purp - Make new friends

Analysis by Appwesome

When I want to meet people outside my usual circles, the hard part is not finding another social feed; it is starting a conversation that feels like it could become a real friendship. purp - Make new friends takes a direct route: browse people, swipe through profiles, and see whether interest is mutual. I find that approach useful when I have a little time and curiosity, but it works best when I treat each match as an opening rather than an instant connection.

Who this kind of social app suits

Purp is a social app from hubo Labs, aimed at people who are comfortable meeting others online and interested in conversations across cultures. It may suit someone who has moved to a new place, wants to widen a small social circle, or simply enjoys hearing how daily life differs elsewhere. The Teen content rating also makes it relevant to younger users, though I would still encourage anyone using a social app to think carefully about what they share and who they interact with.

If you mainly want to keep up with people you already know, a familiar social network is probably a better fit. If you want a dating-focused service, this friend-making setup may not match what you are looking for either. I would choose purp when the goal is to discover new people, not when I need a guaranteed local meetup or a carefully organized group activity.

A practical routine for making a first connection

I would approach the app in short, intentional sessions instead of swiping whenever I feel bored. Before opening it, I would decide what sort of conversation I am open to: learning about someone’s hometown, comparing music tastes, or chatting about a shared hobby. That small bit of direction makes it easier to move from a profile to a message that sounds personal rather than sending the same greeting to everyone.

For example, imagine I have a quiet evening after moving to a new city and do not yet know many people. I could browse a few profiles, pause on someone whose interests give me a natural question, and see whether we match. If the conversation starts well, I can keep it light and learn about the other person gradually. The useful outcome is not necessarily a new best friend by bedtime; it may simply be a comfortable first exchange that gives me a reason to return.

What to check before spending money

The app is free to install, and it has an average rating of 4.3 from around 118,000 ratings, with roughly 6,000 written reviews and over a million installs. It runs on Android 8.0 or later, and its current version is 5.0.1. In-app purchases range from about $0.49 to $29.99 per item, so I would explore the free experience first and decide whether any paid option actually solves a problem I have. Those purchase prices are not a reason to assume that every useful interaction requires payment.

A practical question is whether I can use it without paying. The free download gives you a way to start, while optional purchases may be available inside the app. I would avoid buying anything just because I have not matched with someone quickly: a purchase cannot create mutual interest, and taking time to write a more specific profile or message is often a better first adjustment.

Getting Started with purp

First things first, downloading purp was a breeze. It’s available on both Android and iOS, so no one’s left out here. Once you’ve got it on your device, the setup process is pretty straightforward. You sign up using your email or social media accounts, and within minutes, you’re ready to dive into the world of new connections.

I was pleasantly surprised by the app's user-friendly interface. The design is clean, intuitive, and doesn’t overwhelm you with too many options. It’s all about getting you to meet new people without the unnecessary frills.

Making Connections

Now, let’s talk about the fun part—making friends. purp uses a card-swipe mechanism, reminiscent of popular dating apps, to help you discover potential friends. You swipe through profiles and if you both swipe right, it’s a match! You can then start a conversation and see where it takes you.

What I really enjoyed was the diversity of profiles. You can meet people from all over the globe, each bringing their own unique stories and experiences. It’s like having a passport to a world of friendships without leaving your couch.

Moving from a match to a conversation

The match is only the handoff from browsing to talking; it does not do the social work for you. I get more from a match when I refer to something specific in the person’s profile and ask one open question. That gives the other person something easy to answer and gives me a clearer sense of whether we have enough in common to keep chatting.

I also try not to turn a first exchange into an interview. A small detail about my own interests makes the conversation feel reciprocal, while a simple follow-up question leaves room for the other person to steer it. If replies are brief or arrive slowly, I take that as a cue to lower my expectations rather than sending a string of messages. Friendship needs mutual effort, and a swipe app cannot manufacture that.

Video, boundaries, and sensible pacing

Video can make a conversation feel more personal than text, but I would treat it as an option for later, not a requirement for proving someone is genuine. A text conversation gives both people time to decide whether they are comfortable. If I do move to a video interaction, I would choose a moment when I can focus, keep personal surroundings out of view if I prefer, and end the call if the interaction feels wrong.

Privacy is not just a setting or a promise; it also depends on what I choose to reveal. I would avoid sharing passwords, financial details, a home address, or information that could identify my routine. I would be cautious with requests to move quickly to another channel or to send money. These are sensible habits for any service that introduces strangers, and they matter even when the conversation begins warmly.

Features That Stand Out

One feature that truly stands out is the app’s focus on video interactions. In this digital age, where face-to-face contact is limited, being able to see and talk to your new friends via video is refreshing. It adds a personal touch that texting just can’t match.

Another highlight is the app's emphasis on privacy and safety. purp allows you to control who you connect with and ensures that your personal information stays secure. This is a big win for those who are cautious about online interactions.

How it compares with other ways to meet people

Compared with a conventional social network, purp puts discovery in the foreground: you are looking at people you may not already know rather than scrolling mainly through updates from existing contacts. That can make the first step feel clearer, but it also means the conversation depends more heavily on a profile and a mutual swipe. A hobby group or local community event takes longer to find, yet it can provide a shared activity that makes conversation easier and gives people a chance to meet in context.

Dating apps often use a similar swipe motion, so the mechanics may feel familiar. The important difference is the intention I bring to it: I would use this app to seek friendly conversation, not assume that a match signals romance. Anyone who wants structured language exchanges, topic-based discussion, or guaranteed local events may be better served by a service built specifically around that purpose.

Room for Improvement

While purp has a lot going for it, there are areas where it could improve. For instance, I noticed that the app can sometimes lag, especially during peak times. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can be a little frustrating when you’re in the middle of a great conversation.

Additionally, while the app is free to download, some features are locked behind a premium subscription. While the basic version is sufficient for most users, those wanting to unlock its full potential might find the cost a bit steep.

Where the flow can lose momentum

Swiping can become repetitive if I browse without a clear reason, and a large mix of profiles does not guarantee that I will find someone with compatible interests or availability. The format also creates a pause between expressing interest and knowing whether it is mutual. I would not use a quiet spell as evidence that the app is broken or that I need to spend money; sometimes the better choice is to stop, return later, and put more care into the people I do contact.

There is a further trade-off in meeting people across the globe: cultural variety is a real draw, but time zones and different expectations about conversation can make an ongoing friendship harder to maintain. If I want someone to meet for coffee this week, a local group or a neighborhood event is more practical. If I am happy with a conversation that may stay online, the broader reach is part of the appeal.

Making the experience more deliberate

One useful habit is to set a small stopping point for browsing. Rather than swiping until the profiles blur together, I can review a few carefully, then spend my attention on a match who gives me something genuine to ask about. This helps avoid treating people like cards to clear and makes it easier to remember why I opened the app in the first place.

I would also keep expectations modest at the beginning. A match is not a promise of a lasting friendship, and a friendly exchange may naturally end without either person doing anything wrong. The app is most rewarding when I see it as one route to meeting people, alongside existing hobbies and offline social opportunities, rather than as a replacement for them.

The Verdict

So, what’s the final word on purp - Make new friends? It’s a fantastic tool for anyone looking to expand their social circles and meet people from different backgrounds. The app is easy to use, offers a unique video interaction feature, and places a strong emphasis on user safety.

Sure, there are a few kinks to iron out, but overall, it’s a solid choice for those seeking genuine connections in a digital world. If you’re ready to make new friends and explore different cultures, give purp a try. Who knows, your next best friend might just be a swipe away!

Who should give it a try

The app is free to download, released on July 11, 2020, and rated for teens. I would recommend it to someone who is patient with the uneven pace of online conversation, comfortable deciding how much personal information to share, and genuinely curious about people beyond their existing circle. The 4.3 average and more than a million installs suggest that it has found a broad audience, but those figures do not guarantee that every person’s experience will feel lively or effortless.

I would skip it if I am looking for a tightly moderated, topic-led community, an immediate local social plan, or a service where every conversation begins around a shared real-world activity. For everyone else, I see it as a low-commitment way to open a door: browse with intention, start with a thoughtful message, and let the other person’s response show whether it is worth continuing.