What is the best dating app? This guide can help you figure it out

Who it's for

Match is ideal for anyone looking for something more serious than a one-night stand but not so serious that it feels like marriage is on the horizon. With a large and diverse user base, Mach caters to people of all ages and backgrounds interested in creating meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.

Whether you're in your 20s or 60s, Match has something to offer.

Why we picked this

As one of the first dating sites launched in 1995, Match has decades of experience and data to back up its algorithms — so no, it's not just another one of those sites that you'll forget about after a month.

These algorithms (thankfully) don't involve filling out a miserable questionnaire. This saves you time and lets you take a more casual approach than, say, eharmony. You can specify what you want (or don't want) in a partner and how important those factors are to you. It's a simple way to make sure you and your potential match are on the same page.

Check out our full review of Match.

Who it's for

eharmony is best suited for people looking for a long-term, committed relationship. So, if you're tired of swiping through profiles and want to focus on finding a compatible partner based on personality traits, shared interests, and values, eharmony may be your best bet.

With its in-depth personality test and guided communication process, eharmony takes a more serious and thoughtful approach to matchmaking. 

Why we picked this

With a success rate that speaks for itself (a spokesperson says it accounts for 4 percent of marriages in the U.S.), eharmony is a top choice for those who want to find a partner that truly complements them.

While the compatibility quiz can be a bit introspective, this level of depth allows eharmony to match you with someone who shares your values and personality traits. The site has also undergone a recent redesign, with a new heart logo representing its 32 dimensions of compatibility and a more realistic approach to relationship questions.

However, eharmony's focus on "traditional values" can come with serious downsides, such as a lack of meaningful infrastructure for non-binary users. That being said, for those looking for a serious relationship, eharmony's reputation and commitment to compatibility make it a great choice.

Check out our full review of eharmony.

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Who it's for

Hinge is a dating app for anyone who wants to avoid the pressure of traditional dating apps while bypassing the swiping and endless casual conversations (typically found on Tinder) to find an honest, meaningful connection.

So if you're looking for a dating app that prioritizes substance over surface-level attraction, Hinge might be the right choice.

Why we picked this

Hinge may have a reputation for being hookup-focused, but it's actually designed to help you find something more serious.

Hinge presents you with a curated selection of profiles that are tailored to your preferences and interests. You'll get to know your matches better through detailed profiles that feature unique prompts about personality traits, beliefs, and hobbies. The app offers multiple fun and stress-free ways to showcase your personality, including voice prompts, photos, and icebreakers.

With Hinge's "We Met" feature, you can give feedback on your dates, which helps the app provide you with more compatible matches. Plus, the free version lets you send eight likes per day with no limit on how many likes you can receive.

Who it's for

OkCupid is a dating app for people who want to be their most authentic selves and connect with others who share their values. With 22 gender identities and 12 sexual orientations, OkCupid welcomes people of all gender identities and orientations.

Plus, with the option to list your pronouns, you'll be more likely to be addressed correctly.

Why we picked this

OkCupid is a great choice for people who value inclusivity, want to express themselves authentically, and want a meaningful connection. The site's commitment to offering 22 gender identities and 13 sexual orientations and allowing users to choose their pronouns makes it a welcoming space for all.

If you're a non-monogamous user, you'll only get shown — gasp — other people interested in non-monogamy. These are only a few features that provide OkCupid understanding of the modern dating landscape much better than its other longtime competitors.

In addition to its inclusivity, OkCupid's 2017 redesign introduced features that reflect the modern dating landscape. For example, users can answer deal-breaker questions about hot-button topics like politics and vaccines to weed out incompatible matches. The algorithm that matches users is based on how similarly they answered questions during sign-up, giving users a compatibility score and details on where they disagreed.

OkCupid has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a serious relationship or want to have fun while expressing your true self. While some advanced features are only available to paying users, the site's inclusive approach and compatibility-based matching make it a standout in the online dating world.

Check out our full review of OkCupid.

Who it's for

Tinder is the go-to app for adventurous singles who are looking for a fun and casual way to meet new people. Tinder's simple and addictive interface makes it easy to swipe left or right on a seemingly endless stream of profiles.

With its massive user base, you'll find a wide range of people on Tinder, from college students and recent grads to busy professionals and travelers looking for a local connection. Whether you're seeking a quick fling or a more serious relationship, Tinder's mix of features and flexibility make it a popular choice for singles of all backgrounds and orientations.

Why we picked this

Tinder is the ultimate dating app for those looking for a casual hookup or a fun fling. With its pioneering swiping feature, Tinder has transformed the way people date and has become a household name in the online dating world, boasting 1.6 billion swipes per day.

The app's straightforward formula is well-known: swipe right if you like what you see, and swipe left if you don't. When both parties swipe right, it's a match. It's simple and effective and has been widely copied in the dating app world.

Although Tinder doesn't market itself as a hookup app, it's hard to ignore its reputation. The low barrier to entry makes it easy to create a profile, and with only photos and a short bio to go on, it's no surprise that most users are looking for a casual encounter. But don't be fooled – many couples have found love on Tinder too.

Tinder is free to use but offers paid upgrades like Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum. These include features like the ability to undo a left swipe, send "Super Likes" to profiles you're really interested in, see who's liked your profile, and even message people before matching with them.

Read our full review of Tinder Platinum.

Who it's for

Bumble is a dating app that puts women (and now, non-binary) users in the driver's seat. The app's unique selling point from the beginning was that women have to make the first move, so if you're a woman who's tired of receiving unsolicited messages from men on other dating apps, Bumble could be the solution you're looking for.

In 2022, Bumble attempted to welcome non-binary people. After a bungled launch that left NB folks unable to message others, Bumble seems to have fixed the issue.

But Bumble isn't just for straight people looking for romantic relationships. The app also offers options for people looking for same-sex relationships, friendships, or business connections.

Why we picked this 

Unlike other dating apps, Bumble requires women and non-binary people to make the first move, giving them more power to choose who they want to talk to and when. This unique feature helps to filter out unwanted messages and creepy encounters that they often face on other dating apps.

Bumble also has a 24-hour expiration rule for matches, which keeps your match list fresh and up-to-date. This means you won't be wasting your time talking to someone who's not really interested, and you won't be scrolling through profiles of people you matched with months ago.

While Bumble shares a similar user base with Tinder, it attracts people who are looking for something more meaningful than just casual hookups. This makes it a great option for those who want to explore dating with a little more intention, without necessarily jumping into a serious relationship right away.

Who it's for

HER is a dating app designed specifically for LGBTQ+ women, queer people, and non-binary individuals seeking a safe and inclusive online dating experience. Unlike other dating apps, HER is not just an afterthought or an add-on for queer women. It's a space that centers their experiences and allows them to connect with other like-minded people in a fun and meaningful way.

The app also offers a range of features beyond just swiping, such as sharing stories and participating in community events. Whether you're looking for a casual fling, a long-term relationship, or just some new friends, HER is a great place to explore your options and connect with people who share your interests and values.

Why we picked this

If you're a queer woman looking for love, chances are you've had your fair share of frustrating experiences on heteronormative dating sites. Between straight people looking for threesomes and creepy men pretending to be women, finding a safe and inclusive space to meet potential partners can be tough. That's where HER comes in. Designed by and for queer women, this award-winning app offers a refreshing alternative to mainstream dating sites.

With a rapidly growing user base of over 4 million, HER is quickly becoming the go-to app for queer women who want to expand their dating pool beyond their existing social circles. And with cool profile features that let you get creative with your gender, sexuality, pronouns, and even your diet preferences, HER makes it easy to express your authentic self and connect with like-minded individuals.

Whether you're looking for a serious relationship or casual fun, HER has something to offer. So if you're tired of swiping left on heteronormative dating apps, give HER a try and join the growing community of queer women who are finding love and connection on their own terms.

Who it's for

Grindr is the go-to dating app for gay and bisexual men who are looking for other men. If you've had enough of dating apps that don't cater to your preferences or are tired of having to explain your sexuality, Grindr is the perfect place to be yourself.

It's also a great option for those who want to experiment with their sexuality, as Grindr allows users to filter their search by sexual preferences, including bisexual men.

Why we picked this

Grindr(opens in a new tab) has been the go-to for gay and bi men since 2009, and that's because finding someone to talk to is damn near-instantaneous. Instead of swiping right or left to match, the app uses geolocation to connect users to others who are nearby.

While the abundance of users can be overwhelming, it also means that there's a large pool of men waiting for a conversation. Most users just looking to hook up will tell you that they're not trying to make small talk, and that warning may come in the form of a dick pic.

That's not to say it's not for relationships — a lot of men meet their forever person on Grindr — but on the surface, it's a tool for quick, casual encounters. If you're seeking something more serious, you can adjust your filter to look for "dates." Keep in mind, though, that this will significantly decrease the number of potential matches. Grindr is especially useful for men in small towns with a limited queer population as they are more likely to find a connection here than on other dating apps like Tinder or OkCupid.

Who it's for

The Pure dating app is designed for people who are looking for casual hookups with no strings attached. It's for those who want to cut straight to the chase without dealing with the hassle of traditional dating apps and those who value their privacy and anonymity.

Whether you're single or in an open relationship, the Pure app is a great option for those looking for a fun and casual fling with like-minded individuals.

Why we picked this

Think Pure as in a purely physical experience. This is the place to find a local booty call who won't try to text you earlier than midnight. App rules urge you to "pretend like you're strangers afterward," making no-strings-attached the only name of the game here. This super millennial app is a sex-positive, 18+ safe space that features some pretty cool art — the blueprint of the truly modern hookup app. Just be sure to communicate your boundaries in your bio.

Your selfies, bio, conversations, matches, and likes self-destruct every 24 hours, promoting spur-of-the-moment, borderline anonymous hookups. No nudity is allowed in your albums, and any photos sent in messages can't be saved. (As the dry-humored comics on their website state, "Don't talk about your problems. Problems are for therapists. Pure is for fun.") The app will ask for your phone number, but that's to make sure you're a real person. The app uses your geolocation and sends out the sex version of an Uber request(opens in a new tab), though the sparse user base might have your searches suggesting the same few people. Still, the free-to-use filters make narrowing down who you're looking for easy, with the online one especially useful if you're in the mood for instant gratification.

PURE(opens in a new tab) gives all the feels of a sex-based site without the obnoxious naked parts and porn ads everywhere. (Cough *AdultFriendFinder(opens in a new tab)* cough) Running into bots and people trying to make money is likely, but the spammy stuff isn't nearly as rampant as traditional hookup sites. 

Who it's for

Coffee Meets Bagel is ideal for people who are tired of endless swiping on other dating apps and prefer a more curated selection of potential matches. It's also great for those who are looking for a serious relationship, as the app's algorithm focuses on quality over quantity and encourages users to take the time to get to know each other before meeting in person.

The app's "Ladies Choice" feature empowers women to make the first move and only receive messages from men they've liked. It creates a more comfortable and safe environment for women while ensuring that men receive more meaningful interactions.

Why we picked this

Grabbing coffee is the low-pressure date idea that lets you skip trying to choose a dressy-but-not-too-extra outfit for a concert or a restaurant. Coffee Meets Bagel is like the "grabbing coffee" version of dating apps, aiming to bring an easygoing atmosphere to folks who might just be a little rusty. The now-successful Shark Tank bust is one of those rare dating apps that actually gets decent feedback on Reddit. Every profile shown to men has already been okay-ed by the women, so the chance of getting unsolicited messages from creepy guys (or the worry of being seen as creepy) is drained a bit.

Each day, you'll receive anywhere from five to 21 matches depending on your gender, preferences, location, and whether or not you're a premium member. The algorithm curates these bagels based on your preferences and the bagels you weren't hungry for in the days prior. If you're in the mood to search more once you've gone through suggested matches, you can always check out more users nearby under the "Discover" tag. 

CMB is an app that prioritizes quality over quantity, which is especially apparent in one of its more intriguing premium features — the activity report. Paid users can see other people's stats at the bottom of their profile, from how active they are to how long it usually takes them to respond. Maybe that feels the slightest bit intrusive, but for an app that promotes being selective and intentional with your matches, you can't say this feature doesn't make sense. 

Who it's for

NUiT is a dating app for people who believe in the power of the stars and want to use this ancient practice to find love. NUiT considers its users' birth date, time, and location to generate a detailed astrological profile, which is then used to match users with compatible partners.

If you're looking for a relationship that's rooted in shared values and cosmic connections, then NUiT might just be the dating app for you.

Why we picked this

Remember when Bumble announced filtering by zodiac sign? NUiT is the better version of that. The creators at NUiT know that, for many, birth charts can be a wildly helpful tool in maneuvering the dating world by predicting how well you'd mesh with someone in aspects like the importance of sex or argument style. NUiT also accounts for the nuances in placements outside of sun signs. It encourages daters to use astrological insights to understand why a match might act the way they do but does so while avoiding those "What fried food you are based on your zodiac sign" tactics in clickbait quizzes.

This more nuanced understanding of astrology shines through in the app's interface. Rather than swiping left or right, you can swipe through a carousel of profiles without rejecting or matching with any of them. When someone does strike your interest, you can swipe down to calculate your compatibility and see what the stars say about how you match romance, business, magnetism, and friendship. From there, you can decide to send them a like or a message.

NUiT creators also recognized another thing that turns queer users off to heteronormative dating apps: They don't want to see or be seen by straight people. Sure, Tinder and OkCupid have their share of well-meaning allies — but the lack of shared experience as a queer person can make or break a relationship's dynamic. People are pretty psyched about this unique, inclusive feature.

Who it's for

Heybaby is a dating app designed specifically for people who want to start a family or find a partner who shares their desire to have children in the future. Heybaby is also a great option for single parents who want to find someone who understands the responsibilities and joys of parenthood.

Whether you're ready to have a child now or in the near future, Heybaby is the perfect app to connect you with like-minded singles who are looking for the same thing.

Why we picked this

Single parents shouldn't have to be worried about dropping the kid bomb on a potential date — because, with the right person, it's not a bomb at all. That's the idea behind heybaby, a dating app specifically for the huge chunk of online daters focused on raising a family.

With the children stuff given the green light by both parties ahead of time, heybaby makes it easy to move on to other fun aspects of getting to know someone. The minimalist swipe-through questionnaire dives into lots of introverts versus extrovert stuff, plus chill parenting questions like "Dirty clothes are everywhere. What do you do?" and answers like "I can't live like an animal" or "I'm neat, but I'm not a freak."While you only answer three questions at first, the more you swipe through users, the more chances you'll have to "improve your score" with them, which basically means you can answer the questions they have and you haven't. 

Heybaby also has a more intensive verification process than most other apps. Once you've uploaded photos, you send another picture to the app mimicking a pose they show you so they can confirm that your profile photos are, in fact, real. Then, you wait for an email that'll tell you whether or not you've been verified. 

Read more about heybaby.

Who it's for

Happn is for people who want to connect with others they've crossed paths with in real life but may be too shy or hesitant to make the first move. It's perfect for those who want to expand their dating pool beyond the usual online profiles that are often miles away.

Whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or exploring a new neighborhood, Happn helps you find and connect with potential matches who you may have missed in real life.

Why we picked this

If you've ever passed by someone on the street and wished you could connect with them, happn is the app that makes it possible. Unlike other dating apps that show you profiles of people within a certain radius, happn shows you the profiles of people you've actually crossed paths with in real life. 

It's like a modern-day missed connections page that allows you to shoot a like or a message to those you've recently encountered. This is especially great for those who are too shy to approach a stranger or find out they're already in a relationship. Although the app relies more on chance, it still has the usual dating app features, such as questions about smoking and drinking habits, interests, and what users are looking for in a relationship. This means that you'll be able to get a little more information about someone before deciding to connect with them.

Who it's for

Feeld is a dating app for people interested in exploring non-traditional relationships and sexual experiences. It's perfect for individuals and couples who are polyamorous, open-minded, or curious about alternative lifestyles.

Feeld welcomes people of all gender identities and sexual orientations and encourages users to be upfront and honest about their desires and boundaries.

Whether you're looking for a triad, a casual hookup, or to chat with like-minded individuals, Feeld provides a safe and inclusive space to connect and explore.

Why we picked this

Feeld, the brainchild of a couple that knows non-hetero non-monogamy through personal experience, is a dating app for couples and singles to find threesomes, foursomes, or however many people you want. (This isn't the first dating site to focus on non-monogamous sex, but it is the first to do it in a way that doesn't look like a pop-up ad.)

Sex positivity is the name of the game here, but not in a hyper-fetishizing way. You can get specific about boundaries, find people with the same kinks, and advertise what (who?) you're looking for in your bio without issue. People on Feeld are generally chill, respectful, and can talk about sex without frothing at the mouth. Because exploration is the entire point of the app, people are typically honest about intentions right out of the gate. Most people on the app are in their mid-twenties to thirties. Since it's more niche, people in bigger cities will probably have the best luck with Feeld.

LGBTQ folks appreciate Feeld because it appreciates them. The app offers more than 20 sexualities and gender identities, and there's a comforting understanding between users about what those identities mean. The New York Times(opens in a new tab) describes it as "a dating app with options that put the Kinsey scale to shame."

Who it's for

Zoosk is a dating app suitable for people looking for a diverse and active dating pool. It's also a good choice for those looking for a quick-to-set-up profile.  

Why we picked this

With such little focus on details past physique or distance, it's natural to question how the site builds any real foundations. Admittedly, something Zoosk did worked as the site keeps a meticulously-updated list of couples who met through the site(opens in a new tab) with news of new engagements and marriages — but the latest post is from June 2020.

Still, there's no denying that Zoosk is a zombie land of dead-end profiles and somewhat boring design (that looks straight out of 2009 on its mobile version). We guess some 35 million people use Zoosk because it's easy — there are no long questionnaires required to build your profile, and you have free reign over how to go about approaching matches. But being on the site also feels like witnessing an identity crisis — it's hard to tell if Zoosk wants to be taken as a place for hookups or a place to find something more serious.

When Zoosk switched from a social media app to a legit dating site, it was more or less in a league of its own. Incorporating "liking" photos and having a similar look to a Facebook feed was super attractive to young, single people... in the early 2000s. The problem is that Zoosk hasn't changed much since then. The lack of modern tweaks like OkCupid's politics-related icebreakers or Match's overhauled questionnaire makes its blandness even more obvious. Most features are behind a paywall, and bi-users can't view both men and women at the same time, forcing them to make two accounts (at that point, the site will allow you to link them, so you only pay one price, but like, come on, Zoosk. It's 2022). People are simply opting for Match Group's offerings with more premium designs, less messy email notifications, and algorithms that consider your personality type. 

Read our full review of Zoosk.