The best friend-making app for 2027 is the one you will still open in March, which means choosing by fit rather than by feature list. Look for an app that gets you to repeat, in-person contact, matches your comfort level, and does not charge you before you know what you get. If nerves stop you from going, start with a practice app such as Solo Era and pair it with a group or matching app.
This page is a planning guide for 2027. If you want the full side-by-side overview with longer write-ups, read the 2026 comparison. Here we focus on how to choose, how to avoid the common traps and how to spread the effort across a year. App details were checked on official listings on 2026-10-21, so confirm anything important before the new year starts.
The 7-point checklist for any friend-making app
Run each app you are considering through these questions.
- Does it lead to in-person contact? Friendships grow from repeated time together. An app that keeps you in chat forever is entertainment, not friend-making.
- Does it have a recurring format? Weekly or biweekly groups beat one-off events, because the same faces show up.
- Is it matched to your comfort level? Group events suit people who prefer a shared activity. One-on-one matching suits people who like conversation. Be honest about which you are.
- Is the pricing clear before you commit? Read the listing. If you cannot tell what is free and what is paid, wait.
- Does it respect your privacy and safety? Meet in public, tell someone where you are going, and check how the app handles verification.
- Does it work where you live? Some groups and events are thin outside big cities. Look at what is actually scheduled near you.
- Will it still suit you in three months? Friend-making is slow. Choose something sustainable.
1. Solo Era: the readiness app
Best for: anyone whose limiting factor is nerves, not a lack of options.
Solo Era is an iPhone app for practising doing things alone. It is not a dating or meet-people app, and it has no matching. What it gives you is a structure for the step before meeting people: weekly missions, seven categories (food, movement, culture, travel, everyday, solitude and people) and five difficulty levels. You can also write your own mission.
For friendship, the people category is the one to watch. Level 1 includes "Ask a staff member one genuine question." Level 3 includes "Go to a local astronomy club's indoor talk." You rate how nervous you felt before and after each mission, and the Progress screen plots those ratings over months, alongside XP and a weekly streak. A journal holds photos and notes for each completed mission.
A realistic way to use it in 2027: schedule one mission a week as your warm-up, and treat any group or matching app as the place you apply it. Solo Era is free to download, a subscription is required to start missions, and subscription details are shown in the app before purchase. It is not therapy or medical care.
Solo Era for iPhone
Practise the first step
Missions make showing up smaller, so the friend-making apps you already have become easier to use.
2. BFF: Make friends & meet up
The App Store listing describes profiles with bios, interest tags and photo prompts, selfie-verified matches, one-on-one chat and Groups, and refers to "the new Bumble BFF". Good for people who like one-on-one introductions. See the listing for current pricing.
3. Meetup
Join or host interest-based groups and events, online or local. Best for the recurring-format point on the checklist: a group that meets every two weeks gives you natural repeat contact. See the listing for current pricing.
4. Going Solo: Travel Friends
Meet solo travellers in new cities through nearby groups, trip plans, buddy matching, chat and a feed. The listing states travel-buddy matching is a premium feature at a one-time $3.99 (checked 2026-10-21). Useful if travel is part of your 2027 plans.
5. Tandem and HelloTalk
Language-exchange apps that connect you with native speakers. They are not built for friendship, but a regular partner you talk to every week can become one, and the shared goal removes the "what do we talk about" problem.
A 12-month friend-making plan
You do not need to do everything at once. A plan by quarter keeps the effort small.
| Quarter | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Lower the nerves | Do one small solo outing a week. Rate your nerves before and after. Read things to do alone for ideas. |
| Q2 | Find one recurring thing | Join one group or class that meets regularly. Go at least four times before judging it. |
| Q3 | Deepen two connections | Invite two people from the group to something outside it, such as coffee or a walk. |
| Q4 | Review and reset | Note who you now see regularly. Drop what did not work, keep what did. Plan the next year. |
Mistakes to avoid in 2027
- Installing five apps and using none. Choose one app per job.
- Judging a group after one visit. The first time you feel like an outsider almost everywhere. Give it several tries.
- Waiting to feel ready. Readiness comes from doing small steps, not before them.
- Skipping the follow-up. After a good chat, send a short message within a day or two. Our what to say tool and how to make friends as an adult can help with the wording.
- Expecting an app to do the hard part. An app can introduce you. You still have to turn up.
Quick decision table
| You are... | Choose |
|---|---|
| New to a city, outgoing | Meetup plus BFF |
| Shy, avoiding events | Solo Era first, then a small group |
| Travelling a lot | Going Solo |
| Learning a language | Tandem or HelloTalk |
For the wider picture, see Making friends and where to meet friends as an adult.
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 should I look for in a friend-making app for 2027?
Look for a route to repeated in-person contact, clear pricing, a format that fits your comfort level, and sensible safety features. An app that only keeps you chatting is not doing the job.
How is this page different from the 2026 list?
The 2026 page is a longer side-by-side comparison. This page is a decision checklist and a 12-month plan you can use whichever app you pick.
Will Solo Era help me make friends?
Solo Era helps you practise the steps that come before friendship, such as speaking to a stranger or going somewhere alone. It does not introduce you to people. Combine it with a group or matching app.
How many friend-making apps should I use?
One or two. One for finding people or events, and optionally one to practise the confidence to go. More than that usually means more browsing and less meeting.
Is it safe to meet people from apps?
Use common sense: meet in a public place, tell someone your plans and trust your instincts. Check each app's own safety guidance.
Should I see a professional if shyness holds me back?
If anxiety or loneliness is severe or is affecting your daily life, talk to a doctor or licensed professional. Solo Era is not therapy or medical care.
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.
