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7 Best Apps to Meet People Around You (2024)
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As you go about your day, you’re surrounded by date options, but sometimes it takes a dating app to help you make a real connection.
In high school and college, meeting people is as easy as turning to your right or left — you’ve got classmates, teammates, roommates, friends of friends, and fellow commuters, partiers, and studiers to flirt with you.
Single professionals often have more difficulty, though. Between work, house chores, and other responsibilities, adult singles have little time and energy to go out meeting new people. Mostly, they just want to go home to a Netflix marathon. Fortunately, you don’t have to give up your couch time to meet people — that’s what apps are for. Read on to learn more about our favorite apps for meeting people who are single and ready to mingle.
Best Apps to Meet People (#1-4)
We figured it’d be best to start with the top apps for meeting people and then work our way through the individual niches. Whether you’re black or white, gay or straight, old or young, in the mood for a date or hookup, you’re sure to find an app you like in this section.
1. Match
Match has been helping people meet and fall in love since 1995. Not only is Match a leading dating app, but the company also hosts fun singles events in major cities throughout the country.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
- Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
- About the App: Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you'll have a high chance of success. It's free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
13.5 Million* | Free Download |
You can create a dating profile on Match as well as add photos, search through and like members, receive matches, send and receive virtual winks, and create a Favorites list, among other things — all for free. Compatible singles who are in each other’s Top Picks list can also chat for free on the dating platform.
2. Tinder
Tinder is basically a household name for singles… or just people, in general. If you haven’t tried it, you probably know someone or know someone who knows someone who’s tried it. Tinder took the dating world by storm when it introduced its GPS and swiping matching system. Meeting people has never been easier or more fun.
Here’s another look at Tinder by the numbers: 97 billion total matches since 2012, over 2 billion swipes a day, about 1.5 million dates a week, 196 countries, and 40 languages. And still growing!
3. OkCupid
Always free and fun, OkCupid is where millions of men and women go to connect for friendship, dating, and love. The online dating app has unique personality questions it uses to get to know you and find your ideal match. Once you answer a question, you’ll specify how you want someone else to answer that question. You’ll also rate how important that question is to you.
OkCupid, which gets more than 1.3 million monthly visitors, is all about “substance, not just selfies” and offers a ton of advanced features, including seeing who liked you and read your messages and boosting your profile once a day. Of course, you don’t have to be part of the A-List to send messages, and that’s what counts.
4. Bumble
Bumble launched in 2014 on a mission to combat unsolicited dick pics and flaky messages, and the way the app does that is by only allowing women to initiate communication in an opposite-sex match. If it’s a same-sex match, either person can send the first message.
Another important component of Bumble is that once you match with someone, one of you has to start the conversation, or the match will disappear after 24 hours (or 48 hours if one of you chooses to extend it). The team wants to encourage users to meet in person to see if the chemistry is really there — instead of getting trapped in the back-and-forth messaging phase.
Best Apps to Meet Black People (#5-6)
Approximately 50% of Black Americans have never been married. In addition, 12% are divorced, 6% are widowed, and 4% are separated. For Black singles who want a quick and stress-free way to find one another, you can turn to these two apps.
5. BlackPeopleMeet
BlackPeopleMeet is under the Match Group umbrella, which means you can feel confident that it’ll get the job done. The niche app sees over 1.4 million Black and biracial users a month and is available for free in the App Store and on Google Play.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Dates, Relationships
- Match System: Browse by city, hobbies, age, etc.
- About the App: The largest black-only online and mobile dating community can be found on BlackPeopleMeet. This popular dating app was designed in 2002 to serve black and biracial singles around the world. Today, BlackPeopleMeet’s easy-to-use chat features and location-based searches allow millions of African American daters to flirt with one another while on the go.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Singles* |
47%*
53%*
|
1.4 Million* | Free Download |
In her testimonial on Google Play, LaToya Parker gave BlackPeopleMeet four stars and wrote: “Good app. But I get overwhelmed by all the flirts and responses. I guess that’s a good thing.”
6. BLK
“You deserve to be happy” is what BLK believes, and the app will do everything it can to make sure that happens. All members have to sign up with their Facebook and LinkedIn information, so you can rest assured that everyone is who they say they are. This is especially important because BLK is for Black professionals.
On BLK, you’ll make meaningful connections — you won’t just have random interactions. To be matched and to enable chatting, both people have to like each other.
Best Apps to Meet Teens (#7-8)
Teens need a secure, yet fun, place to socialize with their friends and meet new people that isn’t just through school, sports, church, or anything like that. We’re all on our phones all the time anyway, especially teens, so that’s where these two apps really come in handy.
7. Zoosk
Zoosk is strictly for older teens (18 to 19), and to make signup even easier, you can upload your info and photos from Facebook or Google+. The app has more than 30 million iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon downloads and more than 40 million users sending and receiving 3 million messages a day.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Casual Dates, Relationships
- Match System: Search for and receive matches
- About the App: Zoosk is the number one app for finding dates, and if you sync up your Google+ or Facebook account, you can have a profile in seconds. The app has 38 million members and will deliver matches to your inbox on a daily basis based on your behavior such as who you search for, like or don't like, and message. The Carousel is another section for matching (tap the heart if it's a yes and the X if it's a no).
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
3.8 Million* | Free Download |
The matching is based on your behavior (e.g., what you put in your profile, who you like and don’t like, and who you message), and you can search on your own as well as receive match recommendations in the Carousel and Smart Picks sections.
8. Teen Dating Site
Teen Dating Site (TDS) is a popular network for teenagers who want to stick to a younger crowd and avoid mainstream sites full of older people. This isn’t a large dating site, and that’s a good thing. Teens won’t be inundated by messages and inappropriate invites. And there’s a reporting and block system you can use if something feels sus.
Best Apps to Meet Senior People (#9-10)
I’ve seen many older single relatives and acquaintances struggle in their dating lives because they’ve gotten divorced or lost a spouse and aren’t sure how to navigate this new territory. They were in a relationship when online dating and dating apps rose in popularity, so they have a huge learning curve to tackle. The good news is they can learn the ropes in no time by checking out the following senior dating apps.
9. eharmony
eharmony is a great option for single seniors because only commitment-minded people tend to join the community. Members also often lead religious or spiritual lives. Your deepest wants and needs are taken into consideration more so than on some other dating apps — specifically because of eharmony’s signature Compatibility Questionnaire.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
- Match System: Get daily match suggestions
- About the App: eharmony is a household name, in general, but especially for older men and women because it handpicks all of their matches for them. No browsing required on your part! Just take the app’s comprehensive personality test, and then you’ll get highly compatible recommendations every day. You're not on your own then either. Guided Communication is eharmony's messaging system that will help you break the ice.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
4.1 Million* | Free Download |
eharmony is behind millions of marriages in the US and doesn’t charge for basic stuff like registration, profile creation, uploading photos, taking the questionnaire, and receiving matches.
10. OurTime
Mature daters flock to OurTime for many reasons — some of them being its clean interface, simple signup process, and large targeted user base. The app has millions of over-50 singles who are looking for all forms of companionship.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Dating and Relationships
- Match System: Search by age as well as zip, gender, more
- About the App: OurTime is a leading dating app for those aged 50 and older because it was made specifically for this audience. With one less desire to put on your list (in this case, age), you’ll save a lot of time, effort, and money on OurTime and can focus on more important characteristics and qualities like lifestyle, passions, and dating and relationship goals, among others.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
48%*
52%*
|
1.4 Million* | Free Download |
To get started for free, OurTime just needs a few pieces of information like your name, age, location, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and lifestyle habits (e.g., smoking).
Best Apps to Meet Gay People (#11-12)
Mobile dating can be twice as frustrating for gay singles because most general dating apps don’t know how to cater to them. I’ve heard plenty of friends tell me they still receive straight matches even though they selected gay as their sexual orientation. Two apps that really have a grasp on the gay dating audience are Elite Singles and Grindr, which you can learn more about below.
11. Elite Singles
Elite Singles is a go-to for intelligent gay men. The app was made for college-educated singles who are looking for someone with a similar background, lifestyle, and values. About 82% of its users hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Deep Relationships
- Match System: Search by education, lifestyle habits, age
- About the App: While a significant number of EliteSingles' users are college-educated, they vary greatly in age, appearance, location, and (most importantly for gay singles) sexual orientation. The app looks and performs great on iOS and Android, and free features include download, profile creation, browsing, match recommendations, a customized personality assessment, and certain forms of communication.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
43%*
57%*
|
290,000* | Free Download |
Every month, more than 290,000 people visit Elite Singles’ homepage, over 165,000 people create a profile, and 2,500 people find love thanks to Elite Singles.
12. Grindr
Grindr was launched so gay men could have a dating app that better meets their needs. It works in pretty much the exact same way except it’s only for gay, bisexual, and curious men. You’ll swipe right if you like someone and left if you don’t, and matching is mostly based on your location and age.
Available for both iOS and Android devices, Grindr is 100% free to do all of the important stuff, but you can upgrade to Grindr Xtra if you want to remove ads from your experience, view as many profiles as you want, and save and send chat phrases, among other things.
Best Apps to Meet Lesbians (#13-14)
You’d be hard-pressed to find lesbian dating apps that are better than the two we’ve chosen. They have everything going for them — affordability, efficiency, size, ease of use, entertainment, reputation, and success rate.
13. Zoosk
Zoosk is a top choice in another section on our list — this time for lesbian singles. The app is one of the most inclusive in the dating industry — not to mention one of the most advanced. Zoosk was among the first platforms to introduce social media integration.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Casual Dates, Relationships
- Match System: Search for and receive matches
- About the App: Founded in 2007, Zoosk is the most well-known dating app out there. If you're constantly running from place to place and have less and less time to meet people, give Zoosk a try. The app can be downloaded for free from Google Play and the App Store, and you don't have to start from scratch on your profile either. Just create a login through Facebook or Google+.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
3.8 Million* | Free Download |
The app has a 3-star rating on iTunes and a 4-star rating on Google Play, where Bobby Fuller shared his experience: “Very easy to use and very easy to meet new people. You will like this because it is so easy.”
14. HER
Created by LGBTQ women for LGBTQ women, HER (formerly known as Dattch) reinvents mobile dating for this community across the globe. In addition to finding romance, you can find friendship, support, and events. Today, HER has over 15 million users worldwide.
One person raved about HER on Google Play: “It’s amazing! I’ve met some great people at the HER party. I’d definitely recommend this app to those who are looking for new people to meet in their city/state.”
Best Apps to Meet People for Sex (#15-17)
Fewer people are following the traditional dating steps once observed by older generations. You know, boy asks girl out, they go on several dates before making it official, they wait a reasonable time to get engaged, they don’t have sex until they’re married, they have kids, and they grow old together. If you’re one of those unconventional people just looking to enjoy yourself and the company of someone else (without the pressure of it leading anywhere), look no further than these two sex apps.
15. BeNaughty
Some people just want sex, and they should be able to find it without feeling bad or being judged for it. BeNaughty is where they can go. This popular hookup app has millions of turned-on users of various ages, genders, sexual orientations, relationship statuses, locations, and appearances.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Casual Encounters
- Match System: Sort profiles by zip code, appearance, more
- About the App: "Try more new delights. Feel no limits!" is BeNaughty's promise to naughty singles. After you download BeNaughty, you're automatically given a free account. There aren't any limits on how many profiles you view, matches you receive, and chat rooms you participate in. On the app, you can be as racy as you want because your info and conversations are protected by SSL and 24/7 customer service.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
13.3 Million* | Free Download |
Complete these seven steps (at no charge), and you’ll become a new member of BeNaughty: 1) Select your gender. 2) Choose the gender you’re interested in. 3) Pick your age. 4) Provide a username. 5) Specify your location. 6) Input an email address. 7) Type in a password.
16. Adult Friend Finder
Adult Friend Finder is a global dating network for sexually active singles, couples, and groups. The adult dating site performs a variety of services for horny people and ensures they have a lively time exploring the local sex scene.
Singles and couples are equally welcome in the AFF community, and you should feel 100% comfortable expressing your fetishes and desires and searching for all kinds of play partners. Whether you’re looking for a local hookup or an international sexting buddy, Adult Friend Finder provides enough filters, forums, and friends to get you started.
17. Pure
Pure is “the hookup for awesome people,” and it works like this: You’ll sign up and add a photo. This will then become a meeting request. It’ll appear on the app for one hour, and then it will be deleted. If you have any correspondence with anyone during that time, it will also be deleted. Pure strives to get people meeting in person ASAP.
Relationships:
Casual Dating, Sexting, Hookups, Friends with Benefits
Match System:
Search filters, Suggested matches
Our Experts Say:
“Pure is a straightforward hookup app designed to make immediate connections. Profiles are only live as long as the person is actively on the app looking for dates. So, basically, everyone you see is available…”
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today’s Deal
All Singles*
65%*
35%*
500,000*
Download FREE
Pure isn’t your typical hookup app. Once you connect with someone, you have one day to set up a meeting, or your messages disappear.
The same goes for if you reply to someone else’s request. They first have to show that they like you back, and then you two have an hour to set up a meeting before your connection is deleted.
Meet People Nearby Without Having to Leave Your House!
After you graduate high school and/or college, don’t think that your people-meeting well has run dry. You’re not going to be stuck dating co-workers or getting set up by friends and family. With any of the apps above, meeting new people in your area is as easy as whipping out your phone. And you still get to cuddle with your doggo and catch up on that new Netflix or Hulu show.
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