More than 8,000 dating sites and apps have launched since the 1990s, and we’re pretty sure that number isn’t going to get smaller anytime soon. Online and mobile dating has become one of the preferred ways for singles to meet, and for good reason. It’s convenient, it’s easy, it works, and it’s affordable… because the most popular dating platforms are free.
With so many options out there, we thought we’d narrow it down to the cream of the crop. Below are our 15 favorite online dating apps, chosen based on their popularity, reputation, success rates, pricing, and other features. Take a look!
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2. Match
Match has been a dating household name since its launch in 1995, and its app provides an equally good romantic experience. It has 4 out of 5 stars on Google Play and 3.2 stars out of 5 on iTunes, and one happy user named James Adkins said the app is “easy to use” and “very versatile.” Download Match for free and see for yourself. The app allows you to view profiles, receive matches, and flirt without providing any payment information.
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4. eharmony
eharmony is a serious dating app in that it’s mostly for commitment-minded and Christian-oriented singles, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have fun during the process. In fact, the most work you’ll have to do is take the 29 Dimensions of Compatibility Questionnaire, and then you can sit back while the app does all the match searching for you. You also have the option of using eharmony Icebreakers (a fun, image-based quiz) if you aren’t sure how to start the conversation.
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6. OurTime.com
OurTime is a senior-focused dating app, with the largest portion of its audience in the 50+ age bracket. You won’t have to pay anything to become a member, browse, and flirt. But probably one of the biggest perks is OurTime is a sister app of SeniorPeopleMeet, so your profile will appear for free on both platforms. Since you don’t have to search too hard for matches based on age, you can focus more on hobbies, education, appearance, life goals, and similar identifiers.
7. BlackPeopleMeet
BlackPeopleMeet is a great choice for black and biracial men and women, and for those open to interracial dating. It should take you a few minutes, at the most, to sign up. All the app asks for is some details about you and your personality, a few photos, and your preferences in terms of gender, sexual orientation, location, culture, background, ideology, career, etc. Thousands of African-American singles use BlackPeopleMeet to narrow their search for a hot date in the black community.
8. NaughtyCharm
Not every app is for finding a relationship, and not every dater wants to find a relationship, and that’s where NaughtyCharm comes in. Here, only horny singles need apply. You have all kinds of men and women and all kinds of sexual encounters — including threesomes, swinging, and affairs — to choose from. Don’t worry about security, though, because NaughtyCharm verifies every member and uses SSL to encrypt your information.
9. Tinder
Tinder revolutionized the dating industry with its swiping and GPS-based matching process, and now it’s responsible for billions of matches a day and millions of dates each week. The app is available in 190 countries and 45+ languages, and it has 4 stars and 3.9 stars on Google and iTunes, respectively. Take it from Tinder itself: “The people we meet change our lives. Tinder empowers users around the world to create new connections that otherwise might never have been possible.”
URL: https://tinder.com/
10. Bumble
Bumble was created to improve the experience women were having on more superficial dating apps (e.g., being bombarded with inappropriate messages and photos). On this app, only women can start the conversation. If you’re gay, lesbian, or bisexual, either person can make the first move. You have one day to send that first message, and then the other person has one day to reply. If that doesn’t happen, the match disappears. Singles seem to love Bumble, too, as it has 4.1 stars in the App Store and 3.5 stars on Google Play.
URL: https://bumble.com/
11. OkCupid
OkCupid has one of the most detailed matching systems of any dating app, which means its pairings tend to be spot-on. After you answer several questions about yourself, you’ll tell the app how you want potential dates and/ or partners to answer those questions. Finally, you’ll give those answers a ranking of importance (e.g., very or somewhat). OkCupid has been totally free since its inception, but the app does offer a few premium features for purchase, including boosting your profile in search results, if you’re interested.
12. Hinge
Often nicknamed “the anti-Tinder,” Hinge says, “We believe the quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life.” In addition, its motto is “thoughtful dating for thoughtful people.” Hinge is all about making it easy to break the ice, so the app requires users to like or comment on another user’s profile or photos and say what caught their eye. Hinge, which has been featured in publications like The Washington Post, Business Insider, and Mashable, doesn’t require you to input any payment information to send messages or likes on the app. Go ahead and give it a try — you’ve got nothing to lose!
URL: https://hinge.co/
13. Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel doesn’t want to flood you with hundreds of matches every day in the hope that one might sort of fit your standards. Instead, the team aims to send you a couple of daily matches they believe will be a better fit. You’re also limited in how many profiles you can like or pass on each day. Coffee Meets Bagel does this to cut down on mindless swiping and encourage people to give each profile a real look. Whether you’re an iOS or Android user, you can get Coffee Meets Bagel for free on your smartphone or tablet.
14. Happn
At Happn, you’ll “find the people you’ve crossed paths with.” As you go about your day, Happn alerts you when you’ve crossed paths with another member, so you can see whether you share the same bars, restaurants, parks, and activities. You can view the time and place of your last encounter, and you can secretly like them. If they like you back, it’s a match. With almost a 5-star rating on Google Play and almost a 4-star rating on iTunes, Happn remains a popular pick.
URL: https://www.happn.com/
15. Grindr
Grindr works in almost the same way as Tinder, but it’s specifically for gay, bisexual, and curious men. The app was founded in 2009, it has more than 4.2 million users, and it’s available in more than 192 countries. Not to mention Grindr is absolutely free. Grindr Xtra does cost money, but you can meet and communicate with matches without it. Grinder also deeply cares about helping the LGBT community, so the company is always working on campaigns that users can take part in.
You Really Can’t Go Wrong With Any of These Dating Apps
Because these 15 sites and apps really are the best of the best, we’re confident you’ll find at least one that feels right for you. Still, we recommend trying a few for yourself before you decide to upgrade or subscribe. If you want to boost your chances of meeting that special someone, sign up for one, two, or even three apps — they’re all pretty easy to learn. Most importantly, have fun!
