Just like online dating has changed how someone might meet their future spouse, friendship apps have become the new way to make friends in no time. If you’re looking to find new friends in a pinch, here are the 15 best friendship apps worth exploring.
Best friendship apps
Bumble BFF
Naturally, the app that changed the world of online dating by having women take the lead would also take the lead on helping people form new friendships. Use the Bumble app in Bumble BFF mode to make new friends when you move to a new city or expand your current friend circle at home. Now you can even find your next career mentor by using Bumble Bizz to network with industry contacts, which might lead you to your next big career move. (iOs, Android, free with in-app purchases)
Hey! VINA
Hey! Vina is the women’s friendship app that helps you find new female friends. Simply swipe right to find your new BFF. Made for women, by women, the app lets ladies take lighthearted personality quizzes to find friends they’ll be compatible with or join communities of like-minded women, like yogis or working moms. (iOs, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Ablo
What if you could make new friends virtually and travel the world at the same time? With the Ablo app, you can talk to people from other corners of the world and feel like you’re visiting France, Spain or Italy instantly. Language barrier? No problem. You can chat or video call with a person in another country in your own native language, and the app will translate your conversation for you in real time. (iOs, Android, free with in-app purchases)
Reach
Reach was designed to help you achieve friendship goals—not in the trendy way, but in the true meaning of the word. When you first setup your profile, you can define your personality by choosing the emojis that fit you best. (If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many is an emoji worth?) Reach then recommends best friends based on your shared interests and personality types. Message, call or video chat with the people you meet, and together, you can work toward friendship goals in categories like support, loyalty, and companionship. Complete activities together in any of these categories to level up your friendship status. (iOS, Android, free).
Friended
Friended was created so you always have someone to talk to. You can post about yourself or how you’re feeling for others to see, but all responses come in the form of direct messages so you can hold a private conversation and build one-on-one connections. From there, it’s easy to video chat with the friends you meet, and even play guessing games or take quizzes to learn more about your new friend. (iOS, free with in-app purchases)
Patook
Have you already tried one of these apps and found that the lines still get blurred between finding new friendships and forming romantic relationships? Patook is the platonic friendship app that takes its mission seriously by using flirt blockers to stop other users from hitting on you. Of course, knowing this, that means other users on the app are already going into it with the same expectations as you. Patook uses a point system to calculate compatibility based on both mutual interests and dislikes, and you can even add traits you’re looking for to give users bonus points (like a friend who loves to cook or knows how to play a musical instrument). The app also has extra privacy settings so you can control who can see your profile or contact you. (iOS, Android, free).
Meet My Dog
Over meeting new people? How about dogs? Meet nearby dogs and their owners with the Meet My Dog app. You can make a profile for you and your pup, set up puppy play dates, and see who’s around to hang out at the dog park. Fido will thank you for finding him a new four-legged friend, and you might even meet a new two-legged friend and fellow dog lover while you’re at it. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Peanut
Becoming a new parent is no small feat, but having other moms to mentor you can make it easier. With Peanut, you can meet other moms online and seek their guidance. The app lets you join groups and communities of women throughout all stages of motherhood—whether they’re new moms, women trying to conceive, or pregnant women expecting a child. You can listen as others share their tips, offer your own advice, and even dive into personal topics like IVF, adoption, or nursing. (iOS, Android, free).
Meetup
One of the original ways to connect with people online and meet in person (before the age of dating and friendship apps), Meetup lets you create online groups in order to organize in-person and virtual events. With over 3 million monthly active users, it’s easy for people with shared interests to come together online and organize events to enjoy together in real life. Ready to join a Meetup community? Search for groups and events in categories like health and wellness, food and drink, film, careers, or book clubs. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Atleto
With the Atleto app, you can find your next Doubles Tennis partner or pick an opponent for a one-on-one matchup. Use it to connect with athletes in your area and find new friends based on their go-to sport, current skill level, and location. It’s especially ideal for students on college campuses looking to host a game or form a recreational sports team. (iOS, Android, free).
Next Door
Next Door is the hyperlocal neighborhood app that lets people share local tips, buy or sell unwanted items, and connect with local businesses, but it’s also a great way to get to know your own neighbors. The only way to get into your online neighborhood community is to show proof of where you live, so all neighbors’ addresses and identities are verified. Find a lost dog, local fix-it person—or your next neighborhood friend. (iOS, Android, free).
Yubo
Yubo is the video live-streaming app geared toward teens and young adults ages 13-25. Young people can connect with each other from all over the world and meet new friends by joining live streams with up to 10 people at a time. Unlike other social media platforms, this one doesn’t involve having followers, so you can eliminate the pressure of racking up your follower count and just worry about being you. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Skout
Skout aims to bring back the magic of serendipitous meetings by letting you scout for new friends online—both near you and around the world. The app lets you search for people by preference and proximity and makes it easier for you to get to know each other before meeting in person. Chat, share photos, broadcast yourself live, and even send virtual gifts. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
LMK
LMK is a social app that helps you make new friends in a number of ways—and one of those ways will make you think you’ve landed on Clubhouse. Instantly chat with people who share similar interests, drop in on Audio Rooms to talk to groups of like-minded individuals, or participate in polls and fun Q&As on Snapchat to get to know each other. No matter which way you choose, the end goal is the same: meet new friends online. (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases).
Hoop
Do you love exchanging pictures and videos back and forth with friends on Snapchat? Now you can make new Snapchat friends around the world with the Hoop app. You can use the app to find new potential friends and request their username. If they accept the request, you’ll be sent their Snapchat username to continue your online friendship from there; otherwise, the person’s account info remains confidential. But hey, it never hurts to ask! (iOS, Android, free with in-app purchases). Next up, here are 125 Ways to Show Moral Support
