Sex, Dating & Relationships
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The best dating sites for finding a boo this summer

Warmer days are upon us — here are our top dating site picks.
By Leah Stodart and Miller Kern  on 
Editors and writers independently select products unless marked Sponsored or Promoted. Sponsored content is a paid ad, while content marked Promoted is chosen by Ziff Davis leadership. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. Promoted cards do not include input from individual authors.

Our Top 16 Picks

Match (opens in a new tab)

Best for a Serious Relationship

The OG reigns supreme with a tried-and-true algorithm and features that modernize with the user base without sacrificing functionality.

The Good

  • Lets you choose dealbreakers
  • Stacked user base, even in smaller towns
  • Near-infinite ways to add personality to your profile
  • New safety features for emergency communication
  • Free users can talk to their Top Picks
  • Nice filtered search feature

The Bad

  • You have to pay for most features
  • You get notifications for everything
  • Prices change too often

The Bottom Line

Somewhere between too chill and overwhelming lies Match, with the same booming user base and a totally modernized look.
Pros & Cons

Hinge (opens in a new tab)

Best App For Starting the Conversation

This modern go-to app for many to find a date is chiller than most paid dating sites but much less "Wanna bang?" than Tinder.

The Good

  • Limited scrolling rather than endless swiping
  • Rapidly-growing user base, especially in cities
  • High statistics for second dates
  • Voice prompts and messages allow you to show your personality in a unique way

The Bad

  • Filtering by certain qualities no longer a free feature
  • Have to pay for unlimited matches
  • Free version only shows one like at a time

The Bottom Line

The wide appeal of Hinge is due to its thoughtful combo of Tinder's instant gratification and Match's relationship focus.
Pros & Cons

AdultFriendFinder (opens in a new tab)

For those looking for sex

This sex-focused site with a massive global user base is absolutely NSFW and often includes problematic language.
Pros & Cons

OkCupid (opens in a new tab)

Best For Liberals And Leftists

People who follow current events will enjoy OkCupid's Tumblr-esque design and a focus on social issues.

The Good

  • Expands compatibility to those with similar social justice views
  • Dedicated space in bio for preferred pronouns
  • Modern redesign that's genuinely fun to navigate
  • No subscription is required to use tons of filters to search for matches

The Bad

  • Not great in small towns
  • Slightly pricey, but understandably so

The Bottom Line

One of the original dating sites, OKC is dedicated to adapting, looks bomb, and goes past the corny stuff to make online dating, dare we say it, somewhat enjoyable.
Pros & Cons

Bumble (opens in a new tab)

Best For People Who Actually Want to Talk

It became famous for having women message first, but stays relevant with a 24 hour chat limit that requires both people actually send a message for a match to stay active.

The Good

  • No unsolicited creepy messages from dudes
  • Eliminates "dead" matches
  • Bumble Boost lets you rematch with an expired match
  • Allows GIFs and voice messaging

The Bad

  • Time limit could be too high-pressure for some
  • You'll see a lot of the same people as Tinder
  • Premium is pretty pricey

The Bottom Line

With women making moves and matches expiring after a day, Bumble gets you considering matches more seriously.
Pros & Cons

Tinder (opens in a new tab)

Best For Figuring Out What You Want

You can find pretty much any type of relationship on Tinder, whether you want something serious or casual.

The Good

  • Massive user base
  • Has a laid back social media vibe
  • Can typically find someone down to meetup in no time at all

The Bad

  • Not great if you're strictly looking for something serious
  • Might get more unsavory messages than on other sites and apps
  • Has a reputation for being full of low-effort profiles and people just looking for hookups

The Bottom Line

Tinder is a first thought when it comes to dating apps for a reason. There's room to explore on the social media-like app.
Pros & Cons

eharmony (opens in a new tab)

Best For Those Looking To Get Married

Casual daters will feel smothered, but eharmony has made serious changes to appeal to marriage-minded online daters.

The Good

  • High success rate speaks for itself
  • Questionnaire makes you think about what you need to work on
  • Super user-friendly
  • Filled with users looking for serious, long-term commitment

The Bad

  • Historically not LGBTQ-friendly
  • No support for non-binary users
  • Hard to pin down prices before sign-up
  • Pricey

The Bottom Line

If you're dying to find the one and settle down ASAP, eharmony's proven success is worth the premium cost.
Pros & Cons

Elite Singles (opens in a new tab)

Best For Career-Oriented People

You can speak your love language *and* money language here, but it might be too hit-or-miss for the price.

The Good

  • More mature user base than most dating sites
  • Low chance of getting catfished
  • Questionnaire is more fun than it used to be

The Bad

  • Way too pricey
  • Restricted to a few matches per day
  • Might get suggestions that don't match your filters
  • No support for bisexual or non-binary people
  • Website feels outdated
  • Can't see matches' photos with the free version

The Bottom Line

Calling on a more established crowd, EliteSingles offers a mature space for ambitious individuals to connect.
Pros & Cons

Coffee Meets Bagel (opens in a new tab)

Best For People Nervous About Meeting Irl

Skip the pressure of constant inbox notifications with CMB's small user base and authentic, curated matches that'll get delivered straight to you every day at noon.

The Good

  • Little to no effort required after making a profile
  • No messages from people you haven't liked back
  • Less judgement over the perfect profile picture
  • Premium perks earned just by using the app
  • Can get a lot of real dates out of it

The Bad

  • Smaller cities might see the same users again and again
  • Kind of expensive for the bland features it offers

The Bottom Line

This small user base allows CMB to find a handful of highly-compatible matches while you get on with your day.
Pros & Cons

HER (opens in a new tab)

Best For Queer Women

A queer women-only app that will introduce you to tons of ladies you didn't even know existed, though you may have to sift through some spam accounts.

The Good

  • Designed by queer women, for queer women
  • Makes it easier to find local queer events
  • 4 million users and growing

The Bad

  • Recycling of same few profiles in small towns
  • Occasional biphobia and "gold star lesbian" seekers
  • No algorithm past age and location

The Bottom Line

HER is a rapidly-growing space for queer women to make real connections while avoiding unicorn hunters.
Pros & Cons

Grindr (opens in a new tab)

Best For Queer Men

Putting "bi" in your profile might get you some hate here, but it's also a place to meet experienced men.

The Good

  • Users let you know exactly what kind of relationship they want
  • Can find a date within the hour
  • Tons of men online 24/7, even in rural areas
  • Grindr for Equality campaign focuses on LGBTQ advocacy

The Bad

  • Bots and performance issues
  • Level of NSFW is jarring
  • Occasional biphobia and hate toward queer women on the app
  • Reports of data breaches

The Bottom Line

A great option for gay men that ditches the small talk and has tons of potential matches online 24/7.
Pros & Cons

SilverSingles (opens in a new tab)

Best For People 50 And Over

Skip fishing through unreliable age filters and try a site dedicated to those looking for romance later in life.

The Good

  • Clear and easy to navigate
  • No dealing with age filters that are ignored anyway

The Bad

  • No support for non-binary users
  • Many outdated and spam accounts
  • Free version is kind of useless and Premium is pretty pricey
  • Setting a location limit will not stop you from getting matches who live outside of your radius

The Bottom Line

A friendly, age-specific option for those who don't have time to waste on swiping.
Pros & Cons

Pure (opens in a new tab)

Best True Hookup App

The trendiest, chillest hookup app out there that guarantees quick, no-strings-attached booty calls.

The Good

  • No-strings-attached sex without the sketchiness
  • Desktop version is as trendy and clean as the app
  • Everything is deleted after 24 hours
  • Stellar reviews in the app store
  • Artsy design and modern layout
  • Good filtering function

The Bad

  • Possible catfish risk
  • Have to re-upload photos/re-type bios constantly
  • Definitely won't be useful in less-populated areas

The Bottom Line

Self-proclaimed as "the hookup app", the success of this hipster Snapchat for sex depends on the day.
Pros & Cons

Jigsaw (opens in a new tab)

Best For Putting Personality First

On Jigsaw, you have to get to know someone before you can see their face.

The Good

  • Your conversations will probably be more substantial than on apps like Tinder
  • Creates a fun air of mystery
  • Really focuses on personality
  • Gender and sexual orientation inclusive
  • Affordable

The Bad

  • Small user base
  • Can create awkward situations if you aren't attracted to the person after they're revealed
  • Only available in certain locations, like New York City

The Bottom Line

Like your own personal Love is Blind experience, Jigsaw allows you to get to know someone without any physical judgment.
Pros & Cons

happn (opens in a new tab)

Best For People Looking For Their Meet Cute

If you're wondering if you've been missing out on making a connection with a neighborhood cutie, happn makes potentially finding them a whole lot easier.

The Good

  • People you've crossed paths with only stay on your map for up to 30 days, so it won't get clogged
  • Map show you where you might have seen someone
  • Secret likes are nice for shier users
  • Traditional swipe model still available

The Bad

  • Don't necessarily have to actually have crossed paths as the map will also just show you people nearby
  • Only get access to certain privacy controls if you pay

The Bottom Line

Happn is for those who wish dating apps were a bit more spontaneously romantic.
Pros & Cons

Zoosk (opens in a new tab)

Best As A Last Resort Pick

The matchmaking system follows your swipe patterns, but bot accounts, too many email notifications, and an outdated interface make it clear there are better options out there for much cheaper.

The Good

  • Matchmaking based on subconscious swiping behavior
  • Not a ton else

The Bad

  • Potential to be hit with random fees
  • Profile views might be inflated to make you feel better
  • Too many dead or spam profiles
  • Crappy interface with a lot of email notifications
  • Have to make two accounts to look at men and women
  • Need to pay to do almost anything

The Bottom Line

Zoosk is boring but could expand your horizons if you're tired of the same Match users popping up.
Pros & Cons

Roast Tinder bios that say "6'1," since that matters" all you want, but a good portion of us are more thankful than not for online dating.

Somehow, people still insist that online dating can't hold a candle to that raw connection you'll find in person. Even putting aside the fact that online dating technically makes possible more face-to-face interactions with people that you probably wouldn't have met otherwise, it seems safe to say that finding a genuine connection is more reliant on the person than the medium where you meet the person.

And let's be real: As much as we all want a romance novel meet cute, they just don't happen that often.

At any rate, dating apps are a helpful step to mitigate the pressure of meeting someone new, especially for introverts or people generally looking to be a little more selective. The modern serendipity that is coming across your soulmate out of millions of profiles is more likely than you think: Two Stanford sociologists(opens in a new tab) found that online dating is officially the most popular way for U.S. couples to connect(opens in a new tab). The 2017 survey found that 39 percent of heterosexual couples and 60 percent of same-sex couples originally met online, beating the numbers of older, traditional methods like meeting through friends or at work or school.

Other recent studies about the types of connections being made deliver a swift blow to the antiquated arguments about online dating being solely rooted in superficial factors, like how hot someone's profile picture is: People who meet online are more likely to be compatible and, if they decide to tie the knot, have a higher chance of a healthy marriage — that is, according to this study cited in the MIT Technology Review(opens in a new tab).

More and more, we've seen that the trend of people looking for long-term commitments and prioritizing someone's emotional maturity over their physical attractiveness is here to stay, at least for the time being. Finally, people are realizing nothing is quite as sexy as honesty, open communication, and emotional availability.

Of course, meeting online doesn't guarantee that a couple won't break up or that everyone with a profile is trying to move at that pace. No one is assuming online dating is the variable that guarantees riding off into the sunset. But research does suggest that people who are willing to put effort and honesty into compatibility tests and open-ended profile questions might be more ready to get serious.

The variety and quality of information on your profile matters

In many cases, the amount of information you can get from these detailed profiles(opens in a new tab) is more than what would be covered in the "traditional" period of getting to know someone. The whole "do you want to have babies" thing is a huge piece of information that could decide your future with someone, but it's very possible that such a weighty subject won't be brought up until you've caught feelings.

However, many dating sites ask about kids — whether you want them or already have them — during the sign-up process (as well as other potentially-awkward questions), and probably won't match you with someone who has different goals than you do. Similarly, some of OkCupid's matching is rooted in political and social justice views. Will you find out if someone keeps guns in the house or opposes vaccinations on the first date? Probably not, but OkCupid sure as hell won't send you to get a beer with someone you'd start a fight with on Facebook. Now that we're over two years into the pandemic, most dating apps(opens in a new tab) allow users to indicate on their profile that they're vaccinated, so you don't have to worry about finding out several dates in you've been hanging out with someone who has some pretty opposing ideological views from you.

Plus, it's always nice when your current booty call doesn't suck as a person. Even if you're just in it for something frisky and fleeting, the personality you can gather from a simple bio or a few of Hinge's ice breakers might let you know who's worthy of your time — even if that time is strictly within "You up?" hours.

Know that you have options

Julie Spira, dating expert and CEO of cyberdatingexpert.com(opens in a new tab), says it wasn't always so easy to meet people online. She would know — she's been helping clients find love online since 1994.

"People didn’t have mobile phones and laptops, and the process was people would go home, log on slowly, see who had written to them and write back," she says. "The courtship process was a lot slower, so it took quite a while to get from the first interaction to actually going on a date. Plus in those days, there was a stigma associated with online dating. You did not tell people you met your spouse, or partner, or even a date online."

The rhetoric has clearly come a long way since then, and the digital dating landscape has evolved with people's changing needs. OkCupid realized that the way a potential match votes matters romantically to a lot of people. Women were tired of men blowing up their messages with creepy first-liners, so Bumble came along. On Coffee Meets Bagel, only people you've liked back can message you, and swiping through people won't take up all your free time. "Tindering" is now a verb, but it's far from your only option.

Online dating takes time and effort

If you're lucky, you'll find a perfect match right away, but that's not usually how it works out. While you do know more about online matches than you would a stranger you met in person, there's only so much a quick dating profile can tell you.

Dating sites and apps can make finding a compatible potential partner easier, but it's still dating. Not everyone is going to be a gem. While apps like Bumble let you display what kind of relationship you're looking for, others don't, so you might end up going out with someone only to realize you're not looking for the same thing.

That said, there will be people on dating sites who are looking for the same thing as you. And using a dating app to find them is a hell of a lot easier than going up to strangers on the street or in bars and asking if they're looking for a relationship. Apps and dating websites expand your dating pool and allow you to meet people with similar interests you might not run into naturally in your everyday life. You just might need a little patience to find The One. In the meantime, don't be afraid to tell your dates what you're looking for — evaluating what you really want and being upfront with your intentions is kind of the name of the dating game these days.

Dating apps may not be perfect, but many modern features facilitating more meaningful matches (or quicker, safer hookups) have sprung up even in the past five years. If you're fed up with the dating site or app you use now or just don't know where to start, check out our top picks for the dating sites and apps most worth your time:

Best for a Serious Relationship
Credit: Match
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • Three months of Standard: $103.35 ($34.45 per month)
  • Six months of Standard: $146.88 ($24.48 per month)
  • 12 months of Standard: $262.08 ($21.84 per month)
  • Three months of Premium: $121.23 ($40.41 per month)
  • Six months of Premium: $159.06 ($26.51 per month)
  • 12 months of Premium: $277.32 ($23.11 per month)

Read our full review of Match.

Pros:

  • Huge user base

  • Compatibility-based algorithm

Cons:
  • Have to pay to use most features

  • Younger people might not find too many others in their age range

You've probably known what Match was since you were little. It's decades in the business bring constantly-evolving insight to the table for singles looking for that spark. But if you're expecting a corny questionnaire and ancient graphics reflective of the fact that it was born in the '90s, think again.

Match has totally reconstructed its questionnaire to be less of a tedious interrogation and more of a conversational probe into how you'd react to realistic situations — both with a partner and, say, a neighbor who needs help at 3. a.m. The probe into your daily habits and values (plus the ability to mark traits that are deal breakers) ensures that match sets you up with someone whose ideal lifestyle matches yours. The meshing of playfulness and rational thinking downs the pressure of signing up for a paid dating site.

The site's push to appeal to a younger crowd goes past the clean app redesign. AskMatch, a free dating advice service that lets you pick the brain of a dating coach, makes constant appearances in reviews on the App Store(opens in a new tab). In 2020, Match launched Vibe Check, a social distancing-era video call feature that aims to give new matches the closest thing possible to a first date, which lets you ensure the person on the other end is legit and gives you access to one of the most popular first date settings without having to give out any personal contact info. Users can now talk to their Top Picks without a paid subscription — a free feature that's sure to make up some people's minds. 

At the end of the day, Match's mix of classic and modern has helped it grow a user base that's bigger than the population of New York City. "Match is the family brand," Spira says. "It's the one where someone could see their grandmother on, and someone could see their grandson on. It has the largest critical mass, and they have done a fabulous job of keeping up with the technology."

Privacy policy: Match shares some of your information with third parties for marketing, advertising, and analytics and with other Match Group businesses. You have the option to allow or deny permissions to certain personal information. Read Match's full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best App For Starting the Conversation
Credit: Hinge
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of Hinge Preferred: $34.99
  • Three months of Hinge Preferred: $64.99 ($21.66 per month)
  • Six months of Hinge Preferred: $99.99 ($16.66 per month)

Pros:

  • More genuine connections than Tinder without the pressure of a serious dating site

  • Prompts provide conversation starters, so you aren't flooded with "hey" messages

Cons:
  • People on Tinder and Bumble tend to be more upfront about what they're looking for, where on Hinge you might have to suss it out by having That Talk

  • Can't send photos, which sucks for sharing memes, but rocks for not getting unsolicited explicit pics

Having a profile on Tinder probably means you have one on Hinge and Bumble, too. The big three rapid-fire apps may seem interchangeable, but Hinge has an arsenal of unique profile criteria and a data-based algorithm that sets it apart from competitors who simply throw everyone in a 10-mile radius in your direction.

Despite the fact that we're actively seeking out new dating apps and feel a rush every time a cute contender swipes right back, no one wants to be on these. Unless a friend with benefits is the max connection you can handle right now, the whole point of online dating is to find your person so you can stop looking for your person. That was the idea behind Hinge's 2019 rebrand to "the dating app designed to be deleted." It's a really smart combo of witty and optimistic that should deliver users some hope. Hinge's real-world statistics(opens in a new tab) speak for themselves: The "We met" feature asks users how the first date went. Some 90 percent said the first date was great and 72 percent said they'd be down for a second date.

Hinge is set up for you to get to know people, whether you're looking for something super serious or a bit more casual. Instead of cheesy questionnaires and emails about the 50 winks you were sent, Hinge uses personal prompts to help you find matches you'll actually want to talk to. Prompts range from "The most spontaneous thing I've ever done" to "Two truths and a lie." You can also message people directly from their pictures and voice prompts, which just makes the whole experience feel a lot less "Hot or Not" derivative than other swiping apps. Profiles will also show a potential match's height, college (if they went), political affiliation, stance on drugs, and more. By covering so many bases before even messaging someone, Hinge lowers your chance of meeting someone you'd hate. You can send eight likes per day with the free version of Hinge, but there isn't a limit to how many people can like you per day.

Privacy policy: Hinge collects cookies for the website/app's functionality as well for third-party providers that work with the company. You have the option to opt out of nonessential cookies. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

For those looking for sex
PROMOTED
Credit: adultfriendfinder
Best For Liberals And Leftists
Credit: OkCupid
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of OkCupid Basic: $14.99
  • Three months of OkCupid Basic: $29.97 ($9.99 per month)
  • Six months of OkCupid Basic: $44.94 ($7.49 per month)
  • One month of OkCupid Premium: $24.99
  • Three months of OkCupid Premium: $49.98 ($16.66 per month)
  • Six months of OkCupid Premium: $74.94 ($12.49 per month)

Read our full review of OkCupid.

Pros:

  • Almost everyone on the app is going to be on the same page politically and socially

  • Modern app design is actually fun to use

Cons:
  • User base might not be big in smaller towns

  • Most communication is behind a paywall

Is your worst nightmare going on a date with someone super hot just to find out they don't care about women's issues? OkCupid understands that the hottest, coolest person in the world isn't that hot or cool if they're tone deaf when it comes to the current social justice climate.

Users can illuminate the issues they hold dear and weed out people they'd want to argue with by answering deal-breakers like "Would you date someone who keeps a gun in the house?" or "Should the government require children be vaccinated for preventable diseases?" As one of the most inclusive dating sites on the market by far, OkCupid is known for its decision to let all users choose their pronouns. In June 2020, the site introduced the option to add a Black Lives Matter badge to your profile. Per OkCupid's own stats, liberal women and people who plan on voting have significantly better luck on the site.

Of course, politics aren't the only determining factor in romance. In-depth user bios, derived from questions that are smart, on the cusp of modern dating, and dive into your love language without crossing the cliché line. A compatibility percentage on the profile of every person you come across gives a quick glance at the answers you had in common (or didn't). It's an algorithm that OKC has been perfecting since 2004. 

If you prefer to do some searching on your own, the site's filters allow you to find potential matches who share common interests, mentioned certain words in their profile, or answered the questionnaire a particular way. No extra payment is required for this feature, and it definitely gives you a bit more of a say in the search for your person (no shade to the algorithm). 

Privacy policy: OkCupid is part of Match Group, so its privacy policy is very similar to Match's. The company shares some of your information with third-party partners, though its policy says they follow a strict vetting process before working with any parter. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For People Who Actually Want to Talk
Credit: Bumble
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One week of Boost: $9.99
  • One month of Boost: $17.99
  • Three months of Boost: $34.99 ($11.66 per month)
  • Six months of Boost: $59.99 ($10 per month)

Pros:

  • Can send GIFs, photos, and voice messages in the app

  • Women can't get unwanted messages from men without initiating the conversation (though unfortunately this doesn't save you from the guys who turn out to be creeps a couple messages in)

Cons:
  • 24-hour time limit might be too much pressure (but it can weed out dead matches)

  • Location automatically changes while using the app, so if you travel, you might get flooded with likes from people who don't live in the same city as you

In an attempt to correct one of the common complaints of dating apps — that women get spammed with tons of creepy messages — women are required to message first with Bumble. It pushes some women out of their comfort zone, but like Tinder, you'll at least know that someone also swiped right on you before making a move. It also takes the pressure off of dudes who hate breaking the ice every time. (With same-sex or nonbinary matches, either party can kick things off.)

Bumble is also famous for tossing matches after 24 hours. This is clearly not the ideal setup for someone who wants to sit back and wait for the algorithm to send them a soulmate in due time, though the expiration period does make you consider who you really care to engage with. Even if you are actively looking for love, this time limit can still feel a little imposing if you just so happen to have a busy day here or there (Boost and Premium time extensions give you a little more leeway though.)

The photos and short bios are pretty close mock of Tinder, except for the fact that Bumble relieves the anxiety of accidentally swiping left on a hottie by letting you backtrack. It also mimics Hinge with profile prompts that act as ice breakers. Filtering by zodiac sign is also a thing. The internet is divided over whether this will actually help you find people you'd get along with, as anyone with basic astrology knowledge knows that sun signs aren't a tell-all. 

Bumble also offers a BFF feature to find strictly platonic friends and a LinkedIn-ish networking feature called Bizz in attempts to remind everyone that it's not just a casual hookup app.

Privacy policy: Bumble uses strictly necessary cookies for site functionality and also collects third-party cookies that link to social networks and that are used for advertising. You're able to manage your cookie preferences. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For Figuring Out What You Want
Credit: Tinder
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of Tinder Plus: $9.99
  • Six months of Tinder Plus: $29.99 ($5 per month)
  • One month of Tinder Gold: $29.99
  • Six months of Tinder Gold: $89.99 ($15 per month)
  • One month of Tinder Platinum: $39.99
  • Six months of Tinder Platinum: $119.99 ($20 per month)

Pros:

  • Huge user base, even in small towns

  • You can find pretty much any type of relationship whether you want a hookup or something long-term

Cons:
  • Tons of App Store reviews talk about users getting banned from Tinder for seemingly no reason

  • Don't be surprised if you get some gross messages

The OG swiping app is a great place to start if you don't really know what you're looking for. On Tinder, you can find people wanting a quick hookup, looking for something serious, and anything in between. Just swipe right on people you like and if they swipe right on you, it's a match and you can start chatting.

With each update, Tinder becomes more like a social media platform, making it kind of fun to find someone to date. And because it's arguably the most popular dating app, you'll actually be able to find people who interest you on there, even if you live in a small town. Unlike some of the more niche dating sites and apps that see a smaller user base.

On your Tinder profile, you can write a bio, add a song you consider your anthem, indicate your sexual orientation, include photos, and more. The free version of the app is plenty useful, but if you want to take it up a notch, three paid membership tiers give you more features like undoing a swipe, unlimited likes, and Passport which allows you to find people outside of your zip code.

It may not be the most streamlined dating app experience, but it certainly isn't trying to be. To swipe on Tinder is to learn all about the possibilities of meeting someone online. 

Privacy policy: Tinder has teams dedicated to keeping data secure and aims to be transparent in how your information is shared. Your information may be shared with third parties for data hosting, customer care, analytics, marketing, advertising, payment processing, and security operations. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For Those Looking To Get Married
Credit: eharmony
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • Six months of Premium: $59.70 ($19.90 per month)
  • 12 months of Premium: $166.80 ($13.90 per month)
  • 24 months of Premium: $213.60 ($8.90 per month)

Read our full review of eharmony.

Pros:

  • Compatibility-focused algorithm

  • Almost everyone is looking for an actual relationship

Cons:
  • Not very LGBTQ-friendly

  • Might run into matches with incomplete profiles (aka, no photos... yikes)

Ever see a commercial for eharmony and wonder if a dating site that corny actually works? Weirdly enough, it does. A spokesperson for the site says it's been used by 54 million people, and is apparently responsible for 4 percent of U.S. marriages. That doesn't mean you're going to walk down the aisle within the first year, but it at least narrows your options to singles who are open to being exclusive, meeting the family, or moving in together.

What was once a doozy of a sign-up process is now short, sweet, and free of the corny, religious questions that held it back from being a top choice for the younger crowd. The comprehensive questionnaire now covers 32 dimensions (up from 29) of what makes a happy relationship. Instead of blatantly asking if you get mad easily or if you're emotionally stable, eharmony may ask how you handle apologizing after a fight or if a certain action would piss you off. These hypotheticals draw more natural responses, and a few other fun ones are thrown in to cover surface-level basics like hobbies, too. The site highly encourages honesty throughout its questionnaire which, if you're looking for a life partner, completely makes sense.

It should be noted that eharmony hasn't always been a welcoming place to members of the LGBTQ community. Following a 2010 lawsuit, their gay and lesbian spin-off site Compatibility Partners has been folded into eharmony's overall site, but users on Reddit as recently as 2019 say that it still seems geared more toward straight people. It was only as of December 2021 that bisexual users could see potential matches of both genders at the same time.

Privacy policy: eharmony collects cookies for its own purposes and for third-party advertisers. You have the option to opt out of certain cookies. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For Career-Oriented People
Credit: Elite Singles
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of Premium: $54.95
  • Three months of Premium: $104.85 ($34.95 per month)
  • Six months of Premium: $149.70 ($24.95 per month)

Read our full review of EliteSingles.

Pros:

  • Matchmaking algorithm learns your habits to suggest better matches

  • Older, more mature user base if you're feeling out of place on Tinder and Hinge

Cons:
  • Only get three to five matches per day, and they might not all be winners thanks to the small and spread out user base

  • Can't set location preferences closer than 50 miles away

A difference in work ethic and professional schedules can really throw a wrench into even the most head-over-heels relationships. For those unwilling to budge when it comes to their partner's educational values and career goals, EliteSingles attempts to offer more specificity where eharmony and Match leave off.

EliteSingles loves to brag that 85 percent of their members are college educated, and with most of its members between 33-50 years old, we can pretty surely say you won't have to worry about accidentally coming across a fresh college graduate. College kids probably wouldn't be down to pay over $20 a month on a dating site anyway, and that high subscription price is just another giveaway that EliteSingles is targeted toward more established folks with a disposable income.

Rather than being thrown into an endless pool of profiles, EliteSingles attempts to match you through the Five Factor Personality Test(opens in a new tab). Via 29 algorithms, the site will try to find singles to complement your attachment style, selfishness, and more stuff that you should try to be honest about. The boring parts are broken up by chill questions like "Do you like sleeping with the window open?" and "Which of these foods would you like the best?" It takes forever and a lot of the questions are fake deep, but how else do you expect to be successful on a dating site?

Plus, you can take comfort in the fact that you won’t be dealing with too many fake or scam accounts, as EliteSingles manually verifies all accounts with an upscale fraud detection system. However, though you can technically filter potential matches by profession (for example, a teacher looking to date another teacher), it’s difficult for any dating site to track down every single person lying about their job or how much money they make.

Privacy policy: EliteSingles collects and uses your data for internal services like analytics and site improvements and for third parties for marketing and advertising. By using the site, you automatically agree to all cookies, and you have to contact the company if you want to opt out of any. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For People Nervous About Meeting Irl
Credit: coffee meets bagel
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of Premium: $34.99
  • Three months of Premium: $74.99 ($24.99 per month)
  • Six months of Premium: $119.99 ($19.99 per month)

Pros:

  • Matches are vetted and curated before you see them

  • In-depth profiles go beyond a handful of corny prompts

Cons:
  • Bland features compared to some of the more popular dating sites

  • Not great if you're looking for a large pool of potential matches

Grabbing coffee is the low-pressure date idea that lets you skip trying to choose a dressy-but-not-too-extra outfit for a concert or a restaurant. Coffee Meets Bagel is like the "grabbing coffee" version of dating apps. (It's actually one of the few dating apps that doesn't get completely roasted on Reddit, and threads on a few Reddit posts are full of promising success stories.)

Millions upon millions of active users is usually a plus. It is nice to know that your options are virtually limitless, but it's a bit jarring to have 20 new messages to read every time you sign on. This happens on eharmony and Tinder alike — people want connection, and they want it now. The slow and steady approach is great for singles who are rusty, introverted, or who simply don't feel like scrolling every free minute.

Every day, CMB offers seven of its best matches (bagels) for you, chosen by your answers to prompts, how you swiped on yesterday's batch, and who has already expressed interest in you, too. You're encouraged to get the ball rolling with matches disappearing in seven days. It's less pressure than Bumble's 24-hour time limit but still eliminates a list full of people who don't care enough to respond or plan a meet-up. 

Privacy policy: Coffee Meets Bagel's privacy policy includes a list of actions you agree not to do on the app, including advertising products or multi-level marketing schemes. As for your information, CMB collects the basic personal and anonymous cookies and collects information from your Facebook profile when you link it during sign-up. CMB shares your information for direct marketing, research, fraud prevention, and information security. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For Queer Women
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of HER Premium: $14.99
  • Six months of HER Premium: $59.99 ($9.99 per month)
  • 12 months of HER Premium: $89.99 ($7.49 per month)

Pros:

  • Something for every type of queer woman

  • Space for community events

Cons:
  • Might run into fake profiles or couples looking for a third

  • Poor user interface

Apps like Tinder and Bumble are technically for all orientations, but they don't necessarily cater to the LGBTQ community. Given the existence of Grindr and Scruff, the need for an online dating arena specifically for queer women was clear — thus, HER. Founders of the award-winning app are committed to cultivating a space that’s “so ragingly queer(opens in a new tab)" that frustrated women can delete apps that don't feel like home.

As the user base of over 4 million grows, HER could widen your dating pool beyond the queer women you already know. Users can get creative in profile building with categories like diet preferences (like veganism), and star signs, as well as a "What does this mean?" field in the sex, gender, and pronoun categories to supply a more well-rounded understanding of identity. The traditional text bio is where you can flex your sense of humor or describe what kind of relationship you're seeking. Joining niche groups like "newly out" or "travelers" can introduce you to people using the app for similar reasons.

Above all else, HER is an online space strictly for queer women. Many of the app's regulars are simply looking to make friends or scope out the queer community in a new town. Switching over to the community feed opens the door to virtual hangouts with self-curated groups for queer women of color or interests like local LGBTQ events or the new lesbian films that mainstream Twitter will probably ignore. 

Privacy policy: HER collects personal information that can identify you and anonymous information that is not tied to you. The company uses cookies for marketing purposes like emails to see if users are actually opening promotional emails. HER also uses third parties for advertising. There is not a clear way to opt out of cookies on its website unless you are a California resident. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For Queer Men
Credit: Grindr
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of Grindr XTRA: $19.99
  • Three months of Grindr XTRA: $39.99 ($13.33 per month)
  • 12 months of Grindr XTRA: $99.99 ($8.33 per month)
  • One month of Grindr Unlimited: $39.99

Pros:

  • Virtually every gay gay looking to date is on Grindr

  • Easier to find a hookup than Tinder

Cons:
  • You will likely get some unsolicited dick pics or NSFW messages from strangers

  • Occasional biphobia

With Chappy shutting down(opens in a new tab) in February 2019, there aren't many apps specifically for queer men that aren't some iteration of Grindr's ab pic and dick pic-filled feed. But even after a decade of the same horny agenda(opens in a new tab), Grindr remains a go-to for instantaneous location-based hookups for gay and bi men — even in small towns with a meager queer population where Tinder and OkCupid haven't caught on.

Instead of swiping right or left to match, you'll get a borderline-infinite collage of people who are close location-wise. Aside from it being overwhelming and slightly frightening, it's obvious that there are a ton of men out there waiting for a conversation. Whether someone is looking for a relationship or just to bang will probably be obvious within the first few messages, though you can also use the basic filters to suss out what people might be looking for before ever sending a message. By far, the biggest advantage of the grid system is that it all but guarantees you'll find someone down to meet in no time. 

The main complaint from bisexual people about Grindr isn't that it's aggressively horny or 99 percent men. It's the biphobia. This entire thread of Reddit users(opens in a new tab) have experienced it in some way, describing the disappointment they feel from not being supported by their LGBTQ community and getting messages like "vaginas are gross" at the first mention of being bisexual or anything that's not strictly gay. 

Privacy policy: Grindr aims to be transparent with your privacy by sending privacy pop-up notifications that explain anything you might opt into. You're able to withhold some personal information. Some information is provided to third parties for advertising and service purposes. You are able to opt out of some cookies. Note: Grindr has had data breaches in the past(opens in a new tab). Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For People 50 And Over
Credit: SilverSingles
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of Premium: $34.95
  • Three months of Premium: $68.85 ($22.95 per month)
  • Six months of Premium: $107.70 ($17.95 per month)

Pros:

  • Large pool of people 50 or older

  • In-depth personality test at sign-up helps the algorithm find actually compatible matches

Cons:
  • Only three to seven matches per day

  • Setting a location limit is basically pointless because you'll still get matches outside of your radius

Dating over 50 means that, more than likely, this is your second or third attempt at love. When Match or eharmony's user bases still pose too much of a never married, no kids crowd, SilverSingles is here to let you know that putting yourself back out there during your golden years doesn't have to be scary. 

A sister site to EliteSingles, SilverSingles uses the same intense compatibility system that EliteSingles does, bringing in the popular big five personality traits(opens in a new tab) to assess five levels of your being: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Rather than sitting around sifting through a never-ending pool, you'll receive five handpicked matches per day.

Reddit user LSMJIMMY(opens in a new tab), who found the "right one" on SilverSingles in 2020, gave this advice on Reddit: "I put up 18 pictures and changed the primary picture every few days to keep it fresh. I also edited or changed the responses to the questions about once per week. I spelled out what I DID NOT want...I am not a couch potato and love to travel fish, boat, ride motorcycles, hotrods, etc, etc. That cleans out the "sit and knit" crowd and I mentioned that I am "actively romantic" which cleans out the ladies that have lost the Zest for Life, if you know what I mean. I don't have time to drag this dating thing out, so I think it helped by getting what Who I am and want I am looking for on the table early."

Privacy policy: SilverSingles uses SSL encryption and fraud detection systems to keep your information secure. It uses your information for site functionality purposes and for targeted ads through its website, email, social media channels, or third-party sites. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best True Hookup App
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • Weekly Pure membership: $14.99
  • Monthly Pure membership: $29.99
  • In-app purchases: Varying prices

Pros:

  • Sexting and dirty video chats are encouraged

  • Photos delete after being seen and you are notified if someone takes a screenshot, giving you peace of mind that your nudes aren't staying with a virtual stranger

Cons:
  • Small user base might limit your options of close hook-ups

  • Might run into sex workers just trying to promote themselves

Let's scrap the dreaded "What are we?" talk, shall we? Pure is the place to find a hookup who won't text you earlier than midnight. App rules urge you to "pretend like you're strangers afterwards," making no-strings-attached the only name of the game here. This minimalistic and hella millennial app is no-nonsense, sex-positive, and even features some art — the blueprint of what a hookup app should be. 

Your uploaded selfies, personal info, and conversations with others self destruct every 60 minutes, promoting spur-of-the-moment and borderline anonymous connections. The app will ask for your phone number and credit card info, but that's just to make sure you're a real person. The app uses your geolocation and sends out the sex version of an Uber request, rather than trying to pair you with someone who lives in another state.

We like that Pure gives all the feels of a hookup-only site without the obnoxious spam and nudes everywhere. The surge of blatant sex positivity is a breath of fresh air when compared to other dating apps that try to convince you that you'll find your soulmate. Pure understands that your perfect match is someone willing to get down and dirty in the same ways you are. 

Privacy policy: Pure collects personal and anonymous data to provide site/app functionality and monitor personal use. It shares data to third parties for marketing and anti-fraud purposes. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For Putting Personality First
Credit: Jigsaw
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One week of Jigsaw+: $9.99
  • Lifetime access to Jigsaw+: $19.99

Pros:

  • Unique concept that you won't see on mainstream dating apps

  • You actually get to know someone instead of swiping based on looks and a short bio

Cons:
  • Super small user base and not available everywhere

  • Some users had issues with their profile photos being removed for "not meeting photo guidelines"

Whenever Love Island contestants ask each other what their usual type is, they without fail say something like, "I don't really have a type. I usually go for personality." If you, too, go for personality first, looks second, Jigsaw is the dating app for you.

Jigsaw works by covering faces in photos with a jigsaw puzzle. As you message a person and get to know them, pieces will fall away to eventually reveal the face of the person you now have somewhat of a connection with. It's like the app version of Love is Blind. You judge someone based on how well you get along instead of how hot they look in their profile pictures. The app doesn't even ask for your height, body type, or ethnicity when you create a profile. Instead you pick answers to prompts like what your love language is and to what extent you drink, including your drink of choice. You also choose qualities on a slider scale like whether you're an introvert or extrovert and whether you're more creative or logical. And finally, you select three ice breaker questions to give people a jumping off point for getting to know you.

The downside? Jigsaw is still pretty new, with only about 100,000 users and only available in certain areas, like New York City. But if dating apps are feeling a little too superficial for your tastes, it might be worth joining the growing user base.

Privacy policy: Jigsaw collects the data you give for your profile, information about the device you use for the app, and location data. It also gets data from third parties for targeted advertising. Jigsaw may share your data with third parties such as service providers like web hosts, analytics services, and legal services. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Best For People Looking For Their Meet Cute
Credit: happn
Specs
  • Free version: Yes
  • One month of Premium: $24.99
  • Three months of Premium: $51.99 ($17.33 per month)
  • Six months of Premium: $89.99 ($15 per month)

Pros:

  • You can meet people locally and have higher odds of meeting that special someone who frequents that same spot as you 

  • More swipe-based model still available if you want to discover users the old-fashioned dating app way

Cons:
  • Though it does have a decent user base, if you don't leave in a super populated area, you might not find the most variety in the people you cross paths with. 

  • Might make for some awkward run-ins down the line if it doesn't work out, though, to be fair, this is a risk you run with dating in general

A common complaint about dating apps is that they take away the magic the in-person chance encounter that turns into something more. But what if there was a dating app that made sure you didn't miss out on any potential meet cutes? 

Enter happn(opens in a new tab), the app version of a "missed connections" page. The app uses your current location to show you other users nearby that you might've just been a little too nervous to approach in person. Unlike the location-based approach of Tinder, happn uses a map to show you where the users are, and only leaves their profiles up for up to 30 days, so you don't have to worry about it getting so filled with profiles that it's impossible to sort through. And if you're not in the mood to see every single happn user you come across, you can set filters for gender and age range.

If while you're waiting to spot that cutie you want to do some discovering, this app also gives you the option to do some more standard dating app swiping. Almost every profile has a clear picture with the person's face on it (necessary for confirming that is in fact that same person you've been checking out every time you grab your morning coffee) thanks to sign-up screening process. In addition, users are required to answer a series of standard dating app questions, like if you smoke or have kids. 

Privacy policy: Happn collects information like your location, identification data, and data on how you interact with the app. Happn uses this information for basic functions of the app like suggesting people you've crossed paths with as well as delivering marketing and advertising content. Read the full privacy policy here.(opens in a new tab)

Best As A Last Resort Pick
Credit: Zoosk
Specs
  • Free version: Technically yes
  • One month of Premium: $29.95
  • Three months of Premium: $59.95 ($19.98 per month)
  • Six months of Premium: $74.95 ($12.49 per month)
  • 12 months of Premium: $99.99 ($8.33 per month)

Read our full review of Zoosk.

Pros:

  • Behavioral matchmaking algorithm

  • Historically large user base 

Cons:

  • Have to pay for communication features

  • Too many dead or fake profiles

What initially began(opens in a new tab) as a Facebook app developed in 2007 has grown into a company with more than 40 million users(opens in a new tab) in more than 80 countries. Although it's grown impressively, where it's at currently doesn't make it all that admirable an option for finding your future someone.

Rather than asking its users for dating questions, Zoosk(opens in a new tab) picks dates for its users based on quick questions about physical appearance and religion, and then keeps tabs on who you talk to the most to get a better idea of what you're after. It's a decently cool feature, but also not wildly different from most other dating apps — apps which have better overall better interfaces, more users, and don't cost money to use. 

Incorporating "liking" photos and having a similar look as a Facebook feed was attractive to young, single people... in the early 2000s. The problem is that Zoosk hasn't changed much since then. It's plain, riddled with dead or fake profiles, and there certainly aren't any modern tweaks like OkCupid's politics-related ice breakers or Match's overhauled questionnaire. Despite Zoosk being advertised everywhere, people started opting for Match Group's offerings with more premium designs, less messy notifications, and personalized algorithms.

Zoosk is free to sign up for, but you'll need a paid subscription to do basically anything. Not only is there a fee on the end of every message, but Reddit users complain about random charges(opens in a new tab) to their account and ignored requests to cancel their subscriptions. The company also uses its own form of currency called "Zoosk coins" that are available for purchase. The whole coin system feels less like romance and more like you're playing some sort of pop-up ad game, but they're there. Personally, we'd say Zoosk is the last dating site you should try, but it has had a good success rate in the past, according to the company itself. 

Privacy policy: Zoosk tracks cookies and provides information to third parties for custom advertising, to improve services, and to prevent fraud. Zoosk has faced legal action for data breaches(opens in a new tab) in the past. Read the full privacy policy here(opens in a new tab).

Leah is a shopping reporter at Mashable, where she covers shopping trends, gift ideas, and products that make life easier. She graduated from Penn State University in 2012 and is watching horror movies or "The Office" when she’s not shopping online herself. You can follow her on Twitter at @notleah(opens in a new tab).


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