Meetup vs Timeleft: Open Events vs Curated Dinners for Making Friends

Meetup and Timeleft represent two different approaches to the same problem: getting adults who are lonely to actually meet other people.

Meetup’s approach is breadth. Thousands of groups, millions of events, something for every interest. The barrier is low — just show up. The hope is that by putting yourself in enough social situations, you’ll eventually meet people you connect with.

Timeleft’s approach is precision. One matched group of six people. One dinner. The logistics are handled. The hope is that a carefully curated table is better than a random room full of people.

Both have worked for some people. The question is which works for you.

Meetup: Volume and Variety

Meetup has been around since 2002. It has network effects and real event density in most US cities. The Washington Post reported in 2023 that “friendship” had become the most-searched term on Meetup since July 2021 — people are genuinely using it to try to solve loneliness.

The event format means you’re always doing something, not just talking. Hiking groups hike. Book clubs discuss books. Board game nights play games. That shared activity removes some of the awkward pressure of getting to know strangers.

The limitation is scale. When 40 people show up to a board game night, you’ll interact with a handful of them briefly. The ones who form genuine friendships from that event tend to be the ones who make explicit follow-up plans — “want to do this again just the three of us?” That’s initiative most people don’t take.

Timeleft: Curation and Intentionality

Timeleft’s algorithm matches you with five other people for a Wednesday dinner based on personality compatibility and shared interests. You don’t browse events or choose a group — the app does that for you.

TechCrunch noted in March 2026 that the friendship app category collectively generated about $16 million in revenue — indicating that people are willing to pay for services that actually reduce friction around social connection. Timeleft’s per-event model fits that: you pay to have the logistics handled.

The dinner format creates faster initial rapport than a large group event. A table of six people sharing a meal is intimate enough for real conversation. Vox’s November 2024 review noted that Timeleft users often cited the structured format as meaningfully different from apps that just connect you for chatting.

The limitation is continuity. Each dinner is a standalone event. The algorithm may match you with different people each week. Getting from one dinner to a consistent friend group requires follow-up that Timeleft doesn’t automate.

The Shared Gap: No Recurring Cohort

Both Meetup and Timeleft can get you to a first (or second, or third) meeting with people. What neither does is create an ongoing group that meets repeatedly with the same members.

Research on friendship formation consistently points to repeated contact over time as the mechanism that builds friendship. The “11-3-6 rule” cited by Ageless Possibilities suggests it takes roughly 11 encounters of 3 hours each over 6 months to turn an acquaintance into a friend. Neither Meetup nor Timeleft has a mechanism for ensuring those 11 encounters happen with the same people.

Which to Start With

If you’re completely new to using apps for social connection: start with Meetup. It’s free, the barrier is low, and it gets you out of the house and around new people.

If you’ve been to multiple Meetup events and haven’t formed the friendships you’re looking for: try Timeleft. The smaller, curated format often produces better initial connection.

If you’ve tried both and are still missing a consistent friend group: the gap isn’t the introduction — it’s the follow-through structure. That’s what Threvi is built to provide.

Verdict

Meetup is better for people who want to explore activities and meet a wide range of people. Timeleft is better for people who want a curated, intentional first meeting with a small compatible group. If you've been going to Meetup events and not forming close friendships, Timeleft's smaller format may produce better results.