When picking out the best gay dating sites, singles should take a few things into consideration.
First off, you should look at the site’s membership demographics and make sure its LGBTQ+ audience is robust enough to make the dating site worth your while. Next, you should research the payment system and know how much a subscription costs and what it entails. And, finally, you should check out the dating site’s reviews and success stories to see if it actually works for people like you.
By doing his homework before registering an account, a gay man can be smarter about meeting a potential match in the online dating scene. So check out the top dating sites for gay men seeking dates, hookups, or a lasting relationship with Mr. Right.
Best Overall Gay Dating Websites
Gay dating websites can offer a safe space for singles who want to explore their sexuality and find acceptance. Some online daters are rainbow-clad, out-and-proud gays, while others are still in the closet and looking to date on the down low.
Whatever your situation may be, you can rely on the following LGBTQ-friendly dating sites to connect you with compatible date prospects.
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 one of the top online dating sites in the world, and it’s only natural to slot it at the top of this list as the best gay dating site as well. Since 1995, Match has sparked more romantic connections and led to more first dates, relationships, and marriages than any other dating platform.
Match has over 15 million active members, and a significant number of them identify as “men seeking men.” This progressive dating site actually allows members to change their gender match preferences any time by going into My Settings (which is awfully convenient for bisexual and bi-curious singles).
According to a Match survey, 56% of its LGBTQ+ singles have gone on a date with someone they met online, and more singles are embracing this way of meeting people every day.
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 »
Elite Singles has geared its smart matchmaking services toward single professionals seeking a high-quality partnership, and many powerhouse gay men have taken note.
The dating site is open to gay, straight, and lesbian members of all ages and ambitions. As long as you have a college degree and a well-paying job, you’ll fit right in here. Over 85% of Elite Singles members have graduated from college, and over 90% say on their dating profiles that they want to get in a relationship.
If you’re serious about finding someone on your level, Elite Singles could be a fantastic place to start assessing your options.
3. 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 began with the premise that online dating should be more engaging and flirtatious. The socially savvy dating site uses a behavioral matchmaking system and has tons of communication options (both free and paid) to help singles reach out and get to know one another online.
With many easy-to-use features, Zoosk has fostered romantic connections in private chats between people around the corner and around the world from one another. Every day, Zoosk members send over 3 million messages on the platform, making it one of the most active and engaging dating apps around.
The Zoosk couples archive shares engagement and wedding announcements from its former members who have embarked on relationships and started families. While a lot of them are straight couples, you can scroll through and find some gay partners singing Zoosk’s praises as well.
4. 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 free dating site and app known for its data-heavy approach to love. Since 2004, the dating site has endeavored to identify the important factors to compatibility, and it calculates a match rating based on in-depth profile information and a personality test.
You can search the OkCupid database on your own for a gay, bisexual, or queer person who meets your criteria, or you can swipe through options in the Double Take section. If you set your potential match preferences for gay men, that’s all you’ll see on this savvy dating site.
OkCupid’s motto is “dating deserves better,” and it is constantly improving and updating to offer singles the best possible experience. In 2014, OkCupid even expanded its signup options to allow singles to choose from 22 gender options and 13 orientation options.
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 »
If you want to meet gay black men on the fly, BlackPeopleMeet can be a fantastic dating resource. This niche site connects Black singles throughout North America. The diverse database includes people of all ages, creeds, colors, and backgrounds. And it also welcomes singles of all orientations.
Gay singles can create a BlackPeopleMeet profile in less than two minutes and pursue dates using the search filters and real-time messaging tools.
Many success stories feature couples who met on the site and got into a relationship, but not all people use BlackPeopleMeet to find a soul mate. Some singles sign up because they’re looking for love, while others seek friendship, romance, or casual sex.
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 »
As the best dating site for conversations, Plenty of Fish encourages singles to chat, flirt, and be merry. It’s free to send messages to anyone you like on the free gay dating site, and you don’t have to upgrade to reply to messages in your inbox.
This free communication system is a relief for gay singles and queer people on a budget. Plenty of Fish is widely considered the best dating app for casual chatting. With millions of messages exchanged every day, the online dating app stimulates many thrilling discussions. A gay person can find a solid friendship or a long term relationship thanks to the POF dating platform.
7. 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 needs no introduction. It’s the dating app that invented swiping, for crying out loud. If you’ve been single for awhile, you’ve probably thought about trying Tinder, or maybe you’ve already tried Tinder, or maybe you’re currently on Tinder, and I’m just preaching to the choir here.
Like it or not, Tinder is one of the all-time most popular dating apps out there. It has facilitated over 60 billion matches since its launch in 2012. Plus, the online dating app claims to arrange over 1.5 million dates per week. That’s pretty legit.
Tinder has gotten mixed reviews from the gay community, but, for sheer numbers, a gay guy can’t do much better. The dating app offer nine sexual orientation options, and it has made over 145 million gay dating or queer dating matches over the last six years. A single gay man can cannonball into the dating pool and swipe through virtually endless potential matches here.
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 »
Looking for a faith-based relationship? Then ChristianMingle is the best gay dating site for you. This upstanding platform is open to anyone seeking a loving, Christian marriage. And yes, the membership is welcoming to a gay man who identifies as a Christian single.
When it originally launched, ChristianMingle did not have options for gay and lesbian singles, but the dating site changed its tune in 2016 (after a lawsuit) and created signup, search, and matching tools for the LGBTQ+ community. Now singles of all orientations and religious backgrounds can become part of the ChristianMingle network.
ChristianMingle guides members through the dating process by offering meaningful match recommendations and search filters that help local singles focus on the standards that matter most to them.
Best Senior Gay Dating Sites
Once you’ve reached a certain age, dating becomes increasingly difficult. It takes more effort to go out and meet people, and, if you’re gay, you may not have an especially large dating pool to begin with. Only about 7% of the LGBTQ+ population is over 65, and most of them are in committed relationships, not actively looking for a partner.
If you want to mingle in an exclusive community of single seniors, then the following online dating sites could be right for you.
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 »
SilverSingles prides itself on being a safe and friendly online dating site where seniors can meet one another and establish meaningful connections. You must be over 50 and single to join this network, and the site moderators will remove profiles that violate the site’s terms and conditions.
What’s great about SilverSingles is how simple and easy-to-understand it is. The dating site walks singles through the signup process (which includes a personality test) and creates potential matches based on the user’s dating preferences. The platform streamlines everything so seniors have no trouble finding compatible pen pals, friends, dates, and partners.
The SilverSingles app has a three-star rating on Google Play and can be a handy tool for gay men on the prowl for a silver fox in the dating scene.
10. 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 a premier senior dating site designed to give its members a second chance at falling in love. Whether you’re recently divorced, widowed, or never married, it’s never too late to find someone here.
Since its launch, OurTime has given hope to singles who are over 50 and starting a new chapter in their lives. Gay singles can use the site’s search filters to identify people who have been through similar life experiences and can understand each other’s interests, quirks, and relationship goals.
“I’m very happy to say I met the love of my life,” said one OurTime user in a review. “Soon to be engaged and married. Thank you!”
11. 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 has been around since 2003, and it has collected some impressive stats in that time. The dating site has over 1 million senior singles in its membership base, and it boasts over 6,000 daily active users. Plus, SeniorMatch has seen over 36,600 success stories in the last 16 years.
Every month, SeniorMatch fosters over 1.6 million conversations among its members. These conversations include flirty invitations to go on a date and deep discussions about what matters most in life.
Gay singles can discover new friends, travel buddies, hot dates, and long-term partners on SeniorMatch. It’s free to join, so nothing stands between you and an exciting love interest.
SeniorFriendsDate has become popular among gay men of a certain age. These senior men enjoy the friendly and low-pressure environment offered by the free dating site. SeniorFriendsDate offers free communication to all users, so it doesn't take much effort to get something going here.
- Create a gay senior profile within 5 minutes
- Search for single men who live in your area
- Free winks, quick messages, and MeetMe invites
- Browse SeniorFriendsDate profiles 100% free »
Finally, SeniorFriendsDate has become incredibly popular in the senior dating space because it is among the few dating websites to offer 100% free communication to everyone. If you are a member of SeniorFriendsDate.com, you can send a message to anyone online without upgrading, subscribing, or paying any fees.
SeniorFriendsDate.com gets its revenue through ads, so it can offer this great deal to members and still stay profitable.
Thousands of singles have taken advantage of SeniorFriendsDate.com’s free features and engaged in stimulating conversations on the gay dating site. You can register as “a man seeking a man” to ensure your searches and potential matches are all men all the time. Or, if you’re bisexual and playing the field, you can switch back and forth between male and female profiles by going to My Settings.
Best Gay Hookup Sites
If you want to get laid, then join an X-rated hookup site where everyone is in a sexy mood. The following sites allow singles and swingers to pursue their passions without restraint and mingle with partners who share their interests and have few inhibitions.
13. BeNaughty
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 »
When it comes to hookup sites, BeNaughty is almost always on top. This platform beats apps like Grindr because it has private messaging and mass texting features to connect sexy singles of all backgrounds and fetishes.
You can create custom searches by age, location, orientation, body type, ethnicity, and other advanced parameters, and you can organize the results by popularity, last activity, distance, and age.
BeNaughty also has a Like Gallery where singles will view one profile at a time and answer “Cute or Not?” This is a fast way to build your mutual matches list and spark interest in the online dating scene.
Adult Friend Finder has become a go-to dating resource for gay singles looking for no-strings-attached sex. The hookup site's erotic atmosphere and open-minded approach to dating has been a game changer for sexy singles and swingers all over the world. Whether you're gay, bisexual, or just curious, you can flirt with hot guys on the AFF network.
- Gay singles and couples can create profiles for free
- Enjoy live chat rooms and dating forums
- Flirt anonymously under a username
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
Adult Friend Finder has over 102 million profiles to its name, and it is still growing. The adult dating site attracts singles who are over 18 years old and interested primarily in sex.
Gay singles and swingers in the AFF community are typically eager to skip the wining and dining and go directly to the bedroom on the first date. This fast-paced dating scene satisfies people who know what they want (a gay hookup or threesome) and aren’t afraid to go after it.
AdultFriendFinder has lots of flirtatious spaces, including dating forums and live video broadcasts, where gay men can explore their sexuality and come into their own. And, the best part is, you don’t have to pay anything to get enjoyment out of your AFF membership. Read our review to learn more about what AFF can do for you.
15. 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 boasts being the world’s largest gay hookup site because it has millions of active members in its network. The site is exclusively designed to connect men with men. You can only join as a gay single or a gay couple seeking men. There are no straight people or queer women on this casual dating site, and the owners intend to keep it that way.
For well over a decade, MenNation has established itself as a fun, flirty online dating site for gay, bisexual, trans, and queer men. It takes seconds to register a free account and search for a gay hookup. If you like what you see, it may be worth upgrading your profile so you can interact with hotties in your area.
A gay man can flirt on MenNation without a straight person or fake profile cramping their lifestyle. The casual hookup platform has instant messaging and video chat features connecting local singles in a raunchy gay community.
16. 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 »
Since launching in 2009, Grindr has become one of the most widely used gay dating apps on the market. The app pioneered location-based dating when smartphones were just beginning to take off, and gay men ate it up.
Today, Grindr has over 27 million members spread across 190 countries, and it continues carrying its rainbow dating experience to new corners of the world. Grindr for Equality is an activist branch that mobilizes communities and pushes for LGBTQ+ rights in matters of health, safety, and love. Plus, Grindr Xtra offers even greater perks for gay guys willing to shell out some cash.
Many singles use Grindr as a hookup app because its location settings allow a single gay men to view hotties in their immediate vicinity, and that means a romantic tryst could be only a swipe away.
17. FriendFinder-X
FriendFinder-X gives gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender men the chance to find romance in their area. The hookup site excels at connecting singles and couples who have similar sexual desires, and its live chat rooms often lead to stimulating sexual encounters in the real world. Anyone interested in meeting hot men can create a profile for free on FriendFinder-X and start chatting guys up.
- Singles, couples, and groups across the spectrum of sexuality
- Free membership includes unlimited profile browsing
- Helping millions of gay men hook up
- Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free »
Finally, FriendFinder-X is a sexually liberating adult dating site where gay singles can seek no-strings-attached sex, threesomes, and other casual arrangements. All a gay guy has to do is create a dating profile as a “man seeking men,” come up with a sexy username, and start browsing local singles.
Adults of every sexual orientation and gender identity have unleashed their promiscuous side on FriendFinder-X.
A free member can scroll through a virtually endless list of sexy photos and livestream videos. Paid subscribers have full access to instant messaging and video chat tools as well. This discreet hookup site doesn’t require people to use their real names in the dating profiles or personal ads, so a single gay man can stay anonymous and in the closet while soliciting sex from hot guys.
Which Gay Dating App is Best?
There are a lot of online dating sites out there. In 2013, experts estimated there were over 8,000 dating sites in the world, with thousands more launching every day. Of course, not all these sites are going to be the right option for gay singles. Lesbian dating apps, for instance, are obviously unsuitable for a single gay man.
Identifying the best gay dating app can be exceedingly difficult, especially if you’ve never tried online dating before and don’t know anyone who has. Fortunately, our dating experts have done the legwork and tested out hundreds of gay dating websites and gay dating apps, so they can recognize the winners from the losers. And Grindr is a definite win.
Grindr became the world's first gay geosocial app in 2009, and it continues growing its all-male user base more than a decade later. The app uses real-time GPS data to locate nearby date prospects and give gay and bisexual singles a chance to connect while they're out on the town.
- Social networking for gay, bi, trans, and queer men
- Location-based matches spark instant chemistry
- Grindr Equality advocates for LGBTQ+ interests on the global stage
- Browse Grindr profiles 100% free »
Grindr has millions of active members, and it is one of the best-known dating apps for gay men. While gay dating apps like SCRUFF play catch up, Grindr continually introduces men to one another and earns its reputation as the fastest and easiest way to get cute gay guys to like you. You can create a free Grindr account to start matching and chatting, so you can see what all the fuss is about.
Does eharmony Have Gay Dating?
Yes, eharmony is a premium dating site with options for gay, lesbian, and straight singles. Originally, the dating platform (which, as it happens, was founded by a Christian theologian) was for straight people only, and the company argued that it was meant to strengthen marriage, and gay couples could not get married in the U.S., so it was reasonable to keep gay and lesbian singles out.
However, that is no longer true — the U.S Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015 — and eharmony has opened its doors to the LGBT community. Its gay population isn’t all that extensive or impressive right now, but it is growing as more gay singles seeking a long-term relationship turn to the well-known dating platform.
Controversy aside, eharmony’s psychology-based technology can bring compatible gay partners together, and it can still be effective for marriage-minded men who want to make meaningful connections in the LGBT community.
Are Dating Websites Dangerous?
No, free gay dating sites are no more dangerous than meeting a new person at a bar, in a coffee shop, or at the grocery store. As long as you vet each potential date, perhaps set up a one-on-one video chat, and meet in a public place on your first date, you should be able to avoid online romance scams and spot fake profiles. It may also be a good idea to do a little cyber research on a social networking app to see if your date is telling the truth about who he/she is.
You should obviously look for criminal histories and secret families, but you can also verify the person’s education, occupation, and location via social media sites.
“There are times when researching someone online before meeting them can spare you from a dead-end date,” said Scott Valdez, Founder and President of ViDA.
Is OkCupid Really Free?
Yep. OkCupid is really, truly, actually, and wholly free. You can chat for as long as you like and never pay a cent. Take it from me, I created my OkCupid account six years ago, and have used it sporadically to go on dozens of dates and land one long-term relationship.
A gay man can send messages to any guy he fancies on OkCupid. The gay chat app allows users to send a profile like and one message to an attractive person, but the conversation window will only unlock if that person sends a like or message in return. The app’s live messaging system is free, and it comes with smart compatibility ratings to help local singles find the perfect match.
In 2004, OkCupid's founders decided to create a fool-proof formula for love, and they launched a free dating site to delve into what personal attributes made relationships work. OkCupid members can send unlimited messages for free. It's easy to discover mutual interests and compatibility on the platform's information-rich dating profiles.
- Free, unlimited communication for everyone
- Singles can swipe or search for a compatible date
- Over 91 million connections every year
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free »
While OkCupid supports unlimited free communication, it does have some paid features a single gay man should know about. Singles can boost their profiles in the search results and view their likes by upgrading to OkCupid’s A-List. This subscription is a good option if you’re not getting fast enough results with the free gay dating service and want to hurry things along.
The Best Gay Dating Sites Know How to Get it Done
Gay dating websites can be a game changer for gay guys who don’t have a lot of date options in their classes, offices, friend groups, or daily lives. The most popular gay dating sites can help break the ice and give you direct access to LGBTQ+ singles throughout your city, state, and country.
Whether you’re looking for a gay dating website or a gay hookup app, the online dating scene has a lot of LGBTQ+ friendly options available.
Every gay app and site on this list is free to join, so a gay, bisexual, or queer person doesn’t have to pay cash to meet men in the gay community. By browsing a gay dating website, a gay guy can come into his own and make meaningful connections that could lead to a casual hookup or a long-term relationship. You never know until you try!
