No app cures loneliness, but the right one can make the next step easier. Peer-support apps such as Wisdo help you feel heard, group and matching apps such as Meetup and BFF help you meet people, and Solo Era helps you get comfortable going out on your own so your days have more in them. Pick the one that matches what you need most right now.
A note before the list
Feeling lonely is common, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. It is also a feeling, not a failure. We are not able to promise that any app will remove it, and none of these apps is therapy. What they can do is make a specific next step smaller: speak to someone, join a group, leave the house, write down how the day went.
App information comes from official listings and websites, checked on 2026-10-21. We do not quote ratings, user numbers or prices unless an official page states them. If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, contact local emergency services or a crisis line in your country rather than using an app.
Quick comparison
| App | Main use | Best for | Platforms (as listed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Era | Practise doing things alone | Getting out and enjoying your own company | iPhone |
| Wisdo | Peer-support community | Feeling heard by people who understand | iPhone, iPad |
| Meetup | Interest groups and events | Regular in-person contact | iPhone, iPad, web |
| BFF: Make friends & meet up | Friend matching and Groups | Meeting individual friends | iPhone, iPad |
| Headspace | Meditation and mental-health tools | Calm and sleep | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Day One | Journaling | Putting feelings into words | iPhone, Android, iPad, Mac, Watch, web |
1. Solo Era
Best for: people whose days feel small because going out alone feels hard.
Many lonely stretches are made worse by avoiding the places where life happens: a cafe, a cinema, a walk, a market. Solo Era is an iPhone app that approaches doing things alone as a skill you can practise. You get weekly missions in seven categories (food, movement, culture, travel, everyday, solitude and people), at five difficulty levels, and you can write your own.
Real examples from the app's library: "Order a coffee and drink it in the cafe, alone" (food, level 1), "Climb to the highest point you can walk to nearby" (movement, level 1) and "Ask a staff member one genuine question" (people, level 1). They are deliberately small. You rate how nervous you felt before and after, and the Progress screen shows those numbers over months with XP and a weekly streak. The journal keeps a photo and notes for each outing, so you can look back and see the weeks filling up.
Solo Era is not a social network, does not match you with anyone and is not therapy or medical care. It is free to download, a subscription is required to start missions, and details and any free trial are shown in the app before purchase.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
2. Wisdo
Best for: people who want to be heard by others facing similar things.
Wisdo describes itself as a peer-support community, with anonymous joining and access to coaching and licensed therapy through Talkspace (Wisdo says it is "a Talkspace company"). If loneliness comes with a specific struggle, such as grief, a move or a health worry, a community around that topic can help. It is not a replacement for professional care. See the listing for current pricing.
3. Meetup
Best for: regular, in-person contact around an interest.
Meetup lets you join or host interest-based groups and events, online or local. Repeated meetings with the same people are the surest way for acquaintances to become friends. A weekly walking group or a monthly book club gives your calendar an anchor. See the listing for current pricing.
4. BFF: Make friends & meet up
Best for: people who want to meet individual friends.
The App Store listing, which refers to "the new Bumble BFF", describes profiles with bios and interest tags, selfie-verified matches, one-on-one chat and Groups. If you prefer a one-to-one start to a group, this is a direct way to begin. As with any matching app, a message only helps if it leads to a first coffee.
5. Headspace
Best for: calming a restless evening.
Headspace offers guided meditation, sleep tools and courses, and the listing mentions access to therapists, coaches and an AI companion called Ebb. A short session will not fix loneliness, but it can ease the tension that makes reaching out harder. The official site offers a free trial; see the app for current prices.
6. Day One
Best for: putting feelings and small wins on the page.
Day One is a journaling app. Per its site, the free plan includes unlimited entries, daily prompts, search and end-to-end encryption. Noting one thing you did each day, however small, makes progress visible. Our guide to journaling after a solo outing has prompts.
A simple weekly plan
A gentle structure is easier than a big resolution.
- One outing alone. Pick something low-stakes from our things to do alone list, such as a cafe or a short walk.
- One small interaction. Ask a barista or librarian a real question. It counts.
- One recurring thing. Choose a group or class that meets weekly, and go at least four times.
- One note. Write down what you did and how you felt.
- One reach-out. Message someone you have not spoken to in a while.
For more ideas, see the solo activities guide and apps for making friends.
When an app is not enough
Apps can help with small steps, but they are not designed to handle persistent or severe loneliness, low mood or anxiety. If you feel hopeless, cannot function day to day, or have thoughts of harming yourself, please contact a doctor, a licensed professional or a local crisis service right away. Solo Era is not therapy or medical care.
Last checked: 2026-10-21. Facts about other apps come from their official sites and App Store listings and can change, so confirm current details before you decide.
FAQ
What is the best app for loneliness?
It depends on what you need. Wisdo suits feeling heard, Meetup and BFF suit meeting people, and Solo Era suits building comfort with going out alone. Many people combine a practice app with a group app.
Can an app cure loneliness?
No. An app can make it easier to take a step, but loneliness usually eases through real connection and, sometimes, professional support. Be wary of any app that promises a cure.
Is being alone the same as being lonely?
No. You can be happily alone and lonely in a crowd. Our article on alone vs lonely explains the difference.
Is Solo Era a social app?
No. Solo Era does not include a feed, friend list or matching. It is an iPhone app for practising doing things alone, with missions, before-and-after nerve ratings and a journal.
How do I start if I do not want to talk to anyone yet?
Start with a solo outing that needs no conversation, such as a walk or a cafe visit. When you feel ready, add one small interaction, like asking a question at a counter.
When should I get professional help?
If loneliness is constant, feels heavy, or comes with low mood or anxiety that affects daily life, talk to a doctor or licensed professional. If you are in danger, contact local emergency services.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
