LGBTQ+ dating sites and apps have done wonders for the dating world by making a rainbow of romantic options available to anyone with an internet connection or smartphone.
A 2022 survey found that American singles who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are more likely to online date than their straight counterparts (51% vs. 28%), and they are also more likely to meet a romantic partner online. A solid 21% of LGB singles said they had gotten into a relationship or gotten married because of a dating site or app.
Singles of all orientations and gender identities can try online dating to meet like-minded people all across the spectrum of sexuality. We’ve put together a list of the most inclusive and popular dating platforms to help individuals flirt and date in the LGBTQ+ community.
Best Overall LGBTQ+ Dating Sites & Apps
No matter your sexual orientation, online dating is a fantastic way to expand your romantic possibilities and meet individuals who share your interests, values, and backgrounds. However, not all dating sites and apps support same-sex matching or non-binary daters, so it’s wise to gather information before creating a profile.
Here’s a breakdown of the top dating sites and apps for LGBTQ+ singles.
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.
- Mutual matches can chat for free
- Millions of verified dating profiles seeking something serious
- Over a dozen gender identity options
- Browse Match profiles 100% free »
Match is an online dating site geared toward serious relationship seekers. Its Dallas-based team has spent the last 25 years fine-tuning a match algorithm that works for people of all ages, backgrounds, and orientations.
The Match profile is full of good information about who you are and what you’re looking for in a potential partner. The online dating site and app ask questions like “what’s your level of education” and “how many times per week do you exercise?” and then uses that data to recommend compatible matches.
In addition to serving straight adults, Match helps gay and lesbian singles can find app users who meets their standards, and they can even send messages for free if that person happens to be in their Top Pick list.
2. 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 »
Since its launch in 2004, OkCupid has become one of the most popular and inclusive dating networks in the world. OkCupid stands out because its open-ended profile setup embraces non-binary dating, polyamorous dating, and I’m-not-sure-what-I-want dating.
In 2014, OkCupid added 22 gender options and 12 sexual orientation options to its registration process. Online daters can also supply their pronouns, set their relationship style as non-monogamous, and answer thousands of match questions to let potential matches know where they stand.
OkCupid has taken a broad, make-it-your-own approach to online dating, and its lengthy profiles provide plenty of information to help with the swiping and matching process. Every year, OkCupid is responsible for creating over 91 million matches that lead to all types of friendships and relationships.
3. HER
A lesbian named Robyn Exton founded HER because she recognized that not all dating sites and apps look out for the unique needs and interests of LGBTQ+ womxn. The HER community does a great job of connecting its users in a fun-loving and active community. Its easy social networking tools are great whether you're fully out of the closet or just starting to question your sexuality.
- Free private messaging to all mutual matches
- Post comments or send likes to connect with local lesbians
- A safe, friendly, and one-of-a-kind dating app
- Browse HER profiles 100% free »
HER is one of the few lesbian dating apps that was created by a lesbian woman. Robyn Exton was tired of trying to find the proverbial lesbian needle in the haystack on mainstream dating apps, so she designed a space exclusively for women in the LGBTQ+ community.
The HER app has over 15 million members worldwide, and all of them identify as female. This is the best dating app for a lesbian, bisexual, or queer woman seeking LGBTQ users.
HER uses Facebook verification to make sure no man slips past its radar. Straight online daters seeking threesomes not welcome in this user base. A queer woman can rest easy knowing that all posts, events, and messages on the HER dating app have been made by women seeking meaningful connections.
HER has been remarkably successful at pairing up women who vibe with each other. You can look up #WeMetOnHER on social media to hear about some of its sweetest queer love stories.
4. MenNation
MenNation boasts having one of the world's largest men-only hookup community, and it has 93 million dating profiles to back up its claim. Since 1997, this gay dating site has made inroads in the LGBTQ community and supported sexually active singles and couples who want to find a partner for the night.
- Free registration and unlimited profile browsing
- Add online crushes to the Hotlist or My Network
- Enjoy private conversations in the Message Center
- Browse MenNation profiles 100% free »
MenNation is exactly what it sounds like — an adult dating site for men only. For over 20 years, it has carved out a safe space where men don’t have to be shy about coming out of the closet and soliciting sex.
Guys tend to move pretty fast on MenNation. They can use the gay dating website’s search and chat tools to seek sexual relations with local men, and they can also stimulate their desire by watching strip tease videos and livestreams. This gay hookup site can help gay singles and couples spice up their sex life, and it doesn’t cost anything to join the fun.
5. Grindr
Grindr is one of the top dogs in the gay dating scene. It's the name everyone recognizes, and many gay men choose it as their go-to dating app. The location-based matching system satisfies the desires of guys who want to hook up on the fly.
- Among the most popular gay social networks in the world
- Men connect via private and group chats
- View nearby profiles using real-time GPS data
- Browse Grindr profiles 100% free »
Grindr made waves in 2009 as the first gay dating app to use a smartphone’s location data to create instant matches. That technology has evolved over time into the hot-or-not swiping system gay men know and love today.
Grindr stands out in popularity and reputation among GBT men. Over 29 million men have joined Grindr in the past decade, and the app attracts nearly 4 million views daily.
Grindr is undoubtedly one of the most popular gay dating apps, particularly among casual daters, and it’s common to see men in a gay club whip out their phones to see who’s single and in their immediate vicinity.
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 built to satisfy the unique needs to transgender singles and their admirers. Its a niche site that offers a wide range of gender identities and allows people to talk openly about their transition and self-expression.
The community welcomes single people of every age, race, sexual orientation, and background. Whatever your interests or identity is, MyTransgenderDate will introduce you to its trans dating pool and recommend a potential match based on your set criteria.
The dating platform screens all new profiles for authenticity and has a strict no-hate policy that ensures all communication is respectful, flirty, and fun.
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 »
Like it or not, Tinder has fundamentally changed the dating scene by giving singles the power to swipe on potential matches whenever they’re feeling flirty, horny, or bored. Since 2012, Tinder has created over 97 billion matches, and over 80 million of those matches were between queer and non-binary folks.
Tinder is the go-to hookup app for a new generation of online daters. About 50% of Tinder users are under 25 years old, and most of them aren’t in a big hurry to settle down. Tinder’s swiping tools allow modern singles to play the field, figure out what they want, and let romance build one message at a time.
Tinder offers nine sexual orientation options and 37 gender identity choices on every dating profile. This means a queer person can enjoy their dating life and connect with potential partners who celebrate rainbow dating.
8. Bumble
Bumble is a female-friendly dating app made by women for women. The platform encourages women to take initiative and go after the date they find most attractive. Lesbian, bisexual, and queer women can use Bumble to make deep connections with women in the area.
- A global network of strong, confident women
- Conversations expire within 24 hours of a match
- Less than 1% of Bumble women are looking for hookups
- Browse Bumble profiles 100% free »
In 2014, Bumble became the first online dating app to literally put single women first. It gave women the power to send the first message to a man and thereby upend traditional gender roles in the dating world.
The Bumble app’s women-first feature has been revolutionary for heterosexual relationships, but it’s not just a straight person’s app. Singles seeking same-sex relationships can find dating opportunities here as well. Bumble maintains a respectful and progressive atmosphere that embraces members of the LGBTQ community.
Bumble traditionally celebrates Pride Month in June by raising money for the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth. “Bumble wants to make sure everyone feels safe and supported,” the team said. “Both within our platform and in their real-life communities.”
Best Senior LGBTQ+ Dating Sites & Apps
American attitudes regarding LGBT rights have radically changed in the last three decades, and that has been good news for many people who have waited a long time for their relationships and lifestyles to gain acceptance.
Many LGBTQ singles over 50 have only recently come out of the closet or entered the dating app scene, so it’s pretty common for them to seek advice to steer them in the right direction. We’ve ranked and reviewed some of the top senior dating sites for gay singles to show our support for older adults in the LGBTQ community.
9. 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 »
As an online dating site for seniors, OurTime has offered a ray of hope to singles who are divorced, widowed, or never married. These folks may not have had much luck in the love department in the past, but OurTime gives them the chance to have a fresh start and meet new people.
OurTime puts safety first and provides step-by-step instructions throughout the online dating process to ensure seniors have a good experience. Plus, OurTime recently released an Android dating app that allows seniors to mingle from their phones anytime they like.
With its free matching and messaging options, OurTime can help gay seniors and lesbian seniors build meaningful connections with singles their own age.
10. SeniorMatch
Since its launch in 2003, SeniorMatch has supported a growing network of LGBTQ+ seniors. The mature dating site can help lesbians find love and companionship by using straightforward matching and search tools. You must be 45 or older to join SeniorMatch.com.
- Women seeking women mingle in a mature space
- It's free to reply to messages from paid members
- Check out safety tips submitted by other senior women
- Browse SeniorMatch profiles 100% free »
An LGBT person over 50 can rely on SeniorMatch to put their interests first and provide easy access to realistic date prospects. This senior dating site has over 1 million members and sees thousands of daily active users.
SeniorMatch uses a refined match algorithm to introduce like-minded folks online. If a senior single indicates that he or she is seeking a same-sex relationship, then the dating website will highlight the profiles of LGBT singles.
Since it launched in 2003, SeniorMatch has helped foster countless friendships and relationships among seniors. The team has shared 36,600 success stories, with many featuring gay and lesbian daters.
Best LGBTQ+ Hookup Sites & Apps
Same-sex marriage is legal in 29 countries and counting, but that doesn’t mean all LGBT singles are ready to take that step. Some people are content to play the field and have sex without making a huge commitment. That’s what hookup sites and apps are for.
11. Ashley Madison
Ashley Madison is a discreet dating site with over 91 million profiles in its private database, and it is full of temptation. The platform offers a judgment-free zone where people can consider their options and chat with locals who are willing to get together on the down low.
- A uniquely open-minded dating network
- Privacy-conscious features
- Over 1.4 million matches per month
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Ashley Madison is a dating site that was designed to facilitate no-strings-attached sex. Its motto is “Where discretion meets desire,” and that basically sets the tone for the anonymous flirtations that go on here.
Despite its controversial secrecy, Ashley Madison is undeniably popular among sexually active adults. Since 2001, Ashley Madison has attracted more than 80 million registered users, and it adds nearly 150,000 new users per week.
Ashley Madison users know what they want, and they’re typically not shy about expressing their desires. In a members-only survey, about 61% of users said they’re looking for sex and 76% said having an affair was the only way to meet their sexual needs.
12. NaughtyCharm
NaughtyCharm embraces hookup culture with its fun, easy, and naughty dating platform. If you see someone you like in the search results or Like Gallery, you can like the profile, send a flirtatious message, or add the profile to your favorites to pursue a new connection. NaughtyCharm provides a sex-positive space where sexually active singles can cut right to the chase and arrange a steamy encounter.
- Women can stay safe and anonymous while looking for a hookup
- Like Gallery showcases the most viable men
- Extra perks and more flirts available for premium daters
- Browse NaughtyCharm profiles 100% free »
NaughtyCharm supports a female-friendly hookup site where singles are down for just about anything. A free membership gives you access to a world of chat options and sexy profiles in your area.
It doesn’t cost anything to start sexting with a stranger on NaughtyCharm. A single woman can send unlimited texts for free through the site or app. However, single men are kept on a tighter leash and only have the ability to send five free messages per day.
If you’re in a hurry to make a match, you can swipe through photos in the Like Gallery and show queer folks that you’re interested in some low-key flirting.
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 a truly massive singles database that includes straight people, gay people, queer people, trans people, and everyone in between. This sex-positive dating website has been around since 1996 and has seen over 102 million online registrations.
When setting up an AFF account, a gay man can identify as looking for men, couples, or transgender folks, and he doesn’t have to provide a real name or picture of his face to complete his dating profile.
Members of Adult Friend Finder have access to instant messaging, erotic blogs, discussion groups, live webcams, and other adults-only spaces, so connecting with sexually active LGBTQ singles shouldn’t take very long at all.
14. 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 »
FriendFinder-X can help LGBTQ people find local dates and arrange steamy encounters without exchanging names or phone numbers. This anonymous hookup site welcomes singles, couples, and groups of all sexual orientations. It even has profile options for transgender, transsexual, and transvestite daters.
This local sex site fosters intimacy through one-on-one chats, allowing users to exchange photos and video chat to spice things up. Setting up a gay personal ad on FriendFinder-X is entirely free, letting you use location-based searches to meet attractive people nearby.
What Does “LGBTQ+” Stand For?
LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and more. The plus sign acknowledges that not everyone fits neatly into one of five letters, but they still belong in the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re nonbinary or asexual, the term LGBTQ+ can apply to you.
LGBTQ+ is an inclusive term that refers to anyone who doesn’t fall into the straight and cisgender category. This community has changed its lettering over the years, going from LGBT to LGBTQIA, but it is now widely accepted that LGBTQ+ is the acronym that is going to stick.
How Do LGBTQ+ Dating Sites & Apps Work?
The first step to joining a dating site or app is to create a dating profile. Sometimes this requires you to link to Facebook, receive a verification code through text or email, or complete a personality test. At the bare minimum, it will require you to fill in your age, gender, sexual orientation, and location. You’ll probably also have to upload an approved profile picture.
Gay dating sites and lesbian dating apps often provide an open-ended section where singles can explain who they are and what they’re looking for in the dating scene.
Once you’ve completed your profile, you can dive into searching for local dates by browsing suggested matches or using search tools. Typically, you’ll find filters for age, distance, and appearance, but some platforms offer more specific options like education, religion, race, and smoking habits.
Is It Safe to Use an LGBTQ+ Dating Site or App?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to meet gay, lesbian, and queer folks on a dating site or app. You just have to take precautions such as always arranging a first date in a public place to make sure you’re not putting yourself in a vulnerable position.
Online daters can look out for their safety by vetting date prospects. Before agreeing to a first date, it’s a good idea to set up a video call or do a quick search on Facebook, LinkedIn, or another social media site. That way, you can avoid being catfished or scammed.
Dating platforms have blocking tools to help you rid your inbox of creeps, jerks, and phonies. Plus, you can report suspicious activity and fake profiles directly on the dating platform to get unsavory characters removed from the database.
How Do I Choose the Best LGBTQ+ Dating Site or App?
Today’s LGBTQ singles have a ton of options in the online dating world. They can choose a serious dating site like Match.com to make their relationship dreams come true, or they can join a hookup site like Adult Friend Finder to live out their sexual fantasies. There is a dating site for just about every type of single person, and choosing the right one for you is simple as long as you know who you are and what you want.
We’ve listed some of the top choices for gay singles, lesbian singles, senior singles, and casual daters, and left it up to you to pick the best of the best.
Are There Any Free LGBTQ+ Dating Sites or Apps?
Yes, plenty of dating sites and apps offer a free membership deal that includes LGBTQ matching and chatting. It’s not necessary to pay for your online dating experience if you know where to go.
Lesbians on a budget can download HER for free and start messaging with their matches as soon as their profile is approved. The HER app has a Premium Membership option that adds more search filters and matching tools, but women don’t have to upgrade to get the basic swiping and chatting features.
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 »
Grindr is a great free dating app for gay men, bisexual men, and other male-identifying singles seeking a romantic partner. It’s completely free to download the app and chat with other members in your area. The only reason for a gay man to upgrade to a paid subscription is to get premium features and an ad-free browsing experience.
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 »
Much like HER, Grindr has a premium option available for a monthly fee. Grindr Xtra gives users the freedom to view more profiles, join more tribes, add a PIN to lock the app, send saved chat phrases, and generally get a more premium experience on the app. However, free members can still pick up dates without joining Grindr Xtra — they’ll just see more ads along the way.
Can You Search for Dates By Sexual Orientation & Gender?
Not all dating sites offer search filters by sexual orientation and gender identity, and if they do, you may have limited options available. A lot of mainstream dating sites and apps stick to binary gender options (male or female) and that can be tricky for nonbinary and transgender singles to navigate.
If you want to break out of the binary box and search for queer folks, then OkCupid is your best bet. This dating platform has a ton of search filters, swiping lists, and sorting options available to help singles find someone who is exactly their type.
Is eharmony Open to Gay & Lesbian Singles?
Yes, eharmony has matchmaking options for men seeking men and women seeking women. That is a relatively recent development, though, and it’s important for LGBTQ+ singles to know the company’s history with homophobia.
When eharmony launched in 2000, it catered exclusively to straight singles interested in marriage. And it received a lot of criticism (and lawsuits) from LGBT activists who slowly but surely pushed it to becoming more inclusive.
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 »
An evangelical Christian named Dr. Neil Clark Warren created the eharmony dating website to strengthen marriage in the U.S., and he justified the straight-only policy by saying that gay relationships are different from straight relationships and therefore couldn’t be matched using the same algorithm.
In 2016, Dr. Neil Clark Warren left eharmony and retired at age 81. Under its new leadership, eharmony has made significant changes to its match system and messaging.
Over the last few years, eharmony has evolved to champion love in all its forms. The online dating site is now open to same-sex matching as well as opposite-sex matching, but — surprise, surprise — not many gay and lesbian singles have signed up.
Today’s LGBTQ+ Singles Have More Options Than Ever Before
LGBTQ+ singles have embraced online dating because it allows them to be themselves and pick up dates in total privacy. They don’t have to come out of the closet or use their gaydar to find compatible matches on an app or site.
Whether you’re gay, lesbian, trans, queer, or nonbinary, online dating can make your local date options abundantly clear and give you the space you need to explore your sexuality. All it takes is a free membership to dip your toe in a diverse and inclusive dating pool. If all goes well, you could end up falling in love thanks to one of the LGBTQ+ dating sites or apps on this list. Best of luck!
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