It can be hard to admit loneliness sometimes, particularly as an adult — but it’s a feeling that has engulfed us all at some point.
In fact, the Health Survey for England found that one in four women (25%) feel lonely some of the time — and it’s easy to understand why. We are constantly bombarded with imagery of female friendships and girl squads, so if we don’t have a stack of go-to gal pals to call on in times of crisis, we can be left feeling a little isolated or alone.
While it can be somewhat ick-inducing to admit you want to make new friends as an adult, we’re here to reassure you that it’s actually a totally fine and normal feeling — after all, platonic connections are just as vital and life-affirming as romantic ones (we also have some must-read tips on how to navigate the minefield of chatting to potential new pals).
It may seem more difficult to make pals post-school or university age, when you have established common grounds such as classes or sports teams, but fear not! Modern technology is here to help you bridge the adult friendship gap. Yes, we’re talking about friendship apps.
You know how dating apps can help you find your next hook-up, relationship, and/or ambiguously romantic affair? (Just us? Okay.) Well, there are some really solid apps to make friends out there that can help you find and vet new besties, too.
Whether you just moved, left a toxic friendship, or just want someone to brunch with, here are some apps to download that’ll help you find the Monica to your Rachel, the Jane to your Daria, the Miranda to your Carrie, the (insert iconic TV friendship of your choice) all without having to leave the couch. You’re welcome, babe.
1. Club Cosmo
First up on this list has to be our very own clique-free — and totally free! — Club Cosmo. As a Club Cosmo community member, you’ll get to meet other like-minded people (as well as the Cosmo team... hi!) via exclusive events and socials. Oh and there’s discounts and giveaways too, so you should join whether you’re in the market for new friends or simply new swag and experiences.
2. Bumble BFF
If you’ve ever used Bumble for dating, you’ll easily get the hang of Bumble BFF, which is literally the same concept, just for platonic friends. You still make a profile with a few photos, add a quick bio, and then swipe right on your faves. The main difference is that the timer to start a conversation isn’t gendered, so it’s on either of you to make the first move before the match expires.
Download here
3. Timeleft
Sometimes it’s hard to take friendships established online from beyond the screen and onto terra firma. Timeleft does all the hard work for you; after completing a short personality quiz, the app’s algorithm matches you to five other like-minded individuals. Timeleft then also books the restaurant and your table — all you need to do is show up and pay for your own dinner. Those you really bond with while breaking bread can then connect on the app again. Want to see how it went for someone else? You can read our review of it here.
4. Yubo
Many friendship apps have similar features to dating apps (making a profile, swiping on others, private messaging, etc), but what makes Yubo unique is its catfish-free video chat feature. When you connect with someone, you can chat via live video from the app (like FaceTime, but without having to give out your phone number). This a) ensures the person you’re talking to is *actually* who they say they are, and b) might help alleviate some of those first-time meet-up jitters if you’ve already seen their face.
5. Peanut
Peanut is an app for mums to meet other mums, founded by Michelle Kennedy, who worked at the dating app Badoo before giving birth in 2013. She described feeling very isolated as a new mother and wanted to find people who understood what she was going through. Since postpartum depression can make women feel especially alone, it’s great to have an app where you can connect with someone navigating the same, sometimes-messy, emotional terrain as you are.
6. Meetup
If you have more specific interests, like knitting or being a part of a writing group, Meetup probably has something you’re looking for. You simply enter your location and browse events by category. Voila! You’ll find your crew in no time.
Download here
7. Twitch
Twitch is a great way to make friends, especially if you’re a streamer already. Twitch communities often transcend the boundaries of the internet, with users hosting IRL Twitch meet-ups all the time. Another great option is to join or create a Discord. Many fan groups of the bigger streamers have their own Discord chats (sometimes with the streamers themselves), where they discuss all things streamer and the games they play and are always eager to welcome new fans into the cut.
And it’s not just for video games — in recent years, Twitch has been taken over by beauty gurus, make-up artists, sex columnists, wellness consultants, and more. What’s better than bonding over a mutual love of livestreams?
Download here
8. Skout
Skout has been around since 2007, so they’ve been in the friendship (and dating!) app game for a long time. It’s pretty simple: You use it to connect with people wherever you go, which seems particularly handy if you’re traveling alone and want to grab a pint with someone... or even hook up (Skout has no rules!).
Download here
9. Communia
Communia is a social network for women and marginalised communities based around the idea of community and networking. All users are verified by a team of humans to ensure the app is as safe and authentic as possible. Functioning a bit like a messaging board, users can make posts using various tags, like mental health, sex and relationships, or work and money, and connect with other users via groups messaging.
Download here
10. Lex
Lex started life as place for queer personal ads, but has since pivoted towards a focus on community building (a decision which had a bit of a Marmite effect on users). Still organised like a message board, users can post up to five times a month on either the main feed, or sub-feeds like the chosen family or missed connection feed. There’s also group chats that you can join — or start your own if there aren’t any that match your interest.
11. Friended
Friended lets you share your random thoughts in a controlled environment, allowing other users to reply or send encouragements to you privately. The point is to exchange niceties that should hopefully tumble into something more, or at the very least help you feel less alone. Who doesn’t love getting their feelings validated by strangers? Yes, you’ll still be clinging to your phone when you’re out in public, but at least there’ll be someone sweet on the other side of it.
Lois Shearing is Cosmoplitan's Former Senior Sex and Relationship Writer. They have been writing about sex, sexuality, gender, politics, and relationships for almost ten years. Their writing on these topics has appeared in Mashable, The Independent, Metro, The Advocate, and Byline Times, among others. In 2021, they published their first book, Bi the Way with JKP. They are currently working on two other books, set to be published in 2024. In a previous life, they worked as a content marketer and content writer for various tech start-ups. They continue to be interested in the tech sector and its impact on our lives, relationships, and work, with particular regard to the ways AI will shape our relationships in the future. Outside of work, they are deeply passionate about queer community organising, and run the only support resource for bisexual survivors of sexual violence in the UK: the Bi Survivors Network. You can find them on Instagram and X.
