Bumble BFF vs Les Amis

Pricing

Both Bumble BFF and Les Amis fall in the Free price range. Bumble BFF: Completely free — no paywalls, no premium tier. Les Amis: Free to join; optional credit purchases for premium experiences.

Format & matching

Bumble BFF uses groups of 1:1 and groups, compared to Les Amis’s Varies, and both use interest-based matching.

How they work

Bumble BFF: Download the standalone BFF app (separate from the Bumble dating app) and create a profile with your interests, a bio, and photo prompts that show your personality. Verify your identity with a selfie. Browse profiles of people nearby and swipe right on anyone you'd want to be friends with. If you both swipe right, you're matched and can start chatting. Beyond 1:1 matches, you can join or create Groups based on shared interests — think book clubs, running groups, or brunch crews. Groups have their own chat, posts, and even video calls to help you plan IRL hangouts.

Les Amis: Download the app and create a profile — all users go through a verification process to keep the community women-only. Browse upcoming events in your city, from pottery classes and wine tastings to outdoor hikes and dinner parties. RSVP to anything that catches your eye. You can also join interest-based groups to find women who share your hobbies and start chatting before you ever meet in person. Show up to the event, meet your new people, and follow up through private messaging in the app.

What to love

Bumble BFF: Completely free with no paywalls — every feature is accessible without paying. Massive user base from Bumble's brand recognition means more potential matches nearby. Groups and community features go beyond 1:1 matching into real friend circles. Photo verification on every profile reduces catfishing and spam. Interest tags and photo prompts make profiles feel more personal than a generic bio.

Les Amis: Women-only space creates genuine comfort and safety. Curated offline events take the planning burden off you. Verified profiles mean less spam and more real people. Available across 12 cities in Europe and the US. Interest-based groups let you find your people before meeting IRL.

Reality check

Bumble BFF: The swiping mechanic still feels borrowed from dating — some people find it awkward for friendship. Conversations can fizzle fast since there's no built-in reason to actually meet up. The 2025 relaunch is still relatively new, so Groups can feel empty in smaller cities. No structured events or activities — you have to organize meetups yourself.

Les Amis: Women-only means you can't bring male friends or partners. Event availability varies heavily by city — Barcelona and Amsterdam have the most. Premium experiences cost extra credits on top of the free tier. Still relatively small community in newer cities like Austin and New York.

Søren's take

On Bumble BFF: Bumble BFF has the biggest advantage any friendship app can have: name recognition. Almost everyone has heard of Bumble, which means the user base is enormous. The 2025 relaunch with Groups is a smart move — pure 1:1 swiping for friends always felt slightly off, and the community layer gives you a reason to keep coming back. The fact that it's entirely free is remarkable. The catch? It still lacks the structured, get-you-out-of-the-house push that apps like Timeleft provide. You'll need to be proactive about turning matches into real-life hangouts.

On Les Amis: Les Amis nails something most friendship apps get wrong: it leads with real events, not endless chat threads. The women-only angle isn't just a filter — it fundamentally changes the vibe. Women show up more open, more relaxed, and more willing to actually exchange numbers. The European city coverage is strong (Barcelona and Amsterdam especially), though the US expansion is still early. If you're a woman in one of their cities and you're tired of trying to make friends through dating app side features, Les Amis is the real deal.