The possibilities the internet offers us are endless—and that includes apps you can use to find people nearby. These GPS-based applications are designed to help you connect with people around you. Below, you’ll find some of the best apps developed for this purpose.
At their core, these apps rely on your phone’s GPS functionality. To define GPS, it works by using signal exchanges to determine the location of individuals within its orbit. However, to access someone’s location, that person must first enable the location-sharing feature within the app.
Best Apps to Find Nearby Friends
Meetup
Meetup is one of the best apps for connecting with people nearby. It lets you explore groups formed around local events, giving you the chance to meet like-minded individuals. You can also chat with others directly through Meetup.
MeetMe
MeetMe is an app that helps you find people nearby, chat one-on-one, and make new friends. With a classic social media feel, you can create posts, like and comment on others’ posts, and engage with the community.
The app also features a live streaming option, allowing people in your area to watch your broadcasts and interact in real time.
Nextdoor
If you’ve recently moved to a new area, Nextdoor can help you meet your neighbors and build connections with locals. The app offers various features to:
- Find people with shared interests,
- Ask questions about your neighborhood,
- Discover nearby events.
When you make a post, people in your vicinity will see it, helping you stay informed about local happenings and connect with others.
Nextdoor also has a groups section where you can find or create communities based on common interests. In many areas, there are dedicated “friendship groups” to help you start meeting new people.
Skout
Skout is one of the most popular apps available for both Android and iOS. You can use it to meet people nearby or connect with users worldwide.
Think of Skout as a hybrid of social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Threads—it’s designed for socializing. You can chat with new people, exchange photos or videos, and expand your social circle effortlessly.
Bumble BFF
You might know Bumble as the dating app where women make the first move. However, it also offers a separate feature called Bumble BFF, specifically for making platonic friends.
Like the main app, Bumble BFF uses a swipe-left-or-right system for matching. If both users swipe right, they can start chatting. Unlike Bumble’s dating mode, there’s no restriction on who messages first—but matches expire if neither person sends a message within 24 hours.
Buzzly
For those looking to meet new people or discover others with shared interests, Buzzly is a handy location-based matching app. It promises quick and easy connections, streamlining the process of building social networks.
Buzzly’s standout feature is its real-time proximity detection, showing users within a specific distance of your location. This makes it easy to connect with people in your area.
The app also includes keyword filtering, letting you search for users based on interests like “sports,” “music,” or “travel” to find like-minded individuals.
We3
We3 is an app designed to help you meet people nearby by forming meaningful connections around shared interests.
Its approach is simple but unique: We3 creates trios (groups of three) by matching users based on personality traits, hobbies, and values. These small groups encourage deeper interactions among people with common passions.
The app also supports group chats and event planning, making it easy to socialize and grow your network with like-minded individuals.
Match
Match is a platform that has been helping people connect since 1995. More than just a friendship app, it also hosts fun events in major cities (primarily in the U.S.).
On Match, you can:
- Create a dating profile
- Add photos
- Search and like other members
- Receive matches
- Send and receive virtual “winks”
- And much more—all for free
If two users match AND appear on each other’s “Top Picks” list, they can chat on the platform at no cost.
Badoo
As one of the world’s most popular dating apps, Badoo operates on location-based technology like its competitors.
Its standout feature is “People Nearby,” which helps users connect with others who’ve crossed their paths geographically. Of course, you’ll need to mutually match before messaging.
Happn
Among location-based friend-finding apps, Happn stands out with its unique approach: connecting users who’ve physically crossed paths recently.
Using location data, Happn identifies people who were in the same place at the same time (or nearly the same time), displaying them as potential “Matches” on your home screen. Since you’re matching with someone who was recently nearby, they’re likely still in your vicinity.
Hiferr
Exclusive to Android devices, Hiferr helps you connect with nearby people. Its “Discover People” feature lets you find others within a set distance range—whatever your reason might be.
Another notable feature is “Share Your Status,” allowing you to broadcast your current mood or anything you’d like to announce to potential connections.
BeFriend
BeFriend is a dating app that helps you discover people near you. Using your location, it shows potential matches in your area on its main screen.
Key features include:
- Match: Identifies nearby users
- Like: Lets you mark interesting profiles
- Messaging: Enables chats between mutual likes
- Groups: Create or join interest-based communities
The app offers both free and paid versions:
- Free version: Limited “Likes” and includes ads
- Paid version: Removes these restrictions and eliminates ads
1km
1km is a feature-rich app designed to help you meet and befriend people nearby. The app lets others in your vicinity view up to 4 of your photos, giving you a chance to learn about potential connections in your area.
The app also includes a thought-sharing feature similar to Instagram Notes or WhatsApp Status, where you can post updates for nearby users to see.