Met Through Friends vs Peanut

Pricing

Met Through Friends is priced at $$ (Ticketed events; pricing varies by event (sold via external ticketing)), while Peanut comes in at Free (Free with optional Peanut Plus subscription ($8.99–$99.99)).

Format & matching

Met Through Friends uses groups of 60+ per event, compared to Peanut’s 1:1 and groups, and Met Through Friends relies on manual / self-select matching while Peanut uses interest-based matching.

How they work

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.

Peanut: Download the app and create a profile with your name, location, and stage of motherhood — whether you're trying to conceive, pregnant, or raising kids of any age. Set your interests and what you're looking for (advice, playdates, local friends, or just someone to talk to). Peanut shows you other women nearby who match your criteria. Swipe to wave, and if you both wave, you're matched and can start chatting. From there, you can join group conversations on specific topics, participate in community Q&A threads, or set up in-person meetups.

What to love

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.

Peanut: Largest dedicated community for mothers — 5 million+ users means you'll actually find people nearby. Stage-based matching (TTC, pregnancy, newborn, toddler, etc.) connects you with women in the same chapter. Swipe mechanic feels natural and low-pressure for introverted new moms. Group discussions and Q&A threads provide real support beyond just friend-matching. Selfie verification and moderation create a genuinely safe space.

Reality check

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.

Peanut: Heavily focused on motherhood — not useful if you're looking for general adult friendships. Free tier is limited; seeing who waved at you and premium filters require Peanut Plus. Some areas have sparse user density, especially outside major metros. The Bumble-style swiping can feel transactional when you're sleep-deprived and just want a friend.

Søren's take

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.

On Peanut: Peanut fills a gap that honestly shouldn't exist — new mothers are among the most socially isolated people in any city, and most friendship apps aren't built for them. The stage-based matching is smart: a mom with a newborn and a mom with a five-year-old have very different lives. The community features (groups, Q&A, resources) elevate it beyond a simple matching app. If you're a new mom feeling isolated, download this before anything else on Søren.