It used to be that making new pals was as easy as recess in the schoolyard. Adulthood, however, poses its own obstacles to finding your ride or die—the least of which are crammed schedules, parental duties, and not wanting to leave your comfort zone, especially if you're an introvert. But these platonic relationships can be so vital. Just as dating apps have helped to solve the dilemma of finding love in the digital age, online friendship apps are working to fill another void. For those looking for a new workout buddy or kindly neighbor to get coffee with on the weekends, try Bumble BFF. Dog lovers can find companions on Pawdates. Or, take a quick survey on the app Friender to help match you with a potential new BFF. Options abound, so read on for the best friendship apps that can both help you expand your network and find the Gayle to your Oprah (or vice versa). Bonus: Most of them are free.
1REALU
Even though REALU is an app, i.e. a downloadable thing that requires the use of your smartphone, the REALU creators want you to put your phone down. A portal to the real world, the app pairs you with friends wherever you are based on activity preferences. Think Foursquare meets Tinder without the hookup. So next time you want a bike-riding partner, try using REALU.
Cost: Free
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2Meetup
A simple way to join a like-minded social circle, Meetup matches people based on their shared interests. Read: female programmers, bar hoppers, and even nature photographers. Themes range from general (Free Comedy and New Friends NYC) to niche (Southern California Bulldog Crew), and you can search by demographic, so you don’t land at a happy hour with a bunch of 20-somethings—unless you want to!
Cost: Free
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3Nextdoor
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, but do you even know your neighbors? A private social networking app, Nextdoor is your window to everything happening in your neighborhood, be it block events, furniture swaps, or even car break-ins. Beyond being just a news source, though, the app encourages in-person meetings, leading to new friendships.
Cost: Free
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4Peanut
Your kids’ calendars are packed with playdates and social gatherings, but moms need friends too. Enter: Peanut, an app created with mamas in mind. An easy way to meet mom friends, seek parenting advice, and join mom-versations, the app suggests women with similar-age children in your neighborhood with the nearly universal swiping method. Trying to conceive? There’s a community for that, also.
Cost: Free
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5Hey! VINA
Created to empower women through female friendship, Hey! VINA is touted as “the Tinder for girlfriends.” But the Tinder-ness begins with the user interface and ends with the algorithm. That’s a tech-fancy way of saying that just like the dating app, you swipe left and right on possible lady friends based on proximity, mutual friends, and quiz data. Once you match, the app suggests a spot to meet, like a hiking trail or a wine bar.
Cost: Subscriptions start at $6 a week
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6Pawdates
You have a dog. And he’s a really good listener. But is he someone who talks back and can actually mull over The Crown with you? Set up play dates for you and your pup through Pawdates, a social networking app for pet owners. This way, the next time you take Prince Hairy out for a walk, you don’t have to go it alone.
Cost: Free
Download Now
7Bumble BFF
The female-centric Bumble dating app burst onto the scene in 2014. Since then, the founder has launched the buzzy BFF mode as a way for women to meet women simply wanting friends. And though the swipe-happy app is a hit with younger millennials, there are success stories belonging to those born before the early ‘80s.
Cost: Subscriptions start at $9
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8Friender
Whether you’re looking for a workout buddy or a purely platonic pal to paint the town with, Friender just might be the way you meet your future partner in fun things. After an introductory survey that has you choose the activities you’re interested in, the app suggests people (men are included on this one) who match with at least one of your favorite activities.
Cost: Subscriptions start at $6 a month
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9Atleto
Engaging in team sports exercises more than just your cardiovascular system. They build your social network, too. Atleto knows this and matches fitness fiends based on their location, skill levels, and workout frequency. Through the app, you can join a preexisting group (softball team, running club) or host a sport activity of your very own. And who knows? Maybe you find the dream workout buddy.
Cost: Free
Download Now
10Yubo
If you like to take your time getting to know new people before jumping into a friendship, Yubo is a social networking app that lets you swipe to find new friends, chat with them in app, explore different interest groups, and even live video stream with your new acquaintances.
Cost: Free
Download Now
11Skout
Hoping to make more friends in your neighborhood, or find people who are interested in the same hobbies as you? Founded in 2007, Skout allows you to chat, send photos, and exchange virtual gifts with new friends. You might just find your new book club group on the app.
Cost: Free
Download Now
12Mom Life
Not only do moms feel isolated at times, but when they do get out, avoiding mom-shame landmines is a crafty task. Mom Life is way to sidestep all of that and get right to making worthwhile friendships. According to the site's description, the brand prides itself on its judgment-free safe space for meeting other moms, getting advice, and building the support system every mom needs.
Cost: Free
Download Now
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