As people look for ways to make new friends, here are the apps promising to help

In recent years, people have been increasingly looking for new ways to form platonic connections, as loneliness and social isolation have become more prevalent.

“In recent years, people have been increasingly looking for new ways to form platonic connections, as loneliness and social isolation have become more prevalent”

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In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General went so far as to label this issue a public health crisis.

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Thanks to online dating apps, the stigma associated with finding connections online has largely faded away.

This has welcomed a new wave of apps focused on fostering friendships and building local communities.

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According to estimates from Appfigures, over a dozen local-focused friendship apps have collectively generated approximately $16 million in consumer spending in the U.S. so far this year.

“In recent years, people have been increasingly looking for new ways to form platonic connections, as loneliness and social isolation have become more prevalent”

TechCrunch

Some notable examples include Timeleft, Meet5, and Bumble’s BFF.

Additionally, these apps have garnered approximately 4.3 million downloads thus far in 2025.

From major players like Meetup to newer ones like 222, there are plenty of apps that cater to the growing demand for meaningful friendships.

We’ve compiled a list of them for you to try out.

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