Friends, dates & activities
Meet new people and make friends.
Meet verified locals to explore your city with, go on a date with, or hire as a companion for a few hours — one platform, wherever you are.
We exist to bring people closer — for real.
Not another swipe app. RentALocalFriend connects you with Google-verified locals for hikes, coffee, city walks, and everything in between — because friendship and connection shouldn’t require a plane ticket or a dating profile.
Everything you need to meet up with confidence.
Built around safety, transparency, and real human connection.
Explore Activities
Join runs, indie film outings, street food crawls, or board game sessions hosted by locals.
Local Companions
Hire a local friend to show you hidden gems, teach a skill, or attend an event together.
Trust & Safety
Google OAuth sign-in, community pledges, and mutual Vibe Checks after every outing.
Popular Guides
View All Blog Posts →Renting a Local Friend: How It Works, What It Costs, and Is It Safe?
A plain-English guide to renting a local friend — how matching works, what it costs, and the verification and safety steps behind every booking.
ActivitiesActivity Partner Apps: How to Find Someone to Do Things With
A guide to finding an activity partner — for hikes, food, events, or hobbies — without it being a dating app or a paid booking.
SafetyHow to Stay Safe Meeting Someone From an App — Friend, Date, or Local Buddy
Practical safety habits for meeting someone in person for the first time, whether it’s a date, an activity partner, or a paid local companion.
Happening near you
New experiences launching soon — check back shortly.
“I moved to a new city for work and knew literally no one. Found a local friend here who showed me the best hiking trail and the best momos in town. Didn't need a soulmate — just needed a Tuesday-afternoon plan, and it delivered.”
Meera, 29 · Bengaluru
Every plan starts with trust.
Every member signs in with Google, agrees to our Community Pledge, and confirms a Vibe Check after each meetup. Restricted to ages 18 and up. On-platform payments also avoid the off-platform red flags described in FTC guidance on romance scams.
Free to join, apply, and host — see our pricing
Frequently asked questions
How do you verify people are real?
Every member signs in with Google and agrees to our Community Pledge before matching with anyone. Local Buddies who accept paid bookings can also verify a phone number over WhatsApp.
What happens after a meetup?
Both people confirm it happened with a quick Vibe Check — a lightweight trust signal that builds on every profile over time and helps us catch no-shows or issues early.
How does paying a Local Buddy work?
Bookings and payments run through the platform, not cash on the side. Cancel more than 24 hours out for a full refund; inside 24 hours, a 50% cancellation fee applies.
Is my data safe?
Passwords are hashed, never stored in plain text, and verification codes are rate-limited to prevent abuse. We don’t sell your information to advertisers or data brokers.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Joining, browsing, applying, and hosting activities are all completely free — see our pricing page for details.