Your 20s can feel like an emotional rollercoaster of new jobs, new cities, breakups, identity shifts… and let’s not even talk about those lonely weekends when you realize you don’t have a go-to friend to text, “Let’s grab suya and talk about everything and nothing.”
You’re not weird for feeling like making new friends is harder now. You’ve probably outgrown old circles. People have moved, gotten married, or just… disappeared into life.
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to do friendship the hard way anymore. Whether you’re looking for deep soul-sister energy, gym buddies, brunch girls, a faith-based community, or even someone to co-work with at your favorite café, friendship apps are changing the game.
They’ve become a go-to for people who want genuine connections without the awkward small talk at networking events.
We’ve rounded up 10 best friendship apps that cater to different vibes: extroverts who thrive in group settings, introverts who prefer one-on-one connections, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone trying to find their people in a new city.
Why Friendship Apps Actually Work
Gone are the days when meeting people online felt weird or forced. These friendship apps offer a way to connect with others who share similar interests, making the process of meeting new people less intimidating and more convenient.
Think about it—these apps take all the guesswork out of “are we actually compatible as friends?” by matching you with people who already share your interests, lifestyle, or location.
Plus, everyone on these platforms is there for the same reason: they want to meet new people too, which automatically eliminates that “am I being too forward?” anxiety.
How We Chose These Apps
We looked at factors like user experience, safety features, the diversity of users, how well they work across different locations, and most importantly, whether they actually help people form real friendships.
We curated this list based on apps that are currently working for people looking to expand their social network and have proven track records of creating genuine connections beyond just surface-level interactions.
Now that we’ve explained that, let’s explore 10 of the best friendship apps that make it easier and way less awkward to meet new people in your 20s.
1. Bumble For Friends (formerly Bumble BFF)
Perfect for: The swipe-savvy friend-seeker
Originally part of the Bumble dating app, BFF is now a standalone space focused on platonic relationships. The interface feels familiar if you’ve ever used any dating app, but instead of looking for romance, you’re hunting for your next adventure buddy or coffee date companion.
Why It Works: The 24-hour message window actually creates urgency in a good way, so no more letting conversations die in your inbox for weeks. Plus, women make the first move, which can feel less intimidating for everyone involved.
Things to Note: The premium membership costs $29.99 for one month and goes up to $99.99 for six months, but the free version works perfectly fine for most people.
2. Meetup
Perfect for: The activity-driven socializer
Meetup isn’t technically a friendship app, but it’s probably the most effective way to meet people who share your specific interests. It connects you with local groups doing things you actually want to do.
Why It Works: There’s no pressure to be “on” or make small talk when you’re already engaged in an activity you love. The shared experience gives you built-in conversation starters and helps friendships develop naturally.
Things to Note: Some events require small fees, and group dynamics can vary widely depending on the organizers.
3. Friender
Perfect for: The hobby enthusiast
Friender takes a different approach by matching you with people based on shared activities and interests rather than just photos and basic info. You select activities you’re interested in and get matched with people who want to do the same things.
Why It Works: It eliminates the “so what do you like to do?” awkwardness because you already know you both love rock climbing or trying new brunch spots. The activity-based matching means you have instant plans.
Things to Note: The user base can be smaller in less populated areas, so it works best in cities with active communities.
4. Nextdoor
Perfect for: The community-minded neighbor
Nextdoor is a social networking app that connects you with people in your immediate neighborhood. While it’s primarily used for community updates and local recommendations, it’s surprisingly great for meeting people who live nearby and want to grab coffee or walk dogs together.
Why It Works: The hyperlocal focus means you can actually walk to meet up with people, and there’s something comforting about knowing your potential friends live close enough to help you move a couch or water your plants when you’re out of town.
Things to Note: The app can sometimes feel more focused on neighborhood watch than friendship building, but the social features are growing.
5. Atleto
Perfect for: The fitness fanatic
If you’re someone who never misses a workout and wishes you had a gym buddy or running partner, Atleto is your app. It connects you with people who share your fitness interests and activity level, whether that’s finding a tennis partner or joining a weekly yoga group.
Why It Works: Working out with someone is one of the fastest ways to bond, and you’ll have built-in accountability partners for your fitness goals. Plus, endorphins make everyone more fun to be around.
Things to Note: The app works best if you’re already pretty active and looking for workout buddies rather than trying to get motivated to start exercising.
6. Peanut
Perfect for: Women navigating major life transitions
Originally designed for mothers, Peanut has expanded to include women in all life stages (trying to conceive, navigating career changes, dealing with menopause). It’s become a supportive space for women who want friends who “get it” during specific life phases.
Why It Works: Life transitions can be isolating, and having friends who understand exactly what you’re going through is incredibly valuable. The app creates space for deeper, more supportive friendships.
Things to Note: The focus on life stages means conversations can get pretty personal pretty quickly, which is great for some people and overwhelming for others.
7. Yubo
Perfect for: Gen Z’s approach to friendship
Yubo markets itself as a social discovery app that’s particularly popular with younger users. It combines elements of social media with friend-finding, allowing you to create groups, share stories, and connect with people through live streaming and shared interests.
Why It Works: The social media integration feels natural for people who are used to connecting online first, and the group features make it easy to find your tribe rather than just one-on-one connections.
Things to Note: The younger skew means it might not be the best fit if you’re looking for friends in their late 20s and beyond, and safety features are important to pay attention to.
8. Slowly
Perfect for: The thoughtful pen pal seeker
Slowly brings back the art of letter writing in a world of instant messaging. The app delivers messages based on real-world distance, so a message to someone across the globe takes hours to arrive, mimicking traditional mail. It’s perfect for people who want deeper, more thoughtful connections.
Why It Works: The delayed gratification creates anticipation and encourages more meaningful communication. You’ll find yourself really thinking about what you want to say rather than just typing quick responses.
Things to Note: This isn’t for people looking for immediate hangout buddies. It’s more about building deep, long-distance friendships over time.
9. Facebook Groups
Best for: Specific identity-based or interest-based circles
Yes, Facebook is still very much alive and when it comes to finding your tribe, its groups remain undefeated. From Black Women Expats in Europe to Millennial Freelancers in Lagos, there’s a group for almost every niche you can imagine.
Why it works:You likely already have the app. Plus, these groups offer rich, diverse communities, real-time conversations, and even local meetups that turn online friendshipsinto real-life bonds.
Pro tip: Search by keywords that match your story. E.g., “Christian single women in tech” or “Young Nigerians in Canada.”
10. Patook
Perfect for: The strictly platonic friend-seeker
Patook is designed specifically for platonic friendships and has built-in features to keep interactions friendly rather than romantic. The app uses a points system to match you with compatible friends and has strong anti-flirting policies.
Why It Works: There’s no ambiguity about intentions, which eliminates a lot of the awkwardness that can come with other friendship apps. The matching system is sophisticated and goes beyond surface-level preferences.
Things to Note: The strict platonic focus is great for some people but might feel overly regulated for others who prefer more organic relationship development.
Tips for Making the Most of Friendship Apps
- Use real, recent photos that show your personality. Your dog-walking selfie or that picture of you laughing at brunch tells people way more about who you are than a perfectly posed headshot.
- Fill out your bio with what you genuinely love, not what you think sounds impressive. Are you obsessed with true crime podcasts? Mention it. Love trying hole-in-the-wall restaurants? Say that. The right people will connect with your authentic interests.
- Try local groups or events when possible. While one-on-one meetups are great, group activities through these apps can feel less pressure-filled and give you a chance to meet multiple people at once.
- Be open but prioritize safety. Meet in public places for the first few hangouts, trust your instincts, and don’t feel pressured to share personal information until you’re comfortable.
- Approach it with curiosity, not desperation. The best friendships often happen when you’re genuinely interested in getting to know someone rather than just trying to fill a social void.
Conclusion: The First Step Is Showing Up
These apps won’t magically solve loneliness or replace the deep work of building meaningful relationships, but they will give you access to people you’d never meet before. Expanding your social circle as an adult is hard, but these apps make it easier by removing some of the traditional barriers to meeting new people.
The key is to try one or two that resonate with your personality and lifestyle, then approach them with genuine curiosity rather than pressure to immediately find your best friend forever. Sometimes the best friendships start with someone who just wants to try that new Korean BBQ place or needs a hiking buddy, and grow into something much deeper from there.
Want more ways to build your social circle? Check out our complete guide to meeting people in a new city
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