Best Make-Friends Apps in the USA, City by City

There is no single best make-friends app in the USA, because the right one depends on your city and how you like to socialize. Timeleft suits people who want a structured group dinner, Bumble BFF suits one-on-one matching and group chats, Meetup suits interest-based groups, and Pie suits small group events in cities like Austin and Chicago. If you want to meet people nearby in real time, JoinMeIn live and events-based approach is worth a look. Pick one app, pair it with one recurring offline activity, and show up more than once.

Key takeaways

• Cities differ. Some apps only operate in certain US cities, so check availability before you download.

• Group formats beat endless chatting. Apps that put you at a real table or event quickly tend to lead to real friendships faster than apps that stop at messaging.

• Costs vary widely. Some apps are free, while others charge a ticket, a curation fee or a membership.

• Apps work best with repetition. Pair an app with a weekly class, club or run group so you see the same faces again.

• Safety matters. Meet in public, tell a friend your plans, and prefer apps with verification and blocking tools.

What is the best app to make friends in the USA?

It depends on the format you want. Here is a quick comparison of popular options, based on each company's own descriptions and recent coverage. Prices and cities change often, so confirm in the app before you commit.

JoinMeIn is our product, so we have an obvious interest. We've tried to describe the other apps fairly, using public information from TechCrunch, TechCrunch's Bumble BFF report and Timeleft.

Best ways to make friends in New York

Apps: New York has the widest choice. Timeleft launched in NYC in 2024, Les Amís lists New York as a paid-membership city, and Mmotion is a location-based friendship app available in New York by application. Bumble BFF and Meetup work here too.

Offline: In a city this big, small recurring groups work better than huge events. Run clubs, volunteer shifts and hobby classes help you see the same faces. Our full guide on how to make friends as an adult in New York City goes deeper, and musicians can check how to find a jam session in New York.

Best ways to make friends in Los Angeles

Apps: Meetup is popular for hiking and cycling groups, and Washed Up is an event-discovery app launched in early 2026 for the Los Angeles area, where you join small group plans tied to events. Les Amís lists Los Angeles as a planned city.

Offline: LA is spread out, so pick activities near where you live or work. Time Out's LA guide suggests group hikes such as Runyon Canyon, intramural leagues (dodgeball in West Hollywood and Eagle Rock, kickball in Venice, pickleball), improv classes, cooking classes and volunteering at beach cleanups. Dog-friendly spots also make easy conversation starters.

Best ways to make friends in Austin

Apps: Pie runs events in Austin, and Les Amís lists Austin among its cities. Bumble BFF and Meetup are good starting points for interest groups.

Offline: Austin's social scene leans on the outdoors and live music, so trail walks, group workouts, music nights and neighborhood events are natural places to start. Return to the same spots weekly so faces become familiar.

Best ways to make friends in Chicago

Apps: Pie also operates in Chicago, and Bumble BFF and Meetup cover most neighborhoods.

Offline: Chicago has a growing social-club scene. Axios Chicago reported in 2024 on Three Cities Social in River North (about $199 a month at the time) and Birch Road in Roscoe Village and Lincoln Park (about $145 a month), plus Chicago Girls Who Walk, a free community that started with group walks in 2022. Prices may have changed, so check directly.

How do you choose the right app for your city?

1. Check that it's active where you live. A great app with no local members won't help.

2. Match the format to your personality. Shy? Try small groups or structured dinners. Outgoing? Try events and live meetups.

3. Look at the full cost. Include tickets, fees and the food and drinks you'll buy at meetups.

4. Prefer real-world outcomes. Choose apps that move you from chat to an in-person plan quickly.

5. Commit for a month. Friendships take repeated contact, so give any app a few weeks of regular use.

Want a broader comparison? See our guides to the best apps to meet people nearby in 2026 and how to meet people nearby without swiping.

How can you stay safe when meeting app friends?

• Meet in public places for the first few meetups, and travel on your own.

• Tell a friend or roommate where you're going and when you'll be back.

• Keep personal details like your home address private early on.

• Use apps with verification, blocking and reporting tools, and trust your instincts.

JoinMeIn offers end-to-end encrypted 1:1 chats, optional ID verification, silent blocking, an SOS button, and location sharing only while you're live. See the safety and privacy page and our community guidelines.

How does JoinMeIn help you make friends in the USA?

JoinMeIn is an in-person social app for iOS and Android, for adults 18 and over, built around real-life plans rather than endless swiping. Here is what you can do:

• Live Radar: go live for 30 minutes, 1 hour or 3 hours and choose who can see you.

• IRL Events: browse nearby plans, get free tickets instantly and check in with a QR code, or host your own public or invite-only event.

• Shared Interests: match with people who like the same hobbies.

• Safety tools: encrypted chats, optional ID verification, silent blocking and SOS.

Learn how JoinMeIn works, explore every feature, check available locations, or read the FAQ.

Related reading

Keep going with these guides from the JoinMeIn blog:

Find your people with JoinMeIn

Whatever city you're in, the best way to make friends is to get out of the chat and into the same room. Get the JoinMeIn app to discover nearby people, local plans and real-life social opportunities.

Ready to meet people near you? Find people nearby with JoinMeIn.