Apps to meet new friends: an honest guide

Start with how you like to meet people

The best app depends on what you actually want. Ask yourself:

• Do you want to meet in person, or are you happy staying online?
• Do you prefer one-on-one chats or groups?
• Do you want to talk right now, or get to know people slowly?
• Is there an interest you'd like to build it around?

To meet people in person

Good if you want friends nearby, and don't mind showing up somewhere new.

• Meetup: local groups and events based around shared interests.
• Timeleft: dinners that bring small groups of strangers together.
• Nextdoor: neighbourhood community, useful for getting to know people close by.

To browse profiles and match

Good if you like seeing who someone is before you talk.

• Bumble BFF: a friendship mode from the dating app Bumble, with a familiar swipe-style setup.

To join a community

Good if you enjoy groups, and you're happy to get to know people over time.

• Discord: chat servers around games, hobbies and fandoms.
• Reddit: topic communities, some with threads for making friends.

To talk one-on-one right now

This is where Perfriend fits. You type your interests and get matched with one person for a private text chat, with no profile to build and no camera. If you click, you can add each other as friends. It's for adults, and it isn't for meeting up locally, since we match on interests and not location.

Staying safe on any friend app

Whichever you choose, the same rules apply:

• Keep your address, workplace and financial details private.
• Be wary of anyone who asks for money, or rushes you onto another app.
• Meet in a public place the first time, and tell someone you trust.
• Use the report and block tools. That's what they're there for.

Questions