Apps Like Wizz: 15 Alternatives for Making New Friends

If you use Wizz to meet people but want to explore other options — whether for better features, a different vibe, or just curiosity — there are plenty of solid apps like Wizz worth trying. This list covers 15 Wizz alternatives across different use cases, age groups, and budgets.

What Is Wizz and Why Look for Alternatives?

Wizz is a social discovery app built around a simple idea: swipe through profiles, find people with similar interests, and start chatting. It launched in 2019 and has built a noticeable user base, particularly among teens and young adults in the US and UK.

The app works on a freemium model. Basic features are free, but things like profile boosts, secret chats, and video additions sit behind a paid tier called Wizz Gold. Pricing starts at $0.99 for one-time purchases and $6.99 weekly. This freemium approach is common across social apps in this space — even Coffee Meets Bagel, a well-known name in the app-based social connection category, built its entire business around a similar gated-feature model.

So why look elsewhere? A few common reasons come up. Some users find the free version too restricted. Others want a platform with stronger moderation or a more specific community focus — like finding local friends rather than random global matches.

And there's a broader context here: according to data from Wikipedia's overview of the loneliness epidemic, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a global public health concern in November 2023 — which partly explains why friend-finding apps have grown so sharply in demand among younger users in particular.

None of that makes Wizz a bad app. It just means different people need different things.

How We Selected These Apps

Not every social app belongs on this list. To keep it genuinely useful, each app here was chosen based on a few clear criteria:

The app had to focus on meeting new people — not just staying connected with people you already know. It needed an active user base, so you're not joining a ghost town. It had to be available on Android, iOS, or both. And it needed some form of moderation or safety feature, given how many users in this category are younger.

A few apps here lean more toward dating than pure friendship. Where that's the case, it's noted directly. The goal is to give you an honest picture, not just a padded list.

15 Apps Like Wizz to Make New Friends

App	Best For	Platform	Free/Paid	Age Group
Yubo	Teen friend-finding + live streams	Android, iOS	Free + Premium	13+
Wink	Snapchat-connected friend finding	Android, iOS	Free + Gems system	17+
MeetMe	Casual social discovery	Android, iOS	Free + Premium	18+
Hoop	Snapchat friend expansion	Android, iOS	Free + In-app purchases	12+
Kik	Anonymous messaging + meeting people	Android, iOS	Free	13+
LMK	Audio-based social connection	Android, iOS	Free	17+
Ablo	Travel-friendly friend finding	Android	Free + Premium	17+
Swipr	Snapchat-linked swipe-to-friend	Android, iOS	Free	13+
Spotafriend	Teen-only friend finding	Android, iOS	Free + $2.99/week	13–19
Purp	Global swipe-based friend finding	Android, iOS	Free + Gems	17+
Azar	Video chat with strangers globally	Android, iOS	Free + Premium	17+
Meetup	Interest-based group socialising	Android, iOS	Free + Paid plans	18+
OFO	Casual stranger chat	Android	Free	17+
Couchsurfing	Travel community + local meetups	Android, iOS	Free + Membership	18+
Wave	Group social + blind date format	iOS	Free	18+

1. Yubo

Yubo is probably the closest in spirit to Wizz. It's built specifically for teens and young adults who want to make friends — not necessarily date. The swipe mechanic feels familiar, and live streaming is a standout feature that Wizz doesn't offer in the same way. You can go live, invite friends into your stream, and meet people in a more dynamic setting than a standard chat window.

Safety tools are relatively robust for this category. As reported by TechCrunch, Yubo implemented mandatory facial age estimation technology across its entire user base, using it to suspend tens of thousands of accounts monthly where age could not be properly confirmed — a level of verification effort that's uncommon among apps in this space.

Key features: Live streaming, swipe-to-connect, group video, safety filters 

Best for: Teens and young adults wanting a Wizz-like experience with more interactivity Availability: Android and iOS

2. Wink

Wink takes a slightly different route — it connects directly with Snapchat. The idea is that you swipe on profiles and, once matched, add each other on Snap rather than chatting within the app itself. For people already active on Snapchat, this feels natural. For others, it adds a layer of friction.

The free version limits how many swipes you get. You earn "gems" through activity, and gems unlock more swipes. It's a bit gamified, which some users enjoy and others find annoying.

Key features: Snapchat integration, swipe-to-match, gems reward system, photo timers 

Best for: Snapchat-heavy users looking to expand their friend circle 

Availability: Android and iOS

3. MeetMe

MeetMe has been around longer than most apps on this list, and that age shows — in both its large user base and its slightly dated interface. Think of it as a social feed crossed with a friend-finding tool. You can browse nearby people, send chat requests, go live, and scroll through a timeline of posts.

It skews toward adults rather than teens, which makes it a better fit if you've aged out of Wizz's core demographic. The free version is functional, and premium unlocks extras like ad-free browsing and boosted visibility.

Key features: Live streaming, nearby people filter, social feed, free to use 

Best for: Adults looking for casual social discovery with a large existing user base 

Availability: Android and iOS

4. Hoop

Hoop works similarly to Wink — it's built around expanding your Snapchat network. You browse profiles, swipe on people you'd like to connect with, and add them on Snapchat. The difference is that Hoop has a younger user base and a slightly simpler interface.

One thing worth noting: Hoop uses a diamond-based system for swipes, and running out of diamonds means waiting or making in-app purchases. This is a common complaint, but if you use it moderately, the free version holds up.

Key features: Snapchat connection, diamond reward system, profile control, easy reporting Best for: Younger users who want to grow their Snapchat friend list 

Availability: Android and iOS

5. Kik

Kik is a messaging-first platform that doubles as a way to meet new people. What sets it apart is anonymity — you only need an email and a username to sign up. No phone number required. For users who are cautious about sharing personal information, this matters.

The "Meet New People" feature connects you with other Kik users based on shared interests. Random chats are capped at five per day with a 15-minute limit, which keeps things from getting overwhelming but also limits how much you can explore.

Key features: Anonymous sign-up, interest-based matching, GIF and emoji support, community guidelines enforcement 

Best for: Users who prioritise privacy when making friends online 

Availability: Android and iOS

6. LMK

LMK leans heavily into audio. Instead of swiping through photos, you join audio rooms based on topics you're interested in and meet people through conversation. It's a different approach to making friends online — less visual, more personality-driven.

If you find photo-based apps shallow or anxiety-inducing, LMK offers a genuine alternative. The registration is straightforward, and the community feed adds a social layer beyond just audio rooms.

Key features: Audio rooms, group and private chat, community feed, voice and video calls Best for: People who prefer conversation-first connections over appearance-based swiping Availability: Android and iOS

7. Ablo

Ablo positions itself around travel and cultural exchange. The idea is to connect with people from different countries, either as a traveller looking for local insight or simply as someone curious about other cultures. There's a built-in translation tool, which genuinely helps when you're talking to someone who speaks a different language.

It also has live video and a profile video feature. The user base is smaller than some others on this list, and it's currently Android-only, which limits reach.

Key features: Translation tool, live video, random country matching, video profiles 

Best for: Travel-minded users or those interested in international friendships 

Availability: Android

8. Swipr

Swipr keeps things simple. You create a profile, swipe on people you like, and connect — with an option to add matches on Snapchat once you've built some rapport. The platform has a strong stance on removing inappropriate content, which is refreshing in this category.

Each user gets a unique ID. There are also HMU (hit me up) pages where you can post what you're looking for, which adds a community discovery element beyond one-on-one swiping.

Key features: Snapchat integration, HMU pages, chatrooms, content moderation

Best for: Users who want a straightforward swipe-and-connect experience with Snap compatibility 

Availability: Android and iOS

9. Spotafriend

Spotafriend is explicitly designed for teenagers aged 13 to 19. The age verification system is stricter than most apps in this category — it actively tries to keep adults out. That alone makes it worth including for younger users or parents researching options.

The free version covers the basics. A premium upgrade at $2.99 per week removes ads and adds features like extra swipes, priority listing, and boomerangs. For a teen-focused app, the pricing is reasonable.

Key features: Teen-only age verification, private chat, real-time connections, swipe mechanic Best for: Teenagers specifically looking for age-appropriate friend-finding 

Availability: Android and iOS

10. Purp

Purp is one of the more polished apps on this list from a design standpoint. It uses a swipe-right-to-connect model similar to Wizz, and it adds a gems system where you earn rewards by sharing the app or checking in regularly. Those gems unlock more swipes.

The app has a clear anti-bullying policy and takes action on inappropriate behaviour. It's free to download and available globally, which gives it a wide potential friend pool.

Key features: Swipe to connect, gems reward system, profile customisation, anti-bullying enforcement 

Best for: Users who want a visually clean, globally accessible Wizz alternative 

Availability: Android and iOS

11. Azar

Azar is more video-focused than most apps here. You swipe to match with someone and are immediately dropped into a video chat — there's less of a slow build and more of a jump-right-in dynamic. It supports filters and background customisation, which makes the video experience feel less raw than some competitors.

Search filters by gender, location, and age help narrow down who you're meeting. It's free to download, with premium features available.

Key features: Instant video chat, swipe-to-match, gender and location filters, hashtag posts Best for: Users who prefer video-first introductions over text-based chatting 

Availability: Android and iOS

12. Meetup

Meetup is different from everything else on this list. Instead of swiping on individuals, you join groups organised around shared interests — hiking, photography, coding, book clubs, you name it. Friendships form through repeated real-world interaction rather than a single digital match.

It's slower. But in practice, the friendships people build through Meetup tend to feel more genuine than those from swipe-based apps. If you've tried apps like Wizz and found the connections don't go anywhere, Meetup is worth a completely different approach.

Key features: Interest-based groups, local event discovery, online and in-person options, business networking groups 

Best for: Adults who want real-world friendships built around shared activities 

Availability: Android and iOS

13. OFO

OFO is a lighter, less feature-heavy option for casual stranger chat. You meet people who share your interests, start a conversation, and take it from there. It doesn't have the polish of Yubo or Purp, but it's straightforward and free.

It's currently Android-only, which is a limitation. But for Android users who want something low-friction to try alongside other apps, it does the job.

Key features: Interest-based matching, casual chat, free to use 

Best for: Android users wanting a simple, no-frills friend-finding option 

Availability: Android only

14. Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing started as a platform for travellers to find free accommodation with locals — and that's still its core. But it's evolved into a broader travel community where you can join local meetups, attend events, and connect with people in cities you're visiting or living in.

It's not a swipe-based app. Connections happen through shared travel context or local community events. If your goal is making friends with an international, adventure-minded crowd, it's genuinely useful.

Key features: Local meetup discovery, city-based groups, host/traveller matching, personalised profiles 

Best for: Travellers or people interested in meeting internationally-minded locals 

Availability: Android and iOS

15. Wave

Wave takes a group-first approach to social connection. Instead of one-on-one matching, you can join group hangouts, play games, and participate in blind date-style events where you meet people in a low-pressure group setting. It's more playful than most apps here.

Currently iOS-only, which limits its reach. But for iPhone users who find solo swiping exhausting, Wave offers a genuinely different format.

Key features: Group blind dates, online party hosting, games, video dating option 

Best for: iOS users who prefer group social formats over individual matching 

Availability: iOS only

Which App Is Right for You?

Different situations call for different apps. Here's a quick way to think about it:

• You're a teenager (13–19): Spotafriend or Yubo. Both are built with younger users in mind and have age verification in place.

• You want something closest to Wizz: Yubo or Purp. Similar swipe mechanic, similar social energy.

• You're on Snapchat constantly: Wink or Hoop. Both are designed to grow your Snap network.

• You prefer talking over swiping: LMK for audio rooms, or Meetup if you want in-person events.

• You travel a lot: Ablo or Couchsurfing, depending on whether you want digital connections or in-person meetups.

• Privacy matters most: Kik. No phone number required.

• You want video-first connections: Azar or Wave.

No single app works for everyone. Most people end up trying two or three before settling on one that fits their habits.

Are Apps Like Wizz Safe?

Safety in friend-finding apps varies widely, and it's worth knowing what to look for before you download anything.

The better apps in this category share a few common features: age verification during sign-up, in-app reporting tools that are actually responsive, content moderation (either automated or human-reviewed), and privacy controls that let you limit who can see your profile or contact you.

What's often overlooked is that no app can fully eliminate risk. Teen-focused platforms like Spotafriend and Yubo put more visible effort into safety infrastructure, but no moderation system is perfect. In practice, users — especially younger ones — benefit from understanding basic digital safety habits regardless of which app they use: don't share personal contact details early, use in-app reporting when something feels wrong, and keep location sharing off by default.

Apps that don't make their moderation policies easy to find are generally worth approaching with more caution.

Conclusion

There's no shortage of apps like Wizz — the challenge is finding one that actually fits how you want to connect. Whether you're a teen looking for something age-safe, an adult wanting real-world meetups, or someone who just wants a new chat platform, this list covers the realistic options worth trying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest app to Wizz? 

Yubo and Purp are the most similar to Wizz. Both use a swipe-to-connect mechanic, focus on making new friends rather than dating, and have comparable interfaces and age demographics.

Are these apps free to use? 

Most apps on this list are free to download with optional paid features. Spotafriend charges $2.99/week for premium. Wizz Gold starts at $0.99. The core experience on most platforms is accessible without paying.

Which apps like Wizz are safe for teens? 

Spotafriend (13–19 only with age verification) and Yubo (13+, with safety tools) are the most teen-appropriate. Hoop and Swipr also have younger user bases but vary in moderation quality.

Can I use these apps without sharing personal information? 

Kik is the strongest option here — it only requires an email and username. Most other apps ask for a name, age, and photo at minimum. Avoid apps that require a phone number if privacy is a concern.

Are apps like Wizz available on both Android and iOS? 

Most are. Exceptions: Ablo and OFO are Android-only; Wave is iOS-only. All others on this list support both platforms.