Don't expect to make "real friends" in group. I spent six weeks in daily groups during a partial hospitalization. It's very intimate and you bond very fast. But, and the therapists prepared us for this, rarely will you stay in contact after groups. In fact, they discourage socializing with group members outside of therapy.
That said, it is very different from individual as the group does most of the work and the therapist acts more as a guide. I found it very helpful because while I was getting help, I was able to help others and realize I wasn't weird in the way I felt. And, I could be quiet and just listen. Can't do that so much in individual.