Finding genuine connections is easier than ever, thanks to technology.
Apps to Make New Friends in 2025 directly allow you to meet people who match your interests, location, or lifestyle.
In this article, you’ll discover the top apps to download now to start building meaningful friendships.
What to Look for in a Friendship App
Not every app is designed the same, and choosing the right one can significantly improve your experience.
Before downloading, check if the app matches your goals and comfort level. Here are the key features to look for in a good friendship app:
- User Safety and Privacy Controls: Look for strong moderation, block/report options, and profile verification features.
- Interest-Based Matching: The app should connect you with people who share hobbies or lifestyle preferences.
- Location Filtering: Apps with local discovery help you find people nearby for real-world meetups.
- Clear Friend-Only Purpose: Choose apps that focus strictly on friendship to avoid unwanted dating matches.
- Free Features vs. Paid Options: Ensure the app offers useful tools even without a subscription.
- Community Guidelines and Moderation: Active moderation ensures respectful and safe interactions.
- Profile Customization: You should be able to express your personality with photos, bios, and activity tags.
Top Apps to Make New Friends in 2025
If you’re looking to meet new people this year, several apps are built specifically to help you connect with others based on interests, location, or lifestyle.
Below are the most effective and user-friendly apps to make new friends in 2025, along with what makes each one stand out:
Bumble For Friends (BFF Mode)
Bumble For Friends is a feature within the Bumble app designed to help users form platonic friendships instead of romantic matches.
Key Features:
- Swipe-style matching interface
- Filters for hobbies, location, and life stage
- Optional video and voice chat
- Profile verification for safety
Best For:
- Users who prefer a dating-style layout but want friendship only
- People starting fresh in a new city
Yubo
Yubo is a live-streaming social discovery app aimed at Gen Z users who want to meet new people through real-time chats and videos.
Key Features:
- Group video chat rooms
- Swipe to find and add new friends
- Community filters by interest and age
- Live moderation for safer interaction
Best For:
- Teenagers and young adults
- Users who like spontaneous group interaction
Peanut
Peanut is a social networking app originally designed for mothers. Women now use it to make friends, find support, and join topic-based conversations.
Key Features:
- Interest-based groups and communities
- Audio rooms for live conversations
- Swipe to connect with other women
- Pregnancy, motherhood, and general friendship topics
Best For:
- Women seeking friendships through shared life stages
- Moms, expecting mothers, or women looking for a supportive space
Meetup
Meetup is an event-based social app that helps you find and join local or online gatherings based on your interests.
Key Features:
- Thousands of interest-based groups
- RSVP to events near you
- Message group members before events
- Host your events
Best For:
- Making friends through in-person activities
- Joining hobby or career-based communities
Hey! VINA
Hey! VINA is a women-only friendship app often called “Tinder for (female) friends.”
Key Features:
- Personality quizzes to improve matching
- Editorial content on female friendship
- Private group chats
- Female-only platform for safety
Best For:
- Women looking for meaningful female friendships
- Creating support networks
We3
We3 is a friendship app that connects users in trios based on personality compatibility to encourage balanced group chats.
Key Features:
- Science-backed compatibility quiz
- Group chats with two other people
- Strict no-romance policy
- Private and interest-based profiles
Best For:
- Introverted users who prefer smaller groups
- Those looking for a data-driven way to meet friends
Ablo
Ablo is a global social app that allows you to make new friends worldwide through text and video chats with real-time translation.
Key Features:
- One-on-one chats with people across different countries
- Instant translation for text and video calls
- Cultural exchange is built into conversations
- Personalized profiles with interests and photos
Best For:
- Users who want to meet international friends
- Practicing languages or learning about other cultures
- Making platonic connections in a safe, diverse space
Apps With In-Person Event Integration
Some friendship apps in 2025 are designed to help you take conversations offline by organizing real-world meetups. Here are the top options:
- Meetup: A group-based platform for joining or hosting local events tied to shared interests.
- Bumble For Friends (BFF Mode): Offers local friend suggestions and occasional partner-hosted events for in-person connections.
- Facebook Groups: Let’s you join location-based communities where members often organize public or private meetups.
- Nextdoor: Connects neighbors and promotes offline gatherings like community cleanups, yard sales, and block parties.
Best Apps for Specific Interests
Not all meet new people platforms are one-size-fits-all—some focus on specific hobbies or lifestyles.
If you’re into gaming, fitness, or parenting, these apps help you connect with like-minded people. Here are the best options for 2025.
- Discord: A community-based app for gamers, hobbyists, and creators to chat via text, voice, or video in topic-specific servers.
- Strava: A fitness and running app where you can follow friends, join challenges, and meet local workout partners.
- Tandem: A language exchange app that pairs you with people worldwide to practice new languages through conversation.
- Peanut: Designed for women to connect over shared life stages like pregnancy, motherhood, or career transitions.
- Atleto: A social sports app that helps you find teammates or training partners for local athletic activities.
- Goodreads: A social platform for readers to share book reviews, join book clubs, and connect with fellow book lovers.
- Slowly: Matches pen-pal style connections based on interests, letting you build friendships over longer-form messaging.
How to Make a Great First Impression
Your profile and first few messages can shape how others respond to you. A strong first impression increases your chances of forming real connections.
Here are simple tips to stand out when using friend finder apps:
- Use a Clear, Friendly Profile Photo: Choose a recent picture where your face is visible and you’re smiling or relaxed.
- Write a Short, Honest Bio: Mention your interests, what kind of friends you’re looking for, and something fun or unique about you.
- Start with a Friendly Greeting: A simple “Hey, I saw we both like hiking!” is more effective than “Hi.”
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage conversation by asking about their favorite book, hobby, or weekend activity.
- Stay Positive and Polite: Keep your tone light, kind, and respectful—first impressions are hard to redo.
Avoiding Burnout and Fake Profiles
Social networking platforms can be fun, but constant swiping and chatting can become tiring.
Spotting fake profiles early is essential to protect your time and safety. Here’s how to stay balanced and cautious while using these apps:
- Limit Daily App Time: Set a specific time each day to use the app so it doesn’t become overwhelming.
- Focus on Fewer Connections: Don’t feel pressured to chat with everyone—choose a few promising profiles and build from there.
- Look for Incomplete or Suspicious Profiles: Avoid users with no photos, vague bios, or unrealistic claims.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Info Early: Don’t immediately give out your phone number, address, or social media.
- Take Breaks When Needed: If using the app starts to feel like a chore, step away from it for a day or two.
The Bottomline
Making new friends in 2025 is easier than ever with the right apps tailored to your interests and lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking for local meetups or global chats, an app can help you connect.
Download one today and take the first step toward building meaningful friendships.
