In response to a rising sense of social isolation, a growing number of people are turning to paid friendship-matching apps to meet new friends in person. Platforms such as Real Roots, 222, and Timeleft use personality surveys and algorithms to group users for in-person activities, aiming to make the process of finding meaningful social connections easier.

Alexandra Pitzer, 33, signed up for Real Roots last year shortly after moving from Nashville to Honolulu. She paid $290 to join organized gatherings where women are matched based on shared traits. After attending a brewery meetup with eight others, she continued spending time with several members of the group, forging bonds she describes as “genuine” and potentially lifelong.

These startups have gained traction amid what some experts describe as a loneliness epidemic, partially driven by increasingly digital lifestyles. According to a 2024 Harvard University study, about 67% of adults report social-emotional loneliness, with many struggling to develop close friendships. The apps appeal to users across their 20s to 50s by removing common social barriers—there are no profiles to swipe, no complicated scheduling, and predetermined meeting locations simplify logistics.

Users fill out detailed questionnaires on topics ranging from interests and values to sense of humor and attitudes towards political diversity. Based on these responses, users are placed into small groups invited to meet at designated events such as dinners, outdoor hikes, or classes. After paying a fee, participants only need to show up and engage in the curated experience.

“I think our generation craves the in-real-life environment of meeting each other in a more intimate setting, without digital preconceptions,” said Arman Roshanani, co-founder of 222, a startup that grew out of a college research project on human compatibility. Founded in 2023, 222 now operates in 21 cities and hosts daily events, charging $22 monthly for matching services plus activity costs. The company has seen rapid revenue growth, aiming to reach the high seven figures this year.

Similarly, Real Roots was created after co-founder Dorothy Li sought to make friends in San Francisco, eventually expanding the concept into a multi-city app that hosts women-only activities like bowling and scavenger hunts. Timeleft launched in 2023 and now operates in over 200 cities, coordinating dinners and other meetups for strangers.

Despite their popularity, these apps do not guarantee success for every user. Some participants report awkwardness or lack of connection during events. Alex Cheney, 34, attended multiple friendship-matching gatherings across several cities but did not develop lasting relationships. He noted that deep friendship often requires ongoing, mutual effort that may be difficult to replicate through algorithmic matching.

While the new wave of friendship apps seeks to address the challenges of modern social life, opinions remain mixed on whether they can effectively foster the close bonds many users seek. Nonetheless, with loneliness reported as an increasing public health concern, these platforms represent a novel approach to facilitating face-to-face social interaction.