Best Apps for Making International Friends in 2026

Making friends across cultures used to require luck — being in the right place at the right time, or knowing someone who knew someone. Now there's an app for that. Several, actually.

But not all international friendship apps are created equal. Some are really dating apps in disguise. Others are dead zones with no active users. And some are genuinely useful for meeting people from different countries.

We spent time testing the most popular options so you don't have to waste yours. Here's what we found.

What We Looked For

Before diving in, here's what matters when choosing an app for international friendships:

• Active users in your area — An app with millions of users means nothing if none are nearby
• Clear purpose — Is it for friendship, dating, or language exchange? Ambiguity creates awkward situations
• Quality of interactions — Can you actually have meaningful conversations?
• Safety features — How does the app handle bad actors?
• Free vs paid — What can you actually do without paying?

The Apps We Tested

1. SewaYou — Best for Meeting People in Japan

What it is: A map-based app designed specifically for making international friends and language exchange partners in Japan.

What makes it different: Unlike global apps where users are scattered everywhere, SewaYou focuses on Japan. The map feature shows you who's actually nearby, making it realistic to meet up in person.

Pros:

• Location-based matching means you can actually meet people
• Clear focus on friendship and language exchange
• Active community in major Japanese cities
• Filter by language, interests, and availability

Cons:

• Japan-focused (not ideal if you're elsewhere)
• Smaller user base than global apps

Best for: Foreigners living in Japan who want Japanese friends, and Japanese people who want to meet internationals.

Verdict: If you're in Japan, this is the most practical option. The map feature solves the biggest problem with other apps — finding people you can actually meet.

Download SewaYou

2. HelloTalk — Best for Language Learning First

What it is: A language exchange app with built-in translation and correction tools.

What makes it different: HelloTalk is designed around language learning, with features like voice messages, translation, and the ability to correct each other's messages.

Pros:

• Excellent language learning tools
• Large global user base
• Moments feature (like a social feed)
• Free core features

Cons:

• Many users only want language practice, not friendship
• Can feel transactional
• Quality of conversations varies wildly

Best for: People whose primary goal is language learning, with friendship as a bonus.

Verdict: Great for practicing languages, but friendships are secondary. If you're serious about learning, it's useful. If you mainly want friends, look elsewhere.

3. Tandem — Similar to HelloTalk

What it is: Another language exchange app, very similar to HelloTalk.

Pros:

• Clean interface
• Video call feature
• Community feels slightly more mature

Cons:

• Same issues as HelloTalk — language focus over friendship
• Some users report spam/dating requests

Best for: Language learners who want an alternative to HelloTalk.

Verdict: Solid for language exchange, but not optimized for friendship.

4. Bumble BFF — Best for General Friendships

What it is: The friendship mode of Bumble (the dating app).

What makes it different: Bumble BFF uses the same swipe interface as dating Bumble, but for friendships. Women message first (like in dating mode).

Pros:

• Large user base
• Familiar interface if you've used dating apps
• Some international users

Cons:

• Not specifically designed for international friendships
• Most users are locals looking for local friends
• Can feel awkward using a dating app interface for friendships

Best for: People who want friends in general, not specifically international ones.

Verdict: Decent for making friends, but the international aspect is hit or miss. You might match with expats, but it's not the focus.

5. Meetup — Best for Group Activities

What it is: An app for finding and joining local groups based on interests.

Pros:

• Great for meeting multiple people at once
• Activity-based (less pressure than 1-on-1)
• Many international/expat groups exist

Cons:

• Not a direct friendship app
• Quality depends heavily on your location
• Can be intimidating for introverts

Best for: People who prefer meeting friends through group activities rather than one-on-one.

Verdict: Different approach, but effective. Good complement to direct messaging apps.

6. InterPals — Old School Pen Pals

What it is: One of the oldest international pen pal sites, now with an app.

Pros:

• Truly global user base
• Free to use
• Long-form communication (actual letters/messages)

Cons:

• Dated interface
• Higher chance of scams/spam
• Many inactive profiles

Best for: People who enjoy slow, thoughtful correspondence over quick chats.

Verdict: A throwback that still works for some, but feels outdated compared to modern apps.

Quick Comparison

For Japan specifically: SewaYou wins — it's built for this purpose.

For language learning: HelloTalk or Tandem — they have the best tools.

For general friendships: Bumble BFF — largest mainstream option.

For group activities: Meetup — different approach but effective.

For pen pals: InterPals — if you like slow communication.

Tips for Any App You Choose

Be clear about your intentions. Put "looking for friends" in your bio. It filters out people looking for something else.

Don't just chat forever. The goal is real friendship. Suggest meeting up (safely) once you've chatted enough to feel comfortable.

Give it time. Building international friendships requires patience. Cultural differences, language barriers, and time zones all add complexity.

Try multiple apps. Different apps attract different people. You might find your best friend on an app you almost didn't try.

Stay safe. Meet in public places. Tell someone where you're going. Trust your instincts.

The Bottom Line

There's no single "best" app — it depends on where you are and what you're looking for. But the good news is that making international friends has never been more accessible.

If you're in Japan, SewaYou is purpose-built for exactly this. The map feature alone solves the biggest problem: finding people you can actually meet, not just chat with forever.

Wherever you are, the key is to actually use the apps, be genuine, and be patient. Your next international friendship might be one download away.