Key Takeaways
Our dating experts have spent decades testing and reviewing dating services that serve all types of niche interests.
There are more Black dating apps now than ever before, but the problem is choosing the right one for your needs. To help you find the affordable (and worthwhile) options, here are our expert picks for the best dating apps for singles who identify as Black, African American, biracial, multiracial, or a person of color. We chose these platforms based on the following criteria:
- Popularity in terms of diversity of users and active traffic.
- Free features and safety assurances.
All of the following sites are completely free to join, so you can choose more than one to be your wingman as you date within the Black community.
1. Match
As the longest-running dating site and app in the industry, Match is a fantastic choice for Black singles because of its sheer size (over 30 million active users!). It’s free to message all mutual matches, and profiles contain a lot of great biographical details that you won’t find on the typical swiping app. Match has interesting prompts, smart compatibility suggestions, and ethnicity filters to pave the way to a perfect match. This dating service is all about digging deeper than the surface to determine which couples can go the distance.
2. eharmony
eharmony is one of the most trustworthy dating platforms for finding a love match, no matter your age or race. It is free to join and take the in-depth personality test, which powers eharmony’s compatibility ratings and match recommendations. Some communication options (likes and replies) are available for free as well. Sending unlimited messages is only available to paid subscribers. I’d recommend trying eharmony if you’re a Black person who has had enough of the swiping scene and are willing to invest in better quality matches and smarter features.
3. Fling.com
Fling.com has established a name for itself as a top casual dating site with free messaging. So, as you can already imagine, Black singles are welcomed by Fling.com into an inclusive community that’ s all about flirting without holding back. It’s a safe space for those singles who want to explore and try new things without all the judgment. Daters also have a great opportunity to connect through cool features such as video chats, kink filters, a naughty meter, and verification badges. “Really like the connection with open-minded people on videochat,” said a Fling.com member on the site’s testimonials.
4. DateMyAge
For all my mature but young-at-heart Black singles, DateMyAge is a must try because it focuses on deep conversations rather than superficial photo matching. Don’t know where to start? DateMyAge makes it easy to find matches with a simple Search tab and Inbox. All members start by creating a profile with a photo and an interesting bio that shows off their personality. From there, members can use the app’s browsing feature to scan profiles. If they feel bold enough, send a quick chat or voice note. DateMyage has a pay-as-you-go credit system that means users only pay for features they actually want to use. That’s completely optional, and the free membership never expires and includes international matches.
5. BlackPeopleMeet
What I like about BlackPeopleMeet.com is that it’s straightforward and quick to join, and the core features are reliable and free to access. Chatting is free between mutual matches, and there are search filters for ethnicity, body type, education, relationship status, and other lifestyle habits. Most members identify as Black, and that can be refreshing for someone who’s used to the more mixed crowd on mainstream dating apps. BlackPeopleMeet also provides suggested icebreakers based on profile information, which can be a good thing if you tend to get tongue-tied regarding that first message.
6. Tinder
We’ve all heard of Tinder, the dating app that invented swiping on dating profiles. Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has been downloaded over 630 million times and created over 100 billion matches. It’s worth noting that Tinder profiles do not list ethnicity, and the filters do not include race, ethnic background, or skin color. However, we know the algorithm can identify patterns in the types of profiles you swipe right on, and we’d hazard to guess that the Tinder algorithm is savvy enough to notice if you seem drawn to men with dreadlocks or women with nut-brown skin tone. This mainstream app has the largest and most diverse following of online daters in the world, so it’s worth the cost of a free membership to check it out.
What’s Free: Download, swipe on profiles, and message your mutual matches
7. OkCupid
OkCupid was totally free when it launched in 2004, and that remains true to this day. Over the years, its welcoming, progressive attitude has landed it among the go-to Black gay dating apps out there. I like to lovingly call OkCupid the math nerds of the dating industry because of their one-of-a-kind matching algorithm and passion for statistical patterns in love pairings. The compatibility ratings are scary accurate, and members can dive into personality questions that range in topics from Black Lives Matter to sexual fantasies. OkCupid is poly-friendly as well, so if you’re interested in an open relationship, you can say so in your profile.
What’s Free: Register, fill out info, view profiles, and chat with matches
8. BLK
BLK was created with Black professionals in mind, but the app doesn’t stop people of other races from signing up as well . The app uses the typical swiping system where users view a profile and say either “Yeah” or “Nah.” Two yeahs will mean it’s a match and free chatting can begin. Premium members get an ad-free experience, unlimited likes, five Super Likes per week, and boosted visibility in the swipe scene. The BLK app is a well-known and trusted name in Black dating, and it has a respectable 4.6 stars on the App Store and 4.2 stars on Google Play. “I met the GREATEST man on this app,” wrote Msjordanx3 in her five-star review. “It’s been three years and counting, and we’re locked in.”
What’s Free: Signing up, creating a dating profile, send messages to matches
9. Black Gentry
Launched in 2020, Black Gentry is a Black dating app that cares more about quality than quantity, offering commitment-minded singles a safe space where they can meet Black folks who are interested in Black love. Prospective members must submit an application and be approved by the team to mingle in this exclusive club. It’s free to sign up, make a profile, chat with matches, and send limited direct messages per day. The team says about its waitlist process, “We prioritize detailed, polished profiles with classy photos that reflect effort…Profiles that do not meet our criteria will not be approved.”
What’s Free: Signing up, dating profile creation, and limited communication
10. Black Cupid
Black Cupid is a Black dating site that matches you with compatible singles for free. It’s powered by Cupid Media, which operates 33 niche dating sites. Mutual compatibility is the name of the game here. If you and another person both swipe right on each other, you can start messaging. The Black dating app takes your location into consideration, but it has a relatively large search radius that lets individuals hunt for dates in other cities or even states. A team of moderators polices all profile content to make sure no funny business takes place. With over 300,000 members, BlackCupid isn’t the largest dating pool, but it is exclusively designed for Black dating, and that’s appealing in its own right!
What’s Free: Free to make a Black Cupid account, search singles, and review matches
11. Grindr
A leading gay dating app, Grindr is a fantastic choice for gay Black men. It’s a powerful local date finder that doesn’t cost a penny. With GPS-based matching, Grindr can set you up with compatible guys in your neck of the woods. I’d say the majority of Grindr users are interested in a one-night stand or casual affair, but that doesn’t stop relationships and love stories from occurring in the swipe list as well. Skin tone doesn’t matter much to gay men on this dating app. All they need to know is that you’re single, nearby, and up for a chat (a six-pack of abs helps too). Grindr permanently removed its ethnicity filter in 2020, but users can filter by age, online now, relationship status, and other criteria.
What’s Free: Free to create a profile, swipe on local men, and chat with mutual matches
FAQs: Are Mainstream Dating Apps Good for Black Users?
Yes and no. Let me explain. Mainstream dating apps are great because they are popular, active, and diverse. The dating pool being huge can be great for seeing what’s out there, but it can also mean lower visibility, particularly for minorities.
Pros
- More local matches
- Robust security measures
- Trusted brands with good reputations
- Fewer glitches
- Search filters to narrow the field
Feeling like a small fish in a big pond is a challenge. And some challenges are worth taking, especially if it means you’ll end up finding the love of your life.
Mainstream dating apps have search filters to help individuals find their type. That can be helpful at turning a larger community into a few viable date options. It will take work sorting and sifting and trying to stand out from the crowd.
And when it comes to Black dating, mainstream dating apps have historically struggled with racial bias. According to research, racial preferences can come out on larger dating apps and leave Black singles out in the cold.
It can feel draining going through profile after profile and not finding any matches. If you’re in a time crunch or just tired of feeling like second place, mainstream dating apps with a bigger crowd may not be the right move.
What’s the Best Dating Site for Black Women?
Black women may have some reservations about trying online dating because they’ve heard horror stories about harassment, stalking, catfishing, racial slurs, and other bad behavior on popular dating sites and apps. But certain trustworthy services will have their back through thick and thin.
Match is the O.G. of online dating—it’s the first ever dating site to launch, and it remains one of the most popular ones ever. Match is available in 50 countries and 12 languages, and its inclusive atmosphere leaves no one out.
Black women looking for love can depend on Match to highlight options that meet their dating criteria and have real relationship potential.
Match is an all-purpose dating site platform with search and swiping tools that dig deep to find the ideal match, regardless of race.
Which Apps Let You Filter By Ethnicity?
There are a few dating apps that let you filter by ethnicity. Match allows paid users to search by ethnicity. Free members can filter by who’s “online now” and having kids or wanting kids.
Niche dating sites like Fling.com often have a retinue of advanced search filters that members can use to find people with a specific background. Fling.com has free search filters by ethnicity, religion, body type, profession, eye color, and hair color, among other things.
Industry Insight: Many dating apps removed their ethnicity filters as an antiracism move in 2020. It’s been argued that such filters perpetuate discriminatory swipe patterns. But others refute that and say ethnicity filters can be important for minorities seeking their tribe.
Match is one of the most prominent defenders of ethnicity filters.
A Match spokesperson said, “It’s important to give people the ability to find others that have similar values, cultural upbringings and experiences that can enhance their dating experience, and it’s critical that technology allows communities the ability to find like-minded individuals, creating safe spaces, free from discrimination.”
“It’s important to give people the ability to find others that have similar values, cultural upbringings and experiences.” -Match press release
Search filters are a great tool for finding specific traits, but I wouldn’t count on it too much. It’s easy to overuse the filters and narrow the pool too much, possibly missing out on something great just by being too picky.
People are more than a label, and if you’re not careful, you might be filtering yourself out of meeting someone great!
Are Black Dating Apps Safe?
Yes! Overall, I would say that Black dating apps (particularly the ones on this list) are very safe to explore and find connections through cultural values. There are inherent risks in meeting strangers, online and offline, but legit dating platforms make efforts to verify profiles and police user behavior.
That’s why it’s important to join an app where you feel protected. Look for dating apps like eharmony with safety features that verify members’ profiles and allow you to block and report people. eharmony has a Trust & Safety Team dedicated to monitoring activity and removing people who violate the community pledge.
At the end of the day, your safety is your responsibility. Make sure to watch out for any red flags in your online conversations and never give out your personal information such as your address or credit card number.
I always advise singles to take advantage of video chat features before deciding to take things offline. A quick video date can tell you a lot more about a person than weeks or months of chitchat.
4 Tips for Success on Black Dating Apps
Dating should be fun, so they say, but I think we all know it can be stressful at times. It’s a journey that comes with its fair share of highs and lows. And regardless of how many times you fantasize about how you’re going to finally meet the one, your story may not unfold the way you think it will.
But that’s okay! Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you make your way through the online dating scene:
1. Make a Profile Worth Visiting
Put effort into your profile because, as we all know, first impressions matter. Find a picture that stands out and shows you doing something you love. Write unique responses to prompts (don’t use AI) and make it clear what you have to offer.
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Create a bio that shows off your personality. Do you like to hike or are you a bookworm? Mention that! You want to include details so people can connect with you on a shared interest from the start.
2. Be Upfront and Honest
You ought to be clear with your intentions. It’s no fun wasting time on a person who doesn’t have the same relationship goals as you. You’re ready to settle down and they’re not? That’s better to know from the beginning compared to being six months in.
3. Choose a Dating App That Fits Your Goals
Never settle for a dating app that doesn’t fit your needs. Shop around. Most dating apps offer a free membership or free trial that will allow you to explore the features without making a big commitment.
- If you want a relationship, join a serious dating site like Match or eharmony.
- If you want to date casually, go after Fling.com or Tinder.
- If you’re over 40, try DateMyAge or OurTime.
As you can see, Black dating apps come in all shapes and sizes. And they’re all committed to helping individuals find new connections and romances. Check out reviews and make sure you’re joining a dating service that’s aligned with what you truly desire.
Accept Rejection and Keep It Moving
Rejection is all part of the process. Try not to take it personally. People sometimes will leave you on read or not show the same interest as you. Take it as a sign that they’re not the one for you, and don’t get too in your head over the whys. There’s always someone else to take that spot in your DMs.
By moving forward to the next match, you’re one step closer to the right one.
Methodology: How We Rank Black Dating Apps
Our seasoned dating experts, writers, and reviewers combine their knowledge to determine the ratings and rankings of the best Black dating services on the market. We start by actually joining and testing the apps ourselves to assess the match features and success rates.
For this list, we considered the following key criteria:
- Black Membership: An active community of Black singles OR a large and diverse dating pool that gives Black daters plenty of potential match opportunities.
- Search & Match Features: We evaluate search filters, compatibility tools, location settings, matching algorithms, and other features that can help users find people who fit their dating preferences.
- Relationship Goals: Our recommendations include options for different dating intentions, including casual dating, free chatting, and long-term relationships that lead to marriage.
- Affordability: The free membership must be a good experience in its own right with optional paid features to help improve the experience.
- Safety: Profile verification tools, reporting and blocking options, privacy features, content moderation, and other measures should be in place to create a safer online dating experience.
- Ease of Use: We look for simple profile creation, navigation, messaging, mobile functionality, and beginner-friendly features that encourage user retention.
Our editorial team independently reviews and researches dating platforms before recommending them. Because no dating app is the right fit for every person, we aim to highlight a range of options so Black singles can compare features, costs, communities, and relationship goals before deciding which one will work best for their needs.
An editor regularly revisits our lists to ensure they are factually correct and in line with the latest user trends and app updates.
A Black Dating App Can Take Your Experience Up a Notch
With racial discrimination, ghosting, and rejection, dating can be hard enough for Black singles, and they shouldn’t have to worry about high price tags and online scams as well. With a well-reputed free dating site or app in hand, Black folks can explore their options and meet someone who understands their life experiences, personal struggles, family values, relationship goals, and all that jazz.
The Black dating apps on this list have earned their reputation as the best of the best, and any of them could be a good partner on your dating journey. Have fun!
