In today's digital landscape, numerous social networking apps cater to diverse interests and connection needs. From platforms focusing on friendship, professional networking, and anonymous matching to those designed for specific groups like fathers or musicians, these apps redefine social interactions.

The great Global Dating Insights, which is a fantastic resource for all things related to online dating, has showcased new and exciting dating sites and apps since 2018 on their Startup Roundup page.

Here are 11 thriving dating sites and apps to help make new friends. Some of these sites are up and coming and some you might have heard of, but they’re all worth checking out!

11 Best New Friendship Making Apps and Sites

BeFriend (formerly "Swipr) is a social platform and app designed to help users make friends, partners, or personal connections, particularly on Snapchat and other platforms. The app is intended for users aged 17 and older and offers parental controls and safety settings. Users can also provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

BERRI is an app designed to facilitate anonymous live-matching experiences for students at the University of Pennsylvania. It aims to help students connect with their classmates and foster meaningful friendships through one-on-one matches.

Cliques is an app designed for connecting people with similar interests. Users can register as singles or couples and use the app to meet new people for purposes such as friendship, professional networking and dating. It's available on Google Play.

"Cuplr" is a unique app designed to help couples find new friends who share similar interests. It aims to create a metaverse ecosystem that introduces people to new friends. The app is available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, emphasizing social networking and encouraging users to meet others.

"The Dad App" is a platform that helps fathers connect with other dads who are in similar situations and share common interests. It boasts over 20,000 users and 60 local communities where users can join groups, arrange playdates, or simply meet up for coffee or a beer. Additionally, dads can connect with others through apps like "Dadditude," which focuses on self-care parenting, and "DadOut," which suggests kid-friendly activities. Connecting with fellow dads is also possible through in-person meetings, phone calls, or social media.

Jambro is a platform often described as a 'Tinder for musicians.' It connects musicians and other music industry talent globally. Users can connect with fellow musicians, collaborate on content creation, and even earn rewards. The platform also offers features like Jambro TV and Jambro Jams.

PlayCity is a free app designed to connect people who share interests in sports and activities. Similar to a dating app, it matches users with nearby individuals interested in the same sports. Founded by Hafiz Mitha in Calgary, PlayCity's mission is to foster active and connected communities. It offers perks like cost savings, sports engagement, good food, and access to activity gear.

Profoundly is a platform that emphasizes connecting users based on their personalities rather than just photos. It offers a unique approach to making friends by valuing individual personalities above all else.

Socially is a free app designed to help users discover nearby social activities, make friends, and have experiences. It emphasizes connecting people based on mutual interests, offering a platform to explore events created by others or create your own. The app promotes genuine connections through respectful interaction, verified profiles, and AI assistance for bios and event descriptions. It encourages inclusivity and offers features like reminders, alerts, and a calendar to enhance social experiences.

"We3" is a free mobile app designed to help busy adults make friends by privately matching them into groups of three with people they naturally click with. The app uses machine learning and personality questions to connect users with compatible individuals nearby. It's important to note that We3 is not a dating app. The platform prioritizes privacy by using private profiles and restricting profile photo visibility to members of the same "tribe." You can find We3 on both the App Store and Google Play.

Zingr is a social media app that uses GPS to connect users with people nearby who have similar interests. It enables users to discover nearby individuals, view shared content like photos and videos, and even find and make new friends in their vicinity. The app also facilitates communication through short messages and offers free chatting options. Zingr is available for Android users to download from Uptodown.

With an array of specialized social networking platforms available, the digital world offers a myriad of opportunities to forge meaningful connections.

Whether it's finding like-minded individuals, discovering nearby activities, or fostering friendships based on shared interests, these apps pave the way for an interconnected and vibrant social landscape.