Dating apps that are useful to find someone that you’re compatible with. There are a million of them, so you’re sure to find the perfect mate, especially if you’re spending more time indoors these days.
Whether you’re looking for a long-term relationship or a quick booty call, there’s a dating app out there for everyone But the best dating apps can still help you meet people, even from a distance.
There was a time when dating services may have been considered a last resort in the long, arduous hunt for love. But fast-forward to 2020 and everything has changed.
Despite all of our advances in technology, dating hasn’t changed hardly at all in the 21st century. You meet people, talk to them, and maybe start dating if enough sparks fly.
While many online dating sites and apps are free, some cost money to sign up or offer paid premiums that allow for added bonuses and services. Is it worth paying extra for premium services on dating apps?
Well, some think it may be worth it to get that extra boost to your profile, while others are more than happy getting their free swipes.
The best way to boost your chances of finding love is by choosing the right dating app, so here’s our list of the best apps to help you swipe, tap, and message your way into a date.
Dating apps are more popular than ever, which means the demand for intuitive experiences, quality connections, and more diversity is more important than ever too.
That’s why we’re here to help you before you begin your swiping spree. Take a look at our pick of the best dating apps.
1. Tinder
Tinder is essentially the modern dating app. You’ve probably heard of this one already.
Every time you load up the dating app, it shows you some profiles. You swipe one way if you like them, or swipe the other way if you don’t. If a match is made, you can converse in a private chat to arrange a meetup.
This dating app can be used for doing anything from finding friends to one-night stands and everything between. It has bugs, some spam accounts, and some other issues.
However, it’s a good place to get started in the dating apps scene. In addition, the popularity helps ensure that people in most areas get profiles to look at that are also real people, and popularity actually does matter with dating apps.
2. Bumble
Bumble dating app is basically Tinder for women… and on a timer. Bumble requires women to message first and if the guy doesn’t message back within 24 hours, he loses the potential match.
Because that’s the one thing my love life was really missing… arbitrary time limits. The timer in this dating app is designed to encourage contact, and some people really do appreciate that feature.
But if you’re someone who procrastinates, the Bumble dating app may not be for you. Also because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the slightly more insecure males.
However, the rate of overly confident males tends to be higher than I’ve seen on other dating apps. Bumble also has a BFF feature, but that’s really not the focus of a dating app gallery, so I’ll save it for another time.
3. OkCupid
OkCupid dating app features a massive userbase and straightforward dating tools. But rather than rest on its laurels, OKC keeps refining and adding features to its top dating app.
Such as a “Flavors” system that allows users to quickly view evocative flavors of potential matches, such as Kinky Nerds, Beard Lovers, World Travelers, etc.
All this is in addition to OkCupid’s messaging tools, personality quizzes, Instagram integration, and other old favorites.
The dating app is free and, unless you use its ‘quick match’ Tinder-style option, it’s all about browsing through many profiles. But this focus on messages can lead to some clear downsides.
A premium subscription adds other features, such as refined search tools and the ability to see users who have liked you.
4. Match
The OG of the dating world, Match has been around since the ’90s. It not only set the standard for dating apps but also gives the most reasons to keep coming back.
The dating app has a friendly ecosystem where profiles reward extra effort, but photos aren’t forgotten about. Searches are quick and easily tailored and you get daily matches that seem like more than just a reason to get you to spend money.
Profiles on a Match dating app can get really in-depth, which allows for deeper connections. The match dating app does the work for you after you’ve filled out your photos and descriptions, the algorithm will find users matches.
Should you decide to open your wallet, it offers enough extra perks to feel like you’ve spent your money well.
5. Hinge
Hinge finally won me over, becoming my favorite dating app in 2019.
Originally the dating app focused on common connections and mutual friends that you and a potential partner shared on Facebook, which was a gimmick I was never sold on.
But it has since pivoted away from this model. The hinge dating app has designed the dating app to make user profiles more engaging (and helpful) than on apps like Tinder.
You have the option of displaying a lot of useful information that could be deal-breakers: your political leanings, your religion, your alcohol consumption frequency, or even your interest level in having children someday.
And the prompts provided by Hinge do help create more engaging profiles.
Hinge’s current slogan is simply “Designed to be deleted,” and if a serious relationship is what you’re looking for, this is the dating app I would recommend.
6. Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel is one of the more popular dating apps out there. Every day at noon, men will get a curated list of women in their area.
Women will get a curated list as well, but the list will prioritize men who have already expressed interest.
Matches are given a private chat room to get to know one another better. It’s also LGBTQ-friendly for you folks out there. It’s a clean process and perfect for those who have busy lifestyles.
No flicking through profiles all day long. Like most, The dating app has its fair share of problems, but most of them are somewhat tolerable.
You can also buy in-app currency to get perks like more visibility and other features.
7. Happn
Happn is designed for you to meet someone in your vicinity, ideally, someone you have just brushed past on the street or made awkward eye contact with on the train or anywhere Anyone within a 1km radius.
You need to be on the dating app all the time. Every time you see someone who catches your eye, you check the app to see if they are also on it.
Then, rather than approach them on the street, you strike up a digital conversation, where you painstakingly recount your non-encounter in the hope that they will agree to a planned meeting. Basically, a meet-cute for the socially anxious.
8.eharmony
This dating app wants to find you more than just a one-night stand or a cool-for-the-summer situation.
eHarmony has the distinction of calling itself the most trusted dating app, based on a small survey of U.S. singles.
That said, you’re going to have to work for it. To join this dating app, you have to fill out an extensive survey, and you can’t see photos of your potential matches unless you pay to subscribe.
Once signed up, you’ll need to complete eHarmony’s compatibility questionnaire for free. From there, you’ll be matched to various potential dates, and you’ll be able to Favorite and send Smiles to those you like.
Like many of these dating apps, you’ll need a subscription to get the most from eHarmony, and it’s extremely pricey, with a single-month plan setting you back $60 a month. That drops to $30 per month if you pay six months in advance, but it’s still a hard sell.
9. Grindr
Grindr dating app allows gay and bisexual men to meet up with like-minded men nearby.
Profile creation is a fairly minimal experience, focusing on a profile pic, user name, and a few simple questions, and choosing a “Tribe” that describes your type, and then you’re up finding other users and chatting them up in minutes.
Grindr dating app is free to use and advertisement-supported, but the premium version, Grindr Xtra, offers ad-free browsing in addition to other features like adding multiple Tribes and advanced search filters.
One notable downside? Unlike other dating apps, push notifications for messages require Grindr Xtra.
10. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish is another dating app that allows you to create a profile, answer questions or just upload your favorite selfies.
It’s got a large user base and when it comes to success rates, it really divides opinion.
The dating app’s huge choice of, erm, fish, tends to mean there are a few long-term love stories and lots of “okay I guess” dating anecdotes.
Are you tired of finding what looks like that special someone, then having to pay to send him or her a message?
Not only does POF let you send notes for free, but it offers helpful tools to make messaging easier and faster.
This dating app includes the Spark function, which prompts you to talk about parts of other users’ profiles that you find interesting.
That said, the interface feels plain and clunky and serves up ads more often than other services.
