The rising tide of loneliness and social isolation has prompted many to seek new ways of forming platonic connections. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General even declared loneliness a public health crisis. From remote workers missing everyday office interactions to younger individuals eager to build adult social circles around shared interests, the demand for meaningful friendships is clear.

The stigma once associated with finding connections online, largely eroded by dating apps, has paved the way for a new generation of apps dedicated to fostering friendships and building local communities. These platforms offer a less intimidating alternative to traditional methods, explicitly stating that all users are seeking friendship, not romance, making initial conversations much easier.

This burgeoning market is significant. According to estimates from Appfigures, over a dozen local-focused friendship apps have collectively generated approximately $16 million in consumer spending in the U.S. so far this year, with around 4.3 million downloads in 2025. Below, we've compiled a list of prominent friendship apps to help you expand your social circle.

Friendship Apps to Explore

222

222 is an iOS-exclusive social events platform designed to facilitate in-person meetups. It pairs groups of strangers based on personality test results and sends invitations to nearby public social events, such as wine bars and comedy clubs. After a vetting process, selected participants are notified on the day of the event. A thoughtful feature for those with social anxiety: users are permitted to bring a plus-one. The service charges a $22.22 curation fee or offers a monthly subscription at the same price.

BFF

Dating app giant Bumble entered the friendship arena in 2016 with its friend-finding feature, which later evolved into a standalone BFF app in 2023. This friend-making platform recently received a major redesign, now placing a stronger emphasis on facilitating group meetups to help users expand their social circles. BFF is available for free download on iOS and Android devices.

Clyx

Clyx is an emerging group-based social networking app with a strong focus on local event discovery. It helps users find community events by integrating data from platforms such as Ticketmaster and TikTok. Users can also upload their contact lists to see which events their friends are planning to attend, and the app recommends other users to connect with at these gatherings. Currently, Clyx operates exclusively in Miami and London but plans to expand to New York City and São Paulo soon. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Les Amis

Les Amis is a friendship app specifically designed for women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ individuals. It uses AI to match users based on shared interests and encourages participation in local events like pottery classes, book clubs, and wine tastings. Matches are generated every Monday, giving users time to chat and plan meetups for later in the week. Available on iOS and Android, Les Amis operates in several European cities (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Stockholm) and U.S. cities (Austin, New York), with plans to expand to Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles. The app utilizes a paid membership model, with fees varying by city, such as $70 in New York and €55 in Amsterdam.

Meetup

A veteran in the social connection space, Meetup has been a local event-discovery platform since 2002, connecting millions of users with shared interests. Users can RSVP to events, join groups focused on diverse hobbies, professions, or social causes, and even create their own groups and events. The platform also allows for direct communication among group members and sharing updates and photos from gatherings.

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