Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
The best gay dating apps for relationships can make it easier for single guys to find one another and start something that lasts.
An Advocate survey found 88% of gay men are open to or actively seeking a relationship, and something like 65% of gay couples say they met online, so you have pretty good odds of finding a potential partner on a gay dating app or site.
How do you choose which dating site to join? Our experts have done some of the heavy lifting by investigating time-tested dating sites with smart matchmaking tools. It may take some commitment, but the following gay dating sites can open you up to romantic opportunities in your neighborhood and beyond.
1. Match
Match sees more than 13.5 million visitors a month, and it has over 1 million gay members in its global database. Since 1995, Match has distinguished itself as a personality-driven dating site, meaning it puts your likes and preferences first when suggesting potential dates.
The majority of Match users are tired of the fast-paced and superficial swiping scene. Its members want to create authentic connections based on shared interests.
Relationships:
Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System:
Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say:
“Match has a massive and extremely active gay user base, as over 1 million gay, bisexual, and curious men use the site to find dates and partners...”
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
49%*
51%*
39.7 Million*
Try Match FREE
Besides a welcoming atmosphere, stellar reputation, and some of the coolest matchmaking features around, Match has also led more people to more dates, relationships, and marriages than any other dating site in the industry, so try it free today.
2. Elite Singles
Elite Singles caters to gay singles who are looking for a highly educated partner — as over 80% of the site’s members have a higher education degree (e.g., a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate). Plus, over 90% say that they want to find a long-term relationship.
Elite Singles is open to gay, lesbian, and straight singles who work in professional fields and want a partner on their same level.
Relationships:
Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search, Receive Partner Suggestions
Our Experts Say:
“Not only is EliteSingles exclusively for educated professionals, but it also has a diverse user base made up of millions of gay and bisexual men...”
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
44%*
56%*
2 Million*
Browse Profiles Free
When talking about gay dating sites for serious relationships, Elite Singles has to be in the mix because of its devotion to quality over quantity.
While Elite Singles appears to have a relatively small user base (about 290,000 visitors a month), its success rate is impressive. More than 2,500 singles find love every month because of this elite dating site.
3. OurTime
Out of all the senior dating sites out there, OurTime is the best choice for gay singles who are over 50 and looking for a meaningful relationship. The site and app offer support to senior citizens entering their golden years.
Relationships:
Dates and Relationships
Match System:
Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say:
“OurTime is a fantastic option for gay, bisexual, and curious single men age 50 and up, as the site's user base is very active...”
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*
48%*
52%*
8.9 Million*
Over 50? Try It FREE
OurTime is known for its mature membership base, and it has long inspired relationships and friendships between singles in their 50s and older.
From a vast and energetic user base (did we mention more than 1.4 million people go to the dating site each month?) to an easy-to-use layout, OurTime takes the complications out of gay senior dating.
If you’re over 50 and new to online dating, you can try OurTime out and meet single men in the same age range.
4. Zoosk
Zoosk is one of the most modern online dating sites you’ll find in the online dating scene. Its social media integration and companion dating app makes it a great option for young, sophisticated gay daters who want to create a meaningful connection while one the go.
Gay singles can take their pick in this wide open online dating field. In total, Zoosk has seen over 40 million registrations since its launch in 2007.
Relationships:
Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say:
“Gay, bisexual, and curious single men love Zoosk because it's quick, easy, and really successful...”
Full Review »
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
28.9 Million*
Start Zoosk for FREE
Thanks to its various communication channels, you’re sure to find local gay men to flirt with you and maybe even commit to you. Have doubts? Try Zoosk for free before fully committing. It doesn’t cost anything for gay people to create a dating profile and browse the user base.
FAQs: Is Tinder Good for Gay People?
Tinder has worked hard in recent years to become more gay-friendly and encompass more non-binary gender options and sexual orientations, and we applaud that fact that its expansion has led to more than 80 million matches between queer singles.
That new inclusive attitude doesn’t equate to efficiency or popularity, though. It’s important to remember that Tinder launched in 2012 as a dating app for straight people, and only recently has the app begun broadening its definition of dating.
Tinder has created over 60 billion matches in 190+ countries.
Tinder is without a doubt one of the biggest names in the online dating world right now. I mean, it invented swiping on matches, so it’s a pretty big deal. It’s true that Tinder can offer a sea of dating profiles no matter if you’re gay, bisexual, queer, or questioning. Just don’t expect the swiping scene to yield results right off the bat.
Millions of people in the LGBTQ+ community have created dating profiles on Tinder and used the swiping features, but we’re not confident that it’s really effective at turning same-sex matches into real-life dates and relationships.
The Tinder dating app is open to gay singles and offers free communication, so you have nothing to lose by creating a dating profile and chatting with single guys in your area. Who knows? You may get lucky enough to meet someone special.
What’s the Best Gay Dating Platform for Couples?
A gay couple in a polyamorous relationship may want to play around with a man (or maybe even a woman) as a way of spicing up their relationship. A gay hookup site like MenNation provides signup options for a gay couple looking to dive into the dating scene and find sex, but you can also go undercover on Tinder or Grindr to meet new singles and make something happen.
Polyamorous dating sites have become more and more popular in the gay dating scene because they open singles up to more sexual experiences and relationship types than more mainstream options.
What is Grindr & How Does It Work?
is an online dating app designed to help gay men meet one another online and engage in private chats that lead to steamy encounters and meaningful connections. Some say this gay-only app is only good for finding casual hookups, but actually it works for men seeking a serious relationship as well.
In fact, about two-thirds of Grindr users say they’ve fallen in love with a person they met on the app, and another 84% believe it’s possible to find a soul mate on Grindr.
Grindr has approximately 3.8 million active users all over the world.
Since the gay app’s launch in 2009, Grindr has amassed a membership base of over 27 million users, and it sees nearly 4 million visitors every day.
If you want extra bang for your buck (pun intended), you can always upgrade to Grindr Xtra, which not only eliminates ads from the gay app, but it also provides extra swiping and matching features. Grindr users with this premium subscription can use additional search filters, swipe on over 600 profiles, save chat messages, and lock the app using a PIN.
Which Gay Dating App is Free to Use?
Grindr is the most popular gay dating app in the online dating scene, and it has the free tools to keep guys mixing and mingling all through the night. Grindr is free to download, and a free membership includes viewing profiles, swiping on matches, and chatting with single guys who have liked your profile.
Grindr Xtra may cost you a few bucks a month, but it’s not necessary to subscribe to pick up dates and chat with gay people on this mobile app.
What Are the Best Gay & Lesbian Dating Apps?
Dating has never been easier for the LGBTQ community, and that’s largely thanks to the rise of online dating sites and apps. A gay dating site makes it possible for singles to look for dates in a private and safe space where they can block anyone harassing them and connect with partners who share the same interests, goals, and lifestyles.
You don’t even have to come out of the closet to browse dating profiles on a gay dating site or app. OkCupid offers 12 orientation options and 22 gender options upon signup, but members can choose “questioning” or “other” to keep their options open.
Our dating experts consider OkCupid to be one of the best gay dating platforms available to LGBTQ+ singles in the mood to flirt and find a date.
OkCupid facilitates over 50,000 first dates a week.
OkCupid requires users to mingle under their first names, but you can always pick a nickname or use your middle name and upload a photo where your face is a little blurry to keep your identity a secret if you choose.
A gay man will find a welcoming atmosphere on OkCupid, and the quirky, data-driven matching system can quickly lead to meaningful conversations, engaging first dates, and perhaps even a lasting love.
How Can I Find a Gay Date?
Online dating is the most effective way to pick up a date these days, and that’s especially true in the LGBTQ community. Gay, bisexual, and queer singles reportedly online date in greater numbers than their straight counterparts, and our dating experts think that’s because it’s much easier to find viable matches when you can view their sexual orientation on their dating profile. After all, not everyone’s gaydar is 100% accurate.
A single guy can find a world of romantic possible with a free dating profile profile, and it can be a big relief and comfort to discover so many compatible singles within reach.
Just be sure to choose a popular gay dating site — not a dating service dominated by straight men and women. The point of online dating is to surround yourself with date options, so be careful to select the right dating pool where people are exactly your type and seeking the same sort of dating experience or relationship.
What’s the Most Popular Gay Hookup App?
If you’re looking for a sexual encounter, a hookup app can provide a lot of satisfying connections and help you find a local man who’s up for anything. Grindr has over 27 million male users, so it definitely has a claim to be one of the most popular apps for gay dating, hookups, and relationships.
Many Grindr users swear by the app’s location-based settings, but it’s not the only option for seeking sex. We recommend BeNaughty for all those horny guys seeking a man to take to bed.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Casual Encounters
- Match System: Sort profiles by zip code, appearance, more
- About the App: BeNaughty has over 17 million members and gets more than 13.3 million monthly visits, making it among the most active hookup apps. Gay singles with hookups on their mind love using BeNaughy because they can filter out the straight singles and also filter out anyone who doesn't meet their preferred requirements for location, age, and appearance.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
13.3 Million* | Free Download |
BeNaughty is a great hookup app and website where sexy singles can be bold and pursue dates that meet their specifications in terms of age, location, and appearance. You won’t find such targeted search capabilities on Grindr, that’s for sure!
The BeNaughty app and site foster a sexually adventurous environment where a person can flirt as much as he or she pleases without paying any subscription fees or making an in-app purchase.
Is Grindr the Only Gay App for Men?
No, while Grindr was among the first gay dating apps to exclusively serve men, it has quite a few competitors that tempt men in the LGBT community. The Hornet app is probably one of the largest alternatives to Grindr, and we’ve also seen a lot of positive reviews about Blendr and SCRUFF. All three of these apps work on behalf of gay, bisexual, and trans men seeking short-term dates or long-term relationships, and they work beautifully.
Grindr may have paved the way in the online dating scene, but men seeking men now have tons of other free platforms available to help them to pick up dates on a Saturday night.
Is Bumble a Gay-Friendly App?
Yes, Bumble is a dating app that’s made for straight as well as LGBT singles in the dating scene. The app is free to download and offers a similar swiping setup to Tinder and Bumble. The only major difference is how it treats single women and encourages respectful conversations.
Bumble is extremely popular among progressive and relationship-minded singles who aren’t interested in following gender norms or promoting hookup culture. Over 80% of Bumble users want to find a serious relationship, and less than 4% said they were looking for a hookup on the app.
Bumble uses a secure login to verify users and remove fake profiles.
Bumble became known as a feminist dating app because it gives women First Move privileges in opposite-sex matches, so they’re the only ones who can message once a match is created. This obviously has no impact on a gay guy who exclusively matches with men on Bumble.
However, singles should note that both gay and straight people have a time crunch when it comes to turning a match into a conversation — you have 24 hours to send a message or the match will disappear from the app.
Bumble welcomes singles of every sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and gender identity, and it fosters a values-driven dating experience where deep relationships can blossom with every new match and conversation.
What is the Hornet App Used For?
Gay dating apps like Hornet support hookup culture and help sexually active men get laid with no strings attached. While Hornet markets itself as a gay social network, most guys in the gay community use it as their low-key wingman and sex finder.
Over 25 million men have created accounts on Hornet, and most of them were more interested in attracting a sexual partner than making a new friend or building a long-term relationship. The Hornet dating scene is fast-paced, sex-positive, and men-only, so it’s possible to swipe, chat, and pick up a date within an hour of joining the network.
Is It Safe to Meet a Sexual Partner on an Online Dating App?
It’s natural for a gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer person to have safety concerns when entering the online dating scene. LGBTQ singles are unfortunately more likely to be harassed than straight people are on dating sites and apps, and they can also have fears about being outed before they’re ready to come out.
On a legit gay dating site, bisexual and gay singles don’t have to worry so much though. Some dating sites take extra precautions to ensure that only authentic and serious-minded singles can get in touch with each other. Whether it’s through a paywall or Facebook signup, such security measures can go a long way to reassure newcomers in their date’s legitimacy.
It’s safe to meet people and pick up dates on tried-and-true sex sites like Flirt.com, which has millions of members of all orientations.
★★★★★
Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dating, Chats
Match System: Search by age, location, gender, orientation, and other factors
Our Experts Say: “Flirt.com frees singles to chat with attractive locals and pick up dates on the spot. This hookup site is always open to horny and sexy people seeking one-night stands, casual dating, threesomes, and other sexual encounters...”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
1 million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Flirt.com offers a free basic membership that includes browsing, matching, and chatting. Members can send up to 50 greetings per day as long as they have a valid profile picture uploaded. This free-for-all dating zone is perfectly safe and requires very little effort to make a solid match, so it’s a go-to choice for gay singles on the prowl for a hot date.
Whether you’re looking for a one-night stand, a summer fling, or a casual dating arrangement, you can look to gay dating sites like Flirt.com to introduce you to willing partners. Then it’s up to you to vet your dates and plan first meetings in a safe, public place.
Get Serious & Find Compatible Gay Singles on a Dating Site
Being a relationship-minded gay single in a sea of hookup-focused dating sites and apps can wear you down, but all it takes is one excellent date to bring you back up. We’ve ranked and reviewed the best gay dating apps for relationships to help you get back out there and turn your luck around.
Joining a dating app or site can be an exciting, interesting, and confidence-building experience, and there’s no better way to expand your social circle and fill your date calendar.
If you take our advice and choose the best gay dating app for relationships, you’re sure to find someone who has the same interests and values as you — and that could lead to a serious relationship or marriage. Good luck!
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