus for the socially anxious: You’re allowed to bring a plus-one.
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The service charges a $22.22 curation fee or a monthly subscription for the same price.
Bumble’s BFF
The dating giant Bumble is among the more established players to enter the friendly space, making it work feature to find friends In 2016, it later became a independent program In 2023. The friendship program recently launched a significant redesignwith an increasing emphasis on facilitating group meetings, satisfying users’ desire to grow their social circles.
BFF is available for free download iOS and Android devices.
Clyx
Clyx is different the resulting program in a group-based social networking landscape, with a strong focus on discovering local events. The social platform combines data from platforms like Ticketmaster and TikTok to help users find community events. Additionally, Clyx allows users to upload their contact lists, helping them see what events their friends are planning to attend. The app also has a feature that recommends other users to connect at these events as well.
Currently, Clyx operates in only two cities: Miami and London. However, there are plans to expand to additional areas in the near future, with New York City and São Paulo at the top of the list. The application is available on the website App Store and Google Play Store.
Les Amis
Les Amis a friendship program designed for women, transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals, it uses artificial intelligence to match users based on similar interests and encourages participation in local events such as pottery classes, book clubs and wine tastings. Matches are held every Monday, allowing users to chat and schedule meetings at the end of the week.
Available iOS and AndroidLes Amís serves all European cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris and Stockholm. In the US, the app is available in Austin and New York with plans to expand to Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.
The app uses a paid membership model that varies by city, with fees starting at $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.
Meeting
The local event discovery platform It’s been around since 2002 and helps millions of users connect with others who share similar interests. Users can respond to events; join groups that cater to different hobbies, professions or social causes; and create their own groups and events. They can also chat with group members and send updates and photos from meetings.
Acquaintance 5
This is European community building program Recently launched in the US, it targets users over 40 who want to meet new people in their area and participate in group activities such as picnics, concerts and hikes. It should be noted that in a short period of time, there have been about 777,000 downloads in the United States so far App Store and Google Play StoreAccording to Appfigures calculations.
Pie
Pie is one of the newer ones social programs in the market. It consists of an AI-powered quiz designed to predict which users will be more compatible with each other. Each person who RSVPs to a Pie event takes a short personality assessment and the algorithm organizes attendees into groups of six, who are then added to a group chat within the Pie app, allowing them to connect with each other before the event.
Currently, the app is only available in Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco. Users can download from Pie App Store and Google Play Store.
The rest of the time
The rest of the time is a relatively new platform that helps you organize weekly dinners with groups you don’t know. The app uses a special algorithm to match you with others based on your age, gender and personality. Users are matched with four other people, but they only learn small details about them the day before, including their professions and zodiac signs.
Dinner is held at a selected restaurant on Tuesday evenings at 19:00. To help everyone break the ice, the app offers games with conversation starters. After dinner, a reception is organized at a local bar.
Users can order meals online or through the internet program. Prices vary by country and restaurant. Users pay for a ticket in advance and are responsible for paying for their own lunch and drinks.
Washed
Washed Launched in early 2026, it’s a social event discovery app designed for people who want an easier way to find things to do and meet new people in the Los Angeles area.
The app helps users discover local events like concerts, trivia nights, and comedy shows, while giving them an inside track to connect with others who plan to attend. Instead of just going to events, users can create or join “plans,” which are small group meetings related to specific events. Users can browse these plans and apply to join, chat with a group and add new friends, making it easy to show up to events with people rather than alone.
It is available for download App Store.
Wyzr Friends
Wyzr Friends one an activity-based friendship program Designed for 40 and over, it caters to empty nesters, divorcees and other users looking to connect with like-minded individuals. Users can flag potential friends down or up and arrange personal activities based on shared interests, such as going to the movies or hiking.
Then it exists iOS and Android Devices in the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Philippines, Singapore and Mexico.
Movement
Movement a newly commissioned a dating app that combines social discovery with location tracking to help users connect with people nearby and discover new bars and restaurants in their area. After joining, users can participate in interest-based groups – such as hiking, basketball or art – view a map of active users, and send messages to those nearby. The app also makes it easy to find restaurants or places to try by highlighting new places on the map.
Mmotion is currently only available to users in New York iOS and Android devices. Users must first submit an application to be considered.
Synchrony
Commissioned in March 2026, Synchrony neurodivergent is a new social app for adults. Founded by the mother of a son on the autism spectrum, it aims to create a supportive community through features like interest-based matching and two-step identity verification. This ensures that users engage in a secure manner, as both the user and the trusted person must verify their personal information and photo during registration.
A standout feature is Jesse, an optional AI communication tool that helps users manage conversations. AI provides editable prompts to help express thoughts, clarify conversations and suggest boundary-spanning suggestions. While the incorporation of AI can be unsettling, Jesse has safeguards in place such as avoiding medical advice.
Users must pay a monthly subscription fee of $44.99 after a 30-day free trial. Then it exists iOS and Android devices.
This story has been updated since publication.
