Best Friendship Apps: 10 Good Apps For Making Friends

Making friends as an adult is HARD—and nobody warns you ahead of time! We’re juggling work responsibilities, never ending to-do lists, mental overload, trust issues, social burnouts… need we go on? Basically, forming new connections feels a LOT more complicated than it once did. Enter: apps for making friends. These modern tools make it so easy to form pressure-free connections with a simple swipe—just like dating apps.

After all, Caroline Baudino from Coming In Hot DID tell us that friendship and support matters more than ever. And while that’s completely true, meeting new ride-or-die best friends can be intimidating! So we’re heeding the advice from the “Hello Tefi” episode of Everything Is the Best—we’re activating that Bumble BFF account. Oh, and of course, we’re telling you why you should, too.

We’re spending this post giving you ALL the do’s and don’ts of friendship apps. Trust us, your options are vast. We’ll tell you which apps are the best for making friends, which ones you should skip out on, and how to meet your new besties in real life. Get ready to expand your social circle the right way.

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! And, of course, it also helps that we have advice like “Match Maker Shares All the Secrets to Finding the Right Person” from House Guest to listen to, too. Basically? 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.

Before we dive straight into our top friendship apps, let’s first cover the most important info. Like do apps for making friends actually exist? (Spoiler: 100%.) And, because we’re ten steps ahead and can read your mind, we’re also discussing whether or not this new method is even safe. (Spoiler part 2: It absolutely can be—with these below tips in mind.)

Is There an App to Make Friends?

There isn’t just one app for making friends—there are tons of them. When most people think about friendship apps, their mind immediately wanders to Bumble BFF. And while that’s definitely one of the OGs, there are SOOO many other fantastic platforms for creating meaningful friendships.

Here’s why it matters, though. In 2023, the US surgeon general officially labeled loneliness and social isolation as a public health crisis. The repercussions? An increased risk of heart disease, dementia, and premature death. Yeah, it’s that serious.

Add on social anxiety, trust issues from previous friendship break-ups, and a huge fear of stranger danger, and making friends feels harder than ever. Fortunately, friendship apps wipe all of the stress off the map, paving the way for safe connections for users worldwide.

How to Meet New Friends Online

So you’ve formed a connection and you feel like you’ve known each other for years. Now’s the exciting (and most intimidating) part—it’s time to take it off the app and meet in the real world! Here are our top tips for doing this safely and stress-free:

Be honest about what you’re looking for.

Just like dating apps, people are on friendship apps for different things. “Pornhub Snafu with Sofia Franklyn” from Taste of Taylor actually talks all about this! Some people want a friend to go out with on the weekends, others want a bestie-for-the-restie type of ordeal. So before you meet IRL, figure out (and communicate) what you’re looking for!

Start slow and let things flow naturally.

Even if you’re a social butterfly, wanting to meet people IRL right off the bat can read as a total red flag. Understandably so, though, right? Let things flow naturally. The girls from What We Said even talk about this in their episode “The Gift That Haunts Me!” Friendship thrives when it doesn’t follow “perfect timing” expectations.

Take it off the app ONLY when it feels right.

Honestly, contrary to many people’s beliefs, it shouldn’t go Bumble BFF to real-world meet-up just because you feel like that’s how it has to happen. Remember what we said about that “perfect timeline” thing! Once you’ve established a solid connection, take it off the app with FaceTimes, voice notes, midday texts, or follows on different social networks. It’s low-pressure and totally organic. Plus, it takes even more stress off that first hang.

Meet in a low-pressure public setting.

Just because it’s a friend date and not a sketchy Tinder date doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still prioritize safety. To make you and your new gal pal feel comfortable, meet somewhere public AND familiar! Think: coffee dates, workout classes (hellloooo hot yoga!), or community events. A public setting takes the pressure away and makes it much easier to relax.

The World’s First Podcast has an episode titled “How to Fix a Broken Heart (with Guy Winch)” that talks about why it’s so important to be yourself on a first date. But, the best part of this episode? It can apply to first friendship dates, too. Check it out!

Be open but always protect your boundaries.

Vulnerability builds connection, but boundaries build trust. Share your life (and yourself!) at a pace that feels comfortable. And remember, it’s ALWAYS okay to step back if something feels off. Formed a 10/10 connection online but feel weird vibes when you meet in person? Trust your gut. And trust us when we say that with these apps, you’ll find your ideal friendship in NO time. Don’t waste the energy on something that feels… weird.

Speaking of intuition, there’s no better guide on this than Les Alfred. Listen to “You’re Not Cringe, You’re Just Getting Started with Siff Haider” from She’s So Lucky!

Is It Safe to Make Friends Online?

Making friends online is SO rewarding—as long as you’re intentional about how you connect. Let’s look at how you can protect your energy, your privacy, and your peace of mind while making new friends:

Keep personal details private at first.

Depending on the app you’re using (more on that in a sec), you’re most likely chatting with people somewhat close to you. Same city, same town, same state—you get the vibe. That said, there’s no reason to share super personal info just yet.

Keep your address, phone number, occupation, and daily routine to yourself. When you actually start to form a connection and get to know this person? Sure, feel free to complain about your coworkers or how long it takes you to get from your local coffee shop to your house. Until then, play it safe.

Pay close attention to red flags and consistency.

We’ve talked a LOT about relationship red flags. Hence our posts, “Signs They May Be Love Bombing You,” “Dating App Red Flags That Scream ‘Run,‘” and “Signs That Your Partner Is Controlling.” But when it comes to friendships? Those same flags still exist, they just may not feel as… concerning.

Take our “Friendship Red Flags” post for example. You know the typical signs—they’re manipulative, can’t keep secrets, and emotionally draining. Those things still matter here. But when you’re meeting someone for the first time, also consider whether their stories add up, they’re breaking boundaries, or they’re avoiding basic questions. If you’re spotting things like THAT? Take it as a hint and run.

Take advantage of in-app messaging before taking it off the platform.

Friendship apps are literally designed to be user-friendly. You can message back and forth easily, get notified when someone messages you, and, in some cases, send voice notes back and forth. Use this to your advantage! You don’t want to have to change your number because of a friendship app connection gone wrong.

You might also like: How to Make Friends as an Adult Introvert

Trust your intuition—always.

There’s a reason why people have been trusting their intuition for CENTURIES. Your brain has learned what feels right, what feels wrong, and what calls for a mental double take. If your gut is telling you something is off? Chances are there’s a reason.

And we’re not talking about minor things like “Type A vs. Type B with Victoria Garrick Browne” from Live From Bed. You can disagree with someone and still not feel like they’re a walking red flag. Listening to your gut when someone truly feels wrong is like a built-in safety mechanism—use it.

For more on this, check out “Intuition vs. Anxiety!”

Meet smart and prioritize safety.

Just like we mentioned above, always make sure to plan your first handful of hangouts somewhere public, safe, and comfortable. Skip the hikes in a private location or dinners at their house. Are those both cute friendship dates? Sure! When you’ve known them for a while.

Meeting at a coffee shop or a local event allows you to assess the vibe in a safe, controlled setting. Even if they’re NOT sketchy, they may not be the friend for you. It’s much better to figure that out on your own terms—and in a location where you can slip out without feeling super awkward.

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 She’s So Lucky 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.

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. 

Bubblic

For those of you who crave deep connections and even deeper relationships, you’ll LOVE Bubblic. This app uses voice notes to connect with people around the WORLD, skipping the guesswork that often comes with shallow texts. Skip the profile pics, the long bios, or the external social media links. Bubblic believes that using your voice is the best (and easiest) way to connect.

Pawmates

Okay… hear us out with this one. If you’re a pet lover, what better way to connect with other people and make friends than through your love for your animal? Pawmates is an app that turns puppy playdates into deep friendships and meaningful human connection. You create your profile (with pictures full of your dog), match with other dogs you think that yours will get along with, and plan a meet-up! It’s safe, fun, and totally adorable.

Slowly

Wanna take it totally old school with pen pals and written letters? Download Slowly! This platform is like the modern take on finding and “adopting” a pen pal. You connect with someone through the app, write letters, and collect stamps—it truly doesn’t get any easier than that. It’s a stress-free way to make new friends and learn about the world all at the same time.

Timeleft

Why find one friend when you can find a whole friend GROUP? Timeleft avoids the bios, swiping, and planning by matching you with a group of friends you’re sure to get along with. You’re not just getting tossed into a giant group chat and left to figure out the details, though. Timeleft creates the plans for you and your group—all you have to do is show up. It’s exciting, low-commitment, and, most importantly, FUN!

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.