Countless options are available to singles in the wild world of online dating, and narrowing down what works for you can be daunting. If you’re thirsty for a fun night with a tall drink of water, a hookup site is a good place to start. Looking for a long-term love worthy of a fairytale? Try using an online dating app with a more thorough registration process. The kind of relationship you want can (and should) have a big impact on which dating platform you choose.
Aside from the basic step of deciding what type of partner you want — whether casual or committed — choosing the best dating app for you involves plenty of other aspects. Many online dating sites have features that cater to a specific demographic or set of preferences. For example, a hookup app like AdultFriendFinder can help you meet other people in your area who want to explore their sexual desires. Sites like eharmony, however, use in-depth algorithms and questionnaires to pair you with users who could actually build a future with you.
No matter what your dating goals are, the sheer number of platforms available can make anyone’s head spin. Fortunately, social media sites like Reddit house virtual communities — called subreddits — where millions of people discuss the pros and cons of any dating app you can think of. From a sexy tryst via Tinder to an everlasting romance thanks to Match, read on for our curation of subreddit discussions about the best dating apps.
j50wells Recommends Sticking with Tried-and-True Brands
Newly released dating apps are a dime a dozen, and many of them take notes from the earlier sites in terms of the features and benefits they offer. Some dating websites claim to be a quick route to a casual hookup, but then require new members to shell out some major coins to chat with potential matches. Others may be advertised as a premier way to find a lifelong companion, yet prove to have thousands of bot or fake profiles once new users scroll through.
On the Reddit app, people like user j50wells seem pretty fed up with the “scams” that these dating platforms sometimes pull. In a discussion thread on the subreddit r/OnlineDating, j50wells shares their experience on various dating apps. They say, “There are a lot of scams out there. Generally, I have had many dates with Match, eharmony, and Zoosk.”
1. Match
Match.com has come a long way since it launched in April 1995. This well-reputed dating site has honed its match algorithm to identify long-term compatibility and facilitate countless first dates, serious relationships, and successful marriages. Match’s esteemed dating experts go to great lengths to guide singles to a seriously good match.
- Match is the world’s longest running dating site
- The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
- Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages
- Browse Match profiles 100% free »
When it comes to tried-and-true dating websites, Match takes the cake. This wildly popular platform, founded in 1995, is among the first and most successful dating apps available. Match’s success stories are plentiful — as j50wells can attest — and its massive user base offers an ideal dating pool for all identities and dating intentions.
2. eharmony
Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has endeavored to find the formula for love. Its 32-dimension personality test uses psychological truths to identify areas of compatibility between two individuals. The dating site’s mission is to foster relationships that last, and every potential match has a reason behind it.
- Over 2 million people have found love here
- Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
- Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free »
As they suggested, j50wells knows that eharmony leads to “many dates” — and often even more than dates. The dating platform uses an in-depth personality questionnaire based on psychology to match each user closely to potential partners, making it a fantastic option if you’re looking for a serious relationship.
3. Zoosk
Zoosk is a socially savvy dating site known for its diverse membership base and behavioral matchmaking system. Over 40 million singles in 80 countries have joined the network so far, and it’s growing larger every day. The platform offers many different ways to communicate and express interest in members, so it’s easy to form a fast connection here.
- Send messages to premium members for free
- Over 3 million messages sent a day
- Premium perks include photo verification and sending virtual gifts
- Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free »
If you’re looking for a dating app that has it all, Zoosk may be your answer. The site has a considerably large and active user base, and it operates in 80 countries across the globe. The service started as an app integrated with Facebook and is now one of the most popular and trusted dating apps around — just ask Reddit user j50wells.
LordSamael565 Says the Mainstream Apps Have Worked
When you think about online dating, chances are that certain apps immediately come to mind. Tinder, Hinge, and Feeld are some names among the most widely used online dating platforms globally, and tend to have singles cross-pollinating for maximum efficiency. I live in a relatively large city, so in my online dating experience I’ve always used several popular options at once for the same reason; in a larger sea, casting a wide net seems to catch the most “fish,” so to speak.
If you read through conversations about dating apps Reddit users recommend, people like LordSamael565 seem to also engage in this practice. Although they mention that all the dating apps they have come across have some manner of scam or bot accounts, they also say, “I’ve met people personally off of Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge, Feeld, and [Plenty of Fish]. Out of the five listed, I primarily like Hinge and Feeld because these apps feel better than just the swipe right, swipe left culture so prevalent in dating apps today.”
4. Hinge
Hinge is widely known as the dating app that was “designed to be deleted.” That means everything from the in-depth profile to the matchmaking formula works overtime to connect singles to that perfect match. The goal isn’t to get single people in as many chats and on as many first dates as possible. The goal is to streamline the process of finding a relationship and then retiring your Hinge profile forever.
- Profiles require multiple photos and responses to prompts
- Users can send a message with their match request
- The app collects post-date feedback to improve its system
- Browse Hinge profiles 100% free »
It’s hard to spark up a conversation about dating apps without hearing mention of Hinge. This dating platform is more of a relationship app than anything else, with plenty of features and profile-building options that set it apart from other options. The various prompts and conversation starters help users really get to know each other and how their personalities might mesh within a long-term relationship. Like Reddit member LordSamael565 stated, Hinge goes beyond the swiping culture to help people find their perfect match.
5. Feeld
On another end of the dating spectrum are apps like Feeld. The app was founded by Dimo Trifonov and now run by his non-monogamous partner Ana Kirova. Ana and Dimo started the app to demystify open relationships and connect people who are open to polyamorous relationships.
Feeld offers an inclusive space where people can truly explore their desires. The kink app encourages its members to fill out their profiles intentionally, listing their desires, interests, and information about themselves and their dating intentions.
Unlike mainstream dating apps, Feeld is a prime dating destination for those wanting to engage in alternative relationship styles, like polyamory or BDSM relationships.
For Casual Hookups, Reddit Users Are Conflicted
Not everyone wants the same thing in their dating journey. Although some studies indicate that the majority of people on dating sites are looking for a long-term partner, hookup apps are an undeniable staple in the online dating industry. Social media platforms like Reddit prove this to be true, with countless posts and threads made about the best hookup sites available.
On a Reddit thread about which hookup app is the best, commenters seem to be at odds with each other. They mention dozens of different websites and apps, ranging from mainstream to incredibly niche. There appears to be a consensus, however, about one in particular: AdultFriendFinder. Several Reddit users advocated for this hookup site as one of the premier choices for seeking out sexual connections, and it’s not surprising why.
Registering for an account on Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is like speeding into the fast lane of the online dating world. This hookup site puts you in the center of action and encourages sexy singles and swingers to satisfy their secret fantasies. Anyone over 18 can join AFF and browse millions of profiles for free, but only full-fledged members have access to the revealing content in the community forums and chat rooms.
- One of the largest adults-only sex communities
- Free and fast registration process
- Dating forums and live chats foster live flirtation
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
If you’re itching to get a particular “itch” scratched, look no further than AdultFriendFinder. If you choose to sign up for an account after browsing the countless profiles of sexy singles, you’re in good company — users of AdultFriendFinder visit the site more than 25 million times each month. With subscriptions priced as low as $14.95 a month, live video stream and chat features, and even optional nude content, this hookup website can have you swimming between the sheets in no time.
Ashley Madison is a breath of fresh air for single or attached folks experiencing a sex slump. This exciting dating site and app offer tons of opportunities to mingle, match, flirt, and hook up discreetly. Over 80 million profiles await you on Ashley Madison, and it’s free to create an anonymous account.
- Discreetly arranges one-night stands and extramarital affairs
- More than 80 million profiles worldwide
- Travel-friendly features for seeking matches in other cities
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Although this app’s assumed reputation often precedes it, Ashley Madison goes beyond a platform for husbands to cheat on their wives. The discreet hookup site is a haven for people wanting a more casual or sensual connection. It is a great choice if you’re looking to spice up your sex life with a sensual affair or even just have a one-night fling. With privacy safeguards galore, Ashley Madison is one of the best casual dating sites out there.
Christian Singles Seem to Love Hinge & Bumble
Sorting through the endless profiles on dating sites often becomes exhausting, especially when you’re looking for something very specific. Those of us who use dating apps to find a serious partner, for example, have to weed through a lot of “fluff” bios or others looking for a casual relationship to connect with suitable matches. For those who identify as Christians, using mainstream dating apps can sometimes prove particularly difficult.
It makes perfect sense that a person who practices a certain faith would desire a partner who shares in their beliefs. Your core values and desired lifestyle are important factors in choosing a lifelong companion, so if you’re a regular at your local Sunday service, choosing a dating app where you can find other believers is key. Luckily, some Christians on Reddit have found success even on the most popular platforms.
According to Reddit user SgtPprXIX, Hinge goes beyond providing a place for secular folks to connect. In fact, she and her now-husband met the very first day she created an account. “My husband and I met on Hinge,” she shares. “[We] had included somehow that we serve at church on Sundays, alongside the rest of our hobbies and interests. You’ll have to ‘swipe’ a lot of people, the same way a lot will ‘swipe’ you away, but you only need to find one person, so keep at it.”
Similarly, the feminist swiping app Bumble was given an honorable mention as a good place to find other faithful folks.
Christian Mingle is a faith-based dating website for singles who want a relationship grounded in Christian values. People of all religions and backgrounds turn to this site in hopes of meeting a good Christian man or a good Christian woman. Christian Mingle’s claim to fame is that it has the highest percentage of Christian members of any dating site or app in the world.
- For singles interested in God-centered relationships
- Over 3.5 million monthly users around the world
- Available as an app on Google Play and the App Store
- Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free »
Of course, if you’re tired of the time and effort it takes to sift through profiles that don’t seem to meet your standards, alternatives like Christian Mingle are perfect solutions. As the largest Christian dating site available, Christian Mingle has been pairing believers since 1997. Putting God at the center of your relationship is easy when you meet on a platform that caters to users who share your beliefs, and with over 3.5 million monthly visits to the site, you can rest assured that your person is out there.
Reddit Users Agree: Online Dating (Sort of) Works
Strong opinions surrounding online dating are nearly impossible to avoid — pretty much everyone has them. Considering the sheer millions of people who use dating apps every single day, it’s no surprise that there are bound to be experiences shared from people who are bitter or burned out on them. That said, Reddit does have some great tips to offer if you’re on the hunt for a new dating site or hookup app to try.
Taking most of the negative opinions about dating online with a grain of salt is never a bad idea. Aside from the less-favorable reviews mentioning scams or bots, Reddit does have a collection of uplifting success stories from online dating sites.
“[I] used Tinder for about two years ending five years ago when I met my fiancé, who I will marry in 15 days!” says user Snoo74786. “Lots of matches that were just not right, but I kept at it and here we are! Keep going, be honest with what you’re looking for and you will get there!” Now that’s a happy ending we can get behind.
