1. What Does the Next Generation Want from Friendship Apps?

Forget the endless scrolling. Forget the performative comments, the selfies, and the pressure to always be “on.” For the youngest users coming online today, friendship is not content. It’s not curated or for show, and they’re tired of platforms pretending otherwise.

The next generation—those aged 13 to 20 who will be coming of age in 2025—has radically different expectations for their digital experiences. They want quiet connections in a noisy internet. They seek safe spaces where they don’t feel constantly watched, and they want to meet people who aren’t chasing followers but understand them.

According to GWI’s Gen Alpha Trends Report (2024), over 65% of teens say they feel most like themselves in private direct messages or niche online spaces rather than on public social media. Additionally, Yubo’s own user data indicates that real-time, small-group hangouts are outperforming follower-count mechanics by a wide margin. (Source: Generation Alpha: The Real Picture).

However, there’s a significant consideration: this generation is more cautious. They have grown up amid privacy breaches, identity anxiety, and algorithm fatigue. While they are digitally fluent, they are also emotionally selective, and the platforms they choose reflect these values.

The best friendship apps for this generation aren’t just alternatives to dating apps; they are designed from the ground up to be emotionally intuitive, low-pressure, and human-centred. This means there is no pressure for profile performance, no gamified flirtation, and no emphasis on follower clout. Instead, these apps provide space to be curious, unique, safe, and seen.

2. App Introductions — Who Are These Platforms Really For?

BeFriend

In a reality where digital exhaustion is increasingly prevalent, and social media applications frequently resemble additional work responsibilities, BeFriend offers a unique solution: a space for genuine connection without the pressure to perform. This platform is tailored for young people seeking emotional depth but feeling drained by endless swiping, matching, and forced small talk. BeFriend eliminates curated bios and photo-centric profiles, focusing instead on interest-based connections and meaningful conversation starters.

Unlike most apps in the “friendship” category, BeFriend was never a byproduct of a dating service. It was purposefully designed from the beginning to foster non-romantic and identity-safe friendships. Users can maintain a semi-anonymous presence while engaging in meaningful interactions, thanks to features like vibe-based matching, smart filtering, and safety-first onboarding. BeFriend creates a digital environment that prioritises emotional comfort over social metrics, a design choice that resonates particularly well with Gen Alpha and younger Gen Z users.

Yubo

Yubo is often described as a blend of TikTok and Twitch, with a focus on socialising, which is an accurate characterisation. The app is bold, lively, and unapologetically geared towards Gen Z. It allows users to join live streams, group chats, or themed rooms where they can interact in real-time. Yubo thrives on spontaneity and group energy, making it ideal for extroverted users who want to meet new people without the pressure of one-on-one interactions.

However, this openness has attracted criticism. Reports from TechCrunch have raised concerns about moderation, age verification, and user safety, especially for younger teens. Although Yubo has implemented real-time AI moderation and stricter onboarding processes, it still navigates a delicate balance between being a social playground and a potential risk zone. (Source: Yubo expands its real-time audio moderation technology to the UK, Australia, and Canada)

Yubo is not a platform for building emotional intimacy; rather, it is designed for digital hangouts, chaotic fun, and frequent social interactions. If BeFriend represents a quiet corner of a library, Yubo is like the bustling school cafeteria during lunchtime.

Bumble BFF

Bumble BFF started as a well-meaning pivot: take the success of a dating app and apply it to a platonic friendship. The concept made sense, but the experience still carries the DNA of dating—swipe mechanics, profile polishing, and visual-first impressions.

Its user base trends older, more urban professionals in their 20s and 30s looking to expand their social circle, often after a move or life transition. And while it works for some, it’s less intuitive for users under 20 who don’t want to optimise their bios or put themselves out there visually. There’s also the challenge of intent: on a platform that shares space with dating, the friend zone can sometimes feel like a side room.

Still, for confident extroverts who are already used to app-based matching and don’t mind the swipe dynamic, Bumble BFF offers a clean interface and familiar logic. But it’s not designed for younger teens and definitely not for users seeking anonymous or emotionally low-pressure spaces.

3. How Do These Friendship Apps Compare? (2025 Breakdown)

Not all friendship apps are created equal, and that matters more than ever. For younger generations navigating digital relationships with more caution and clarity than ever before, the details of design aren’t superficial. They define the experience.

Here’s a look at how BeFriend, Yubo, and Bumble BFF stack up in 2025, based not on marketing promises but on what the apps offer.

BeFriend

BeFriend is a unique friendship platform specifically designed for younger digital natives. Its profile-free onboarding process eliminates superficial judgments by focusing on interest-based prompts, emotional tone, and vibe-led matching. Instead of showing followers, the app highlights how users think, what they care about (such as through the HMU feature), and the energy they project.

BeFriend employs an advanced filtering engine that combines user preferences with behavioural indicators. Additionally, it includes features like incognito browsing, conversation opt-ins, and AI-assisted moderation to prevent harassment and unwanted attention. This focus on safety is particularly important for Gen Alpha and safety-conscious Gen Z teens. (Source: BeFriend.cc)

Yubo

Yubo is a fast-paced and visually engaging platform built for social interaction, primarily targeting users aged 13 to 25. It combines real-time live streaming with group chats, virtual “rooms,” live video chat, and a swipe-to-add feature. Often likened to a mix of Twitch and Snapchat, Yubo emphasises discoverability at its core.

While the platform does not include traditional dating features, users can join topic rooms or swipe to make new friends, which can blur the lines between social and dating intent. Yubo has made significant investments in live AI moderation, age estimation technology, and safety alerts over the past few years. However, the app’s real-time nature allows content to move faster than trust can develop, making moderation an ongoing challenge. (Source: Yubo Safety Hub, TechCrunch: Gen Z social app Yubo rolls out age ‘estimating’ technology to better identify minors using its service)

The environment on Yubo tends to promote boldness, visual self-expression, and constant engagement, which appeals to Gen Alpha users but may be overwhelming for others.

Bumble BFF

Bumble BFF draws inspiration from dating apps, which is evident in its design. The swipe interface, image-heavy profiles, and biography prompts make for a familiar user experience; however, it often feels performative, particularly for users under 21. Although Bumble promotes BFF as “platonic-first,” its interface closely resembles that of Bumble Date, leading to confusion among users and mismatched intentions.

Nonetheless, Bumble BFF is an effective option for urban professionals, new residents, and social extroverts aiming to expand their social circles in real life. The user experience is polished, and the safety features, such as photo verification and block/report tools, are robust. Additionally, the algorithm has been fine-tuned for regional targeting. (Source: Bumble)

4. Our Final Thoughts: Which Should You Recommend to the Next Gen?

The future of friendship isn’t about noise; it’s about thoughtful design. As younger users redefine what connection means in our hyper-digital age, the platforms they choose reflect their needs: safety over status, intention over aesthetics, and genuine interaction over algorithms.

If you’re recommending an app to a 17-year-old who is tired of being treated like just a number, BeFriend is the clear choice. Its vibe-first experience, profile-free onboarding, and focus on emotional safety make it one of the few platforms that aren’t just “youth-friendly” but truly designed for the next wave of digital natives.

On the other hand, Yubo offers high-energy social engagement, which is ideal for teens who thrive in fast-paced, livestream-style settings. However, that speed comes with trade-offs in terms of moderation and intimacy. It suits bold personalities and social gamers rather than those seeking emotional connection.

For users in their 20s or 30s, Bumble BFF remains a polished option, particularly for confident extroverts who already know how to present themselves online. Just keep in mind that it has the structure of a dating app, which can subtly influence the tone of even the most platonic conversations.

In the end, the ideal friendship app isn’t just focused on age or functionality; it’s about how effectively the product meets the emotional needs of its users. In 2025, that means offering more than just a swipe—it means respecting the complexity of modern connection.

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