Whether you've just moved to a new city or simply want to expand your social circle, these apps can help you meet like-minded people nearby. Here's an honest comparison of what works and what doesn't.
Jamly focuses on spontaneous, real-time meetups. Create or join "jams" — casual hangouts like coffee chats, padel games, hikes, or coworking sessions. No swiping, no planning days ahead. Open the map, find what's happening now, and show up.
The veteran platform for group events — $63M in annual revenue and 12 million monthly visits. Great for recurring activities and larger gatherings, though events are planned days or weeks in advance and hosting costs money.
Bumble's friendship mode uses swipe-based matching, part of the broader $956M Bumble ecosystem. It works, but the one-on-one format can feel like dating without the romance. Recently added IRL events in 10 US cities.
Matches you with strangers for blind dinner parties based on a personality quiz. Active in 300+ cities across 60 countries, matching 25,000+ people weekly. Great concept, but limited to dinners only.
Originally for finding places to stay, Couchsurfing also has a hangouts feature for meeting travelers and locals. The community skews toward backpackers and budget travelers.
Each app has its strengths. Meetup is great for planned events. Bumble BFF works for 1-on-1 matching. Timeleft is fun for dinner parties. Couchsurfing suits travelers.
For spontaneous, low-pressure group meetups with people nearby — especially in cities like Tbilisi where the expat community is booming — Jamly is the best fit. No planning, no swiping, no fees. Just open the map and join.