Slowly: Make Global Friends
A unique pen-pal app that delays messages based on real-world distance, focusing on meaningful, long-form conversations.
What is Slowly: Make Global Friends?
The Modern Pen Pal Experience
Slowly brings the traditional pen pal experience to your smartphone. Unlike instant messaging apps, Slowly is designed for those who yearn for meaningful conversations, taking the pressure off immediate replies.
Delayed Messaging
The core mechanic of Slowly is its delayed delivery system. The time it takes for a letter to reach your pen pal depends on the real geographical distance between you two. A letter to someone in the same city might take a couple of hours, while a letter to the other side of the world can take over two days.
Avatars Instead of Photos
To remove superficial judgments based on appearance, Slowly uses a highly customizable avatar system. There are no profile pictures. This forces users to connect over shared interests, languages, and writing styles rather than looks.
Interests and Languages
When you create a profile, you select your interests and the languages you speak (or are learning). Slowly's matching algorithm suggests potential pen pals based on these commonalities, making it an excellent tool for language exchange and cultural learning.
Stamps Collection
A fun gamified element in Slowly is stamp collecting. You unlock digital stamps based on your location, holidays, and achievements, which you can attach to your letters just like in real life.
Slowly Plus
While the app is completely free to use, there is an optional subscription called Slowly Plus. It offers features like advanced filters, higher daily friend limits, and the ability to share photos instantly (once unlocked with a friend).
Key Features
- Messaging
- Interest Matching
- File Sharing
- Content Moderation
Pricing details
Slowly: Make Global Friends offers a usable free tier and optional paid subscriptions or one-time purchases. Prices, limits, included features, trials, and renewal terms vary by market and platform; confirm the official checkout before paying.
Safety Features
- No real-time location sharing
- Report system
- Block feature
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Encourages deep, meaningful, and long-form conversations
- No pressure to reply instantly
- Avatar system reduces superficial judgments
- Great way to practice new languages with native speakers
- Safe environment with strong blocking and reporting tools
Cons
- Not for those looking for instant messaging or quick chats
- Requires patience; some letters may take days to arrive
- Ghosting still happens, which hurts more after waiting
- Free version limits photo sharing and some filters
App Details
- Platforms
- iOS (iPhone/iPad) Android Web Browser
- Pricing
- Freemium
- Minimum Service Age
- 12+
- Developer
- Slowly Communications Limited
- Founded
- 2017
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