When Was BeReal Founded: A Closer Look at the Origins of a Selfie-Based Social App

BeReal has captured the attention of users around the world with its minimalist approach to social sharing. The app emphasizes authenticity over curated highlights, inviting friends to share what they are actually doing at a certain moment. If you’ve ever wondered when BeReal was founded, you’re not alone. Understanding its origins helps explain why the platform feels different from traditional social networks and why millions have downloaded it in recent years.

Origins and Founders

The simple question of when BeReal began is tied to a pair of French entrepreneurs who wanted to rethink how people connect online. BeReal was created by Alexis Barreyat, a cooperative effort that involved a small team in France. The project started as a side project with a clear mission: to encourage more genuine, less polished updates from friends. In an era of constant filters and perfected photos, BeReal offered a refreshing alternative that centers on real life in the moment.

BeReal’s early development benefited from a culture that valued user feedback, rapid iteration, and a willingness to experiment with new ideas in the social media space. The founders believed that a platform could still be social and engaging without encouraging comparison or vanity metrics. This philosophy became a cornerstone of the product’s design and ongoing updates.

The Rise of BeReal

BeReal officially launched around 2020, but its growth accelerated in the following years as more people started to explore its distinctive approach. What set BeReal apart was not just its concept but the way it implemented its core features. Users receive a daily notification at a random time, prompting them to share a photo using both the front and back cameras within a two-minute window. This dual-camera prompt creates a glimpse into everyday life from multiple angles, offering a candid alternative to the highly curated content that dominates many other apps.

The app’s early traction grew through word of mouth, peer networks, and a sense of curiosity among users who wanted to experiment with a less polished, more spontaneous form of social interaction. The human appeal behind BeReal lies in its invitation to peers to show their real surroundings, whether that means a messy kitchen, a work desk, or a casual moment with friends. This urgency and spontaneity helped the app stand out in a crowded market.

Funding, Growth, and Milestones

Like many tech startups, BeReal sought funding to scale its operations, improve its platform, and expand its reach to new markets. Investors who saw potential in the concept lined up to support the project, recognizing the appeal of authenticity in social media. Over time, BeReal secured rounds that enabled platform enhancements, international expansion, and the development of new features designed to complement the core experience without sacrificing its core philosophy.

Key milestones often cited by observers include the broadening of user bases across Europe and beyond, the refinement of notifications and privacy controls, and the introduction of features that encourage greater interaction among friends. The company has also navigated the usual challenges of growth, such as moderation, platform integrity, and maintaining a consistent user experience as the user base evolves. These milestones reflect a balance between staying true to the original concept and adapting to the expectations of a growing audience.

What Makes BeReal Different?

To answer the question of when BeReal was founded is to also understand why it resonated in the first place. BeReal differentiates itself in several ways:

• Authenticity over polish: The app nudges users toward sharing what they are really doing, not what they wish others would see.
• Spontaneity in posting: The daily notification and narrow posting window reduce the pressure to curate content and compare with others.
• Dual-camera perspective: The use of both front and back cameras provides a more rounded glimpse of a moment, capturing both subject and surroundings.
• Friend-centric feed: The focus is on close connections rather than broad audiences or influencers, which changes the dynamics of engagement on the platform.

These elements contribute to a sense of genuineness that many users crave in a landscape crowded with highly produced content. BeReal’s design choices foster a social experience that emphasizes presence and shared moments rather than curated personas.

User Experience and Privacy Considerations

As BeReal gained popularity, conversations about privacy and user experience became increasingly important. The app’s approach to sharing—especially the real-time nature of posts—requires thoughtful consent and awareness from users. BeReal offers privacy settings that allow users to control who can view their updates, as well as options to limit or tailor notifications. This emphasis on control is part of what makes the platform appealing to people who want a more intimate, less invasive online experience.

From a design perspective, the product team has focused on keeping the interface simple and approachable. The camera prompt, clock-based posting window, and minimalistic feed design all work together to minimize distractions while maximizing the value of spontaneous moments. For many users, this translates into a refreshing break from the pressure to craft a perfect online image.

Impact on Social Media Culture

BeReal’s emergence has influenced broader conversations about authenticity on social media. By showing real-time glimpses into daily life, the app has encouraged people to rethink what “sharing” means in a digital context. Some observers see BeReal as part of a broader shift toward “human-scale” social networks that prioritize meaningful connections over high engagement metrics. While not every user adopts the BeReal model, its presence has nudged other platforms to consider how to balance authenticity with monetization and growth strategies.

Timeline: Key Dates

1. Founding and early development by Alexis Barreyat and a small team in France.
2. Official public launch around 2020, with gradual adoption in European markets.
3. Rapid growth in 2021 and 2022 as more users discover the platform’s unique approach.
4. Expansion beyond Europe, with ongoing updates focused on privacy and user experience.

While the exact year BeReal reached a particular milestone may vary by source, the core truth remains clear: BeReal was founded in the late 2010s, with a public face and a growing user base emerging around 2020. The ongoing journey of the app reflects a deliberate attempt to redefine how people share moments online, emphasizing honesty and presence over perfection.

What the Story Means for Users and Creators

For users, BeReal offers an invitation to participate in a more grounded social ritual. It challenges the notion that online popularity is built solely on highlight reels and encourages a more balanced exchange of everyday life. For creators and brands, BeReal presents both opportunities and complexities. Brands may leverage BeReal to showcase behind-the-scenes content or authentic moments, while acknowledging the platform’s emphasis on genuine interactions rather than highly produced campaigns.

In summary, the question “When was BeReal founded?” points to a narrative of intentional simplicity, user-centric design, and a philosophy that values authenticity. From its humble beginnings in France to a global phenomenon, BeReal has carved out a niche by prioritizing real moments and real connections. Whether you are a longtime user, a curious observer, or a marketer exploring new terrain, understanding BeReal’s origins helps explain why the app resonates and how it continues to shape conversations about authenticity in the digital age.

Final Thoughts

BeReal’s journey demonstrates how a well-timed concept, combined with a clear ethical stance on sharing, can disrupt established patterns in social media. The precise date of its founding is a useful historical marker, but the broader takeaway is the platform’s enduring appeal: a commitment to presenting ordinary life as it happens, without filters, in the company of trusted friends. As the digital landscape evolves, BeReal’s influence on how people think about privacy, spontaneity, and community is likely to persist, inviting ongoing discussion about what makes online life feel real.