When my friend became single again after a yearlong relationship, she texted me, “What are the best dating apps these days?”

Honestly, a lot of different answers sprang to mind. My friend was on the rebound and not looking for a commitment, so I could point her to a casual dating app. She also identifies as bisexual, so an LGBTQ+ app might also be her speed. And then a braggadocios part of me wanted to recommend the app where I met my husband.

The so-called “best dating app” depends on who you are and what you’re looking for. I took my friend’s question to heart and broke it into sections based on age, intention, and orientation to give a complete menu of all the different flavors of dating apps out there. Grab a spoon and enjoy!

Dating AppBest ForFree Chatting?Monthly UsersPopular for Ages
MatchRelationshipsYes for mutual matches15 million25–40
eharmonyCompatibility matchingNo10 million30-50
OkCupidOpen-ended datingYes3.5 million18–30
OurTimeSenior datingYes for mutual matches600,00050+
DateMyAgeCross-cultural matchesNo128,00040+
HERLesbian datingYes for mutual matches7 million18-35
MenNationGay hookupsPublic posts only780,00025-50
AdultFriendFinderSex-positive datesPublic posts only25.5 million30-45
NaughtyCharmCasual chatsLimited13.3 million18-30

Best Overall Online Dating Apps

The best dating apps have a lot going for them, and it’s just a matter of what you like. Maybe it’s important to you to find an app that has a stellar matchmaking system. Or maybe you’d just like an app that’s free. The good news is there are tons of apps out there — over 8,000 by some estimates — so you can pretty much take your pick.

1. Match

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • 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

First of all, I’ve got to hand it to Match for setting a high bar in the online dating scene. Since 1995, this dating site has streamlined the matchmaking process and put personality front and center.

When I used Match in my personal life, I chatted with a lot of different guys. I met programmers, police officers, and plumbers. They weren’t the typical swiping fare. They all were a little bit older (28+) and a little more certain about what they wanted in life.

Pros

Cons

  • No video features
  • Some search filters require payment
  • Not good for casual dates

Match offers two distinct avenues to find dates. You can set your dating parameters in the Search section and view profiles that meet your standards. Or, you could use the Discover section to quickly swipe through preselected profiles.

Pro Tip: All mutual matches can chat for free. So, if you see someone you like, don’t hesitate to say so by clicking the heart icon on the profile. The more likes you send, the more likely you are to get into conversations.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • 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

When eharmony launched in 2000, it caused quite a stir by using psychology to drive romance. Its mandatory personality test identifies key aspects of personal compatibility, including extroversion, conscientiousness, intellect, and athleticism.

Pros

  • Personalized compatibility ratings
  • Users are actively seeking a serious relationship
  • Profiles have a ton of information

Cons

  • Communication is not free
  • Fewer rural matches

As a free member, much of my time was spent reading profiles and determining if anyone seemed worth upgrading to chat. eharmony delivers a lot of helpful information, and I did see a lot of promising men, mostly in their 30s and 40s.

While eharmony is one of the priciest dating apps, costing between $40-60 a month with a minimum six-month commitment for upgrading, it’s also one of the most effective for relationships. The app offers a values-driven dating experience where you can see how you stack up with dates in terms of shared interests, lifestyles, and goals.

3. OkCupid

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0
  • Free, unlimited communication for everyone
  • Singles can swipe or search for a compatible date
  • Over 91 million connections every year

In 2004, OkCupid made waves by offering completely free and unlimited communication between all singles. The dating app operates under the motto “dating deserves better,” and in the average week, it facilitates over 50,000 dates.

OkCupid is all about keeping options open. It even has poly-friendly tags in the profile. And a sizable 52% of users said they don’t feel the need to label a relationship.

Pros

  • Completely free chats
  • Diverse, LGBTQ+ inclusive dating pool
  • Fun quiz questions

Cons

  • Some flaky profiles and ghosting
  • Users skew younger

OkCupid has an opt-in personality test and tons of search filters (you can even search by keyword) to help singles narrow a large dating pool to a few compatible individuals. It also highlights potential matches in the DoubleTake section where users swipe to like or nix the profile.

Only mutual matches can exchange messages. Otherwise, your initial message will show up with your bio when that person views your profile. It’s free to send an initial greeting to smooth the way to a conversation… just be sure to say more than just “Hi.”

4. Hinge

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.2/5.0
  • 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

I’m going to admit my bias here upfront. I used Hinge for about three years in my 20s, and I met my husband here. I freaking love this app.

At first glance, it might seem like a Tinder clone, but what caught my eye was the fact that a person has to make a specific comment or like on a specific photo or prompt on the profile. No generic swiping. It’s already a smidge more personalized from the jump.

Pros

  • Free to chat with matches
  • Engaging prompts and icebreakers
  • Voice notes

Cons

  • Mixed intentions
  • No video features

Now, this is supposed to be an app for relationships, but in my experience, it also attracts a fair share of casual daters just there for the vibes.

I will say the effort it requires to make a profile (three prompts and six photos are required) can be a big differentiator. I could see when guys took a shortcut and uploaded the same photo twice or gave one-word answers. And then others truly took the time to show different sides of themselves and maximize every space on the Hinge profile.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0

Plenty of Fish offers completely free communication, and over 4 million users log on every day to mix things up. The POF membership base includes over 150 million singles from all walks of life, and all it takes is a virtual wink to catch attention.

Pros

  • Free chats, no matches required
  • Tons of active profiles

Cons

It can be risky to offer free chatting to the entire internet of online daters, but Plenty of Fish maintains strict community guidelines to ensure things don’t get out of hand. Its golden rule is: Be kind, be respectful, be safe, and be real. Easy enough, right?

I wasn’t too shocked by anything said to me during my POF trial period. Since it didn’t require a match to chat, my inbox was a mixed bag, including men 20+ years older than me. But everyone was complimentary, and I didn’t encounter any scammers on Plenty of Fish.

6. Tinder

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • Supports active daters in 190+ countries
  • The swiping system creates over 12 million matches per day
  • Tinder Plus members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes

If you’re single and have a pulse, you’ve probably heard of Tinder. It’s easily one of the most popular dating apps out there, and a no-brainer for lists like these.

Pros

  • Free members chat with matches
  • Plenty of local profiles
  • Flexible to all dating intentions

Cons

  • Swipe fatigue
  • Photos are a big focus
  • Not good for older singles

Tinder is the dating app that pioneered swiping in 2012. Though some would argue swiping isn’t such a great thing, it has put singles firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to matching. You decide who to like (or Super Like), and, if your online crush likes you back, you can start a conversation.

The Tinder team estimates that the app leads to over 1.5 million dates per week, and it has created over 100 billion matches since its launch.

7. Bumble

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • 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

Bumble has set itself apart from other dating apps by upholding progressive feminist ideals, including gender equality, online safety, and personal responsibility.

You may already know this, but Bumble is the app that puts women first. Women have First Move Privilege when a heterosexual match is created, meaning she has 24 hours to reply or invite the other person to reply. If she does nothing, the match will disappear.

Pros

  • Popular for women
  • Strict photo guidelines
  • Free chatting with matches

Cons

  • Matches disappear quickly
  • Fewer rural options

Bumble allows either individual to send a first message in same-sex matches, so it’s not as groundbreaking as an LGBTQ+ dating app. But about 85% of its users are relationship seekers, and that’s a great starting point for any serious dater.

Bumble has challenged the status quo since its launch in 2014, and now it is expanding what a dating app can do yet again by getting rid of swiping for certain markets by the end of 2026.

Best Senior Dating Apps

People don’t typically plan on being single in their 50s, 60s, or 70s, but sometimes life takes an unexpected turn.

Today’s seniors may not feel all that lucky to be single, but they actually have it pretty good because more matchmaking tools exist now than at any point in history. The only question is how to narrow it down to the right app. I can help with that.

8. OurTime

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.4/5.0
  • Open to straight, gay, and lesbian singles over 50
  • Free match recommendations and conversation starters
  • Use Tokens to promote your profile and send virtual gifts

If you’re over 50, OurTime should be top of your list. It’s very popular in its niche, with a gender ratio that actually favors women (which is unusual for online dating). And the best part is that mutual matches chat for free.

This leading senior dating site can reinvigorate your love life with tons of chatting opportunities. Our reviewer received 33 messages on her OurTime account.

Pros

  • Affordable and intuitive
  • Most users are over 50
  • Two-factor verification required

Cons

  • Smaller membership
  • Free members can’t see views or likes

The match algorithm identifies commonalities by analyzing profile information on age, ethnicity, interests, and relationship goals. You can look in the Connections section to see who’s interested in you, or you can go to the Matches or Search tabs to seek dates yourself.

OurTime has received generally good reviews from users, and many say it’s a relief to be in a more mature dating scene.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • Local and international profile browsing
  • Let’s Mingle icebreakers & Live Chat tools
  • Advanced video chat, livestreaming, and personal clips

DateMyAge is a dating site geared toward the over-40 crowd. Profiles are a little longer. Conversations are a little deeper. And photos might have a little more gray, but they also have more life experiences to show off.

Pros

  • Quick and easy signup
  • Can search in other cities and countries
  • Video and voice note tools

Cons

  • All the add-ons can get pricey
  • Limited free communication

What struck me when using DateMyAge is how worldly the user base is. It doesn’t lock you in by location. So even though a person may live in Alabama, they can chat with singles in California, France, or China.

Automatic translation services are in place to ensure cultural differences don’t stand in the way of a heart-to-heart connection.

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.7/5.0

Since 2003, SeniorMatch has been dedicated to satisfying the romantic needs of seniors all over the world. Its central message to people over 45 is: You don’t have to be alone. And that’s definitely something we can get behind.

Pros

  • Respectful and mature members
  • Simple match tools
  • Respond to messages from paid members for free

Cons

  • Very small dating pool
  • Free members can’t initiate contact

SeniorMatch has been remarkably successful as a senior dating app. It has over 2.1 million singles in its database, and it facilitates over 1.6 million conversations every month. All in all, SeniorMatch has more than 36,600 success stories to its name, so you know you’ll be in good hands.

I’ve written a full review of SeniorMatch detailing its perks and membership stats, and we even have some promo codes in the article to give our readers a discount.

Best LGBTQ+ Dating Apps

Dating apps can open people up to a world of exploration and give the LGBTQ+ community a place where they can pursue their desires without judgment. Even if you’re in the closet IRL, you can come out and have fun on any of the following apps.

11. HER

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.5/5.0
  • A quirky and unapologetic womxn-only dating community
  • Queer events get users connecting IRL
  • The constantly updated Feed facilitates social networking

HER is a dynamic dating app made by women for women. The app supports a global community of over 15 million queer ladies, and it maintains a strict no-boys-allowed policy.

You’ll have to connect your HER account to an existing social media profile (that’s how the HER team confirms you are who you say you are), and you can pull photos from Facebook or Instagram.

Pros

  • Quick verification through social media
  • Free communication
  • Great for new friends and relationships

Cons

  • Unicorn hunters and male catfish
  • Fewer options in rural areas

HER members can browse a newsfeed of stories, photos, and events shared by local women. Many relationships have blossomed in this fun, joyful, and genuine environment.

“We are so thankful for HER for bringing so much happiness in our lives,” wrote Jasmine and Stephanie in a #WeMetOnHER story. “We are getting married in May.”

12. MenNation

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.8/5.0
  • One of the largest gay hookup sites in the world
  • Search filters for age, location, physical attributes, and more
  • Available in 12 languages and counting

MenNation is a hookup platform where single men, gay couples, and groups can seek men in the dating scene. Millions of guys have created profiles in this network, and thousands more join every month, so you’ll never run out of date options no matter how often you search.

Pros

  • Nudes allowed
  • Video streaming and community chats
  • Lots of kink-centered spaces

Cons

  • Free membership has limits
  • Can be an overwhelming interface
  • Not available in App Store

We’ve ranked MenNation among the best dating apps for gay men because it has a lot of exhilarating, X-rated content to get users in the mood.

In just four simple steps, you can create an anonymous dating profile with your age, gender identity, location, and orientation. Photos are optional, but highly encouraged. Most of the men I saw browsing there didn’t show their faces but were cavalier in revealing other body parts.

13. Grindr

Category Rating
★★★ 3.4/5.0
  • 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

If you’re a gay man, I’m sure you’ve heard about Grindr. It’s easily one of the most well-known gay dating apps, like, ever. Late-night comedian Conan O’Brien has even used Grindr to get a laugh on his show.

Pros

  • Safe space for gay dating
  • Many active users
  • Localized matching appeals to city boys

Cons

  • Extremely superficial
  • Must pay for extra search filters
  • Used more for hookups than anything else

Grindr’s claim to fame is location-based matching. A lot of gay guys on the prowl enjoy having access to local hotties who could be at the same bar or just around the corner. It’s easy to track down a hot date using the app’s simple matching and chatting system.

Since 2009, Grindr has provided gay men with a space they can call their own, and it has continued to grow thanks to its fast-working tools.

Best Hookup Apps

You can let go of your inhibitions and satisfy your desires on the best hookup apps. The following dating networks keep singles and swingers entertained and turned on with plenty of adult content. If you’re in the mood for a hookup, I recommend giving these apps a try.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0

AdultFriendFinder is an exciting dating platform where singles and swingers can get some action. Whether you want to sext online or hook up offline, you can use the AFF community as your private dating ground.

Pros

  • It’s free to comment and post an ad
  • Profiles often include raunchy pics
  • Tags for kinks and fetishes

Cons

  • Only Gold Members can send DMs
  • Must download direct from website

A free member has the ability to comment on photos and public posts, and they can also read their private messages. However, only Gold Members who pay for a monthly subscription (between $9-20 a month) can send private chats and view certain popular videos.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0

NaughtyCharm grabs attention immediately with its sexy profiles and revealing photos. You know exactly what you’re getting here, and it’s not a wholesome date that ends with a peck on the cheek.

I’d describe the dating site’s vibe as “curious and casual.” I didn’t see a ton of detail in the profiles there, but everyone had a profile picture and some demographic information to go by. Real names aren’t required, so it’s easy to stay anonymous while browsing.

Pros

  • Fast, anonymous registration
  • All profiles must have at least one photo
  • Can sort by “Online Now”

Cons

  • Messages self-destruct
  • Limits on free chatting

The search filter saves your dating preferences in terms of age, distance, appearance, and lifestyle, and you can send a mass message to everyone who meets your standards to get the ball rolling. Matches aren’t required to unlock chat windows.

Or, if you’re interested in pursuing one person at a time, you can head to the Like Gallery and answer the age-old question “Cute or Not?” based on a profile picture. If that person thinks you’re cute too, you’ll get a notification.

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.9/5.0

FriendFinder-X does exactly what its name promises. It offers search tools, kink groups, video chat rooms, and a community space to find friends with benefits and X-rated content.

Men, women, couples, and groups can create dating profiles on FriendFinder-X and make something happen in the hookup scene. Our reviewer got 64 messages in her inbox, and some even came in before she had a photo up!

Pros

  • X-rated content
  • Age verification required
  • No stigma against kinks

Cons

  • Profiles without photos
  • Free members can’t send private chats

The community section has niche groups and tags to help kinksters find their way. It’s free to post comments or ads in this space. Whether you’re interested in a one-night stand, a threesome, an affair, or an NSA connection, you can find willing playmates in this fun-loving network.

FAQs: Which Dating App is Best for Serious Relationships?

I really like Hinge as a relationship app because its profiles put personality first, and its unique swiping features encourage conversations based on shared interests. Hinge is free to use, and it has a lot of success stories to its name, including that of politician Pete Buttigieg, who met his husband on Hinge. I also met my husband there.

I’ve also got to hand it to Match for consistently pairing up couples who can go the distance. It’s very much about quality over quantity.

I met decent dates on the Match app, and I think its reputation for more serious “adult dating” deters casual daters who don’t have the patience for that sort of thing.

Of course, your experience will be different depending on where you are, who you are, and what you want, so try this quick quiz to figure out which app is your perfect match.

Which Dating App Has the Most Success?

Success is in the eye of the beholder. Tinder has created over 100 billion matches since 2012. That’s pretty impressive. Launched in 1995, Match has been in operation the longest with over three decades of matchmaking behind it. That’s nothing to sneeze at.

The Knot found in its annual survey of newlyweds that Hinge was most successful at introducing couples who would later tie the knot. Tinder was actually #2.

Meanwhile Plenty of Fish boasts being the best dating app for conversations because it sees over 1 billion messages exchanged per month. Even if not all those flirty chats lead to dates, that’s still something to be proud of.

Every dating app measures success differently. Apps like Plenty of Fish aim to spark conversations, while apps like Tinder try to arrange matches. Meanwhile, apps like Hinge and Match seek to create IRL relationships. The free apps on this list are all successful in some way…it simply depends on how you measure it.

Is Bumble Better Than Tinder?

I’ve heard this question a lot over the years. Bumble and Tinder definitely have a rivalry going, and that leaves many singles wondering which side to take. I’m on Bumble’s side.

When it launched in 2014, Bumble positioned itself as the anti-Tinder. The CEO and Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd was originally a founding member of Tinder until the bro culture, a toxic breakup, and other frustrations led her to leave the company and start her own dating app.

Bumble is a female-friendly dating app that has a similar look and feel to Tinder but with one important difference: Only women can make the first move. The Bumble team argues that this helps set a more respectful tone on the app, effectively keeping the pickup artist culture at bay.

Around 39% of Bumble users said they created an account after a marriage or long-term relationship ended.

Bumble has gotten the reputation for being a bit better for serious dating than Tinder.

But not everyone loves the women-first setup on the app. Bumble has about 6 million fewer users than Tinder. It’s a slightly smaller dating pool but one with more integrity, transparency, and heart.

If you’re looking for an egalitarian relationship, Bumble is a great place to swipe. If you’re mostly interested in hooking up, Tinder is better.

Is Tinder Good for Dating or Hooking Up?

Why can’t it go both ways? Tinder is an open-ended and all-purpose dating app that can satisfy singles seeking a hookup as well as singles seeking a relationship.

Tinder may have the reputation of a hookup app, but it has actually led to love and happily-ever-after for some fortunate swipers. A few are in my friend group! It’s not all posers seeking an ego boost.

As I mentioned earlier, Tinder was the second most popular app to lead to marriage, according to The Knot’s survey. 1 in 4 newlyweds who met online said it was Tinder that introduced them!

Methodology

Our team knows its way around a dating profile. We create a new one every time we write a review or list geared toward online daters. It’s imperative that we know how the swiping and search filters work, what the signup is like, and how many active profiles are truly on offer.

Four key components shaped our reviews and ratings for this article:

  • Pricing
  • Features
  • User Activity
  • Safety Tools

We score the apps based on our experience testing and researching these criteria. Our philosophy is that a dating app doesn’t have to be flashy, new, or incredibly famous to work. If our reviewer got positive results, that’s going to heavily influence our ranking.

Our goal is to ensure that we reward dating apps that are affordable, safe, easy to use, and actually work.

The Best Dating Apps Turn Romance Into a Fun Game

Whether you’re recently out of a relationship or have been single for a while, you can enjoy a fresh start by creating a profile on a popular dating app.

Just remember, these apps are tools, not fairy godmothers. Many free dating apps can guide users with match suggestions and filtering options, but it’s up to the individual to attract dates and build a relationship.

From creating your profile to going out on a first date, you can increase your odds of meeting someone special by picking the right app, choosing your words carefully, and being your most authentic self. Enjoy!

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