The first time I moved abroad I downloaded four friend apps in a week and met almost nobody. The second time I picked two and used them properly. If you are trying to settle the meetup vs bumble bff for making friends question after landing in Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid, Amsterdam or Dublin, the honest answer is that they do different jobs. Meetup gathers a group of strangers around an activity. Bumble BFF puts you across a café table from one person you have been messaging.
This guide compares the two side by side, then places them next to the other tools expats lean on: InterNations, Couchsurfing, Facebook, WhatsApp and Discord groups, and language apps such as Tandem and HelloTalk. I have stuck to what the official pages say and dated it. Where I could not verify a price or a feature, I have left it out rather than guess, so you will see a few “check the official site” notes. That is on purpose.
One thing no app fixes: friendship abroad takes time. The people who end up with a real circle usually picked one group tool and one one-to-one tool, then kept showing up long after the novelty wore off.
Meetup is better if you want to meet several people at once around a shared activity, with no swiping and low pressure. Bumble BFF is better for one-to-one connections with people at a similar life stage, but matches expire if nobody replies in time. Most expats do best using Meetup for a regular group event and Bumble BFF to turn a few matches into coffee plans.
Meetup vs Bumble BFF for making friends: the short version
Both apps are free to start and both are widely used across the European cities this site covers, but they reward different personalities and different amounts of energy.
Meetup is built around groups. You join a hiking club, a board games evening, an English-language book club or a newcomers’ group, RSVP to an event and turn up. Nobody has to approve your profile first, and the conversation has a built-in topic. The downside is that groups can feel like a revolving door: you chat happily for a couple of hours and never see the same faces again unless you go back.
Bumble BFF is built around profiles. You write a short bio, swipe through people nearby who are also looking for friends, match and message. It suits people who find groups tiring and would rather get to know someone properly over a coffee. The downside is the admin: matches expire, chats fizzle and you can spend a week messaging before anyone suggests a time.
Choose Meetup first if
- You are comfortable walking into a room where you know nobody, as long as there is something to do.
- You want a weekly or monthly fixture in your calendar rather than a string of one-off coffees.
- You have a hobby (running, climbing, board games, photography, books) that can carry the conversation.
Choose Bumble BFF first if
- Group settings drain you and you open up more one-to-one.
- You want people at a similar stage of life, such as other recent arrivals in their late twenties or thirties.
- You are happy to do the messaging and to propose a plan yourself.
A third model worth knowing about: plans rather than profiles. MeetNow is a free app built around this idea, where a host posts a plan at a public place and chooses who joins. It is starting in Malta, so it is not an option in your city. It works in the browser at app.trymeetnow.com. The Android app is on Google Play; the iPhone app is not in the App Store yet.
Comparison table: friend apps and communities for expats
Costs and features change, so treat this as a snapshot. Everything below was checked against official pages in May 2026. Where the link points to one of our own guides rather than an official site, that guide explains what to check before you pay or join.
| App / community | What it is for | Cost | How meetups work | Best for | Link | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meetup | Interest and newcomer groups that run events | Free to join most groups; some organisers charge dues or ticket fees | RSVP to an event, turn up at the listed place, organiser greets newcomers | Hobby-led people who like groups | meetup.com | May 2026 |
| Bumble BFF (also called Bumble For Friends) | One-to-one friend matching | Free; paid tiers Boost, Premium and Premium+ | Swipe, match, message, then agree a coffee or walk | People who prefer one-to-one | bumblebff.com | May 2026 |
| InterNations | Expat network with official and member-run events | Free basic membership; paid Albatross tier (verify pricing on the official site) | Sign up for official events or member activities, attend in person | Professionals and relocating couples | Our InterNations review | May 2026 |
| Couchsurfing | Hangouts and community events alongside hosting | Check the app for current membership terms | See who nearby wants to meet, or join a community event | People who enjoy travellers and transient crowds | Search “Couchsurfing” in your app store | May 2026 |
| Facebook, WhatsApp and Discord groups | City, nationality and hobby group chats | Free | Members post plans or events in the chat; anyone can reply | Local, informal plans and practical tips | Our WhatsApp groups guide | May 2026 |
| Tandem and HelloTalk | Language exchange with native speakers | Free to download; check in-app for premium options | Chat in the app, then often move to an in-person exchange | Meeting locals and learning the language | Search either name in your app store | May 2026 |
Meetup: groups, events and going back
What it is good for
Meetup shines when you want repetition without commitment. A weekly running group, a monthly language evening, a Sunday walk or a regular newcomers’ coffee gives you the one thing friendship actually needs: seeing the same people again. The first event rarely produces a friend. The third or fourth, when someone says “oh, you came back”, often does.
What it costs
As an attendee, joining a group and RSVPing is free on most groups. Some organisers charge member dues or event ticket fees, which Meetup allows on its paid organiser plans, so read the event page before you RSVP.
The organiser side explains a lot about what you will find. Meetup’s free Starter plan for new organisers is “restricted to 1 group, up to 2 in-person events per month, and a maximum of 10 attendees per event” (Meetup). Larger groups need a paid plan that covers up to 3 groups with unlimited members and events, listed as starting around $29.99 to $44.99 per month in US dollars (Meetup).
Why this matters to you: small, free groups mean small events, which are often easier for real conversation. Big expat groups are paying a subscription, which is why some ask for a small contribution. A clearly explained fee is not a red flag. A vague or surprise one is.
How meetups actually work
You RSVP, the event page tells you the place and usually how to spot the group, and an organiser or co-host greets newcomers. The first visit is the awkward one, so arrive on time rather than late: the opening minutes, before people settle into little circles, are when it is easiest to join a conversation. Read the comments and photos from past events too. They tell you whether people actually turn up or whether the RSVP list is mostly wishful thinking.
If you are in the Netherlands, our checked list of English-speaking Meetup groups in Amsterdam shows what a healthy group page looks like, and the same signals apply in any city.
Typical crowd
Newcomers who arrived in the last year, long-term expats who organise, internationals between jobs or studies, and a handful of locals who like practising English or simply enjoy mixed company. The vibe depends far more on the specific group than on the platform, which is why it is worth trying several before writing Meetup off.
Pros and cons
- Pro: no swiping or profile judgement; you just show up.
- Pro: a shared activity carries the conversation.
- Pro: recurring events build familiarity, the raw material of friendship.
- Con: big groups can feel anonymous and transient.
- Con: quality varies wildly from group to group.
- Con: some events charge fees, and RSVP numbers can be inflated.
Bumble BFF for expats: one-to-one, with a timer
Bumble’s friend-finding mode has gone by more than one name, and Bumble’s own pages refer to both Bumble BFF and Bumble For Friends, so search for either in your app store.
How it works
You build a profile with photos and a few prompts, then swipe through people nearby who are also looking for friends. When you match, either person can make the first move. There is a clock: once a match is formed, both users have 72 hours to respond or lock in the connection before it expires (Bumble BFF). If a match is about to lapse, all users get one free Extend per day, which adds an extra 72 hours, while Boost, Premium and Premium+ subscribers get unlimited extends (Bumble). You must be at least 18 to create an account, and Bumble reserves the right to request ID verification (Bumble BFF).
Making Bumble BFF work as an expat
Bumble BFF for expats works best when your profile does the introduction for you. Say where you are from, roughly how long you have been in the city and what you actually want to do: “new to Lisbon, looking for someone to explore markets and try the bakeries with” gets far better replies than a list of adjectives. Then suggest a specific plan within the first few messages: a place, a day and a time. Chats without a plan tend to drift until the match quietly dies.
We looked at how it plays out in one big expat city in our Bumble BFF Berlin guide, including what to try alongside it when matches are slow.
What it costs
Creating a profile, matching and messaging are free. The paid tiers (Boost, Premium and Premium+) add extras such as unlimited extends. Check the prices shown in the app before subscribing, and be honest with yourself about whether the free version has been given a fair go first; for most people it is enough.
Typical crowd
People at a similar life stage, many of them recent arrivals, plus locals who have lost friends to the classic “everyone moved away or had kids” problem. Occasionally someone treats it as a dating app in disguise. If that happens, unmatch and move on; you do not need to explain.
Pros and cons
- Pro: one-to-one conversations go deeper, faster.
- Pro: you can filter for people at a similar stage.
- Pro: good for introverts and people who dislike walking into groups.
- Con: the match timer adds pressure and admin.
- Con: lots of chats never become a meeting.
- Con: each new friend is a fresh start, with no shared group to fall back on.
InterNations, Couchsurfing, groups and language apps
InterNations free vs Albatross membership
InterNations is an expat network with official community events and member-organised activities. There is a free basic membership and a paid tier called Albatross that unlocks more of the platform. The internations free vs albatross membership decision comes down to how many official events you would realistically attend and whether the extra features matter to you. What each tier includes and costs changes from time to time, so verify it on the official site before paying. Our honest InterNations review walks through what to check. The crowd tends to be professionals, corporate relocations and accompanying partners, often a little older than the Meetup or Bumble BFF average.
Couchsurfing meetups for expats
Couchsurfing meetups for expats are less about hosting and more about the hangouts and events side of the app, where members can see who nearby fancies a coffee or a walk and join community events. Activity varies enormously by city, and the platform’s membership terms have changed in recent years, so check what the app asks for before you commit. The crowd skews towards travellers and locals who love international company, which makes it fun but transient. Read references on profiles and keep first meetings public.
Facebook, WhatsApp and Discord groups
City and nationality groups are free, chaotic and often the fastest route to a casual plan: someone posts “anyone up for a hike on Saturday?” and a few people reply. Discord servers suit gamers and remote workers. The trick is finding active, moderated groups rather than spam-filled ones, which our guide to finding good WhatsApp groups for expats covers in detail.
Tandem and HelloTalk
These language exchange apps pair you with native speakers who want to learn your language. They are one of the few tools that reliably connect you with locals rather than other expats. Many exchanges start as text or voice chats and move to a café or an in-person intercambio night; our guide to language exchanges in Madrid shows how that in-person step tends to work.
City notes: Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid, Amsterdam and more
- Berlin: the English-speaking community is large, so searching Meetup for terms like “English”, “newcomers” or your hobby usually turns up options. Bumble BFF is worth pairing with a group activity so you are not relying on matches alone.
- Lisbon: a strong digital nomad presence means plenty of events, but also plenty of people leaving after a season. Balance nomad meetups with groups that attract longer-term residents, such as sports clubs or language exchanges.
- Madrid: intercambios are part of the social fabric, which makes Tandem and HelloTalk especially useful here alongside Meetup.
- Amsterdam: Dutch social calendars are often planned well ahead, so a fixed weekly Meetup event or club slot works better than hoping for spontaneous invitations.
- Dublin, Paris, Prague, Milan, Rome, Barcelona and Valencia: the same pattern holds. Use a group tool for regular faces, a one-to-one tool for depth and a language exchange if you want local friends, then check each group page for recent activity before you go.
Safety basics for meeting someone new
Whichever app you use, the rules are the same and they are not paranoid; they simply let you relax and enjoy the meeting.
- Meet in a public place such as a busy café, park or market, not a private home.
- Tell a friend where you are going, who you are meeting and roughly when you expect to be back.
- Arrange your own way home and do not rely on a new acquaintance for a lift.
- Keep personal details private, such as your home address and workplace, until you know the person.
- Leave if you feel uncomfortable. You do not owe anyone an explanation, and you can use the platform’s reporting and blocking tools afterwards.
Which one to try first
If you are still stuck on meetup vs bumble bff for making friends, use the box below. It is the advice I would have given myself before my first move.
Your starting point
- You like activities and do not mind groups: start with Meetup. Pick a recurring event and commit to going back several times.
- Groups drain you: start with Bumble BFF. Suggest a specific coffee plan early in every chat.
- You want local friends and the language: start with Tandem or HelloTalk, then move to an in-person language exchange.
- You moved for work or with a partner: try InterNations’ free tier and decide on Albatross only after attending something.
- You love travellers and spontaneity: add Couchsurfing hangouts as a bonus, not your only tool.
- You are overwhelmed: join one active city WhatsApp group and one Meetup group, nothing else, for your first month.
A simple four-week rhythm
Week one: join one group tool and one one-to-one tool, and RSVP to a recurring event. Week two: go back to the same event and send two or three Bumble BFF messages with a concrete plan. Week three: invite one person you have met twice to something small. Week four: review what produced a second meeting and drop what did not. Turning those second meetings into real friendships is its own skill, and our guide on how to turn acquaintances into friends has the steps and scripts.
The pattern behind every good answer to meetup vs bumble bff for making friends is the same: pick fewer tools, show up more often and be the one who suggests the next plan.
Want to turn this into an actual plan? MeetNow is a free app for meeting people in person: a host posts a plan at a public place, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins. It is live on the web and works in your browser, starting in Malta. The Android app is on Google Play; the iPhone app is not in the App Store yet. Open MeetNow and see the plans posted in Malta.
FAQ
Is Meetup or Bumble BFF better for making friends abroad?
Neither is better across the board. Meetup suits people who like meeting several people at once around an activity and want a regular event to return to. Bumble BFF suits people who prefer one-to-one conversations and are happy to message first. Many expats use Meetup for a weekly group event and Bumble BFF to turn a few matches into coffee plans.
Is Bumble BFF free to use?
Yes, you can create a profile, match and message for free. Bumble sells paid tiers called Boost, Premium and Premium+, which add extras such as unlimited extends on match timers. For most people the free version is enough to start.
Do Meetup groups cost money to join?
Most groups are free to join and attend. Some organisers charge member dues or event ticket fees, which Meetup allows on its paid organiser plans. Any fee should be explained clearly on the group or event page before you RSVP.
What is the difference between InterNations free and Albatross membership?
InterNations offers a free basic membership and a paid tier called Albatross that unlocks more of the platform. What each tier includes and costs changes from time to time, so check the official InterNations site before paying and think about how many official events you would realistically attend.
Are Couchsurfing meetups still a good way to meet people in a new city?
They can be, especially if you enjoy meeting travellers and locals who like international company. Activity varies a lot by city and the crowd is often transient, so treat Couchsurfing hangouts and events as a bonus alongside a more stable group such as a weekly Meetup event or a language exchange.
How do I stay safe when meeting someone from a friend app?
Meet in a busy public place, tell a friend where you are going and who you are meeting, arrange your own way there and back, and keep personal details such as your home address to yourself until you know the person. If anything feels off, leave; you do not owe anyone an explanation.
