The Best Apps That'll Help You Meet Your New Best Friend

Making new friends outside of work or school can be challenging, especially in a post-pandemic world. According to a 2021 American Perspectives Survey, people living in the United States reported "having fewer close friendships than they once did, talking to their friends less often, and relying less on their friends for personal support." Even our so-called "social media" hasn't solved this problem. If anything, it's created a toxic environment (via Harvard) where people feel more lonely than they did before.

When it comes to meeting new people in the digital realm, it's difficult to know where to go. Dating apps can be full of creeps — with many users posting their dating-app woes on TikTok — while app stores are loaded with tons of scammy, buggy chatting platforms. How is anyone supposed to meet new people and find friends?

If this is how you're feeling, we're here to tell you it's actually not a lost cause. The apps below are well-rated, vetted by users, and most of them are free! From teen-only chatting apps and neighborhood forums to LGBTQ-friendly messengers and niche-specific social networks, you can find an app that allows you to explore new friendships without the pressure of getting likes, dealing with creeps, or being rejected for your special interests.

If you've just moved to a new area or you want to befriend your upstairs neighbors before it's too late to work through your differences (#ykyk), Nextdoor is just what you need. This neighborhood social app gives you all the tools you need to connect with people in your zip code. Nextdoor is used by one third of U.S. households and 300,000 neighborhoods worldwide (via Nextdoor). In other words, there's no shortage of nearby people to interact with on this app.

Though you're more than welcome to keep communications with your neighbors online only, this app is great for making friends with folks who live close by. It's also really useful for buying or selling household items, keeping up to date on local news, and finding nearby events. One reviewer said they liked the platform for business recommendations: "I love responses I get about experienced neighbors have had with specific out patient care like doctors, dentists, and other providers in the area. ... We learn about good restaurants, outdoor activities, and good vendors (via App Store). You can also change the zip code anytime you want, so it's ideal even for those who travel or move a lot.

If anyone on this list could use a few new friends, it's the new parents out there. Becoming a parent is a heck of a transition, and it can be pretty isolating at times. According to a 2017 study published in BMC Pregnancy Childbirth (via PubMed), as many as 21% of expectant parents surveyed experienced emotional turmoil during and after their pregnancies. The same study also suggested that distress could be mitigated, in part, by support from peers and may have particular benefits for "ethnic minority women, those who are recent migrants and women experiencing multiple disadvantages." The key message here: Community is really important for new parents.

WeMoms offers an entire community of maternity experts, experienced parents, and other newly pregnant people to help guide you through your next chapter. No more WebMD-ing yourself! You can find helpful information and support you need from the same platform rather than sitting in a dark corner Googling "Why does my stomach itch?" Chat with other parents when you're lonely, get podcast recommendations from peers, and post your super-specific pregnancy questions in one of the many discussion groups. It won't be long until you feel like one reviewer who said: "This [app] is my new comfort zone" (via WeMoms).

Have you heard of Meetup? The 4.8-star rated app is made for adventure seekers, explorers, and pretty much anyone who wants to try out a new hobby (via App Store). You can search for in-person events, join interest groups, and even attend online classes through the app. This group-driven platform is available in over 9,000 cities and boasts 61 million members, so you definitely won't run out of people to talk to! Because activities are interest-driven, even introverts can get behind them. One reviewer wrote: "It's tough for me to socialize. Even when I want to, it's not easy to find what will work. Meetup has given me a chance to connect with people based on mutual interests without feeling forced to socialize more than I want to" (via App Store).

In case the idea of meeting up with a bunch of strangers still seems like too much, rest assured; there are small, closed groups for you to check out too. Each event shows the guest list, so you can see exactly how many people will be there. The built-in private messenger and event postings also make it easy to communicate within your comfort zone. Tarot clubs, yoga lessons, hiking groups, charity events, and art classes await.

Looking to make connections outside of the United States? Azar might be just the thing you're craving. This video chat app offers the Omegle appeal of connecting immediately with strangers, but with multiple filters and match settings so you can control who you speak with. You can even sort your preferences by region which is really cool if you want to meet new people while traveling abroad or see what's going on in a country you've always wanted to visit. The guest mode also makes it easy for you to join a live stream without sharing any personal information, which is convenient if you're still testing the waters.

In terms of features, this app has quite a few ways you can customize your chatting experience. Personalize your stream or conversation with changeable backgrounds, emoji reactions, and filters. You can also set up your own avatar and choose your "mood" before chatting. Azar comes ready-made to accommodate more than 15 languages which makes it easy for people of all backgrounds to connect in one place (via App Store).

Calling all athletes and aspiring gym-goers — this is the social app you've been searching for! Rated a solid 4.8 stars (via App Store), Corecircle comes with everything you need to dive into a new routine with confidence and comradery. Create workouts, easily track your progress, find gym buddies near you, and share your advancements all in one place. With a built-in anatomy chart, exercise visuals, and the ability to save others' workouts for your next session, it's a win for exercise fanatics looking for friendship.

For those who need an extra push to go to the gym every day, the social element of the app will make it easy for you to meet motivating mentors and workout partners. You came here for the gains and the friendship, and this app delivers well. According to one reviewer, the community on here is unbeatable: "It's super simple to use and the community is incredible on here! There's no creepy people, no mean people, just a bunch of amazing people who motivate, inspire and encourage one another (via App Store).

If you're on social media (and don't live under a rock), you've probably heard of BeReal. It's a popular new app that's gaining a reputation as a Gen Z favorite for being a more down-to-earth version of Instagram (via NPR). Each day at a random time, BeReal sends everyone a notification simultaneously, prompting them to upload a photo of what they're up to. Whether you're walking, scrolling, working, or grocery shopping, you have two minutes to document your moment before the window closes. No filters, no schedule — just sharing the moment, whatever it is. If you happen to miss the deadline, you can always post a late BeReal to show your friends what you're up to. Side note: You can only see other people's posts once you've posted so it's fair game.

One reviewer said it's like a breath of fresh air: "It's so refreshing to see my friends share their not so Instagram-able parts of their days and strip away all of the unrealistic expectations social media has put on us all" (via App Store). If you're looking to share real moments and connections with people, this is definitely an app worth checking out.