What is the difference between 222 and Met Through Friends?

222 is a friendship app that uses algorithm-based matching with groups of Small groups, priced at $$ (Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience), available in 0 cities. Met Through Friends is a dating app using manual / self-select matching with groups of 60+ per event, priced at $$ (Ticketed events; pricing varies by event (sold via external ticketing)), available in 2 cities. Key differences include their matching approach, pricing model, and city coverage. 222's strengths: No profiles, no DMs, no swiping — removes all the friction and awkwardness of typical social apps. Met Through Friends's strengths: The bring-a-friend requirement creates built-in social accountability and trust.

Which is better, 222 or Met Through Friends?

It depends on what you're looking for. Choose 222 if you prefer algorithm-based matching, Small groups groups, and on-demand events — Curated nights out with algorithm-matched strangers.. Choose Met Through Friends if you prefer manual / self-select matching, 60+ per event groups, and monthly events — IRL dating events where everyone's single and came with a friend.. Both are available as IRL social apps. Compare pricing (222: $$, Met Through Friends: $$) and city availability on Søren to find the best fit for meeting people in real life.

222

Met Through Friends

222 vs Met Through Friends

222 is a friendship app and Met Through Friends is a dating app. They take different approaches to helping you meet people IRL — here’s a detailed comparison.

Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026

At a glance

222 Met Through Friends

CategoryFriendshipDating

Price$$ — Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience$$ — Ticketed events; pricing varies by event (sold via external ticketing)

Group SizeSmall groups60+ per event

MatchingAlgorithm-basedManual / Self-select

Frequencyon-demandmonthly

Age Range21+21-39

PlatformsiOSWeb

Cities0 cities2 cities

Founded20242024

Pricing

Both 222 and Met Through Friends fall in the $$ price range. 222: Free app; events typically $30–$60 per experience. Met Through Friends: Ticketed events; pricing varies by event (sold via external ticketing).

Format & matching

222 uses groups of Small groups, compared to Met Through Friends’s 60+ per event, and 222 relies on algorithm-based matching while Met Through Friends uses manual / self-select matching.

How they work

222: Download the app and complete a detailed personality quiz — it covers your interests, values, social style, and what kind of experiences you're into. 222 uses this to build a 'curation profile' that determines which events you get invited to and who you'll be grouped with. When an experience is available in your city, you'll get an invite — say yes, and you're in. On the night of, you show up to the venue and meet your group. The evening is planned for you: dinner, drinks, a venue, maybe a second stop. All you have to do is show up and be yourself.

Met Through Friends: Head to the Met Through Friends website and browse upcoming events in your city. Each event is a Plus-One Party — the catch is you have to bring a single friend of the orientation you're interested in dating. Buy tickets through their external ticketing platform and show up with your plus-one. The events are held at curated NYC and DC venues with facilitated social activities like backgammon nights and themed mixers. Because everyone was brought by a friend, there's built-in accountability and trust — no random strangers off a dating app.

What to love

222: No profiles, no DMs, no swiping — removes all the friction and awkwardness of typical social apps. Personality-based matching means you're not just thrown in with random strangers. Full evening experiences (dinner + activity) feel like a real night out, not a forced meetup. All members are vetted before being selected for events. Strong TikTok community and word-of-mouth reputation in major cities.

Met Through Friends: The bring-a-friend requirement creates built-in social accountability and trust. No app download required — just buy a ticket on the website and show up. Events are curated with real activities, not just standing around a bar. Gender and orientation inclusive, including dedicated Sapphic events. Founded by a certified dating coach who actually understands the NYC singles scene.

Reality check

222: iOS only — no Android app available. Limited to a handful of US cities plus Toronto. Event costs add up on top of the free app. You can't choose who you go with — the algorithm decides.

Met Through Friends: Currently limited to NYC and DC — not available in most cities. You need a single friend to bring, which is a real barrier if your friends are all coupled up. No matching algorithm — you're on your own once you're at the event. Ticket pricing and event details aren't always transparent on the website.

Søren's take

On 222: 222 is one of the more interesting approaches to IRL social I've seen. By removing profiles and messaging entirely, they've eliminated the part of friendship apps that feels most like work. The personality matching and curated evenings mean you show up, meet cool people, and go somewhere fun — all without planning anything. The catch is availability: it's iOS-only and in just a few cities, so if you're not in NYC, LA, SF, or Chicago, you're out of luck for now. If you are, though, it's worth trying at least once.

On Met Through Friends: Met Through Friends is built on the most time-tested dating strategy there is: getting set up through people you trust. The plus-one requirement is the secret sauce — it filters out randos and creates a room where everyone has at least one person vouching for them. The events themselves are well-produced with real activities beyond just drinking. The limitation is obvious: you need a single friend willing to come with you, and if you're not in NYC or DC, you're out of luck. But if you are, and you've got a wingman ready, this is one of the best alternatives to swiping.