Key Takeaways
Our team of seasoned experts have created profiles on the top dating apps to see which ones actually work for single men.
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The overall best dating app for men is Match.
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The best senior app for men is OurTime.
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The best hookup apps for men is Ashley Madison.
Single guys can struggle to find genuine dates on their own, so we’ve put together a list of the best dating apps for men to make the search a little easier.
Our experts have tested, reviewed, and ranked the top names in the dating industry. And then we sorted the best dating apps into categories to take the unique views and interests of today’s single men into consideration.
If you’re looking to save time and get results, you should consider downloading some of these highly efficient and popular dating apps for men.
Best Overall Dating Apps for Men
Online dating is rapidly becoming the go-to way to meet single women because it’s easy, fast, simple, and effective. More engaged people (about 30%) now meet their partner online than in school or through friends. Here are some great apps to get started!
1. Match
Since 1995, Match has made a name for itself as one of the most successful dating platforms in the world. The site empowers singles to find compatible dates and make a deep connection based on shared interests and lifestyles. Match.com is responsible for countless love stories, and the next one could be yours.
- Find quality women with advanced search filters
- Communicate with your Top Picks for free
- Add up to 26 photos to your profile
- Browse Match profiles 100% free »
Match is a leading dating service with 30+ years of success in the industry. The dating platform has particularly excelled at sparking long-term relationships grounded in deep compatibility.
Pros
- Pretty even gender split
- Compatibility matching
- Free messaging with matches
Cons
- No video features
- Not all search filters are free
According to Match demographics, its core user is a well-educated professional between 30 and 49 years old. The gender breakdown is about even, which is a great benefit for men who usually outnumber 2:1 on dating apps.
Match provides personality-driven matchmaking that starts with a detailed profile creation process and is bolstered by smart match recommendations. All members who are in each other’s match lists can chat for free.
2. eharmony
When it comes to long-term relationships, eharmony doesn't mess around. This dating website has crafted a time-tested matchmaking formula that identifies key personality traits and areas of compatibility. It provides hard data on how you stack up against potential dates and delivers a curated list of match recommendations to your inbox every day.
- Over 2.3 million messages sent every week
- Match formula pinpoints compatibility in lifestyle, temperament, and goals
- Relatively even gender split of men and women
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free »
A team of psychologists devised the formula that made eharmony a household name. The dating website and app feature an in-depth personality assessment that asks multiple-choice questions ranging from “How would your friends describe you?” to “Why are you single?”
Pros
- Personality profiles
- Compatibility assessments
- Mature dating pool
Cons
- Lengthy signup
- Some photos blurred for free members
The eharmony quiz is a great opportunity to put some thought into your dating motives and relationship values. It helps to be genuine in your answers because they’ll be the basis of your compatibility breakdown. No one will see your actual quiz question responses.
I tend to recommend eharmony to my guy friends who are looking for real love and feel tired of swiping. eharmony doesn’t do snap judgments. It has long profiles full of insights about how a person lives, what they enjoy, and what type of partnership they’re after.
3. OkCupid
OkCupid inspires dates and relationships by identifying specific areas of compatibility. The dating site and app has an endless questionnaire that allows single men to express who they are and what matters to them. OkCupid uses this treasure trove of information to generate highly accurate match recommendations and compatibility ratings.
- Men can leave a message to anyone they fancy
- A sophisticated match algorithm developed by Harvard math majors
- The site and app facilitate over 50,000 dates every week
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free »
OkCupid is a free dating app with an in-depth personality test, interactive matching games, and detailed compatibility analysis. Basically, it has everything a single guy needs to find a local date and get into a casual or serious relationship.
Pros
- Free intro messages and replies
- Opt-in quiz questions
- Open to poly, queer, and long-distance dating
Cons
- Users have mixed intentions
- No videos or voice notes
- Hard for men to get attention
When it launched in 2004, OkCupid promised to upgrade the traditional online dating service by adding a lot of personalization tools and relevant data to its advanced algorithm. As a result, OkCupid now boasts being one of the most inclusive and engaging dating apps around.
Seriously, gay men, straight men, queer men, and everyone in between can use OkCupid for free and find lots of dating profiles that meet their standards.
BlackPeopleMeet is a go-to dating site for Black and biracial singles in North America. The platform's simple yet powerful matching system has led to many successful first dates as well as countless relationships and marriages. Whether you're looking for something serious or something casual, BlackPeopleMeet can hook you up with its match recommendations list.
- Find women who share similar backgrounds and goals
- Over 1.5 million monthly users in the U.S. and Canada
- Virtual gifts, match alerts, boost visibility, and other perks
- Browse BlackPeopleMeet profiles 100% free »
BlackPeopleMeet launched in 2002 to promote the interests of Black singles in the U.S. and Canada. The dating website and its companion app have proven to be a champion for diversity and inclusion, so we highly recommend giving it a try, no matter what color your skin is.
Single men should appreciate that women are actually in the majority here. It’s not as difficult to get noticed in this smaller, more niche dating pool.
Pros
- Easy signup process
- Free to chat with matches
- Trustworthy profile verification
Cons
- Mixed intentions
- Smaller user base
- Must pay for ethnicity filters
The BPM community boasts having millions of members who come from different cultural backgrounds yet share a common desire to date a person of color. The platform allows everyone from jazz lovers to woke warriors to come together in the name of Black love and interracial dating.
5. Tinder
Tinder gives singles a fast and fun way to mix things up online. The dating app's motto is "Single is a terrible thing to waste," and its swiping system encourages singles to explore the dating scene without making any big commitments. Tinder is free to download.
- Connect with attractive women near you
- Free chat and matching features
- Responsible for over 100 billion matches to date
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free »
I know you’ve probably heard of Tinder. It’s a remarkably popular dating app that invented swipe-based matching.
Pros
- Popular and diverse dating pool
- Quick and simple swiping
Cons
- Swipe fatigue
- Not great for senior dating
- Must pay to see who likes you
Since its launch in 2012, the Tinder app has been downloaded over 630 million times and created over 100 billion matches. Now, all those choices are a bit of a double-edged sword for men. You’ll need to be at the top of your game to get a woman to message you back.
Tinder has perfected the art of fast introductions. Yes, the swiping is a bit surface-level, but it gets things moving. Every week, Tinder users go on approximately 1.5 million dates.
6. Bumble
Since its launch in 2014, Bumble has positioned itself as one of the queens of the online dating world. The dating app turns gender stereotype on its head by empowering women to make the first move in a conversation with a man. Once you've made that mutual match, you have up to 48 hours to respond and make a connection.
- A feminist dating app puts singles on equal footing
- 60% of Bumble matches turn into dates
- Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF spark non-romantic connections
- Browse Bumble profiles 100% free »
Bumble prides itself on being the world’s first feminist dating app, but that doesn’t mean it’s only good for women. Men can be feminists too, and any dating ecosystem that benefits straight women will naturally benefit straight men as well.
Pros
- Matches chat for free
- More progressive dating vibes
- Some IRL events in big cities
Cons
- Matches disappear after 72 hours
- Free membership is limited
A lot of single guys have said they like that Bumble has great quality profiles, and its matching system ensures that chats only occur when the interest is mutual.
“Bumble has a higher quality of women than Tinder, at least from my perspective,” one single guy said on Reddit. “I’m not desperate and want someone who puts in equal effort, so I’m not going to play chase when the woman is a stranger.”
Plenty of Fish is great for single men who are ready to get off the sidelines and into the action. The dating site offers 100% free communication for everyone, so nothing holds you back from a new connection. Chatty POF users send over 1 billion messages per month here, and the database is constantly expanding to include more active daters worldwide.
- Send unlimited messages to single women online
- Membership includes a free Relationship Chemistry Predictor
- Dating forums offer guidance along the way
- Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free »
Plenty of Fish (aka POF) has one major thing in its favor: this dating app is 100% free from start to finish. It’s free to join. It’s free to make matches. And it’s free to chat with any member.
Pros
- Free messaging for all members
- Casual dating environment
Cons
- Men outnumber women
- Not all profiles have photos
The only restriction is that POF members can only send 55 messages per 24-hour period. Sending more than that is just greedy anyway.
A POF membership can offer a wonderful boost to a single man’s dating life. He can swipe in a database containing over 150 million profiles, and he can strike up a conversation with any person he desires. POF has a personality test to help foster favorable matches, but it also offers search filters to further narrow the local dating pool.
Best Senior Dating Apps for Men
As you get older, you may gain more clarity about who you are and what you want in your life, but you may not have as many opportunities to meet people in your age group. That’s where senior dating apps come in.
8. OurTime
OurTime is powered by People Media, so it has a vast singles network to draw from when suggesting potential love interests. Over 1 million subscribers have used this platform to land first dates and build meaningful connections. OurTime caters to singles over 50 and takes the guesswork out of online dating with its smart matching features.
- Mature men have plenty of date prospects available
- Send women likes, flirts, faves, messages, and virtual gifts
- ConnectMe facilitates private conversations over the phone
- Browse OurTime profiles 100% free »
OurTime encourages romantic connections between senior singles who feel young at heart. The over-50 dating platform has over 8.9 million members and sees 600,000 monthly visits.
Pros
- Safe space for older daters
- Free to message your matches
- Detailed profiles
Cons
- No video or voice chat
- Fewer rural profiles
OurTime launched in 2017 to support love at any age. Its real-time chat and voice messaging features have helped countless singles to get to know one another while staying within their comfort zone.
Members can chat with their matches for free, and the app offers personalized guidance when it comes to match suggestions and icebreaker questions.
9. SeniorMatch
A good woman is just click away on SeniorMatch. This senior-friendly dating site has thousands of active members and offers free chat features to help get the ball rolling. Single men who want to find romance and love can join SeniorMatch today.
- Create an account and search for senior women profiles
- Limited free messaging
- Send winks or add to hotlist to show your interest
- Browse SeniorMatch profiles 100% free »
SeniorMatch started in 2003 as a small dating pool for senior singles, and it has since expanded to encompass over 2.3 million members in the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K., and several other countries.
Pros
- Has more women than men
- Verified profiles
Cons
- Free members can only reply to messages
- Smaller dating pool
Senior men can rest assured that SeniorMatch will provide many avenues to romance. The app has private and group messaging options, and mobile users can search the database by location, interest, activity, or background.
SeniorMatch has collected more than 36,000 success stories from its members.
One testimonial reads, “We are dating and enjoying our moments together. Clearly found the love of my life. We will take our time and let it grow to the next level, engagement! Thank you Senior Match for this wonderful adventure.”
Best Gay Dating Apps for Men
Men in the LGBTQ+ community can run into a lot of dead ends on mainstream dating apps where straight people are in the majority. Fortunately, gay-friendly apps have become popular alternatives. A gay dating app can offer a rainbow of date options for men who identify as gay, bisexual, or queer.
10. MenNation
MenNation allows gay, bisexual, and bi-curious men to explore relationships with hot guys in their area. Thanks to its global network, MenNation can connect members to date prospects all over the world, but its location-based searches facilitate local connections as well. Single men and gay couples can join MenNation for free to see what their options are in the online dating scene.
- A flirtatious all-men network spans the globe
- Anonymous chatting via text and video
- Send emails, flirts, gift certificates, and voice messages
- Browse MenNation profiles 100% free »
Decades ago, MenNation established a guys-only sex network to empower men seeking men online. It has been a fabulous success so far and has attracted millions of gay guys around the world.
Pros
- Sex-positive hookup site
- Naked pics and sex videos
- Age verification is required
Cons
- Not all profiles have photos
- Paywalls on live video streaming
MenNation offers a totally anonymous online dating experience. You do not have to download an app, provide your real name, or even upload a photo to become a member.
All that’s required is a valid email address and a healthy sexual attitude. MenNation members know what they want, and it’s not to waste time on small talk. Don’t be surprised if a gay man starts sexting within minutes of saying hello.
11. Grindr
When Grindr launched in 2009, mobile dating was just taking off, and the app's men-only, location-based matching system caught people's notice. Today, Grindr is one of the most popular gay dating apps in the world. To date, over 27 million men have created profiles on Grindr.
- A men-only dating app reaches 192 countries
- Find dates that are just a few feet away
- Moderators review every photo and dating profile
- Browse Grindr profiles 100% free »
In 2009, Grindr became one of the first dating apps to realize the power of location-based matchmaking. It also happened to be among the first gay dating apps on the scene. Grindr has since become known as a highly rated gay dating app where men can find a late-night friend just around the corner.
Pros
- All male membership
- Local profile swiping
Cons
- Free membership is limited
- Some superficial matches
Grindr currently has over 27 million members around the world. Users have an age range from 18 to 80, but the majority of Grindr users identify as Gen Zers or millennials.
It’s worth noting that free members will not be able to search for dates in other cities, and they won’t have access to filters by religion or politics. Grindr Xtra comes with these perks, and it removes ads from the app.
Best Hookup Apps for Men
Let’s be real, some guys aren’t interested in settling down with a wife. Some men just want to have fun playing the field and enjoying no-string-attached sex whenever they want. The horniest adults can skip all pretenses by joining a hookup app where everyone is open to sexual exploration.
12. Ashley Madison
Ashley Madison took the dating world by storm in 2001 by allowing married people to anonymously flirt and date. Today, the dating site and app boast having over 91 million users around the world. Whether you're single, married, or in an it's-complicated situation, Ashley Madison will have your back from first match to first date.
- Judgment-free space for finding a discreet date
- Blur or mask yourself in profile pictures
- Mark yourself as "Traveling" to arrange dates on the go
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Ashley Madison is a sultry step away from the mainstream. Its main selling point is as a dating platform for secret romances or affairs. If you’re dating on the down low, Ashley Madison can make the introductions and keep your secrets.
Pros
- Real names and photos not required
- Discreet app icon
- Great for no-strings dating
Cons
- Imbalanced gender ratio
- Need credits for full chatting
Ashley Madison doesn’t require people to browse under their real names or get too detailed about their personal lives. Members can identify how privacy-focused they are and even blur or mask their faces in photos to keep a little mystery alive.
All women can chat for free on Ashley Madison, while men have limited free chatting before they need to pay for credits to reply. I actually think this is a good thing for guys because it lessens the competition for female attention and shows clear intent when you show up in her inbox.
13. Victoria Milan
Victoria Milan is a married dating site where affairs happen with no one being the wiser. It lets members mask their face, keep personal details hidden, and flirt anonymously by sending a wink or favoriting a profile. This discreet space embraces people looking to date in secret, and it has attracted over 5 million members and counting!
- Anonymity tools to hide faces in profile pictures
- Travel dating tools widen the match pool
- Over 16,000 new members joining every day
- Browse Victoria Milan profiles 100% free »
Victoria Milan is an affair dating site with discreet browsing and chat tools. It offers straightforward search filters by age, city, hair color, eye color, family life, availability, and other important characteristics.
Pros
- Active membership of casual daters
- More female profiles than male profiles
- Lots of practical search filters
Cons
- No video features
- Flaky and skittish matches
Members don’t need to form a match to send messages to each other. However, free members are limited to sending replies only. That means a paid member will have to reach out to you first.
When I created a male profile, I received 32 messages in my first couple of weeks online, but things tapered off after that.
Victoria Milan doesn’t require photos, and it has photo editing tools to blur or mask a person’s face if they wish. The moderators automatically flag and remove any photos that are deemed false or inappropriate.
Adult Friend Finder is among the longest-running and the largest sex communities in existence with tens of millions of profiles to its name. The hookup site has over 93 million members, many of whom are actively searching for flings, threesomes, and other sexual experiences. AFF members can feel free to discuss their desires, fetishes, and sexual preferences in the live chat rooms and dating forums.
- A global community of single women and swinger couples
- More than 25 million monthly users
- Free unlimited browsing of hot profiles
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
Adult Friend Finder got into the hookup game in the 1990s, and it has been going strong ever since. Talk about stamina! The AFF community has reached 25 countries and has seen over 105 million visitors.
Pros
- Nude pics and videos
- Anonymous browsing in any city
- Free discussion forum
Cons
- Overwhelming interface
- Website only. No app for download
AFF is a trans-inclusive, sex-positive, poly-friendly, and adults-only space. Mingling here can get pretty intense. The livestreaming videos, kinky groups, and private chat rooms focus on sexual desires and fantasies.
Naked photos are allowed. Sex meetup invites are posted in the community forum. It’s a wild place for a guy to explore his sexuality.
15. FriendFinder-X
FriendFinder-X is a discreet hookup site where men, women, couples, and groups can mingle freely. It's easy to create romance in such a sinfully enjoyable atmosphere. This dating site has published millions of profiles and helped countless members turn sexual fantasies into sexual realities.
- Appeals to single men and couples looking for sex
- No long-term commitments or required upgrades
- Instant messaging, video broadcasts, and community blogs
- Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free »
Last of all, FriendFinder-X provides a straightforward channel for meeting sexy ladies and being explicit about your desires. The mobile-friendly platform does not require downloading anything. It doesn’t ask for real names either.
Pros
- Search by kinks and online now
- Galleries of X-rated content
- Free to post and comment
Cons
- Only Gold members can chat privately
- Not all profiles have pics
This casual hookup site is definitely NSFW (not safe for work) because it allows users to post nude and semi-nude photos. They can also livestream sex shows. FriendFinder-X promotes erotic blogs, discussion forums, and personal ads to help singles and couples satisfy their desires.
If you like trading sexy banter, this is a great place to go. My profile received dozens of messages that ranged from “hey” to “are you into bondage?”
How Do Dating Apps for Men Work?
If you’ve never joined a dating app before, it’s completely normal to feel a little unsure. The good news is that most dating apps are easy to navigate. They’ll have three basic steps:
- Create a profile
- View and like member profiles
- Send messages
The registration process usually begins by asking for some personal information (name, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) along with a phone number, email address, or social media login to verify your identity.
You’ll also need to upload at least one profile picture to complete your dating profile. Research suggests that profiles with clear, smiling photos tend to do better online, so skip the lazy bathroom selfie and show a little more personality, humor, and range in your photo gallery.
Once you’ve got your dating profile ready to go, you’re all set to start swiping. Most dating apps curate a list of local profiles based on similarities in interests and background.
App users can go into their Settings to adjust their dating preferences for things like age, appearance, and distance.
Dating apps like Tinder will have free chatting between mutual matches only. That means your new love interest has to approve your dating profile (by sending a like, a virtual wink, or an icebreaker greeting) to unlock the live chat window.
Some apps have limits on how long app users can chat, and you may see matches disappear after a couple weeks or months of inactivity. Remember, he who hesitates is lost!
Are Paid Dating Apps Worth It For Men?
It can be worth paying for a dating app if you’re not getting traction with a free membership. Maybe you’d benefit from some extra search filters or higher visibility. The best perk to look for on a swiping app is the ability to see who’s liked your profile. That can dramatically increase your match rate.
Here are some common paid dating app features to expect when you upgrade:
- See who’s liked you
- Profile boosts
- Incognito browsing
- More search filters
- Ability to search in other cities
- Video messaging
I think it’s fair to say that sometimes single men need a helping hand in the dating scene. A woman can create a profile, like a few profiles, and wait for the matches to come pouring in. Men will almost always need to put in more work to get the results they want. Sometimes a paid membership can close that gap nicely.
Are Dating Apps Safe for Men to Use?
Straight cisgender men typically have fewer online dating safety concerns than women and LGBTQ+ men do. A Pew Research Center poll asked American adults if they thought online dating was safe, and 61% of men agreed it was safe, while only 46% of women agreed.
Fake profiles and romance scams are among the biggest hazards encountered in the online dating world. But the good news is that many dating apps have devised ways to fight back and screen the database to keep unsavory characters out.
Online daters can spot fake profiles by looking for red flags such as not having a profile picture that shows the person’s face or not providing many personal details. A dating profile that uses broken English should raise some questions.
Look for dating apps that offer profile verification, liveness checks, or photo screening to ensure new users are who they say they are.
How Do I Go About Choosing the Best Dating App for Men?
The right dating app can make a world of difference. A man who’s looking for his wife may want to skip the frustration of swiping lists and ghosted conversations. He may find his heart’s desire on an app like eharmony that uses psychology to create smart matches.
However, a guy who’s just looking for fun chats and casual sex will likely prefer sexting apps with free swiping and chatting. It all comes down to where you feel comfortable and how much you’re willing to invest in your experience.
We’ve come up with a quiz to help individuals find the best fit:
Methodology
Our deep dive into the best dating apps for men started with creating profiles that would be representative of the typical male user. Our experts focused on evaluating how apps addressed challenges and made optimizations in the male dating experience.
The ratings we gave these apps were scored based on the following key criteria:
- Popularity: Does the app offer men plenty of diverse and active profiles?
- Features: Do the match and search tools streamline choices and reduce fatigue?
- Safety: Are there robust security measures to spot fake profiles and altered photos?
- Success Rate: Were our app testers able to get matches and messages without paying exorbitant fees?
We aim to be inclusive of all types of dating, so we separated our top apps into categories based on age, intention, and sexual orientation.
An editor fact checks and updates our content to ensure it stays relevant with new trends, app developments, and user traffic patterns.
Download a Dating App to Switch Up Your Game
Finding a date shouldn’t be an arduous and lonely quest. It should be an exciting adventure! Online dating apps can help single men come out of their shells and meet new people who share similar interests and goals.
We’ve listed the best dating apps for men who are looking for real relationships, casual dates, senior love, and everything in between.
Every single dating app and website on this list is completely free to join, so men can stop standing on the sidelines and start swiping for a compatible date. Just remember to be authentic, swipe with purpose, and have fun!
