Throughout my years of travel and living abroad, I’ve learned a lot about human nature. The things that set us apart, and those that unite us. The number one similarity I’ve found across every culture, religion, and continent is the desire for love.
We spend much of our lives trying to find it by whatever means necessary. This is where dating apps come in.
The use of these apps has skyrocketed despite only having been around for a handful of decades. What started as a singular online dating platform (shoutout to the OG, Match.com) has become a multibillion-dollar industry that draws over 300 million annual users worldwide1.
And although each country differs in the kinds of dating apps and features available, the reality is your next love connection is just a download away. That’s true whether you’re chilling in a sushi cafe in Japan or hiking the French Alps.
1. United States — Tinder
Apps like Bumble and Hinge may have seen an impressive rise in popularity in recent years, but the numbers don’t lie: Tinder remains the number one downloaded app in the good ol’ US of A (as well as Canada, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, Spain, and many others2).
And are we really surprised? Tinder was the first to create swipe-based matching. And there’s something about firsts that tend to stick (just ask Neil Armstrong, Gabby Douglas, and Sandra Day O’Connor).
Its popularity and prevalence in American society are undeniable. In fact, according to a survey conducted in late 2022, close to half of respondents (48%) claimed their reason for using Tinder was that “many of their peers were using it.”3
But does the app live up to the hype? It depends on who you ask. Many people believe Tinder to be a hookup app, while other daters have taken their Premium Member monthly payments all the way to the wedding chapel.4
Either way, the app touts a 3.8 on Google Play, a 4.1 on the App Store, and a total of 630 million downloads. Chances are, it’s doing something right.
2. France — Badoo
Home to one of the most romantic cities in the world, it would make sense to assume that the French are all over the dating apps, right? The data says oui. Reportedly, almost 13% of France’s population (approx. 8.8 million people) use dating apps5.
And, based on the fact that 67% of French people report feeling pressure to be in a relationship6, these numbers are not likely to see a downturn anytime soon.
Coming out on top in the French dating app scene is Badoo. Founded in 2006 by Russian entrepreneur Andrey Andreev, the app features geolocation matching, video chat, and verification capabilities that bring thousands of people together on a monthly basis.
Some users love the app for how it makes the swiping process “perfect and easy!”7 Others appreciate the low cost and lack of clutter: “No matter how broke you are, you can still afford it. No ads at all and no bugs. Just a straight-to-the-point dating app.”
3. Australia — Bumble
The buzz is that Bumble’s back. (Kidding, she never left).
This women-facing dating app, which saw a massive bump in popularity in 20158, has now earned the title of Australia’s most-used dating platform with a record number of 55,700 monthly downloads9. Tinder and Hinge follow closely in second and third place, respectively.
It’s difficult to prove exactly what it is about Bumble that makes it a top contender in the country of crocs and koalas, but it may come down to progressiveness. Australian singles seem drawn to a platform where women make the first move.
It’s safer, it’s empowering, and it’s got friend-finding options, too!
4. Japan — Pairs
How does the most technologically-advanced country10 in the world feel about dating apps? Big fan! While a minority of citizens still prefer meeting people the “organic” way (17%)11, the majority of surveyed daters in Japan claim that online dating is their go-to in the search for love.
And out of this majority, the largest percent say they use Pairs.
Pairs was launched in 2012 with the goal of helping Japanese singles discover meaningful life-long partnerships. The app uses many of the same features big-name dating apps do, such as an interest-based matching algorithm, fun icebreaker prompts, and local in-person meetups.
But it also takes a targeted approach on a particular aspect of life that the Japanese take very seriously: privacy.
With a strong desire to keep their private and professional lives separate, many users express their appreciation for the app’s security measures.
Those include a feature that allows users to hide their profile from their place of work, as well as the app’s 24/7 customer service line and text/image monitoring system.
5. India — Tinder
Tinder may have started as a U.S.-based app, but the flames of love (or lust) that have ensued since its launch in 2012 have had a global reach.
Earning approximately 1.4 billion swipes and 26 million matches per day12, the app is India’s number one choice in online dating, with Bumble and Hinge as runners-up13.
This feat becomes even more impressive when you consider that, according to recent data, 90% of all marriages in this part of the world are still arranged14. In fact, some believe Tinder has been the catalyst to an entirely new belief system surrounding the culture’s view on love and dating15.
Singles previously had to rely on parents or loved ones to find their perfect match. Now they feel more empowered to take on the task themselves.
6. Kenya — SweetMeet
This app is perfect for those who, like me, believe steaks are best served tenderized and covered with a tasty, caramelized coating. Hold up — I must be thinking of the newly launched (and similarly-spelled) meat delivery app SweetMeats.
SweetMeet, on the other hand, is a dating app that uses geolocation technology, search filters, and a preference-based algorithm to match hundreds of thousands of singles per day.
What makes this particular app a top contender in Kenya16 is difficult to pinpoint, but I’d say it comes down to the easy navigation and profile-boosting coin system.
7. Peru — Tinder
OK, Tinder. Now you’re just showing off.
Coming in with a large lead against Bumble, Badoo, and Maybe You, this U.S.-based app is — surprise, surprise — the number one used app in Peru17.
There isn’t a lot of data on the Peruvian dating scene to help us understand why this is, but considering that Tinder is the top choice for 196 other countries,18 we’ll just let the numbers speak for themselves.
8. Singapore — Bumble
The wave of the West’s women’s rights movement (try saying that three times fast) has touched many corners of the world, including Singapore19.
This feminist influence has prompted significant changes in this tiny East Asian country, particularly in the professional lives of its female citizens20.
Has this human rights cause made its way into the social sphere, too? The fact that the country’s most-used dating app is one where women make the first move may mean the answer is “yes.”
9. China — Tantan
Referred to by many as the “Chinese Tinder,” the Tantan app earns the number one spot for dating platforms in this country of over 1.4 billion people21.
The app looks eerily similar to Tinder in format22 and uses many of the same features, including left and right swiping, the option to send “Super Likes,” and free unlimited messaging.
Much like its U.S.-based counterpart, the platform is considered a hookup app. This preference for a more Netflix-and-chill lifestyle can be explained by recent economic and social changes trickling into the dating landscape23.
Regardless of the explanation, the success of the app is indisputable. Tantan is responsible for over 3.4 billion matches since its launch in 2012 and is expected to earn approximately $45.1 million in revenue this year24.
10. South Africa — Tinder
Tinder is ranked as the most popular dating app in South Africa. Over 10 million of Tinder’s users are from South Africa25. With such a large pool, I think it’s safe to say that Tinder’s location-based matchmaking system is working exactly how it was intended.
Despite its reputation as a hookup app, Tinder has been an avenue for love for many South Africans. A survey of 260 individuals between the ages of 20 and 25 found that 56% of South African users download Tinder out of boredom or curiosity, while 52% are on a set mission to find love26.
Tinder’s dominance in South Africa’s dating scene is clearly a testament to how user-friendly the app was designed to be and its ability to cater to a wide range of relationship preferences.
11. Germany — Hinge
Hinge poppin’ in Germany? Who knew! Hinge is seriously catching on in Germany, especially since so many people are getting tired of endless swiping.
Hinge launched shortly after Tinder to provide an option for singles looking for more serious connections.
Hinge was ranked as the most-used dating app in Germany27. A lot of people appreciate Hinge’s more thoughtful approach to online dating. It’s an app where a person’s personality matters just as much as their looks.
Known as the dating app designed to be deleted, Hinge is popular for helping users date with more intention and offers cool prompts for users to show off their personality.
12. UK — Tinder
Oh look, it’s another Tinder fan country! The U.K. dating scene is consumed by Tinder, with a large chunk of 5 million of its users being from the U.K.28 In 2024, it was reported that Tinder was the most-used dating service in the U.K.29
Tinder creates a chill and low-pressure environment. Its swipe-based interface plays a big role in why so many people are drawn to download the app. It’s quick, easy, and fun – even if you are only using it to kill time.
Sure, like any other dating app, Tinder has its own set of flaws and has gotten fair criticism for being superficial; however, it’s helped a lot of British couples find their way to one another – Lisa Niven-Phillips30 can attest to that.
13. Brazil — Tinder
Tinder has taken over the dating scene yet again, leaving competitors like Badoo and Par Perfeito trailing behind.
Statistics show that Tinder is the number dating app in Brazil31. The app’s versatility is what keeps people coming back.
Tinder is great for flirting, chatting, and just browsing local singles. Whether they’re in bustling Sao Paulo or a small beach town, Tinder helps Brazilians connect beyond their immediate circles.
Plus, if we’re being honest, Brazilians are known for being social and passionate lovers, and Tinder fits that vibe.
Online Dating Is Popular Worldwide
If this information has taught us anything, it’s that we should never underestimate the power of technology to change the world as we know it. And I mean that in the romantic, “There’s someone out there for everyone” way, not the scary, “Robots are taking over the world!” way.
Whether you’re in the subtropics of Peru or the bustling cities of China, apps like Tinder, SweetMeet, and Badoo are revolutionizing the way we approach dating, making it easier than ever to find companionship and create meaningful connections.
And, considering that tech seems to be advancing faster than we can say Elon Musk, these changes are unlikely to slow down anytime soon.
That said, when it comes to embarking on your online journey toward love, my advice is this: Sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride (pun very much intended).
- https://www.businessofapps.com/data/dating-app-market ↩︎
- https://www.apptweak.com/en/mobile-app-news/check-out-the-most-popular-dating-apps-by-country ↩︎
- https://www.ustm.ac.in/research-explores-why-people-use-tinder-and-what-4/. ↩︎
- https://www.insider.com/tinder-couples-share-love-stories-dating-app-hits-10-years-2022-9 ↩︎
- https://www.statista.com/chart/24165/online-dating-penetration-rate-revenue-selected-countries/ ↩︎
- https://www.ustm.ac.in/research-explores-why-people-use-tinder-and-what-4/ ↩︎
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/badoo-dating-chat-friends/id351331194 ↩︎
- https://www.zippia.com/bumble-careers-1581075/history/ ↩︎
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1220111/australia-bumble-monthly-downloads/ ↩︎
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/technological-expertise ↩︎
- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2023/02/14/issues/not-easy-fall-love-app-effect-japans-complex-international-dating-scene/ ↩︎
- https://www.applicoinc.com/blog/tinder-india-swiped-right/ ↩︎
- https://www.similarweb.com/apps/top/google/app-index/in/dating/top-free/ ↩︎
- https://harvardpolitics.com/harmful-representation-arranged-marriage-in-netflixs-indian-matchmaking/ ↩︎
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/dongroves/2016/02/04/tinder-india-helps-fuel-a-social-revolution-in-india/ ↩︎
- https://www.similarweb.com/apps/top/google/store-rank/ke/dating/top-free/ ↩︎
- https://www.similarweb.com/apps/top/google/store-rank/pe/dating/top-free/ ↩︎
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/tinder-users-by-country ↩︎
- https://www.mccy.gov.sg/about-us/news-and-resources/-macro–shifts-and-changing-mindsets-for-women-s-development-in-singapore ↩︎
- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/international-womens-day-gender-equality-equity-flexible-work-mothers-parenting-3330931 ↩︎
- https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/china-population/ ↩︎
- https://www.techinasia.com/tinder-clone-china-rest-asia ↩︎
- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2023/02/14/issues/not-easy-fall-love-app-effect-japans-complex-international-dating-scene/ ↩︎
- https://growjo.com/company/Tantan ↩︎
- https://datewiz.me/blog/popular-dating-apps-in-south-africa.html ↩︎
- https://theconversation.com/the-dating-game-survey-shows-how-and-why-south-africans-use-tinder-177412 ↩︎
- https://www.similarweb.com/top-apps/google/germany/dating/ ↩︎
- https://www.demandsage.com/tinder-statistics/ ↩︎
- https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/online-habits/appy-valentines-day-top-online-dating-trends-revealed ↩︎
- https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/tinder-marriage ↩︎
- https://www.similarweb.com/top-apps/google/brazil/dating/top-grossing/ ↩︎
