Dating Sites With Video Calls

Online Dating

7 Best Dating Sites With Video Calls (2024)

Amber Brooks

Written by: Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks is the Editor-in-Chief at DatingAdvice.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being "boy crazy," but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. As an English major at the University of Florida, Amber honed her communication skills to write clearly, knowledgeably, and passionately about a variety of subjects. Now with over 1,800 lifestyle articles to her name, Amber brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to DatingAdvice.com. She has been quoted as a dating expert by The Washington Times, Cosmopolitan, The New York Post, Bustle, Salon, Well+Good, and AskMen.

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Edited by: Lillian Castro

Lillian Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to ensure DatingAdvice articles have been edited for overall clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Gwinnett Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun covering lifestyle topics.

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For years, online dating experts have been saying that dating sites with video calls are the future. It just took a pandemic for most singles to get on board.

Online dating traffic exploded in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted nationwide lockdowns in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Many dating sites and apps saw an initial uptick in online engagement, but it soon became clear that singles needed more than online texting to get them through the coronavirus crisis.

One by one, the major dating sites and apps began releasing video call, voice messaging, and other virtual dating features to help singles date while respecting social distancing guidelines. Thanks to the following dating sites and apps, you don’t have to go anywhere to meet new people. Ain’t technology grand?

1. Match

★★★★★
4.9/5.0

Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say: “Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review »

Browse Free: View Photos Now

Match has had incredible staying power in the online dating scene. The original dating website launched in 1995 with a simple match algorithm, and now it is one of the most sophisticated and successful matchmakers when it comes to finding a real relationship.

The secret to Match’s staying power is no secret at all. Its team is constantly assessing the dating scene and coming up with solutions to meet online daters where they’re at. Whether it’s pioneering in-person events or pivoting to offer video date features, the Match dating site and app always supports its users with cutting-edge services.

“We have a strong global business and a team that can adapt quickly,” Match Group CEO Shar Dubey said in a statement on March 31, 2020. “Right now, we’re moving quickly to expand our video capabilities.”

★★★★★
4.8/5.0

Relationships: Serious Relationships

Match System: Search, Receive Partner Suggestions

Our Experts Say: “EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review »

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Elite Singles is a dating site geared toward busy single professionals, and it offers premium communication tools to help individuals find the other half of their power couple.

Over 80% of Elite Singles members are college graduates, and they’re not looking to waste time on short-term dates and endless chatting. This dating site and app motivate serious daters to find common ground and connect on a personal level.

Elite Singles is a premium space where only a paid member can view photos, respond to messages, and view their liked list. The video call feature is still in beta testing, but Elite Singles has released a new icebreakers feature that allows free members to send a prewritten greeting to any potential match.

★★★★★
4.8/5.0

Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships

Match System: Personality test suggests matches

Our Experts Say: “Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...” Full Review »

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Since 2000, eharmony has been steadfast in its mission to spark meaningful relationships that lead to marriage. The dating site and app has made a name for itself by using psychology to identify true compatibility, and it is responsible for pairing up over 2 million relationships in the U.S. alone.

As a trusted matchmaker, eharmony has continually sought to bridge the divide between singles by offering icebreakers, instant messaging, virtual smiles, and some video chatting features.

In April 2020, eharmony released the first version of its Video Date feature, which was available exclusively to premium members who have exchanged multiple messages. The way it worked was one member sent a video date invite, and the other must accept it to open the call.

Update: The eharmony video chat feature is not currently active on the platform, but users can still exchange text messages and arrange video calls via Zoom or Google Meet.

4. Zoosk

★★★★★
4.7/5.0

Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System: Search and get match recommendations

Our Experts Say: “Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...” Full Review »

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As a social dating platform, Zoosk is always looking for the next big thing in the online dating world. The dating site and app got attention in 2007 by developing unique communication and matching tools, and now it has over 40 million members worldwide.

Zoosk has come up with some great ideas in its time — behavioral matchmaking, Facebook integration, and Zoosk Coins, to name a few — and now its working on video dating options that will open an entirely new avenue to romance.

Zoosk members can currently chat on the dating site for free and arrange a video call on a third-party platform, but singles can expect more seamless video integration coming soon to the dating app.

★★★★★
4.6/5.0

Relationships: Dates and Relationships

Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more

Our Experts Say: “OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review »

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OurTime is a senior dating site where mature folks can get to know one another by sending likes, texts, voicemails, and videos. Free members have some communication options, but only premium members can send unlimited messages and build a meaningful connection on the dating platform.

The ConnectMe feature allows singles to call or text message each other, exchange photos, send videos through their phones — without giving out their private number. OurTime essentially uses a call forwarding feature to keep user information safe. All you need is a smartphone with video chat features to use this tool for video dating.

★★★★
4.1/5.0

Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates

Match System: Search by location, age, more

Our Experts Say: “BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review »

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BlackPeopleMeet has a similar look and feel as OurTime because they are both People Media sites. The main difference is the type of person you’ll encounter. BlackPeopleMeet caters to people of color and boasts having the largest concentration of Black singles in the U.S. and Canada.

BlackPeopleMeet leaves it up to premium users to arrange a video chat through their smartphones. A single person can get in touch with someone using a fake phone number supplied by the ConnectMe tool. They can then set up phone calls or video dates through Facetime to make sure their online crush is the real deal.

BlackPeopleMeet unlocks some online chat messages for free members, but only premium members can send first messages to anyone on the dating site.

★★★★
4.2/5.0

Relationships: Hookups Only

Match System: Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say: “Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun...”

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Adult Friend Finder started out as a straightforward sex chat room in 1996, and now it entertains and tantalizes over 102 million singles and swingers worldwide. The hookup site offers an abundance of communication tools, including video web cam chat.

You don’t need a credit card to have fun on Adult Friend Finder. As we detail in our full review, free members can view dating profiles, post in the discussion forum, and exchange limited messages on the AFF platform. However, the live video content is for VIP members only.

Sexually active adults can let go of their inhibitions and get intimate with someone by sending videos, chatting in a video broadcast, or engaging in a private video call. Private text messaging is also an option.

★★★
3.4/5.0

Relationships: Hookups Only

Match System: Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say: “A hookup site specializing in casual encounters, secret affairs, live chats, and member videos, FriendFinder-X skips the awkward "dating" stage of a relationship and fast-forwards straight to the sex...”

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FriendFinder-X is another longstanding adult hookup site where singles, swingers, and polyamorous groups seeking sexual encounters. Members can use the search filters to find a potential date in their area, or they can view live model shows, dating forums, and X-rated photo galleries to satisfy their desires.

Members can click on the Live Chat option to get instant access to the network’s sexiest members. The video chat feature makes it easy to build a romantic connection with someone — no matter where in the world they are — and you can also record private videos to send in the chat box.

★★★★
4.0/5.0

Relationships: Daters & Hookups

Match System: Search by age, zip code, more

Our Experts Say: “MenNation is a well-established gay dating and hookup brand, having been founded in 1996. It's totally free to join, view profiles, receive matches, and flirt...”

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MenNation is a sexy playground for gay, bisexual, and queer men in the U.S. and abroad.  This hookup website offers straightforward options for landing a date in the local gay dating scene, and it also has voyeuristic opportunities for guys who’d like to stay anonymous behind their computer screen.

The sexy atmosphere on MenNation is ideal for guys looking to explore their sexuality in private. A random stranger can send texts and private photos with no mutual matching required, and they can also engage in a video chat with hotties on demand.

We consistently rank MenNation as one of the best gay hookup sites because it has a huge database and a lot of communication options that can lead to sexy dates.

★★★★
4.0/5.0

Relationships: Hookups Only

Match System: Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say: “LesbianPersonals provides a fun, quick, and easy experience for gay and bisexual women looking for sex online. Join for free, and you'll be able to search and communicate immediately...”

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LesbianPersonals is a female-friendly dating site with video calls that stimulate romantic interests. Lesbian and bisexual women can have their pick of hot dates on this site, and they can even explore polyamorous relationships if that’s their thing.

Singles and swingers mingle freely on LesbianPersonals, and they only have to pay for a premium membership if they want to send unlimited messages or use their webcam to get in a video chat.

Women who share a lot of photos and videos of themselves get the most attention on LesbianPersonals, and the typical online conversation escalates quickly from sexting a random stranger to arranging a real-life meetup.

11. Tinder

Tinder is the dating app that invented swipe-based matching, so it’s a popular option for singles hoping to land a hot date quickly.

The 2020 pandemic has changed some aspects of dating, but it hasn’t knocked Tinder off its pedestal as the go-to wingman for 530 million singles in 190 countries.

Screenshot from Tinder's website

Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has created over 70 billion matches.

Tinder conversations increased by as much as 30% during the height of coronavirus lockdowns in 2020. But singles can subsist on text messages alone, so the dating app’s team got to work on virtual date options. By the summertime, Tinder had added one-on-one video chats to its repertoire.

The Face-to-Face option started a slow rollout in July 2020 and is still in the beta testing phase, which means it is only available to Tinder users in certain areas.

12. Bumble

In 2014, Bumble launched with the revolutionary premise that women should come first in the online dating scene, and it has been busting gender norms and collecting success stories ever since.

This dating app has become a leader in the industry thanks to its high standards and quality-driven matching features. In 2020, Bumble became more popular than ever and surpassed 100 million users.

Screenshot of Bumble

Bumble gives users the chance to send video and audio messages.

The Bumble team pioneered its video and voice chat feature in June 2019, but it didn’t gain widespread popularity until singles were stuck at home and hankering to take their romances beyond just texting.

Bumble immediately deletes video and voice content, and it does not keep a record of such interactions, so online daters can enjoy a private moment with their matches on the app.

13. Plenty of Fish

In 2003, Plenty of Fish made waves as an online dating site and app with totally free messaging. Now it’s making headlines for its rapid integration of video technology in the online dating world.

Plenty of Fish partnered with Meet Group in March 2020 to launch a live video solution for singles on the dating platform. It also developed a NextDate feature that simulates speed dating by offering 90-second video chats with users.

Screenshot of PlentyOfFish

Plenty of Fish members send over 1 billion messages per month.

Singles will certainly have plenty of options to explore when they join the POF community. Plenty of Fish currently has over 150 million users and sees 4 million views per day. Every week, the POF dating service creates 57 million new matches and leads to countless in-person and virtual dates.

14. Hinge

Hinge is an online dating app that was “designed to be deleted,” which means its main purpose is to get singles off the app and into real relationships ASAP.

Before the pandemic, Hinge had one of the best first-date success rates in the industry, and now it has one of the best track records when it comes to video chatting.

The Hinge logo

Hinge prompts users to engage authentically by arranging a video call.

In April 2020, Hinge unveiled its Date From Home feature. This facilitates a virtual date experience by prompting mutual matches to accept a video call invite or phone call invite. Users will input their email address or phone number to kick off a call through Facetime or Zoom. About 70% of Hinge users have said they’re open to virtual dating, and the video call feature has been taking off in recent months.

15. Coffee Meets Bagel

Three sisters in California developed Coffee Meets Bagel to help single women have a more positive experience meeting men online. The dating app has created over 55 million love connections since its launch in 2012.

Screenshot of CoffeeMeetsBagel

About 28% of CMB users said they planned to video date more during the pandemic.

Coffee Meets Bagel released a video feature in 2018 to make online dating more exciting and personalized. The team saw that posting videos increased a dating profile’s likelihood of making a match, and it has since expanded that capability to include video chat exchanges.

Now, CMB Community Virtual Meetups give high-caliber members the chance to engage in video chats with up to seven people.

16. Badoo

Badoo is one of the most widely used dating apps of all time. More than 483 million people have joined the Badoo network, and its members send over 350 million messages per day.

Our full review goes into more detail about how Badoo works and how much it costs.

The Badoo logo

Badoo connects singles across 190 countries and 47 languages.

From its earliest days, Badoo has integrated videos into the online dating experience. Badoo dating profiles feature video clips shared by users, and the dating app enables live video chats between users. Just click the camera icon in your chat window to initiate a video call with your match. Note that the user must be online to accept your video chat invitation.

17. Happn

Happn is a dating app that sparks relationships based on convenience and reciprocity. Only mutual matches can chat on the app, and only people who are in close proximity with one another have the chance to send a like and make a match (the app calls it a Crush).

Screenshot of Happn

Happn provides a map reference on dating profiles to show where you’ve crossed paths.

The Happn app facilitates real-time chats and video calls between singles who live near each other but may never have had the opportunity to say hello. Happn users can only start one video call per Crush, and they will not be able to text message or swipe on the app while the call is taking place.

Over 90 million members have browsed Happn in search of a local date, and the app has a 4-star rating on Google Play.

18. Grindr

Grindr became famous in the gay dating scene in 2009 because it was one of the first dating app’s to use a smartphone’s location data to spark romantic connections. The app now has over 27 million male users and has developed high-tech tools that foster real-time matching and dating.

Screenshot of Grindr's homepage

Grindr sees nearly 4 million visitors per day.

Over the years, Grindr has fooled around with video chat features and seen varied success. Some users have complained that the video lags or glitches often. Others have found it’s a good way to verify that their date is a real guy and enjoy some flirtatious action on their phone.

Grindr users can click the camera icon to record and send a video to their online crushes. There is also an option to get GIFs, photos, and website links in the chat.

19. HER

HER is a wonderful social networking and dating app for women who are tired of matching with men in the mainstream dating scene. Over 10 million women have joined HER in hopes of connecting with lesbian, bisexual, and queer women in their area.

Screenshot from HER

The HER dating app is open to all singles who identify as female.

HER gives women plenty of opportunities to connect with one another online and offline. They can join a community group based on shared interests or RSVP to public events hosted by LGBTQ+ members.

The dating app also allows women to post videos and photos on their dating profile. That way, it’s easier for individuals to let their personality shine.

20. Luvr

Luvr launched in 2017 with a simple mission — to bring video technology to online dating. The dating app created a three-tiered communication model that allows singles to post videos in their profile (Video Bios), send short video clips to matches (Video Snaps), and engage in live video chats (Video Calling) anytime they want.

Luvr is currently available to Android users only, but an iOS app is in development.

Screenshots of Luvr

Luvr dating profiles feature both photos and videos.

The Luvr dating app highlights videos in every aspect of the online dating process, and that allows singles to verify their matches and get to know each other on a more personal level.

“More and more, people are taking advantage of video as a go-to medium when it comes to interacting with their social groups,” said Luvr CEO Oliver Buckley in a press release. “One of the great things about video is that it allows you to pick up on subtle nuances about a person’s personality, their mannerisms, their sense of humor, and other traits.”

21. The League

The League provides an exclusive dating club where new users must apply for entry, and only the most attractive and successful singles will make the cut. This dating app encourages singles to be selective in the dating scene and never settle for second-rate dates.

Single professionals have joined The League because they put quality over quantity and want to receive more personalized match recommendations based on their standards.

Screenshot from The League's website

The League caters to well-educated singles in search of a long-term partner.

The League Live offers a unique matchmaking experience that’s part speed dating and video chatting. Users simply set their match preferences, push the start button, and then enjoy three two-minute video dates back to back to back. These mini-dating marathons take place on Sundays and Wednesdays, and The League sends out notifications to remind singles to join in the fun.

What’s a Video Call?

A video call is a type of communication that uses a computer’s webcam or smartphone camera to record live video and send it to another person. You’ll see that person’s video feed on your screen, and you can chat in real time — just make sure not to hit the mute button by accident!

What’s a VoIP Call?

A Voice Over Internet Protocol Call, aka VoIP call, is a private way to chat with someone you met online without exchanging phone numbers or using video. It’s a voice-to-voice communication, similar to a phone call, but supported by IP technology. All you need is a voice-enabled computer and an internet connection.

Making VoIP calls can give online daters a way to build intimacy and trust without entangling their personal lives too much.

How Do Video Calls Work on Dating Sites?

Dating sites and apps that allow video calls do so to make the online dating experience that much easier. It’s pretty simple to use. You click the video button on a profile or in a chat box, and that will send a video chat invite to the other person. You must both be online for the video chat window to open, so it’s best to arrange a day and time to enjoy your video date.

Photo of a video date

Video dates are more personal than text message or phone conversations.

Sometimes you can leave a video message for your online crush if he or she is not currently online. These messages are typically private and cannot be deleted or viewed by you once sent.

Be sure to look at a dating company’s privacy policy to see how it stores or deletes private messaging data, including video calls. In most cases, the platform shouldn’t keep a record of your video chat, but you should verify that before getting intimate in such a public forum.

How Do I Go About Choosing the Best Dating Site With Video Calls?

If you want to go on video dates, any of the dating sites and apps on this list can help. The only difficult part is deciding which one is right for you. Be sure to look up reviews and ask your friends what they think before choosing a specific dating service. You should take into account the dating site’s reputation, features, costs, and success stories, and remember that your location can also determine which dating platform is most popular and effective.

What Services Can You Use to Make Video Calls?

If the dating site or app doesn’t directly provide video call functionalities, singles can always find a way to do it themselves by using third-party services. Zoom, Skype, and Facetime can all facilitate video dates with very little hassle or personal information exchanged.

The HouseParty app is another good option for singles seeking a fun dating experience. This app provides games such as UNO and Heads Up for users to play while they chat.

Are Video Calls on Dating Sites Safe?

The whole point of online dating is to meet a random stranger and find a potential date, so it’s natural to feel nervous. But it is relatively safe as long as you keep your wits about you and don’t fall for a Nigerian Prince or Russian fembot.

Online daters should always take their time when getting to know new people and keep their personal information (full name, address, birthdate, etc.) to themselves to avoid compromising themselves. They can also arrange video calls to make sure the person they’re chatting with is genuine.

Most dating sites have reporting tools to keep unsavory characters from causing trouble. In a survey, about 28% of online daters said they had felt harassed or uncomfortable at some point during their online chats. Fortunately, all they have to do to sever contact is hit the block button.

Photo of a computer keyboard

About 90% of the people you meet online will be local singles.

Romance scammers will make up different stories to fool people, and some can be quite convincing, but they all boil down to the same plea for money and favors. Be on your guard if an online crush asks for money and has not yet met you in person or even been on a video call or phone call. That person is most likely a group of people running a scam.

A good rule of thumb is to set up a phone call or video date before meeting a stranger in person. That way, you can be sure you’re not being catfished.

Video Dating Is the New Normal For Modern Singles

The 2020 pandemic has brought new and unparalleled challenges to many industries. Social distancing demands have prompted professionals to come up with innovative solutions to a range of problems, including how to connect singles when IRL date venues are off the table.

Online dating sites and apps have had the capacity to enable video chats for years, but it took a crisis to create a demand for such features. Now singles have adapted to a new way of getting to know each other — and some find it’s a much more convenient way to date.

Instead of getting dressed up to troll the bar or club scene, singles can stay locked down at home and enjoy meeting people on dating sites with video calls to break the ice. Be safe and have fun out there!

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