Friend-making apps that are free to use have really been increasing lately. Instead of dating or marriage-focused apps, there's a growing trend of apps aimed at people who simply want to find friends with similar hobbies or want to casually chat with same-sex friends. Many people in their 40s and 50s are starting to look for friends, and I totally understand because it becomes harder to make new friends once you're a working adult. But the points people worry about are whether it's safe to use for free and whether you can really meet people who are just looking for friends.

I’ve thoroughly compared popular friend-making apps, and there are five key points to consider when choosing: ease of finding users who are looking for friends, the ability to find compatible matches, safety measures, the features available for women to use for free, and the affordability for men.

First place is Favomatch. It specializes in making friends for supporting your favorite hobbies, and you can search by hobby style or weekend plans, making it easier to find compatible people. It’s limited to women only, 18 and over, and focuses on same-sex friendship. The app is free to use for making friends, and they also host real-life events for enthusiasts, broadening your opportunities to connect.

Second is Touch, which I also recommend. It’s a women-only app dedicated to making friends, with identity verification requiring a photo ID, so you can feel safe. It has 24-hour monitoring, and features like reporting and blocking are included. Unlimited messaging is free, which is a big advantage.

Third is DotMatch, also women-only, with a rich timeline and search functions. You can search by location or weekend availability, making it easier to find someone who fits your schedule. It also provides information on nearby restaurants and cafes for meetups.

Fourth is Bumble, which is dedicated to making friends and emphasizes safety. Its BFF mode allows you to filter for users looking specifically for friends, and you can find friends of the same or opposite sex. It’s also recommended for those wanting friends of the opposite sex or for men. The pricing is relatively affordable.

Fifth is Tantan, originating from China with over 300 million members worldwide. It’s specialized for making friends and allows same-sex searches. Men can send messages for free, making it suitable for those who want to fully utilize a free friend-making app.

Sixth is Somli, designed for people in their 30s to 50s. It features comprehensive search functions like “Adult Love Sommelier Diagnosis,” and you can choose modes for finding same-sex friends. You can search by weekend plans, children, or hobbies, making it easier to find suitable matches.

Seventh is Tipsys, which is women-only with over 300,000 users nationwide. It has timeline and group chat features, allowing for both one-on-one and group interactions. It’s free to use, and you can set exclusion keywords for a more comfortable experience.

Eighth is JOIN US, a drinking party matching app. It’s aimed at people who want to drink with someone immediately, allowing searches by preferred alcohol or drinking style. Location info helps find nearby users, perfect for making friends on the spot.

Ninth is GolWho, focused on golf. You can search by golf scores or whether transportation is available, making it easier to meet people with similar playing styles. It also has 24-hour monitoring and blocking features for safety.

Finally, Tenth is Tinder, one of the world’s largest matching apps. While it’s mainly known for dating, you can also meet users looking for friends. Same-sex searches are possible, and since it’s used worldwide, you can make friends even while traveling.

In conclusion, if you want to use a friend-making app for free and safely, it’s best to choose one with solid identity verification and 24-hour monitoring. Many apps are women-only, making them ideal for women who want to connect safely with other women. Pick an app that fits your purpose and start expanding your circle of friends.