The best app for making friends in New York depends on what you want to happen next. Some apps help you find a recurring club. Others match you with one person, reserve a dinner, or send you to a curated group event.
This guide compares five options that take different routes to the same goal: getting you off your phone and into a real conversation. If you want a broader plan before choosing an app, start with our guide to making friends in NYC.
Ratings shown are from the US App Store at the time of review and can change.
Best for ambitious young professionals
1. Clockout
Clockout is a local social network for people who want their social and professional lives to overlap. The app centers on clubs, mixers, dinners, and people nearby rather than an endless feed. It is a strong fit if you want to meet founders, creatives, operators, or other people who care about what they are building.
The advantage is context. You can join a club or event with a clear reason to talk, then stay connected afterward. The limitation is equally clear: if you only want anonymous browsing or casual one-to-one matching, a broader friendship app may suit you better.
Clockout is free to download, with optional Gold membership and some paid RSVP options. A concierge team reviews applications; a friend invite can bypass the waitlist. Check the membership FAQ and the current event details before making plans.
- iPhone
- 4.7 from 7.8K ratings
- Clubs and local events
Best for finding almost any interest group
2. Meetup
Meetup has the widest range of groups in this list. In New York, that means everything from run clubs and language exchanges to professional groups, board-game nights, and neighborhood walks. It works best when you already know what you would enjoy doing with other people.
That range is also the catch. Quality and attendance vary by organizer. Look for groups with recent events, repeat attendees, and a schedule you can realistically keep.
- 4.7 from 273K ratings
- Interest-based groups
- Host or join events
Best for starting with a profile and chat
3. BFF
BFF, the friendship app from Bumble, starts with profiles, interests, and direct conversation. It also includes groups for people who would rather meet around a shared topic than build every connection one at a time.
This format gives you more control over who you speak with before making plans. It also creates a familiar problem: a good chat can stay inside the app. If you match with someone you like, suggest a simple public plan instead of waiting for the perfect conversation.
- iPhone
- 4.2 from 8.2K ratings
- Photo-verified profiles
Best for a plan that is already organized
4. Timeleft
Timeleft removes much of the planning. You choose an experience and the app arranges a small-group dinner, coffee, drinks, or a run with matched participants. It is useful for someone who wants to show up knowing that everyone else also came to meet people.
The structure lowers the pressure of approaching a room alone. In return, you give up some control over the group and venue. Check the available formats and neighborhoods before booking.
- 4.6 from 8.4K ratings
- Matched small groups
- Dinners, coffee, drinks, and runs
Best for people who like an element of surprise
5. 222
222 sends members invitations to public group experiences and matches people at the event. There are no public profiles to browse and no long direct-message phase. You complete a curation profile, accept an invitation, and meet the group in person.
This can be refreshing if swiping feels like another chore. It is less useful if you need to plan far ahead or want full control over who attends. Availability and invitation timing can vary, so check what the app currently offers in New York.
- iPhone
- 4.7 from 6.5K ratings
- Curated group experiences
Which app should you try first?
Choose based on the kind of first meeting you would actually attend. Clockout works well for professional peers and recurring clubs. Meetup is better when the activity matters most. BFF suits people who want to talk before meeting. Timeleft and 222 are stronger choices when you want the app to organize the first encounter.
Do not download all five and spend a week comparing profiles. Pick one app, join one concrete plan, and give it two or three attempts. The repeat visit is often where unfamiliar faces start to feel familiar.
A practical seven-day test
- Choose one app that matches how you prefer to meet people.
- Complete enough of your profile to give someone a natural opening question.
- Join one event, group, or plan that takes place within thirty minutes of home or work.
- Speak to two people and follow up with the one conversation you want to continue.
- Return to the same group or format the following week.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to make friends in NYC?
There is no single best app for everyone. Clockout is built for ambitious professionals and local clubs. Meetup has a large variety of interest groups. BFF starts with matching and chat, while Timeleft and 222 organize in-person experiences.
Are friendship apps safe?
No app removes every risk. Meet in a public place, tell someone where you are going, arrange your own transportation, and leave if the situation feels wrong. Use the reporting and verification tools available in the app.
Do friendship apps work if I am shy?
A structured activity can make the first conversation easier because you do not have to invent a reason to speak. Smaller dinners, recurring clubs, classes, and volunteer groups usually create more natural openings than an unstructured party.
Find a room worth returning to
Clockout helps you discover local clubs, events, and ambitious people nearby. Start with one group that fits your interests and schedule.
Get Clockout on the App Store
4.7 on the App Store, based on 7.8K ratings