Bumble BFF vs Met Through Friends
Bumble BFF 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
Pricing
Bumble BFF is priced at Free (Completely free — no paywalls, no premium tier), while Met Through Friends comes in at $$ (Ticketed events; pricing varies by event (sold via external ticketing)).
Format & matching
Bumble BFF uses groups of 1:1 and groups, compared to Met Through Friends’s 60+ per event, and Bumble BFF relies on interest-based matching while Met Through Friends uses manual / self-select 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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 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 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.
