Are you interested in meeting new people and making new friends?
Or are you looking for a new, useful app to spend your time on?
Some people say that it becomes increasingly difficult to make new friends as we age. We are often quite busy, dealing with equally important things like getting a stable job, paying the bills, and saving for the future.
Fortunately, we are now living in the digital age, and many things can be done with one simple click. One of them is finding new people with whom you might want to become friends.
In this post, we share a list of the best apps for making new friends. We have carefully researched them to ensure they are safe to download and use. If you feel your social life needs some rejuvenation, you might want to check them out.
Let’s get to it!
Use These Apps to Make New Friends
1. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is specifically aimed at people who have just moved into their neighborhoods and are looking to make new friends. It is a private social network exclusively for you and your neighbors, aimed at building stronger connections among people in local areas.
You can do many things on this app besides making new friends. You may have a virtual yard sale and sell goods or household items to your neighbors, and you can even find part-time jobs like babysitting or pet-watching.
Founder Jenny Mayfield assures the app's users that it is secure and safe. It features stringent security measures to ensure the neighborhood remains private. You do not need to worry; only actual neighbors are allowed, and everyone must undergo verification before officially joining.
2. Meetup
Meetup is the perfect place to meet new friends, especially if you are looking for people who share your interests. For instance, if you like knitting, cooking, or a particular sport, this app can connect you with a friend group you can join to enjoy your hobbies.
It is free, simple, and easy to create a Meetup account. You have four choices: via your FB account, your Google account, your Apple account, or your email account. Once logged in, you can immediately select your city and what interests you. From there, you can find several meetups that might be happening in your area.
If you have more energy, you can create your own group and host events. You can schedule and personalize these events, share photos and discussions, and message everyone in your group to connect them with other people. Meetup is a location-based app, so it uses your device’s location via GPS and the network.
We recommend this app for those who are looking for clubs or groups where they can become members. If you are interested in a running club, a writers club, or a book club, you will find one to sign up with.
3. Bumble BFF
Created and launched by the team behind one of the most popular dating apps, Bumble BFF is for people searching for platonic yet meaningful relationships with others. According to the app’s creators, Bumble BFF aims to make it easy for anyone to “build a supportive community around them—no matter where they are.”
If you have already tried using the Bumble dating app, then using the Bumble BFF will be easy for you. Your potential friend matches are based on your activities and interests. Once you finish uploading your photos, filling in your bio, getting your profile verified, and connecting to your other social media accounts, you’re ready to make new friends.
Start browsing other people’s profiles and swipe left to pass or right to connect. Unlike in the dating app, where the woman has to make the first move, anyone in the BFF version can make the first move.
4. Hey! Vina
Hey! Vina has been called “Tinder for (Girl) Friends.” It is specifically designed for women looking for other women with whom they can be friends. According to its founders, its main goal is to empower women and strengthen their individuality and camaraderie.
This app is similar to most other apps for making new friends in that you swipe to connect or join groups and communities. You may also take quizzes and read articles about how to live your best life as an independent yet reliable woman.
Founder and CEO Olivia June states that Hey! Vina aims to build global communities for women who want to support and inspire each other. She believes that women can empower and change the world for the better and do so together.
This app works in partnership with Tinder and has been featured in several prominent magazines, such as Cosmopolitan, The Guardian, The New York Times, and Elite Daily. If you want a new adventure with a new gal friend, we recommend downloading this app.
5. Atleto
No more solo training and no more individual practice. With Atleto, you can now look for a marathon, gym buddy, tennis, or basketball opponent. This app is about helping you find the right people to spend your sports time with.
The app functions like a mix between Tinder and Meetup. You can find people, groups, or communities associated with the specific sports or training you are interested in. You may even create your groups or host your events in real life. There are around 40 sports to choose from on the app.
Top universities like Northeastern University, Stony Brook University, and Manhattan College support Atleto. The app brings students together on their journey to what the app builders call #SportsTogether.
6. Peanut
Peanut is highly recommended for moms who feel isolated and would like to connect with other moms who understand what they are going through. The app connects women “across fertility and motherhood.” Through it, you can meet or chat with like-minded women.
Michelle Kennedy from the Badoo dating app is the founder of this app, and she started it in 2013 after giving birth. She described herself as an “isolated new mother” who wanted to find people who knew and understood what she was going through. She had postpartum depression and wanted someone who wouldn’t judge her for what she was feeling.
She created Peanut to help other moms cope whenever they feel isolated or worn out. On this app, moms can pose questions and share their knowledge with others. They can even create group conversations and join communities to build connections.
If you are a mom and feel the same way Michelle did when she first gave birth, or if you are simply looking for a new circle of friends who can better understand your mommy problems, then Peanut is an excellent “new friend” app to download.
7. Friender
Friender claims to be a “friends only” app, which means that it is not specifically designed for dating and starting romantic relationships. Its goal is to connect users with people who share similar interests.
After creating your account, you are given a list of 130 activities from which you can choose your favorites. From there, the app sends suggested matches that suit your preferences. These matches typically have at least one favorite activity that is the same as yours.
Friender also has the swipe feature, but the profiles you are shown aren’t randomly picked. They are chosen based on your answers during the registration and the bio in your profile. This is because you won’t end up having boring conversations when you meet in person with these people.
This app is free to use and download. However, it offers a premium feature that allows you to change your location and gain access to unlimited swipes. You may also unlock pre-connection photos and top the search results.
8. Yubo
Yubo is currently one of the top apps for making new friends. It has an impressive 20 million users, and its target market is teenagers—the demographic that drives the current Internet community. According to its team, the app aims to make it easy for people to discover new friends by providing a safe and secure platform.
This friendship app offers several features, such as a swipe button, a chat space, community forums, and games. Recently, it added its latest features, which include a YouTube Stream and Lenses, in partnership with Snapchat.
Yubo is a free app with no hidden charges, so you can enjoy everything without paying for a premium account.
The app currently has a 4.4-star rating on Google Play and a 4.6-star rating on the Apple App Store. Some people complain about the app's “very strict guidelines,” but we find this to be a good thing because it means you are in a safe environment.
9. Skout
Skout has been in the “meet new people” game for a long time. It started in 2007 and is technically a friendship app, but also functions as a dating app. It matches members based on proximity and preferences.
The app offers a chat button to share small-talk or deep conversations with your matches. It also has a broadcast function that lets you video yourself live or watch others doing their streams. There is also a reception-like function where you can see who checked you out or who is near you.
According to the app’s developers, Skout is usually used by people looking for activity partners and friends. It is also widely used by those who have just moved into a new city or have entered a new phase in their lives (e.g., fresh graduates or new employees). Other members use the app while traveling to different countries or cities.
10. BarkHappy
BarkHappy is a friendship platform for dog lovers and dog owners. It aims to connect people who share the same level of love and care for their animal friends. According to its developers, the app is dedicated to making dogs and their owners happy and social.
The app offers several features dedicated to serving pups and their owners. Some of these features include dog-friendly events and special products and deals. Note, however, that the special products and deals are exclusive to BarkHappy members. It is a free app, but you need to register to get these deals.
What we love about BarkHappy is its lost-and-found feature, which alerts you if you lose your dog (we hope not!) or if you find one lost in your area. This app is for dogs with owners and stray dogs that need some love and care from new owners.
11. Wink
Wink clearly states that it is not a dating app and that its mission is to provide a “fun and safe space” to meet new people and make friends. It does not have strict age restrictions; you are more than welcome as long as you are 13 years old or older.
That being said, its functionality is similar to most dating sites. There is a swipe right or left feature, a chatbox, and premiums like unlimited swipes, rewinds, and boosts. There is also a block or report option if you feel the need to get rid of someone.
If you are in for winks and fun conversations with strangers who might become future friends, you might consider downloading and using this app. It is available worldwide.
12. LMK
LMK is meant for extroverts. Its voice chat feature allows you to start or join calls in chatrooms that interest you. There is no need to wait for a “match”—instead, you are free to chat with people you find interesting.
However, there is a “swipe right” feature if you want to befriend someone. Dropping into the chat rooms is simply a feature that can help you get a good feel for the other people in the room.
LMK offers a standard community feed where you can share announcements or statuses. You can grow your network by building your profile and chatting instantly.
13. Twitch
Streaming games have become quite popular recently. Some significant friendships that we see on online platforms, including those of celebrities and influencers, were formed through game streams. One of the most popular apps that combines gaming and making new friends is this app—Twitch.
The app was initially designed for gamers and streamers. Still, over the years, it has opened its doors to other interests, including makeup and beauty, wellness and health, and sex education. Of course, you will find big streamers here, but that shouldn’t stop you from making new friends with your co-fans and co-gamers.
We recommend trying this app if you like (or want to try) doing live streams. That is its primary feature, after all.
14. Patook
Patook is a “strictly platonic app” intended for meeting new people and establishing potential friendships. While it is often called the “Tinder” of friendship apps, it prides itself on having a “just friend, no flirting” policy. It is reported that the developer went as far as detecting “flirting” in their algorithm to ensure people follow the rules.
The app has been featured in many online magazines, including Wired, Geekwire, and The Sun. It is functional and easy to navigate. In addition, it is available as an iOS and Android app and a website on both Mac and PC. We suggest checking out this app if you want to try the “Tinder” of friendship apps!
15. UNBLND
Isn’t this app’s name catchy? We immediately wanted to check it out when we saw the name. UNBLND is an app for those who want to connect with people worldwide. It is not location-based, meaning you can match with someone even if they are on the other side of the earth. You can also meet those near you, however, if you prefer that.
What is most interesting about this app is that it does not make your profile photo visible to the public and does not allow you to search for specific groups or users. Everything is based on the app’s algorithm, and everyone is anonymous until they give permission through chats and connections. UNBLND values privacy and confidentiality above all else.
If you are looking for a discreet friendship app, this one is a must-try.
A Final Word on the Best Apps for Making New Friends
There are many places where you can make new friends and build stronger connections, and many apps can help you. We hope these apps help you find new friends this year and build stronger, healthier, and happier relationships.
See more useful apps that bring more happiness to your life:
- The 9 Best Happiness Apps
- 13 Best Daily Positive Affirmations Apps
- 13 Best Mindfulness Apps to Live More Mindfully
- 11 Inspirational Apps to Motivate You Throughout the Day
