The rise of online dating has positively impacted trans singles seeking a new beginning and new connections. Transgender dating sites have become incredibly popular and effective places to connect with singles in the LGBTQ+ community. In a 2016 study, 65% of transgender men and women said they have used a dating website or app to meet people.
What’s more, a Tinder survey revealed that 80% of LGBTQ+ adults agree that online dating is a good thing for their community, and 52% said dating sites and apps make it easier for them to be themselves.
The mainstream dating scene has become more trans-friendly over the years as Western society becomes more accepting of people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. Nowadays, trans singles have more avenues through which to date (this includes the best transgender dating sites on this list) while protecting their personal privacy and safety, and that’s a net win for everyone.
Best Overall Transgender Dating Sites
Transgender dating can be complicated for a lot of reasons. Trans singles have to decide when and how to come out to potential dates, who are hopefully not creeps, bullies, or homophobes. It can also be difficult for a transgender person who is transitioning to find photos that reflect who they’re becoming, rather than who they used to be.
If you’re entering the online dating scene as a trans person, consider us an ally and a guide on that journey. We’ve assessed the most popular dating sites (and apps) and ranked them in order of trans-friendliness.
1. Match
Match.com has come a long way since it launched in April 1995. This well-reputed dating site has honed its match algorithm to identify long-term compatibility and facilitate countless first dates, serious relationships, and successful marriages. Match's esteemed dating experts go to great lengths to guide singles to a seriously good match.
- Match is the world's longest running dating site
- The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
- Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages
- Browse Match profiles 100% free
The best dating site for transgender singles also happens to be the best dating site for cisgender singles: Match.com. Since 1995, Match has championed the future of serious relationship building, and its match algorithm is responsible for countless happy couples.
A transgender person can create a free Match account and identify yourself as trans in the Summary section, but some trans single people choose to keep a low profile, so to speak, and talk about their gender identity and sexual orientation in private chats.
There is zero pressure to out yourself or subscribe to the online dating site before you’re ready, and you can even hide your dating profile as you survey your options on Match.com. If anyone bothers you, be sure to block the profile and report them to Match so the moderators can take appropriate action (as in, kick those jerks off the site).
2. eharmony
Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has endeavored to find the formula for love. Its 32-dimension personality test uses psychological truths to identify areas of compatibility between two individuals. The dating site's mission is to foster relationships that last, and every potential match has a reason behind it.
- Over 2 million people have found love here
- Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
- Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free
When it launched in 2000, eharmony wasn’t gay-friendly, much less trans-friendly, but this premium dating site has evolved a lot in the last few years, and it now welcomes people in the LGBTQ+ community.
The eharmony matchmaking process is unrivaled in the online dating scene. The dating website uses a mixture of psychology and science to measure 32 dimensions of compatibility and create a love formula. Singles can take an 80-question quiz and receive a breakdown of their personality and compatibility with other members.
When it comes to finding a life partner, whether they’re cis or transgender, eharmony is there to support you every step of the way. We’ve helped over 2 million couples find love, with a new match being made every 14 minutes. Each success story on eharmony illustrates the profound impact online dating can have on people searching for their soulmate.
MyTransgenderDate is on a mission to create an inclusive and safe space for trans dating. Its members identify across the sexuality spectrum, and they all agree that trans singles are just as worthy of love and devotion as anybody. Launched in 2013, the site began in Asia and expanded worldwide to support and celebrate the transgender community.
- Photo verification requiring a live selfie.
- 24/7 active moderation to keep out hate speech and harassment.
- Available in 12 languages and 190 countries.
- Browse MyTransgenderDate profiles 100% free
MyTransgenderDate was launched in 2013 by a couple who understand the stigma and challenges of trans dating. The niche website began in Asia and has since expanded to the U.S., Europe, and South America.
Its network reaches 190 countries, and it is still growing in popularity in the LGBTQ+ dating scene.
Trans singles can feel safe and respected on this dating site. This isn’t some fetish site, but a real place to meet and build relationships. It doesn’t cost anything to create a profile and search for matches by age range, distance, interests, physical traits, and other characteristics.
4. OkCupid
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
OkCupid has been a pioneer in the online dating world since its launch in 2014. It was the first major dating site to create a companion dating app, and it has perfected a match algorithm based on a virtually endless personality quiz (over 4,000 questions and counting).
Then, in 2014, OkCupid made headlines by introducing 22 gender options and 13 orientation options to its dating profiles. OkCupid’s gender options include transgender, transfeminine, transmasculine, transsexuel, trans woman, and genderfluid. This dating app has created a forum where a transgender person and other LGBTQ+ singles can be themselves and pick up dates, and that’s a pretty major shift for the mainstream dating world.
“My OkCupid transition has been a bit of a rocky one,” wrote trans single Torraine Futurum in a HuffPost article. “But I haven’t given up hope.”
Plenty of Fish prides itself on being one of the best dating sites for conversations. It supports 100% free and unlimited messaging for over 120 million monthly users in 20 countries. Since its launch in 2003, Plenty of Fish has developed a science-based matching system that has proven successful.
- Free registration, searches, and messaging
- The Chemistry Test creates a compatibility framework
- Over 1 billion messages sent per month
- Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free
Plenty of Fish is a free dating site and app where singles can send as many messages as they want without paying for a subscription or creating mutual matches.
Chatty singles of all orientations enjoy using Plenty of Fish because it’s a low-pressure environment with a lot of communication tools. The online dating site and app see over 17 million messages exchanged in the average day.
POF is an inclusive space with over 150 million members in 20 countries, and it makes over 57 million introductions each week. If you’re a trans man or a trans woman seeking a friendly chat room, this free dating platform will be just the thing.
6. Tinder
In 2012, Tinder pioneered a swiping-based match system that empowered singles to connect with dates who liked them back. Tinder users can message their mutual matches for free on this fast-paced dating app. Since its launch, Tinder has created over 100 billion matches worldwide.
- 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
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free
When Tinder launched in 2012, the dating app caused quite a stir with its swiping technology, and then it made headlines again in 2016 when it added 37 gender options to its dating profile.
Within a year of opening its doors to the transgender community, Tinder created over 13 million non-binary matches around the world. The app currently sees over 2 billion views a day and arranges over 1.5 million dates per week.
Tinder has received some complaints from trans singles who said their profiles were flagged as fake or inappropriate or that they’ve encountered bullies on the app. However, the dev team has worked hard to create trans-inclusive features and safety policies to help a trans single swipe, match, and date just like everyone else.
7. 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
In 2014, Bumble positioned itself as the female-friendly alternative to superficial swiping apps, and it encouraged women to take control of their dating experiences by making the first move in a conversation.
When the Bumble dating app creates an opposite-sex match, it gives First Move privileges to the woman — including a trans person who identifies as a woman. If she does not send a first message within 24 hours (or 48 if the man chooses to extend), the chat window will disappear permanently.
Bumble is a notably progressive dating app, but it unfortunately does not have a transgender option at this time. However, some trans singles have used some creative ways to come out in their bios and let potential matches know where they stand.
Best LGBT Transgender Dating Sites
Gender identity and sexual orientation are two completely different things, and it’s not uncommon for someone who identifies as a trans person to also identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or none of the above. Wherever you fall on the sexuality spectrum, you can find a dating site or app that embraces that.
Here are a few trustworthy LGBTQ+ platforms for a transgender individual who fits in the men-seeking-men and women-seeking-women category.
8. MenNation
Since 1996, MenNation has connected over 93 million men around the globe. This men-only dating site measures its success by the number of conversations and dates it facilitates with its intuitive matching system. Gay men love having a site to call their own, and its helpful features keep members engaged and entertained as they look for a hot date.
- 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
- Browse MenNation profiles 100% free
MenNation is an all-male hookup site for gay, bisexual, trans, and questioning singles and couples. Your only option is “looking for men,” so it’s a pretty straightforward place to meet dudes who want to have sex.
Tens of thousands of men hunt for dates on MenNation, and the no-holds-barred atmosphere appeals to a free-thinking and sexually active crowd.
This sex-forward transgender dating site can facilitate a sexual encounter between a trans man and a gay or bisexual partner.
9. 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
HER has empowered single womxn in the LGBTQ+ community to come out of their shells and build meaningful relationships both online and offline.
Over 15 million lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer womxn have created profiles on HER, and all of them have been verified as authentic.
The Community Guidelines urge HER members to be respectful, inclusive, and supportive as they send messages, comment on posts, and create events. HER has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying and harassment, so a transgender woman can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy a friendly dating space.
10. Grindr
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
Since 2009, Grindr has become one of the most popular gay dating apps out there. It has created safe and private avenues for men to explore their sexuality and form same-sex relationships, and over 27 million guys have joined the fun so far.
Grindr is designed for men seeking men, and it uses location-based matching to help guys find local dates. Many trans men have had some good luck on Grindr because singles on this hookup app are more open to dating people with different gender expressions and sexual orientations.
If you’re a transgender man seeking a sexual encounter, you can’t go wrong swiping on this free transgender and gay dating app.
Best Transgender Dating Sites for Hookups
True love isn’t on everyone’s agenda. Sometimes an anonymous hookup app is enough to satisfy singles and couples in the dating scene. Here are a few sex-positive dating sites and apps where people are up for pretty much anything.
11. NaughtyCharm
NaughtyCharm invites singles to walk on the wild side and explore their sexuality in a fun, free-wheeling environment. This adults-only dating site is full of flirty photos, and many profiles go by a nickname because they prefer to leave some things to the imagination. Premium subscribers get the most bang for the buck because they can send messages, browse incognito, and receive alerts when their messages have been read by someone special.
- Sexually active adults in 10 countries
- Browse the Like Gallery for hot singles
- Stimulate conversation in intimate private messages
- Browse NaughtyCharm profiles 100% free
NaughtyCharm tops our list of hookup sites because it’s safe, it’s free, and it’s full of horny singles.
You will have to identify as either a man or woman when you sign up to NaughtyCharm, but you can write a status or photo caption where you come out to potential dates. Just be aware that a lot of NaughtyCharm users are more interested in looking at photos than reading profiles, so you may have to come out again as things progress in your private chats.
It’s completely free to browse transgender personals and arrange a sexual encounter in private chats, so you can spice up your dating experience with a NaughtyCharm membership.
In 1996, Friend Finder Networks began harnessing the power of online networking to help adults meet sexually active singles in their area, and it has now grown into a global X-rated phenomenon with over 93 million profiles. Adult Friend Finder provides a safe, anonymous dating platform where singles and swingers can hook up with another.
- Among the largest online sex and swinger communities
- Completely free no-obligation registration
- Live chat rooms and discussion forums open 24/7
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free
Adult Friend Finder is a trans-friendly hookup site where newcomers can identify as TS/TV/TG (which means transsexual, transvestite, or transgender), and they can also say if they’re looking for someone who is TS/TV/TG.
Over 100 million people have joined the AFF community since the 1990s, and its active members are on the prowl for hot dates, threesomes, orgies, and other sexual encounters.
AFF is an anonymous place to explore your feelings and fantasies. The dating forums have more than 170,000 groups, including ones for transgender community, and discussions definitely tend toward X-rated content.
13. FriendFinder-X
FriendFinder-X specializes in delivering hot dates to your inbox. For the last 20+ years, this hookup site has amassed a huge following around the world and led to countless sexy encounters. Millions of people have created an account and searched for singles, couples, and groups who can satisfy their deepest desires.
- Open to casual daters in the U.S. and abroad
- Free members can browse profiles and watch sexy videos
- Chat anonymously in the forum or private messages
- Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free
FriendFinder-X welcomes transgender men and trans women who want to flirt, date, and get laid.
A free FriendFinder-X membership includes unlimited browsing and search filters by location, age, gender, and orientation. You can also send likes to gauge someone’s interest before striking up a conversation. Whether you’re a transgender man or a transsexual woman, you can come out to people in this open-ended chat room.
As one of the best transgender dating sites, FriendFinder-X helps singles and couples find local sex partners who share similar fetishes and kinks.
What Does Transgender Mean?
Being transgender means your gender identify or gender expression is different from the sex you were assigned at birth. Some people were born with the biological parts of a male, but they identify as female — or vice versa. Some transgender people identify as non-binary or genderqueer, which means they identify as neither male nor female.
“I hope coming out means that you might affirm my identity, so I can more fully accept myself.” — Amy Ko, a tenured professor
Transgender people often change their birth names and dress according to their gender identity, and they can sometimes seek to change their bodies to match what they feel and how they see themselves on the inside.
“Everyone — transgender or not — has a gender identity,” according to a TransEquality post. “Most people never think about what their gender identity is because it matches their sex at birth.”
What’s the Difference Between Transgender and Transsexual?
A lot of people confuse the terms “transgender” and “transsexual” because they are similar, and they can sometimes — not always — apply to the same person.
Transgender is an umbrella term for anyone who identifies with a different gender than the one assigned at birth.
Transsexual is a medical term meaning someone who is physically transitioning to a different gender by taking hormones or undergoing surgeries. The term “transsexual” is less common in the LGBTQ+ scene, but some people do identify with it. Others just call themselves transgender and leave it at that.
Are Paid Dating Sites Better?
For those in the trans community, paid dating sites might be a better choice because they serve as a form of quality control. Many people who aren’t serious about finding someone or lack the funds to pay for a dating site tend to stick to free platforms, where inappropriate behavior like sending unsolicited explicit photos is more common.
On a paid dating site or app, you can escape the riffraff and meet more civilized folk. Well, civilized-ish — this is still online dating we’re talking about.
What is the Most Successful Dating Site?
The most successful dating site depends on who you are and what you’re looking for. Straight folks can go on Tinder and find dates aplenty. Gay guys love Grindr for its fast matching tools. Match has created more relationships than any other dating service.
However, transgender singles have had mixed experiences on these popular dating apps, and success is by no means guaranteed.
“For the past three years, Tinder has been my gateway into online dating as a transgender woman,” writes Janelle in an eye-opening article. “There’s no magical combination of spark, chemistry, and attraction. I seem to only be attracted to guys who are no good for me.”
Transgender dating sites can be tricky because they either don’t have a very large user base, or they can attract creeps who fetishize and prey on trans women. Transgender model Corey Rae has called out trans sites for “keeping transgender people at arm’s length” and making it seem as if they don’t belong in the mainstream dating world.
If you find a trans platform with good reviews, it could be worth trying to see if you have a greater sense of belonging or feel safer or more attractive.
The Transdr dating app has gained momentum in the last couple years and brought many trans people together. As a pay-to-chat app, it offers a safe, trans-friendly space to meet people who are open to dating MTF or FTM singles. Read our full review here.
Is a Transgender Dating Site Safe?
You’ve probably noticed that this list includes mostly mainstream dating sites where transgender individuals have to mingle with cis folks. That’s because most trans-only dating sites offer more headaches than helpful matches, and sometimes these so-called ladyboy sites and apps treat dating transgender people as a fetish.
Now, this isn’t the case across the board — apps like Transdr and sites like TGPersonals give us hope for the transgender community’s dating future — but we’d urge a transgender individual to be wary about joining a niche dating site or app because it may not have your best interests at heart.
Transgender dating sites are relatively safe to try as long as you don’t give away too much personal information and vet your first dates thoroughly before meeting in person.
It’s better to be safe than sorry because transgender singles encounter more harassment and violence than any other group in the online dating scene. It’s an unfortunate fact, but one you can overcome by choosing the right upstanding platform that will have your back.
Dating Sites Can Help Trans Singles Find Love & Acceptance
The online dating world might seem daunting for trans singles, but there are supportive communities and safety nets that can turn the experience into a positive one. The best transgender dating sites empower you to take charge of your dating life and find your tribe — and perhaps even a long-term partner.
Hopefully, the transgender dating sites and apps on this list can help you get what you want out of the mainstream dating scene. Thanks to modern technology, trans singles don’t have to segregate themselves or hide from the dating world, so go boldly, live kindly, and love openly. Good luck!
