Friendship Apps Hit $16M as Loneliness Becomes Health Crisis

Finding friends as an adult just got a lot less awkward, and millions of people are signing up to prove it.

Friendship-focused apps have pulled in $16 million in consumer spending and 4.3 million downloads in the U.S. so far this year, according to new data from Appfigures. The surge comes as loneliness has reached crisis levels, with the U.S. Surgeon General officially declaring social isolation a public health emergency in 2023.

Remote workers missing casual office chats and young adults building their social circles from scratch are turning to apps that take the guesswork out of making friends. Unlike awkwardly approaching strangers at the gym, these platforms make it clear that everyone is there for the same reason: genuine friendship, not romance.

The apps use creative approaches to spark connections. Bumble BFF, which spun off from the dating app in 2023, recently redesigned its platform to focus on group meetups. The app 222 pairs strangers based on personality tests and sends them to wine bars or comedy clubs together, with the option to bring a plus-one for the socially anxious.

Other platforms target specific communities. Les Amís serves women, transgender, and LGBTQ+ individuals in cities from Paris to New York, using AI to match people with similar interests and organizing pottery classes and book clubs. Meet5, a European app that recently launched in the U.S., focuses on users over 40 and has already racked up 777,000 downloads.

Some apps combine event discovery with friend-finding. Clyx integrates data from Ticketmaster and TikTok to help users find local events and see which friends are attending. Meetup, a veteran in the space since 2002, continues helping millions connect through shared hobbies, professions, and social causes.

The growth reflects a broader shift in how we think about making connections. Online dating apps erased the stigma of finding relationships digitally, and now that acceptance extends to platonic friendships.

The Ripple Effect

These apps are doing more than just filling social calendars. They're addressing a fundamental human need that affects mental health, physical wellbeing, and community strength. When people feel connected, they're healthier, happier, and more engaged in their communities.

The variety of options means there's something for everyone, whether you're looking for hiking buddies in Miami, book club companions in Berlin, or just a group of people who get your sense of humor. The platforms are expanding rapidly, with many planning launches in new cities throughout the year.

Technology that once got blamed for isolating people is now bringing them together in coffee shops, concert venues, and comedy clubs across the country.