Best Friendship Apps: 10 Good Apps For Making Friends

Have you ever noticed how easily little kids make friends? It’s like their only friendship requirement is proximity! But now we’re adults, and suddenly making friends becomes that one item on the to-do list that keeps getting put off. Who can blame us, really? In addition to daily responsibilities, a lot of us are also dealing with things like trust issues, personal insecurities, and mental health concerns. It’s no wonder millennials have been dubbed the “loneliest generation” forming new friendships is downright daunting!

Here’s the good news: thanks to modern technology, there are apps specifically for making new friends! Just like dating apps, friendship apps make it easier to find people you can connect with who also want to make friends. But like most things, not all friendship apps are safe and good for making friends, which brings us to today’s post. We’re sharing THE BEST apps that are FANTASTIC for making friends whether you’re looking to bond over shared hobbies, explore new social circles, or just chat with like-minded people, these apps have got you covered!

Best Friendship Apps: 10 Good Apps For Making Friends

OK, so it sounds good in theory, right? But do people actually use these apps? Like, the kind of people you want to be friends with? We were curious too, so we set out to discover whether or not you can really make friends online and if so, how. We’re sharing what we learned, including some valuable tips on what to consider when choosing the best friendship app for you. 

Can You Make Friends Online?

Remember when dating apps first hit the scene and everyone was a bit skeptical? Fast forward to today, and online dating is now the most popular way for couples to meet! It’s perfectly normal to be hesitant at first, but the reality is that YES, you absolutely CAN make meaningful connections online. And, while dating apps still serve their own purpose, more and more apps specifically designed for making friends are popping up the app store making it easier (and way more fun!) to connect with awesome people and start building real friendships. Let’s dive into some of the best ones!

What Apps Are Good For Making Friends?

Hoop

Snapchat users, listen up! Hoop is an app that helps you connect with new people and find potential friends on Snapchat. Using the same swipe system as most dating apps, you decide whether you’re interested in connecting with a person by reviewing their profile. If you are, you can request their Snapchat username and if they accept, you’re sent their username so that you can then connect on there. When a request is denied, all of the person’s info stays private. Hoop helps you make that connection, but it’s up to you to establish a friendship from there.

LMK

Extroverts, it’s your time to shine! LMK is a talk-based app that goes beyond the standard messaging setup in most friendship apps. There are a bunch of ways to connect with potential friends, including using voice chats in both one-on-one and group settings and joining Audio Rooms to chat with groups of people. 

WINK

Considered “Tinder for friends,” WINK is another great app that streamlines the friend-making process. You simply make a profile, choose your interests, write your bio, and get swiping. What we love about WINK is its ability to let you choose the gender and age range of people you want to meet, while adding interests to ensure every potential match shares something in common with you. Once you connect, you can chat within the app or switch the convo over to Snapchat.

Bumble BFF

Bumble BFF is a version of the groundbreaking, female-led dating app Bumble. BFF mode of the Bumble app helps users find platonic friends the same way they find dates. You make a profile, complete with photos and a short bio, and then swipe right or left on potential matches. Unlike the dating app, Bumble BFF then allows either person to make the first move, but you better reach out within 24 hours or the match will expire and leave you wondering what could have been.

Yubo

Geared more toward the younger crowd, Yubo is a live-streaming app that makes it easy to connect with other teens and young adults from all over the world. When you’re bored with TikTok or Instagram, give Yubo a try. You can meet new people and make friends by joining live streams with up to 10 people at a time, which is a lot less intimidating than a one-on-one chat with someone new. If you prefer to chat with someone without an audience, the live video feature works just like Facetime, only you don’t have to share your phone number. 

Meetup

The most meaningful connections often begin with a shared interest. That’s the idea behind Meetup, an app that helps you find events and groups in your area and meet people who enjoy the same things as you. Groups and events are organized into categories that make it super easy to find something that interests you. If nothing catches your eye, you can even plan your own event to bring people together! 

Meetup is especially helpful if you just moved to a different city and don’t YET have any friends there. This episode of Balanced Black Girl is also loaded with tips and info for making friends in a new city!

Peanut

Designed specifically for moms looking to meet other moms, the Peanut app makes it easier to find friends who really understand the highs and lows of motherhood. You can join groups and communities of women and connect with women in all stages of motherhood. It’s a great source for giving and receiving advice and getting to know other moms who get it.

Speaking of motherhood and friendships, do yourself a favor and check out Conversations with Cam: Friendships Series – Championing Your Fellow Mothers. 

Hey! VINA

Making new friends online doesn’t get much simpler than this. Hey! VINA is a friendship app in which you simply swipe to find your new bestie. You can take fun personality quizzes and join communities, and match based on shared interests as well as your “life stage.” Hey! VINA takes the guesswork out of finding potential friends you’ll vibe with. 

Skout

Established in 2007, the Skout app has been connecting people for a long time. The app lets you search based on proximity and preference, so it’s great for forging friendships when you’re new in town or feeling lonely while traveling and exploring new cities. Skout also makes it easier to get to know each other before meeting IRL. You can chat, share pictures and live videos, and even send virtual gifts!

Find more helpful tips in our post on how to make friends in a new city!

We3

No matter how confident and extroverted you are, meeting someone new for the first time is nerve-wracking. The We3 app makes it A LOT less intimidating by connecting potential friends in groups of three so that the whole thing feels a lot less awkward than those one-on-one sessions. 

If social anxiety is holding you back from meeting new people, check out our tips on how to make friends with social anxiety.

Friendship apps take the stress out of making friends as an adult.

The bottom line is: friendship apps cut down the stress and awkwardness of making friends as an adult, and can help even the busiest, pickiest, and shyest among us meet new people. Whether you need a new hiking buddy or a fellow mom who needs a little coffee break from time to time, there’s an app to help you find them! So, which one are you downloading?

Be sure to check out the Dear Media blog for tons of helpful posts on everything from friendships and relationships to podcasting and entrepreneurship. And don’t forget to check out the DM Shop for our favorite trending products and must-have gear may we suggest this
Bestie of the Year Tee for your new BFF?