Best apps to make friends in the UK: a practical comparison
Editorial voice · Madintouch
Compare UK apps for making friends: Meetup, Bumble For Friends, Timeleft and more. Find the right format, check local activity and understand costs.
The Mad2Moi app
Quick answer: in the UK, try Meetup for interest groups, Bumble For Friends for one-to-one profiles, and Timeleft if you like a hosted dinner with people you have not met before. A local app is only useful when it has upcoming events near you, so check your town before subscribing or buying a ticket.
The best friendship app depends on your town
London, Manchester and Edinburgh may have several active events in a week; a smaller town may have very few on any one service. Before making a profile, search for events in the next fortnight, read who is organising them and check whether newcomers are welcome. Compare the price of any event separately from the app subscription.
Meetup: meet through a shared interest
Meetup is built around local groups and events, from walking and board games to language exchanges, coding and book clubs. It works well when a topic gives you an easy way into conversation. Look for recent events rather than large lifetime membership figures, and check whether the organiser charges a fee.
Best for: people who would rather join a group activity than start with a stranger’s profile.
Bumble For Friends: start one-to-one
Bumble For Friends is Bumble’s dedicated friendship app in markets where it is available. You can browse profiles and chat before suggesting coffee, a walk or another low-pressure plan. The UK App Store listing describes it as free to download with optional in-app purchases; check the current terms in your own store.
Profile-based apps can feel like dating apps, even when the stated goal is friendship. Say what you are looking for and move to a public place if you meet.
Best for: people who prefer a short conversation before meeting in person.
If you are also considering a French-made outings app, our Frimake review checks its UK availability, free features and current UK App Store pricing.
Timeleft: a planned dinner with new people
Timeleft uses hosted group experiences such as dinners and other meetups. The structure removes some of the planning burden: you choose an experience, book it and meet the group at the stated time. Events are paid experiences, and the venue, food and drinks rules depend on the city and booking. Read the checkout details before paying.
Best for: someone who wants a definite plan and is comfortable joining a table of strangers.
Peanut: friendship for parents and women
Peanut focuses on women and life stages including fertility, pregnancy and motherhood. It can make it easier to find people whose routines and concerns resemble your own. It is a narrower community than a general events app, so check how many nearby profiles or conversations are active.
Best for: parents and women looking for peer support or friends around a shared life stage.
Nextdoor and local groups: meet neighbours
Nextdoor is primarily a neighbourhood network, rather than a dedicated friendship app. In some areas, local recommendations and community events can lead to offline connections. Treat public posts cautiously and move new conversations into an organised, public activity.
Best for: people who want to meet locally through neighbourhood interests, volunteering or community events.
Mad2Moi: an optional broader community
Mad2Moi is not a friendship-only service: members may have different intentions. Madintouch and Mad2Moi are part of the same business ecosystem, so this is a commercial conflict of interest and not an independent endorsement. Availability, language and features may not fit every UK user; read profiles and current terms before joining.
Compare the apps at a glance
Scroll the table horizontally to see all columns.
| App | Main format | A good fit when… | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meetup | Interest groups and events | you have a hobby or want a regular group | recent events and organiser fees |
| Bumble For Friends | Individual profiles and chat | you prefer to talk before meeting | local availability and optional purchases |
| Timeleft | Hosted group experiences | you want a booked plan | ticket price, venue and what is included |
| Peanut | Women and parent communities | shared life stage matters | activity in your area |
| Nextdoor | Neighbourhood network | local groups are active | privacy settings and public event details |
How to choose safely and avoid wasted spend
- Search your postcode or nearest city and look at events that have a date, host and open places.
- Choose a format you will enjoy even if you do not make an instant friend.
- Check what is free, whether an event ticket costs extra and where a subscription renews.
- Meet in a public place, arrange your own way home and do not share your home address early.
- Return to the same group. Familiarity and repeated contact matter more than collecting matches.
Friendship takes time. A good first outcome may simply be finding one activity you want to attend again.
FAQ
What is the best app to make friends in the UK?
It depends on your town and preferred format. Meetup is useful for interest groups, Bumble For Friends for one-to-one introductions and Timeleft for a planned group dinner. Check upcoming local activity before paying.
Is Bumble For Friends a separate app?
In the UK, Bumble offers a dedicated friendship app called Bumble For Friends. App names and availability can differ by country, so check your local app store.
Are friendship apps free?
Some offer free basic use while charging for optional features, subscriptions or events. Check the current price and renewal terms in your app store and at event checkout.
How do I make friends after moving to a new city?
Choose a recurring activity near home, such as a walking group, language exchange or board-game night. Attend more than once so you can see familiar people and let conversation develop naturally.
Sources and method: official UK listing for Bumble For Friends, service descriptions from Meetup, Timeleft, Peanut and Nextdoor, checked 23 October 2026. The article compares product formats; it does not claim a hands-on test or verified local user counts. Alicia Walker is an editorial pen name.
