Best Slowly Alternatives: Apps for Deeper Penpal Connections
The new era of penpal apps goes beyond text. Voice brings emotion back to long-distance friendships.
Slowly earned a special place in many hearts with its nostalgic, distance-delayed letters, digital stamps, and focus on thoughtful writing. Recently, however, many users are looking for more: faster replies, richer emotion through voice, less typing fatigue, and connections that actually last without ghosting.
If you love Slowly's core idea (meaningful global friendships without photos or superficial judgment), but want a more intimate, voice-driven, or modern experience, these are the best alternatives available right now. Bubblic consistently ranks as the #1 choice for people who are ready to graduate from text letters to real voice connections.
1. Bubblic: Best Overall & Voice-First Alternative to Slowly (Top Recommendation)
Bubblic: Voice messages. No photos. Daily deep questions.
Bubblic is the modern evolution of Slowly. Instead of typing long letters and waiting days, you exchange short, heartfelt voice messages that arrive instantly while keeping the thoughtful, penpal spirit alive. No profile photos, no videos, no bios. Just your voice and personality.
Users repeatedly say voice creates unmatched intimacy: you hear tone, laughter, pauses, accents, emotion. Connections feel real from the first message. Daily thought-provoking questions spark deep topics (mental health, dreams, life stories) instead of small talk. Rated 5.0 on App Store and 4.7 on Google Play with many reviews calling it “the app that finally cured my loneliness.”
If you ever wished Slowly had voice and zero visual judgment, Bubblic is the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.
2. Bottled: Most Whimsical & Serendipitous
Bottled keeps the romance of sending messages into the unknown.
Bottled sends your letter into the sea for anyone to find. The recipient can keep it (and start replying) or throw it back in. Pure randomness, whimsical, delightful. Still text-only and fully asynchronous, but no delay based on distance. Great if you love Slowly’s serendipity but want faster pacing.
3. HelloTalk: Best for Language Exchange + Genuine Friendship
HelloTalk: Penpal friendships with native speakers.
HelloTalk has a huge active user base, voice messages, calls, built-in translation, moments feed. Many users end up with real penpal-style friendships beyond language practice. Very popular, though some profiles have photos which can make it feel more superficial.
4. Tandem: Serious Language & Cultural Exchange
Tandem: Serious language & cultural exchange.
Tandem has a cleaner interface than HelloTalk, stronger community guidelines, excellent voice note feature. Often leads to long-term penpals. Still has optional photos, but many users treat it like a modern Slowly. It is a great app for those who want to practice a language seriously and make friends with people from all over the world.
5. Lettre: Handwritten Letters
Lettre: Handwritten letters.
Lettre is similar to Slowly, but different in one key way: handwriting. It has a smaller user base but a very loyal community. Lettre is perfect if you want the Slowly experience in a fresh app with handwriting and drawing.
6. Stereo: Live Voice & Spontaneous Talks
Stereo: Live voice & spontaneous talks.
Stereo is a live voice app where you can join voice rooms or private chats, no photos required, raw and fun. It is a great app for those who want voice but don’t mind live format.
Comparison Table: Slowly vs Top Alternatives
| App | Communication | App Store Rating | Focus | Delay? | Voice | Photos Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slowly | Text letters | 4.6 / 4.5 | Slow, thoughtful writing | Yes (hours ~ days) | No | No |
| Bubblic | Voice messages | 5.0 / 4.7 | Deep emotional authenticity | No | Yes (core) | No |
| Bottled | Text letters | 4.7 / 4.5 | Serendipity | Random | No | No |
| HelloTalk | Text + Voice | 4.6 / 3.5 | Language exchange | No | Yes | Optional |
| Tandem | Text + Voice | 4.8 / 4.1 | Serious language | No | Yes | Optional |
| Lettre | Text letters | 4.8 | Slowly clone with handwriting | Yes | No | No |
| Stereo | Live voice | 4.6 / 3.7 | Spontaneous talks | No | Yes (live) | No |
Why Bubblic Is the #1 Slowly Alternative
Most Slowly users eventually hit the same walls: typing fatigue, days-long waits, ghosting, and missing vocal warmth. Bubblic removes every pain point while keeping what made Slowly special (i.e., global strangers, thoughtful topics, zero superficial judgment) and adds the human voice.
Recording a 1 ~ 3 minute voice message feels vulnerable, personal, and rewarding. You hear emotion that text can never convey. Users say it feels “like talking to a real friend from day one,” “heart-to-heart,” or “deep listening.” In 2025, when people crave authentic connection more than ever, Bubblic delivers exactly that.
Ready to speak your letters instead of typing them?
Download Bubblic now →
iOS
|
Android