Single men can find their Mr. Right by searching the best gay dating sites for serious relationships. Online dating is becoming the go-to wingman for gay, bisexual, trans, and queer men seeking a partner who will stand by their side through thick and thin.
In a 2019 survey, about 55% of LGB adults said they had tried online dating, and 21% said they had gotten into a relationship with a person they met on a dating site or app.
Nowadays, all it takes is a dating profile to court LGBTQ+ singles and find new avenues to romance and love. Our experts have put together a list of the best dating sites for serious relationships to help the average single guy get one step closer to his happily-ever-after ending.
Best Overall Best Gay Dating Sites for Serious Relationships
Gay bars and nightclubs are great if all you want to do is make eye contact with a hottie and have anonymous sex. But if you want to go beyond hookup culture and form a real bond with a single guy, then your best bet is to leave the nightlife behind and set up a gay dating profile. Here are some of our top picks for gay men seeking a potential partner in the dating scene.
1. Match
Since 1995, Match has cultivated a diverse following and welcomed singles across the spectrum of sexuality. Gay men can rely on Match to hook them up with bears, queens, twinks, and other hot dates. Match's time-tested compatibility scores and search features can help men navigate the dating scene and find a partner who is everything they're looking for.
- Proud ally to the LGBTQ community
- Millions of verified dating profiles to browse for free
- Over 20 years' worth of success stories
- Browse Match profiles 100% free
Match is the most successful dating site for relationships in the industry, and it serves singles of every sexual orientation. A new member can identify himself as a “man seeking men” upon registration to gain access to the LGBTQ+ dating profiles in the database.
When it launched in 1995, Match pioneered a way to meet people and build relationships through technology. Its matchmaking tools have only grown more sophisticated with time, and gay singles can depend on them to get to the heart of compatibility.
Match allows free communication between gay men in each other’s Top Picks list, which have been curated based on similarities in background and lifestyle.
Elite Singles has raised the bar in the online gay dating scene and become a rallying point for ambitious, intelligent, and commitment-minded singles around the world. This upscale dating site caters to gay men who are looking for more than just a one-night stand. Every month 2,500 singles find love thanks to the Elite Singles network.
- Caters to professional men in the LGBTQ community
- A smart, no-nonsense matching formula
- Over 2 million singles are active on the site every month
- Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free
Since 2009, EliteSingles has provided a safe place for well-educated and successful singles interested in finding a partner on their level. The dating site and app has catered to busy professionals by promoting straightforward and efficient matching tools that have proven to work.
The EliteSingles network adds nearly 400,000 users every month, and many of its members identify as men seeking men.
If you consider yourself a bit of a dating snob, EliteSingles could be a potential match. The dating site has cultivated a quality match list and personality-driven compatibility ratings to satisfy those choosy online daters who value quality over quantity.
3. eharmony
When it launched in 2000, eharmony was on a mission to find the formula for love. It started with straight couples, and now has expanded its algorithm to pair up same-sex couples. Gay men who can join the eharmony network to get serious about online dating and commit more time and effort into forming a long-term relationship.
- Has search options for same-sex relationships
- An 80-question personality test available for free
- Paid features include unlimited live messaging and video chat
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free
For over 20 years, eharmony has been all about inspiring love. The dating website first appealed exclusively to straight people, but now it has carried its message to the gay community as well.
Gay singles can identify as “men seeking men” or “women seeking women” when creating an eharmony dating profile, and they’ll receive potential match ratings based on their dating preferences and personality traits. The eharmony algorithm takes an in-depth approach to matchmaking and uses an 80-question Compatibility Quiz to find the perfect match.
4. Zoosk
Zoosk is a fast-growing dating site that reaches singles of all ages and orientations. This global network facilitates romantic connections between gay men with its behavioral matchmaking algorithm, advanced search filters, and premium communication tools. Every day, Zoosk members send over 3 million messages on the site and build close relationships.
- Over 40 million members of all orientations
- Seamless social media integration
- Thousands of success stories in the LGBTQ community
- Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free
Zoosk launched in 2007 as an online dating app that incorporated social media tools into its matchmaking. The Zoosk platform keeps users engaged with its newsfeed, personality test, swiping tools, and potential match recommendations. Every day, Zoosk members exchange over 3 million messages through the platform.
Zoosk has over 40 million members worldwide, and a good number of them are also members of the LGBTQ community.
Single guys should just know that Zoosk tends to attract a younger crowd between 18 and 30. That doesn’t mean an older man can’t get into a romantic relationship here — he just may have to shoot for gay dates in a younger age range. Our Zoosk review goes into more detail about the dating site’s membership stats, popular features, and success stories.
Since 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has provided a platform where African American singles can find dates who live in their neighborhood or across the country. BlackPeopleMeet's curated matching system helps gay singles focus on the specific attributes they want in a partner, and the Black-only dating network gives new users plenty of diverse date options.
- Welcomes Black gay men of all ages
- Send flirts, favorites, and photo likes for free
- Premium members can send unlimited messages
- Browse BlackPeopleMeet profiles 100% free
BlackPeopleMeet celebrates diversity and is inclusive to all straight, gay, bisexual, and queer singles seeking a potential partner. This Black dating site has empowered racial minorities to come into their own and connect with dates who come from similar backgrounds.
The BlackPeopleMeet website and app can provide matchups for online daters looking for romance. A Black gay guy can join BPM for free and use the search filters to meet Mr. Right, and he can send a virtual wink or an icebreaker message to show interest. Free members can also respond to messages from premium members without paying anything.
Whether you’re a straight person or a queer person, BlackPeopleMeet is the best dating site for meeting a diverse group of potential match prospects and casual relationship dates.
6. OkCupid
OkCupid is a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community. The dating site and app made headlines in 2013 when it introduced 22 gender options and 13 orientation options to dating profiles. Few dating platforms have gone to such lengths to ensure that it represents everyone across the sexuality spectrum, and we give it props for connecting gay, bi, and queer men around the world.
- Gay men can express themselves in lengthy profiles
- Expanded orientation options includes pansexual and demisexual men
- Match lists only show guys who meet your criteria
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free
OkCupid is a totally free dating platform designed to help singles discover true compatibility. All OkCupid members enjoy free, unlimited messaging and have access to over 5,000 optional questions about their likes, habits, opinions, values, and relationship standards.
In 2014, OkCupid added 22 gender options and 12 sexual orientation options to its dating profiles, thus giving queer singles the freedom to express who they are with pride. It is now the official website and app for free messaging with a new LGBTQ person.
From the open-ended profile to the match questions, OkCupid has a lot of quality-driven features that inspire genuine relationships to blossom.
7. MenNation
MenNation boasts having one of the world's largest men-only hookup community, and it has 93 million dating profiles to back up its claim. Since 1997, this gay dating site has made inroads in the LGBTQ community and supported sexually active singles and couples who want to find a partner for the night.
- Free registration and unlimited profile browsing
- Add online crushes to the Hotlist or My Network
- Enjoy private conversations in the Message Center
- Browse MenNation profiles 100% free
MenNation is a gay hookup site where men can be themselves and pursue their passions. A lot of gay users on this site are more interested in a one-night stand than a romantic relationship, but some are open to any love prospects that may come their way.
With millions of profiles ready to go, MenNation is a fast-paced dating site where a gay man can meet a lot of gay guys at once. You don’t need to fill out a lengthy questionnaire or connect to a Facebook account to get started on MenNation. As long as you have a valid email address, you’re free to browse this sexy network. As far as dating websites go, MenNation poses few restrictions and has inspired many a casual relationship.
8. Grindr
Grindr is one of the top dogs in the gay dating scene. It's the name everyone recognizes, and many gay men choose it as their go-to dating app. The location-based matching system satisfies the desires of guys who want to hook up on the fly.
- Among the most popular gay social networks in the world
- Men connect via private and group chats
- View nearby profiles using real-time GPS data
- Browse Grindr profiles 100% free
Grindr was the first gay dating app to use location-based matching to bring its gay users together. Since 2009, more than 27 million men have downloaded the Grindr app, and over 4 million users actively swipe and match on the app every day.
This free gay app puts men in touch with date prospects in the area, and it can inspire a casual hookup or a lasting relationship depending on the men’s desires. The Grindr app is free, but the premium membership provides extra filters and additional features.
Grindr puts men in the driver’s seat in the gay dating scene. The advanced search filters for age, appearance, and other personal qualities make it easy for a gay man to find LGBT singles who are exactly his type.
Plenty of Fish is a gay-friendly dating site and app with free communication features and match recommendations. The site takes your dating standards and personality traits into account as it suggests viable dates. If you identify as a "man seeking men" on Plenty of Fish, the sea of date prospects will only include gay men in your area.
- Gay men connect over common interests
- A smart match system based on psychological principles
- POF members send over 1 billion messages a month
- Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free
Plenty of Fish is a free dating website and app with a global reach. The POF community includes over 150 million members in 20 countries, and its matching algorithm is responsible for making over 57 million connections every week.
Gay people enjoy free and unlimited chatting on the POF platform, and they can dive into the dating pool with nothing more than a first name, profile picture, and email address. The Plenty of Fish team promises to offer “dating unfiltered.” That means online daters must remove the filters from their photos and be authentic in their dating profiles to have success here.
10. Tinder
Tinder has helped millions of singles in the LGBTQ+ community mingle and pick up dates. The app has generated over 97 billion matches since 2012, and a good chunk of those were same-sex connections. Gay men can take advantage of Tinder's simple swiping system to up their flirting games.
- Fosters same-sex relationships between gay men in 190 countries
- Tinder gender settings include "just men" or "men and women"
- Premium members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free
Tinder has become a dominant force in the online dating scene because of its ingenious swiping system. This popular dating app is unrivalled in terms of sheer size. Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has been downloaded over 530 million times, created over 75 billion matches, and added nine sexual orientation options to help young singles connect.
Some people dismiss Tinder as nothing more than a hookup app, and in doing so, they miss out on some romantic opportunities. We’ve seen evidence that Tinder can inspire long-term relationships between users who are open to going beyond the superficial and really connecting with a new person.
“I love the chance to brag about my handsome Tinder love,” said one user on Reddit. “We’ve been together for almost two years and have been engaged for just shy of a year. Tinder is awesome!”
11. Bumble
Bumble isn't just a female-friendly dating app — it's also a gay-friendly dating app. The platform's swiping system works just as well for men seeking men. There aren't any rules about who can send the first message, but the chat will expire in 24 hours, so you don't want to wait too long to say hi.
- Gay users seeking dates and relationships
- Curated match suggestions based on mutual compatibility
- Over 10 billion swipes a month
- Browse Bumble profiles 100% free
Bumble was created in 2014 by a single woman who was fed up with hookup culture and meaningless swiping. The former Tinder executive saw room to empower singles seeking something deeper and designed Bumble to be the world’s first feminist dating app.
Straight men have some messaging limitations on Bumble. But gay users can message each other freely as long as they create a mutual match. The dating app keeps the chat window open for 24 hours after the match is made, so don’t hesitate to say hi to that cutie online. If neither person messages within that time limit (and neither clicks their Extend button), then the chat window will disappear, and the dating profile will go back into the swiping pile.
Bumble has over 100 million members from all walks of life. Its gay single population is still growing, but it’s definitely a good place to meet quality men who are looking for more than a casual hookup.
12. Christian Mingle
In 2016, Christian Mingle opened its doors to the LGBTQ community and began fostering same-sex relationships on the site. This was a big step forward and paved the way for many heartfelt love stories. Gay men can now mingle freely on Christian Mingle and find gay date prospects who line up with their values and lifestyle.
- Supports straight and same-sex relationships
- Nearly 4 million monthly users
- Discover attractive men in the LookBook
- Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free
Christian Mingle is a time-tested Christian dating site with over 15 million members of all gender identities and sexual orientations. The vast majority of its members share a common faith in God and determination to meet a lifelong partner who shares the same beliefs and traditions.
A single person does not have to be a diligent church-going Christian to set up a dating profile on Christian Mingle. Members just have to be respectful and open to dating people of faith.
I’ll be honest, Christian Mingle hasn’t always been the most gay-friendly place for singles. In fact, the dating site was sued by LGBTQ+ rights advocates for only allowing straight people to join. Nevertheless, the dating platform has evolved quite a bit since its launch in 2001, and now ChristianMingle has same-sex matching options that allow gay, bisexual, and queer men to find Christian love.
13. LesbianPersonals
LesbianPersonals.com is powered by Friend Finder Networks, so it encompasses a vast network of sexually active women. The female-friendly dating site allows women, couples, and groups to create a profile and find online and offline romance. With over 2 million women in its community, LesbianPersonals is fast becoming one of the most popular lesbian dating sites around.
- Free membership includes viewing profiles and sending likes
- Exchange revealing photos and videos privately online
- Simple search filters by interests and appearance
- Browse LesbianPersonals profiles 100% free
LGBTQ+ singles come in all types, and some women identify as gay rather than lesbian or bisexual. If you’re a gay woman or want to date a gay woman, then LesbianPersonals can hook you up. This is a female-friendly dating network where romance has no rules.
Individuals, couples, and groups can join LesbianPersonals.com to connect with sex-driven people in their neighborhood. There’s no telling where an adult conversation on this local hookup site will take you. It could lead to a one-night stand, or it could lead to something more serious. LesbianPersonals has many sexually charged spaces to explore, including discussion forums and video live streaming.
14. HER
HER is a women-only (or "womxn" as the team says) dating app that helps cis, trans, and non-binary identified singles come into their own. This is a strict no-boys-allowed zone. HER encourages LGBTQ+ women to mingle by commenting on photos or events in the Feed, or they can like profiles to initiate a private conversation with a mutual match.
- A quirky and unapologetic womxn-only dating community
- Queer events get users connecting IRL
- The constantly updated Feed facilitates social networking
- Browse HER profiles 100% free
Here’s another good option for gay women seeking a long-term commitment. HER is a women-only dating app with over 10 million members worldwide. All HER members must link their dating profile to their Facebook profile to verify that they are authentic lesbian, bisexual, trans, or queer women.
HER supports a vibrant LGBTQ community where single people can create meaningful connections. The app offers free private messaging between mutual matches, and it has a local events calendar curated by gay women for gay women.
Best Senior Gay Dating Sites for Serious Relationships
Once you reach a certain age, you naturally start to think more about settling down than hooking up, and that’s why a lot of senior singles have joined the online dating scene. Senior dating sites and apps offer a new beginning for singles seeking romantic relationships that can stand the test of time.
15. SilverSingles
SilverSingles uses new-school technology to help old-school daters find love. Since its launch, this senior dating site has welcomed over-50 singles of all races and orientations. Once you identify as a "man seeking men" on the site, you'll find yourself surrounded by people who want the same things in life.
- Identify as "man seeking men" in your profile
- Free personality quiz and mature partner suggestions
- Over 20 daily matches in the "Have You Met?" section
- Browse SilverSingles profiles 100% free
Silver Singles is first on our list of senior dating sites because it has proven effective for daters interested in forming a real relationship. The online dating algorithm uses personalized compatibility ratings to create smart matches and give singles the best chance for success.
It’s free to register an account on Silver Singles and set your dating preferences, but you’ll have to invest in the senior dating site to get in contact with a man online. Only premium members can view photos, send messages, and request video dates on the Silver Singles platform. Silver Singles has an affordable pricing model that deters spammers and encourages genuine singles to get serious.
16. OurTime
OurTime is a People Media site designed to satisfy straight, gay, and lesbian singles in their 50s and older. Many of these singles have been in serious relationships before and are looking for a second chance at love. Gay singles can take advantage of this senior-friendly network to land a date who has it all going on.
- A unique network of gay men over 50
- Straightforward mutual matching and searches
- Send flirts and likes for free
- Browse OurTime profiles 100% free
OurTime is an online dating site geared toward senior citizens in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. The membership base includes gay men and women who are recently single or recently out and looking for a new lease on life.
OurTime has same-sex matching options that can accomodate a gay, bisexual, or queer man of a certain age. Its members are seeking a niche group within a niche group, so they tend to have a lot in common with their matches.
We have ranked OurTime among the all-time best senior dating sites because it has user-friendly search filters and supports an active membership base.
17. SeniorMatch
SeniorMatch offers mature gay men a quality-driven alternative to Grindr, Tinder, and other hookup apps. Singles must be over 45 to join this senior dating site, so it's easy to meet an age-appropriate date. Check out SeniorMatch's blogs and forums for tips regarding online dating as a senior citizen.
- Identify as a man seeking men on your SeniorMatch profile
- Free messaging via the site and app
- Online dating forums create a community atmosphere
- Browse SeniorMatch profiles 100% free
SeniorMatch is a reliable dating website for single gay men who are over 50 and also over swiping games. The dating platform has more than 1 million members in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia.
While SeniorMatch does not cater specifically to gay singles, its matchmaking tools and members-only forums can inspire same-sex relationships based on mutual attraction and shared interests.
Since 2003, SeniorMatch has received nearly 37,000 testimonials from members who found their partner on the site or app.
How Do Gay Dating Sites for Serious Relationships Work?
Generally speaking, the online dating experience boils down to three steps — you set up your dating profile, search or swipe for match options, and then you get in contact. Each dating platform has different tools to facilitate these steps. Some may have multiple free and paid communication options, and others may ask users to create a mutual match or upload a profile picture before they send direct messages.
Queer guys may not always have non-binary options in the standard registration process, but they can always clarify their gender identity or personal pronouns in their bio. Apps like Tinder and OkCupid are leading the way with more fluid gender and orientation for queer folk, and we expect that will soon be the norm on mainstream dating apps.
The typical dating site will require basic information from the user to create an account. That means a person must supply at the very least their age, location, gender, and date preferences. They may also have to submit an email address, phone number, or social media link to verify their identity.
Are Gay Dating Sites for Serious Relationships Safe to Use?
Yes, meeting a new person on a gay dating website is about as safe as meeting a new person at a bar, club, or public location. In fact, in some ways, it’s safer to meet online because you’re not putting yourself at risk of physical attack. You just have to use good judgment to distinguish the genuine people from the liars, scammers, and fake profiles.
Some of the warning signs of a fake profile are easy to spot — no profile picture or a celebrity photo — while others are a little more subtle. A scammer may try to convince you to chat via Whatsapp, Kik, or another international chat app instead of exchanging phone numbers or arranging a real-life date. Scammers also tend to refuse to use video chat or send selfies to their targets.
Online daters should always be cautious when getting to know someone new.
Online dating is a safe way to explore the dating scene and find potential love interests. But no dating site or app can claim to be 100% free of creeps and criminals. Some unsavory characters are bound to slip through the cracks, and that’s why dating platforms have block and report tools to support singles.
An online dater can stop unwanted contact with the click of a button, and it’s important to also report bad behavior so users can be held accountable.
Be vigilant while swiping, keep an eye out for red flags, and vet date prospects on social media. As long as you’re careful, you should be able to avoid any potentially dangerous or compromising situations on dating sites and apps.
How Do I Choose the Best Gay Dating Site for Serious Relationships?
First do your research. Read the reviews and online dating stats. And then go with your gut. It’s always free to create an online dating profile, so you don’t risk much by joining the online dating pool and taking a look around. Our experts advise gay singles to use two or three dating platforms at one time to get a well-rounded experience and up their odds of meeting multiple partners — and perhaps even The One.
Can You Search By “Relationship” on Gay Dating Sites?
Certain gay dating sites and apps may have search options by relationship status or sexual orientation, but it’s rare for you to see a search filter based on what a person is looking for (i.e. relationship, casual hookup, new friends). Most mainstream dating sites and apps leave a little wiggle room for single people who aren’t sure what they want or are open to many different types of dating scenarios. So your best bet will be to ask your online crush in a direct message about their dating intentions and relationship goals.
Are There Any Good Gay Hookup Sites?
Yes, hookup culture is alive and well in the gay dating scene, and many apps and sites have created a safe and flirtatious space for sexually active men seeking men. The best gay hookup apps have accelerated the online dating process by allowing single guys to be honest about what they want.
BeNaughty is open to singles of all sexual orientations, and it doesn't require new members to define themselves as anything other than "seeking men" or "seeking women." If you fall in the "seeking men" category, you're in good company on this hookup site. Men can explore their interests and discover romance on this free-wheeling, fun-loving, fully X-rated dating site.
- Single men in the U.S., Canada, and Europe
- Fast-working and time-saving match and communication tools
- Gay men can sign up for free to find matches
- Browse BeNaughty profiles 100% free
BeNaughty is a casual sex site that features millions of dating profiles and sparks instant chemistry with its photo-based matching. Any single person over 18 can join this audacious network to spice up their dating life and get access to local date prospects.
The BeNaughty platform is open to gay men on the prowl for a casual hookup, and it doesn’t have rules against sexting a stranger. Male users can send five free messages on BeNaughty, and they can upgrade to a premium membership if they’re hankering for more steamy conversations.
MenNation has tons of X-rated content to arouse the senses and stimulate conversation. The hookup site attracts single men and gay couples all over the world and has grown its network to include over 93 million people. Free members can browse these profiles for as long as they want and send flirts to anyone who catches their eye.
- A massive men-only sex and swinger community
- Browse profiles and send private messages to your favorites
- Profiles feature erotic videos and sexually explicit blogs
- Browse MenNation profiles 100% free
MenNation is a gay hookup site created specifically for horny gay men. Straight people need not apply. This all-male network welcomes gay users who know exactly what they want in a potential partner.
Whether you’re a gay single or a gay couple, you can use a free membership on MenNation to browse the casual dating scene at your leisure. The adult chat room gives single men the tools they need to arrange sexy first dates with hotties in the area.
LGBT Singles Can Meet Their Match Online
A romantic relationship could be just a few clicks and swipes away thanks to the online dating scene. Single gay men can come together on a gay dating site or app and find common ground based on similar interests, values, and goals.
If you want to meet a potential partner, the best dating sites for serious relationships can set you in the right direction. The top dating sites and apps provide matchmaking tools, photo galleries, and chat features to help singles date on their terms. Many single men have found their forever match online, and you could be next.
All of the gay dating platforms on this list are completely free to join, and they can offer a lot of value to a man seeking true love. So don’t hesitate to create a dating profile if you’re serious about making something happen in your love life.
