Making new friends can sometimes feel tricky, especially as we get older or move to new places. Luckily, there are plenty of apps out there designed just to help you meet people and build genuine friendships. Whether you’re looking for someone to chat with, hang out, or share hobbies, these apps make it easy and fun to connect with others. Let’s dive into some of the best apps you can try right now!
We know how important it is to have tools that help bring people together, even around everyday moments. While ReciMe is focused on organizing recipes, meal planning, and creating grocery lists, it’s also a way to connect over something we all love – good food. Sharing meals and cooking together can be a wonderful way to build friendships and create memories. So whether you’re meeting new people or just looking to deepen connections with friends, apps like these help make socializing easier and more enjoyable in all parts of life. Try ReciMe today and start sharing your favorite recipes, planning meals, and creating grocery lists that make hosting friends easier than ever!
1. Bumble For Friends
Bumble For Friends is a dedicated app designed to help you make meaningful friendships nearby. It’s a safe, friendly space where people of all ages can connect and build genuine relationships. Whether you’re new in town or just want to meet more people, Bumble For Friends offers a straightforward way to find friends who share your interests and values.
What sets Bumble For Friends apart is its focus on kindness and safety. The app encourages users to be authentic with profile prompts and lifestyle badges, helping you find connections that feel real. Plus, safety features like photo verification and the ability to report or block make it a welcoming space to meet new people without worries.
Key Advantages:
- Profile prompts and lifestyle badges for genuine connections
- Strong safety features including photo verification and reporting
- Community centered around kindness and inclusivity
- Optional premium features to boost your friend search
Why This App:
- Ideal for people looking for meaningful friendships, not just casual chats
- Easy to use, especially if you’re familiar with Bumble’s dating app
- Great for meeting friends locally or when traveling with travel mode
2. Timeleft
Timeleft is all about bringing people together in real life, no endless chatting or awkward texting required. The app organizes group dinners where strangers with similar interests can meet, connect, and share a meal. It’s perfect if you’re tired of online-only friendships and want to break the ice face-to-face in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
The idea is simple but powerful: the app does the planning for you by booking the restaurant and setting up the table. You just show up, say hello, and see where the conversation takes you. Timeleft is a great way to take a chance on new friendships while enjoying good food and good company without the pressure of one-on-one meetups.
Key Advantages:
- Facilitates in-person dinners with people nearby
- Takes care of restaurant booking and event setup
- Creates a low-pressure environment to meet new friends
- Attracts adventurous, curious users open to socializing
Why This App:
- Perfect for those who prefer real-life hangouts over digital chats
- Great for meeting groups of people rather than one-on-one dates
- Encourages genuine conversations without screen distractions
3. Wink – Friends & Dating App
Wink is a social app that mixes dating and friendship, aiming to help you meet new people based on shared interests or just casual chats. It’s got a swipe-style interface similar to Tinder, making it easy and familiar to use. Whether you’re looking for friends, dates, or something in between, Wink puts your personality front and center rather than just photos.
The app also has a community aspect where you can read and write posts, join local conversations, or reconnect with people you’ve already met. Safety is taken seriously with reporting features, and users are encouraged to keep personal info secure while interacting. Wink can feel like a fun, social hub, but some users note that many features are behind a paywall and that the experience can vary.
Key Advantages:
- Swipe-based matching with a focus on personality
- Community posts and local conversations to engage with others
- Options for dating, friendships, hookups, and more
- Safety features with reporting and community guidelines
Why This App:
- Good for those who want both dating and friend-making in one place
- Easy to use with familiar swipe mechanics
- Great for meeting like-minded people nearby or around the world
4. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a neighborhood-focused app that helps you connect with people who live nearby. It’s like a local hub where you can find recommendations for businesses, discover events, buy and sell stuff, or just get to know the neighbors around you. Whether it’s finding a babysitter, attending a block party, or staying informed about community news, Nextdoor makes it easy to stay connected with your local world.
The app puts safety first by verifying every user’s address and requiring real names, creating a trusted space for sharing. It’s great for building real-world connections that can make your neighborhood feel like home, all from the convenience of your phone.
Key Advantages:
- Verified neighbors and real names for safer connections
- Access to local news, events, and recommendations
- Buy, sell, or find free items in your community
- Find local services like babysitters, pet sitters, and more
Why This App:
- Perfect for connecting with people right in your neighborhood
- Great for staying updated on local happenings and offers
- Helps foster a sense of community and support nearby
5. Clockout
Clockout is designed for young professionals who want to meet ambitious people in their area outside of the usual work grind. The app connects you to exclusive local social events like mixers, galas, and private clubs where you can network, find potential collaborators, or just make new friends in your field. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a mix of business and social life without the pressure of typical corporate events.
What makes Clockout unique is its curated and local focus. Membership is selective, with applications reviewed by a concierge team, which means the crowd tends to be motivated and serious about making meaningful connections. The app also encourages you to create or join clubs based on your interests, helping you find communities where you truly belong.
Key Advantages:
- Connects young professionals in curated social events
- Helps blend professional networking with socializing
- Selective membership keeps the community motivated and focused
- Allows creation and joining of clubs for more specific connections
Why This App:
- Great for those wanting to expand both their social and professional circles
- Ideal if you prefer attending in-person meetups and events
- Perfect for people looking for meaningful, goal-oriented connections
6. Yubo
Yubo is a lively social platform designed to help you make new friends from all over the world. Using a swipe feature similar to dating apps, you can quickly find people who share your interests and are online right now. Whether you want to chat, sing, dance, or just hang out virtually, Yubo creates a fun and safe space to connect.
One of the app’s coolest features is its use of “tags” that help you find your tribe, whether you’re into gaming, music, sports, or beauty. It’s free to use, and safety is a priority, with tools in place to protect users and keep the environment positive. If you’re looking to meet like-minded people, Yubo might be your new go-to.
Key Advantages:
- Swipe to find friends who are online and share your interests
- Chat with people worldwide or locally
- Use tags to discover communities around your passions
- Free to use with strong safety features
Why This App:
- Perfect for those who want to meet friends globally or nearby
- Great for finding people with specific interests or hobbies
- Offers a lively, interactive experience beyond just messaging
7. Peanut
Peanut is a supportive app created especially for moms, helping women connect through all stages of motherhood. Whether you’re a new mom looking for advice or want to find friends who truly get what you’re going through, Peanut offers a welcoming community to share experiences, ask questions, and build lasting friendships.
The app makes it easy to meet local moms by swiping through profiles, joining groups, and chatting about everything from baby milestones to mom hacks. Safety is a top priority with verified profiles and sensitive content filters, so you can feel secure while building your mom tribe.
Key Advantages:
- Connects moms at every stage of motherhood
- Swipe to meet local moms and join supportive groups
- Safety features like selfie verification and content filters
- Personalized feed focusing on your interests and baby care
Why This App:
- Perfect for moms seeking friendship and support in their motherhood journey
- Great for sharing advice and asking questions anonymously
- Trusted community with a focus on safety and kindness
8. Meetup
Meetup is a popular app that helps you find groups and events based on your interests, both online and in person. Whether you want to join a hiking group, attend a yoga class, or connect with fellow sci-fi fans, Meetup makes it easy to discover people who share your passions and build real friendships. With over 60 million members, there’s always something happening nearby or online.
The app lets you browse thousands of local and virtual events, save your favorites, and join discussions with new friends. You can even create your own group or host events, making it a great way to grow your social circle around things you love. Whether you’re looking to try new activities or just meet cool people, Meetup offers a simple way to get involved.
Key Advantages:
- Access to a big variety of groups and events worldwide
- Easy to find events by category, location, or keyword
- Join discussions and message new friends directly
- Create and manage your own groups and events
Why This App:
- Perfect for meeting people who share your hobbies and interests
- Great for both online and in-person socializing
- Offers flexible ways to connect, from casual meetups to regular clubs
9. Twitch
Twitch is a live streaming platform where communities come together to watch, chat, and share their passions. Originally focused on gaming, Twitch has expanded to include streams about music, sports, cooking, podcasts, and just about anything else you can imagine. Whether you want to follow your favorite streamer or start your own channel, Twitch makes it easy to connect with people who share your interests.
The app encourages interaction with live chats during streams, building vibrant communities around shared hobbies and topics. Twitch is perfect for those who want a mix of entertainment and social connection, offering ways to support streamers or just hang out and enjoy the content with others in real time.
Key Advantages:
- Huge variety of live content beyond just gaming
- Real-time chat for interacting with streamers and viewers
- Easy to start streaming and build your own community
- Access to unique events, shows, and fan meetups
Why This App:
- Great for connecting with people who share your passions
- Perfect for fans of live, interactive content
- Offers both viewing and streaming opportunities to engage
10. Skout
Skout is a social app designed to help you meet new people nearby or across the globe. You can browse profiles, chat instantly, and join live broadcasts where you can watch others or stream yourself. The app combines location-based matching with interactive features to help you find friends or dates quickly and easily.
With tools like profile promotion, saved favorites, and live streaming, Skout offers multiple ways to connect with others. Whether you want to expand your social circle or explore new communities, Skout provides a versatile platform for meeting people anytime, anywhere.
Key Advantages:
- Discover and connect with people nearby or worldwide
- Live broadcast and watch streams for real-time interaction
- Chat directly and save favorite users for quick access
- Boost your profile visibility with in-app promotion tools
Why This App:
- Great for meeting new friends or potential dates
- Offers a mix of chatting and live video features
- Large, active user base to explore connections
11. Communia
Communia is a social self-care app designed specifically for women and non-binary folks. It offers a safe and supportive digital space where you can be your authentic self, share experiences, and connect with others who truly understand your journey. The app combines social networking with self-reflection tools to help you build meaningful relationships and promote personal growth.
Beyond just social features, Communia includes guided journals, mood tracking, and goal-setting tools that help you explore your feelings and progress over time. With verified users and no bots or trolls, it’s a community focused on kindness, honesty, and genuine support.
Key Advantages:
- Verified community with no trolls, bots, or fake accounts
- Customizable journals with private, public, or collaborative options
- Mood boards and goal tracking to encourage self-awareness
- Focus on safety, privacy, and identity protection
Why This App:
- Safe space made just for women and marginalized genders
- Combines social support with mental health and self-care tools
- Encourages authentic connections and personal growth
12. Friended
Friended is an app designed to help you make genuine new friends through meaningful conversations and engaging activities. Instead of just swiping profiles, you can post icebreakers and reply to others, making socializing feel more natural, like bumping into someone and instantly clicking. The app also offers personality games and quizzes to help you connect on a deeper level beyond just photos.
It focuses on building social skills and confidence while helping you find real connections. Friended encourages you to be yourself, improving conversation skills along the way. Whether you’re shy or outgoing, the app aims to make meeting people feel fun and effortless.
Key Advantages:
- Icebreaker posts and replies make starting conversations easy
- Personality quizzes and games foster deeper connections
- Focus on building confidence and social skills
- Real-time chatting with genuine users
Why This App:
- Helps you meet friends through natural, interactive conversations
- Emphasizes personality over just looks or basic info
- Designed to make socializing less intimidating and more fun
13. Gofrendly
Gofrendly is designed specifically for women looking to make new friends nearby. It helps connect women who share similar interests and lifestyles through features like activities, matches, groups, and messaging. Whether you’re new in town or just want to expand your social circle, Gofrendly makes it easy to find and join in on fun events, from coffee dates to adventurous hikes.
The app matches you with people who complement your current life and interests, cutting out endless swiping by focusing on meaningful connections. You can create or join groups and activities, chat with other women, and build lasting friendships through shared experiences.
Key Advantages:
- Tailored for women to find local friends with shared interests
- Activity calendar to join or create events easily
- Group chats and private messaging for flexible socializing
- Matches you with people suited to your lifestyle and passions
Why This App:
- Focuses on building meaningful friendships instead of casual connections
- Supports a variety of social activities to keep life fun and engaging
- Safe and welcoming community for women over 18
Conclusion
Making new friends as an adult can feel challenging, but luckily, technology is here to help. The best apps to make friends in 2025 offer a variety of ways to connect, whether through shared interests, local events, or safe and welcoming communities. From apps designed specifically for moms or women to platforms that bring people together for in-person meetups or casual chats, there is something for everyone. With these tools, building genuine friendships is more accessible than ever, so why not take that first step and see who you might meet? Your next great friendship could be just a tap away.