Even with Valentines Day in the rear view mirror, the best dating apps can help you meet new people so that you have someone to spend the holiday with next year. And even if romance isn't on your mind, dating apps have pivoted from arranging hook-ups to just putting you in touch with people who share the same interests.

While you might think that two years and counting of a coronavirus pandemic may have stopped the best dating apps in their tracks, the opposite has happened. Dating apps have gotten even more popular by adding new features aimed at helping you forge relationships even when you're sticking close to home. Video chats, remote dating and similar tools are now a mainstay among these types of apps.

Whether it's friendship or something more, the best dating apps can help you widen your circle of acquaintances. And the apps we've selected have moved beyond simple swiping by adding features such as video meetups and security checks to make the world of online dating a lot better than it was before.

If you find yourself looking for some companionship, we can help you sort through a bunch of competing options to find the best dating apps that fit your particular needs.

What are the best dating apps?

When it comes to finding love in the mobile age, it's hard to topple Tinder, one of the biggest and best dating apps that also enjoys a wide reach. Tinder has a reputation for helping you find quick hook-ups, though it's also geared to finding more permanent partners and recent additions to the app have improved user safety while adding video features.

Other dating apps boast strengths of their own. Bumble gives the power to make new friends to its female members, while OKCupid offers several different tools for finding romance. Eharmony has its famous algorithm for pairing up people, while Hinge's ultimate goal is to get people to delete its app off their phones (presumably because you've found a lasting connection and not out of frustration). Even Facebook has gotten into the act, with a dating service tied to its massive social network.

Looking for a same-sex partner? Grindr was the pioneer in that space, while Her offers a dating app for lesbian and bisexual users. 

Before diving in to find the right dating app to find the best possible mate, don't forget to consider privacy. Don't just skim past the privacy policies of any dating app you use, as those policies can outline exactly what a dating site does with your personal data. Also be aware that many dating apps — including several on this best dating apps list — are owned by the same company. The Match Group, for example, not only operates Match.com but also Tinder, OKCupid and PlentyOfFish.

The best dating apps right now

1. Tinder (Android; iOS)

Tinder blazed the trail set by Grindr toward a world of swipe and scroll dating apps. On its face, Tinder encourages you to make shallow, snap judgments about potential partners. You create a simple profile with a handful of photos and a few sentences about yourself, then throw yourself at the Internet's mercy. 

The app displays singles in your area. If you like one, swipe the photo to the right; otherwise, swipe to the left. If you both swipe right, you can send messages and set something up. (Interested in upping your Tinder game? We've got tips on how to use Tinder like a pro.) Upgrading to a paid Plus or Gold membership at Tinder gives you premium features like unlimited likes or rewinds that give would-be partners a second chance.

Tinder continues to tinker with its formula, rolling out a video feature that allows you to make in-app video calls to matches without exchanging personal details. A Safety Center feature ties into Noonlight app and provides a panic button in case you wind up on a date where you feel unsafe, and you can run background checks based on data from public records. Tinder may even add a "swipe party" feature that lets your friends join in on the fun of helping pick out a would-be partner for you.

Download Tinder: Android, iOS

2. Bumble (Android; iOS)

Apple recognized Bumble as one of the top iOS apps for 2021 — don't worry, Android fans, Bumble works on your phone — and it's easy to understand why. The app can help you line up dates or make new friends, with the power to connect in the hands of its women users. 

Women get to make the first move after two people mutually connect and are part of each other’s hive. From there, you've got just 24 hours to make some kind of contact or the connection disappears forever. For same-sex connections or friendships, either person has to make a move within 24 hours before that connection is gone, though you can get a 24-hour extension. 

Just looking to widen your circle of friends, as opposed to a romantic relationship? Bumble has a BFF feature for people who are not looking for dates and a separate section for making business contacts. The Bumble Boost upgrade, which ranges from $2.99 to $8.99, makes it easier and faster to meet or date people. 

Bumble added video a couple years ago, giving one of the best dating apps a leg up in the shelter-in-place era. A Night In addition added games starting with a trivia game to give you and your date something to do on your video chat.

Download Bumble: Android, iOS

3. OkCupid (Android; iOS)

OkCupid features a massive userbase and straightforward dating tools. But rather than rest on its laurels, OKC keeps refining and adding on 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. A premium subscription adds other features, such as refined search tools and the ability to see users who have liked you. 

Download OKCupid: Android, iOS

4. Match.com (Android; iOS)

Match.com offers its users a freemium dating experience on Android and iOS. Free users can set up online profiles, upload a few pictures of themselves and then engage in some online flirting with "winks", and have new matches delivered to them daily. More comprehensive features, such as the ability to see who has checked out your profile and liked your pictures, can be unlocked by a Match.com subscription. 

Match has continued to add on to its features, such as a Tinder-like Mixer, Android Wear and Apple Watch integration, and the addition of voice and video snippets to your profile. Vibe Check, launched in the spring, lets you enjoy video chats with your matches, while Match also lets you pay a little extra to have real-life dating coaches make matches for you.

Like Tinder, Match also added a safety feature that lets you alert friends if you're on a date and feel unsafe. You can even set your political views in Match, so you can better find a person whose outlook lines up with yours (or don't, if you believe that opposites attract).

Download Match.com: Android, iOS

5. Grindr (Android; iOS)

Grindr 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 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. 

Download Grindr: Android, iOS

6. eharmony (Android; iOS)

eharmony is a long-time player in the online dating game, and the first service to push an algorithmic system to try to make the best possible dating matches for its members. Once you create an account, users go through a "Relationship Questionnaire" to create a personality profile that helps match you with other users that eharmony thinks you'll click with. Every day, the app will provide you with a selection of matches and your areas of compatibility; you'll have the option to connect if the interest is mutual. 

Premium subscribers get expanded matching and discovery options, and other features like being able to see who has recently viewed your profile.

Download eharmony: Android, iOS

7. Facebook (Android, iOS)

Facebook Dating has been around for a few years now, added on as an opt-in service built into the social network, Facebook Dating focuses on helping you find long-term relationships, not hook-ups. You access the Dating section from within Facebook's mobile app, setting up a Dating profile that's separate from your regular Facebook profile. From there, Facebook finds matches for you based on your preferences, interests and activities on the social networking site. 

Facebook won't suggest matches among people you already know on Facebook, unless you use the service's Secret Crush feature in which you can select up to nine Facebook friends or Instagram followers you have an interest in. If they also express an interest in you via Secret Crush, Facebook will match you up. 

You can add Instagram posts to your Facebook Dating profile as well as share Facebook and Instagram stories. Like other dating services, Facebook Dating also introduced the ability to make video calls to your would-be sweetie, using the Messenger app.

Download Facebook: Android, iOS

8. Coffee Meets Bagel (Android; iOS)

Coffee Meets Bagel takes the opposite approach to many of the best dating apps, trying to focus on quality rather than quantity. Every day at noon, the app will send men a small selection of potential matches based on their profile and preferences, and women are then sent a number of matches who've shown interest in them, leaving the ladies the option of reciprocating the like. If the attraction is mutual, then the app will set you up with a 7-day chat window and icebreaker. 

A redesign of the dating app puts a greater emphasis on user profiles, giving you the ability to comment on profiles and photos in hopes of fostering more connections between Coffee Meets Bagel users.

Download Coffee Meets Bagel: Android, iOS

9. Her (Android; iOS)

Her is a dating and social network app designed with lesbian, bisexual and queer users in mind. You sign up with Facebook or Instagram accounts, and then view a stream of activity from other verified Her users both in your area and globally. You can Like photos of other users, and if the interest is mutual, the app will link you up to chat. 

Of course, it's also more than just meeting prospective dates, with the app offering social features, news and articles about LGBTQ issues, events, questions and more. While the app is free to use and sign up for, a premium subscription adds extra features.

Download Her: Android, iOS

10. Hinge (Android; iOS: $10.99/month)

Refusing to follow the trail blazed by swipe-driven apps like Tinder, dating app Hinge puts its focus on relationships and interesting conversations. In fact, the service's explicitly stated goal is to get you to the point where you've deleted the app altogether — presumably because you've found love and not because you've had it with the app.

Hinge turns its nose up at swipes for a more detailed profile that you fill in with pictures and stories. Users can then choose to like and comment on something in that profile, and that serves as a mutual conversation starter. Each day, you can check out new recommendations, as well as see people who have liked something in your profile.

Hinge responded quickly to our shelter-in-place situation imposed by the coronavirus pandemic by rolling out Date From Home features. Other changes include teaming up with the likes of Chipotle and Uber Eats to encourage users to have socially distanced dinner dates. And a redesign last year introduced Standouts feature that highlights people who are more likely to be your type, along with topics that Hinge thinks will spark a conversation with your would-be match.

Download Hinge: Android, iOS

11. Snack (iOS)

Imagine TikTok, but for dating, and you've got a pretty good sense of what Snack has to offer. This dating app puts an emphasis on short videos. You sort through a feed of introductory videos to see if anyone sparks your interest, favoriting the ones of people you'd like to get to know. Should they favorite your video, you'll be able to DM each other.

The emphasis on videos makes Snack a good dating app option for our socially distant times, though the focus is clearly on the under-30 crowd. Snack is only available on the iPhone at the moment, though you can sign up to be notified when an Android version drops.

Download Snack: iOS

12. LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games (Android, iOS)

Previously known as XO, LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games wants to put some of the fun back into dating by using games to help break the ice. Quizzes, drawing games and other party activities let you share a laugh with somebody new and maybe forge a connection that leads to a relationship.

You find matches by filling out a profile and meeting up with someone who has similar likes. Or you can try one of LOLO's other, more random pairings. Blind Date puts you in touch with someone to play a game and exchange messages before you see their profiles, while Random puts you in touch with someone from anywhere in the world.

People who are serious about finding a significant other right now may want to some of the other best dating apps, but LOLO seems like a fun, casual way to make new friends — and maybe that friendship blossoms into something more.

Download LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games: Android, iOS

13. Kippo (Android, iOS)

Of course, there's more than one way to game online, and Kippo looks to attract online gamers in search of a little companionship. The app lets you customize your own profile — the more unique, the better — in which you can show off the things you're truly passionate about. The app then tries to find matches based on the games you like.

Once you find a match, you're ready to DM and chat, though the free tier of Kippo has some limitation on just how many profiles you can swipe each day and how many messages you can send. Joining a paid Kippo Infinity tier for $10 a month removes those restrictions.

Kippo says it verifies that everyone using its service is a real person, and there's moderation to keep out any bad actors. 

Download Kippo: Android, iOS

15. Thursday (Android, iOS)

If you're getting a little tired of using dating apps all the time, the developers behind Thursday have heard your complaints. They've built an app you're only supposed to use one day a week — Thursday, naturally — to meet new people

Every Thursday, the app reveals people around you that want to go on a date that specific evening. The idea is to do away with the seemingly endless online flirtations and get straight to finding out if you've met your match.

Thursday is live in New York and London at this point, and the app is currently free to use, though a $14.99 "Black Card" membership boosts your presence and gives you an unlimited number of likes to find would-be matches.

Download Thursday: Android, iOS

15. Once (Android, iOS)

Once wants to slow down those frantic swipes as you try to find your ideal match. Instead of an unending string of photos to sort through, Once pairs you up with one potential partner a day, and you've got 24 hours to make a connection. You can keep chatting after that if both of you like another, but the idea is to focus on just one person at a time, so you can see if a more lasting connection is possible.

Matches are created with Once algorithm, which draws on your profile and your past behavior to find an ideal match. You can use Once for free, but paid memberships speed up the searching process and give you more matches per day if you prefer.

Download Once: Android, iOS

16. Happn (Android, iOS)

Happn is all about the people whose paths you might have crossed who you might find interesting and might also be doing the same things you are. A location-based dating service, Happn shows you the profiles of other Happn users you've crossed paths with, along with time and location. You can like any of the profiles that show up, and if the feeling is mutual, the app gives you the option to connect. Paid options offer the ability to “Say Hi” to other profiles, which includes a notification, as well as the ability to see profiles which have liked you.

Download Happn: Android, iOS

17. SwoonMe (Android, iOS: Free)

Let's face it — even the best dating apps are heavily skewed toward swiping through photos to find a match. But SwoonMe wants you to look beyond the surface when you're trying to meet someone new, whether it's for friendship or a more serious relationship.

To that end, the SwoonMe app does away with photos in exchange for avatars — the photo you upload to the dating app is converted into a cartoon version of yourself. Instead, you search for a would-be significant audio by listening to short audio clips the person has recorded. If you like what you hear, you can further communicate through audio messages, eventually reaching the point where you can reveal your true picture.

It's a different take on dating than some of the other apps here, and as a fairly new service, SwoonMe isn't as polished as some of its more well-established competitors. But it's worth checking out if you find other dating apps to be overly superficial.

Download SwoonMe: Android, iOS

18. Plenty of Fish Dating (Android; iOS)

Plenty of Fish Dating lacks the depth of features found in some other apps, but it makes up for in breadth. This free dating app is one of the largest and most popular in the world, boasting more than 70 million members spanning the whole English-speaking world. 

Users set up a simple profile, including age, education and profession, then search through potential matches and message them. Plenty of Fish keeps adding small tweaks to its app, including Chat Heads for Android users, VoIP calling for premium users and Instagram image uploads. You'll also find a free livestream feature that encourages dating over video.

Download Plenty of Fish Dating: Android, iOS

19. Badoo (Android; iOS)

A standout in a rich field of dating apps, Badoo features 370 million-plus users from more than 190 different countries, all sharing their profiles and photos as they search for matches. The app uses a lot of varied means to find interesting matches, from a Tinder-like swiping system to viewing the profiles of nearby users. 

Badoo puts a premium on making sure that its users are actual verified people, instead of "catfish"-style scams, with verification methods based on uploaded photos, connected social media accounts and phone verification. While the app is free to use, you can also buy premium credits for $2.99 to increase visibility or subscribe to gain "Super Powers," which provide expanded features.

Download Badoo: Android, iOS

20. Clover Dating App (Android; iOS)

A little bit of Tinder and a little bit of OkCupid, Clover takes a grab bag approach with a variety of ways to find and meet potential matches, from Tinder-like swiping to questionnaires, date planners, and detailed profiles with lists of interests. 

Clover avoids the one-trick pony trap of more focused dating app experiences, so if you ever get bored of the swiping style, you can always try participating in live mixers, check out the 20 Questions game, or even experiment with Clover's "on demand dating." As with other apps, Clover has premium tiers that can improve visibility and add or improve existing features.

Download Clover: Android, iOS

How to find the best dating app

You're going to have the biggest success finding romance through a dating app if you first settle on what exactly you're looking for. If casual flings and hook-ups are your focus, shy away from apps designed to help you find long-term relationships. Similarly, if you're tired of one-night stands, dating apps that put a greater emphasis on swiping than on matching up compatible people are more likely to frustrate you.

Speaking of frustrations, nothing's more irritating than using a dating app filled with fake profiles. Pay attention to what dating services do to make sure that you're only being paired up with people who are taking things seriously (or at least as seriously as you are.) It's also a good idea to pay attention to what services are doing to protect the privacy of their users.

Since many cities still have a limit on just how many people can gather in public places, it would be good to consider apps that offer some form of video chat, so that your love life doesn't get put on hold during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As best you can pay attention to security measures and how much of your data gets shared. Dating sites can suffer security breaches, just like any service, so use good password practices and don't re-use login info you've tied to other accounts.

It’s never been easier to meet someone online. There are more singles than ever in the dating pool. Most are in search of a meaningful connection that could lead to a long-term commitment. Landing a real catch in a traditional setting feels like fishing in the Dead Sea: impossible. But dating apps and websites have softened the blow and made it possible to scope out your options from the safety and comfort of your own home. With life online becoming an omnipresent reality, it’s one of the best ways to date. The best part? They actually work.

Now, this isn’t true of all dating sites, and there are plenty to comb through. While it’s nice to have options, digging around for the top dating sites can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Additionally, veteran daters know that modern dating culture has become murky at best.

Which apps will introduce you to singles who are serious about commitment and not just another hookup? Tinder might be the big dog of swipe-based dating apps, but you likely won’t find anything beyond a hot make-out session or a one-night stand. While most dating sites attract a mix of serious and casual daters, some options generate more success for long-term relationships.

Here’s an overview of the best dating sites that will give you the best chance at finding a real partner. When it comes to love, these apps do their best to find you the perfect match. Whether it’s a particularly advanced matching algorithm, personality analysis, or select group of users, these apps do more for you than your average hookup app ever could.

14 Best Dating Sites To Meet Someone Online For A Real Relationship in 2022

1.) eHarmony

Ok, so eHarmony puts some cheesy ads out there that might deter you from trying it out, but if you’re tired of dating around, looking for a real connection and maybe just want to put a ring on it, you’re going to want to give it a second chance. Why? Well, eHarmony is allegedly responsible for around 4 percent of all marriages in the U.S. today. Wild, right?

So what gives eHarmony its secret sauce? We guess it has to do with the revamp of their model. Back in the day, eHarmony would put you through the wringer with a lengthy sign-up process and lame alienating questions. Today, the questionnaire is around 30 questions long and very practical. It’ll ask you how you feel about moving in with someone or how you feel about arguments.

It should be noted though that eHarmony hasn’t always been the most welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community and some users believe that it’s truly a place for the heteronormative. They’ve been working on fixing this major issue, but it seems that it hasn’t yet been totally resolved.

Tip for using eHarmony to find a long-term relationship: Use eHarmony if you are genuinely ready for commitment. Don’t be afraid to set up dates quickly and emotionally open up earlier than you normally would.

2.) Match

Match.com is a dating site that was launched in 1995, and it has been helping daters find long-term relationships ever since. Match is comforting to a lot of people because it’s so familiar and has pretty much provided the blueprint for other dating sites. Not to mention, it has worked hard to perfect its strategy over the years. There’s even a guarantee that you’ll be dating someone within six months, and if you’re not, they’ll give you six months free of charge! That’s how confident they are.

There are two factors that make Match best for long-term partnerships.

Number one is their matching algorithm. When you sign up, you will be put through a rigorous personality quiz. While it can feel a little cumbersome, know that Match is only doing its job. You’ll be asked about your basic preferences along with some gushy romantic stuff (which is important in a relationship).

Number two is that, though it’s technically a free dating site, most users end up paying $20 per month. Yeah, it’s a lot. But love is an investment you should be making for yourself, right?

Tip for using Match to find a long-term relationship: Match is known for their intense matching algorithm, so take your time with the questionnaire and try to make your profile as detailed as possible.

3.) Zoosk

For some, travel is one of the most important aspects of a relationship. Zoosk takes the concept of online dating and allows users to connect internationally. But this isn’t one of those “fly me out to hookup” sites. Zoosk utilizes behavioral matching to facilitate genuine connections between folks who may live thousands of miles apart. If you want your first date to involve a plane, this app is for you.

Rather than dragging you through a tedious questionnaire, Zoosk synchs up your social media profiles to analyze your behavior. It’s a unique way to determine personality, but arguably more accurate given that it takes your actions into account.

Zoosk is a crowd favorite because it doesn’t try to distract you with any bells and whistles. It’s got a smooth, modern interface that makes international dating feel like a breeze.

Tip for using Zoosk to find a long-term relationship: Clean up your social media profile. Zoosk uses it to determine your matches. Your matches will likely be able to find your socials as well. If you come across as a player, you won’t land a serious relationship.

4.) Friend Finder

Friend Finder is one of the biggest dating communities on the Internet. It has the feel and ease of a social media platform but ultimately aims to set up romantic connections between singles. There’s a wide range of connections to be made on Friend Finder, from the flings to the wedding bells. You are more likely to meet someone who doesn’t want to commit right off the bat, but knows they want to meet someone special. Friend Finder also caters to all genders and sexualities, giving it a really warm and welcoming feel.

The users on Friend Finder tend to be in their 40s, but anyone who is 18+ is welcome to give it a shot. They also take your safety very seriously and run a tight ship as far as regulating profiles and banning fakes, catfish, and bots. You do feel like you’ve got a matchmaker on your side when you use Friend Finder to find a mate.

Because Friend Finder is more of a community than strictly a dating site, there are various ways to meet people and other ways to enjoy the site. For instance, you can take a look at their interest groups and forum pages to learn how users in the community are feeling about Friend Finder and dating in general.

Tip for using Friend Finder to find a long-term relationship: Treat this community like a social media platform rather than strictly a dating app. It will open up the possibilities for you by introducing you to more people!

5.) Bumble

There’s a lot we don’t love about Tinder. The platform allows ghosters and players to run rampant. That’s why Bumble is the perfect alternative for women seeking a serious relationship with a man.

Bumble is swipe-dating with a twist. It’s a free dating app that requires women to break the ice first. If the man doesn’t respond to the initial message within 24 hours, the match goes away. It’s one of the first dating apps to really hold daters accountable for their ability to follow through. Flakiness doesn’t survive on Bumble.

The women-message-first concept also combats those incessant creepy messages that ladies on dating apps are used to getting. While the profiles are limited and there’s no major questionnaire, the rules laid out by Bumble make it a great environment to start a long-term relationship. Oh, and there’s also an Astrology filter for the horoscope buffs.

Tip for using Bumble to find a long-term relationship: If you are a woman, reach out to all the men that you match with. Remember, they can’t get in touch with you. You need to make the first move before those matches disappear. You swiped right for a reason, right?

6.) Hinge

Many daters cite Hinge as their absolute favorite dating app. While Hinge has introduced a ton of successful couples to each other, the draw to Hinge has more to do with the fact that using the app is fun! The app was originally supposed to match you based on mutual friends you had through social media platforms. But it has evolved since then to be the ultimate icebreaker dating app.

Setting up a Hinge profile takes some time, but it’s entertaining. Once you pick your photos and basic preferences, you can choose through dozens of hilarious or serious prompts to add to the profile. One reads, “A life goal of mine is. . .” while another reads, “We’re the same type of weird if. . .” Hinge users can “heart” someone’s photo or their prompt answer. They can also comment on it, which makes initiating a conversation so much more interesting than on other dating apps.

With engaging profiles and an in-depth matching algorithm, Hinge is the cocktail party that sets the scene for long-term potential. The crowd is generally young, cool, and interested in dating. Its slogan is, “designed to be deleted,” which is kind of awesome!

Tip for using Hinge to find a long-term relationship: Add some humor to your profile by picking funny prompts. This will give your potential matches an icebreaker when they reach out to you.

7.) OKCupid

OKCupid is the woke dating app geared towards socially conscious millennials. It’s been around for a while, but in 2017, OKCupid saw a massive redesign both in aesthetics and operations. Now, it’s incredibly modern and perfect for the liberal-minded dater who is seeking a likeminded partner. With 12 gender identities and 20 sexual orientations to choose from, it’s not hard to see why.

The questionnaire helps to weed out folks who you wouldn’t get along with by asking questions like, “Is contraception morally wrong?” They also get into your sexual preferences and dealbreakers. That’s when the algorithm takes over. At first, it feels a bit like Tinder. That would make sense as the two are owned by the same company, but it takes the more in-depth serious approach that goes beyond swiping based on appearances.

One critique that OKCupid gets is the feature that allows you to message someone who you haven’t matched with yet. They won’t see that message unless you match. While it keeps creepy messages at bay, it also lends itself to a bunch of unanswered messages and a strange feeling of rejection.

Tip for using OKCupid to find a long-term relationship: Don’t bother using this application if you are ultra-conservative. You likely won’t find anyone who meshes with your views. Also, show more than you tell. In other words, pick profile photos that communicate who you are as a person.

8.) The League

If all the apps were personified, The League would be the most narcissistic. To get on the app in the first place, you must apply by submitting your LinkedIn profile, current job status, and what university you attended. So yeah, it’s a little full of itself. However, for people who think that education and job status is a dealbreaker, it’s a nice change of pace from the randomness that apps like Tinder supply.

The League allows you to be very picky with your preferences, even allowing you to select which races you prefer to see. That makes our stomachs turn a little. If you’re willing to ignore the cringeworthy-ness, The League is a pretty decent dating app. It has a high success rate, so we think it deserves a review.

Members span all age groups but tend to be on the younger side. There’s also no way for catfish to get onto this app. You must link both your Facebook and LinkedIn for approval. Unless a catfish is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to land someone, they aren’t going to slip through the cracks on these dating apps.

Tip for using The League to find a long-term relationship: The League tends to be a tough crowd and the app comes across as a little judgmental. You can ease the tension by sending a message to someone who you have something in common with. Perhaps you’ve been to their university, hometown, or have insight about their career choice.

9.) Happn

Some people believe in fate and others believe in the “Proximity Effect.” There’s a strong correlation between proximity and attraction, which Happn takes into account. Rather than setting you up with people who live in a five-mile radius from you, Happn actually matches you with someone you’ve crossed paths with in the past. It’s a neat concept in that it shows you and your match have similar habits and interests. It’s also the most convenient way to date.

We’ll be honest though, there aren’t a ton of people who use Happn, so there might be slim pickings. There have also been reports that the daters you’ve apparently “crossed paths with” are hogwash. This is coming from users who never stepped foot outside of their homes and were told they had a handful of missed connections. However, there are also folks who say the exact opposite.

Regardless of whether or not the proximity feature is a placebo, it sure makes for a nice icebreaker when you finally do go on that first date!

Tip for using Happn to find a long-term relationship: Don’t rely too heavily on the proximity feature. Try to get to know the people who you match with and then decide if you want to meet up with them!

10.) HER

Nearly all dating sites claim to be inclusive of all sexualities and genders; however, many people in the queer community don’t completely agree. Some sites just don’t feel all that welcoming or provide enough options, especially to queer women. Grindr was there for queer men, but what about the ladies? That’s where the app HER comes in. It’s a tailored dating site and community for women in the LGBTQ+ community.

According to their members (currently 4 million and counting), HER is a really fun space. Profiles can get quite detailed with the ability to put your diet preferences (like vegan) on your profile, along with your astrological sign and pronouns. There’s also an entire element of HER that doesn’t really have to do with dating but rather operates as a social media platform and shows you what queer events are going on in your area.

HER is great, but it’s not perfect. In the past, users have reported some glitches that make the user experience a bit frustrating and annoying. However, they are actively working to evolve their functionality in a positive way.

Tip for using HER to find a long-term relationship: HER is all about empowering women and LGBTQ+ dating. Mimic that energy by always shining a positive light while you are chatting with new friends or matches.

11.) Silver Singles

Dating over 50 can be quite a challenge. Many of these online dating apps focus so much energy on catering to millennials that they don’t take time to consider the older daters. Silver Singles is a dating app that’s exclusively for daters who are age 50 and above. Knowing that you’re in the company of others who are your age and looking for love can be really comforting.

Silver Singles takes matching seriously and uses a personality test to break users up into the Big Five personality traits, and then matches you accordingly. There’s an expectation on Silver Singles that the dating is taken seriously, so it’s not for the person looking for something casual. The users who are old enough to be completely over dating games that tend to be consumed by them see this as a benefit.

Tip for using Silver Singles to find a long-term relationship: Make it clear that you are seeking a long-term relationship. You can do this by posting it in your profile or by opening each chat by explaining what you want out of the app. The mature daters will appreciate the transparency.

12.) Coffee Meets Bagel

The concept behind this dating app was to set up a casual online dating experience. It’s likened to grabbing a cup of coffee with someone, but online. The vibe is meant to feel low-key, so that pressure doesn’t get in the way of your dating experience. A Reddit review actually noted that “Coffee Meets Bagel helped me find someone, which I never thought would happen because I am cripplingly introverted.” So, we know it works!

Other dating sites will throw a bunch of options at you, leaving you swiping through tons of photos or scrolling through an indefinite amount of prospects. While this can be nice, it also can deter you from really investing in one person and might make you feel overwhelmed. It’s not exactly the easiest way to make a real connection. That’s why CMB sends you seven options a day that are carefully selected based on their matching algorithm. These matches are called “bagels,” which frankly is a little strange. But hey, we’re not here to judge CMB on anything but their success rate as a dating app. To encourage followthrough, the bagels only last for a week. If you really like someone, you need to reach out.

Another reason why CMB works so well is that the algorithm takes your previous swipes into account when curating the next batch of fresh bagels for you. It learns your trends and preferences based on actual activity rather than just a questionnaire.

Tip for using Coffee Meets Bagel to find a long-term relationship: Give each “bagel” a chance. You might be used to apps that give you tons of options; however, there’s a reason why these bagels were suggested to you. Don’t be afraid to do a deep dive into each of their profiles!

13.) AdultFriendFinder

Ok, so AdultFriendFinder isn’t exactly great for finding your soulmate, but nothing is impossible! The reason it makes the list is that some people like to approach dating in a casual way before getting into anything super serious. Physical intimacy is an essential part of any relationship, and AdultFriendFinder has no problems in that department.

While millennials rely on Tinder to help them find friends-with-benefits, AdultFriendFinder caters to an online dating crowd that’s a tiny bit older. It’s sort of the Tinder for Gen X. Given that there are so many users on AdultFriendFinder, it’s nearly impossible to not find someone interested in talking to you. But be warned—AdultFriendFinder is not for the faint of heart. There’s no telling how raunchy your inbox will get.

AdultFriendFinder is an adult site, so that means explicit photos are welcome and encouraged. You won’t find that on other dating websites. In a time where isolation is more familiar than physical touch, it’s a nice change of pace.

Tip for using AdultFriendFinder to find a long-term relationship: Keep an open mind, sexually. AdultFriendFinder has a lot of raunchy undertones. By going in without judgment, you open yourself up to a world of dating potentials on this site.

14.) Plenty Of Fish

Plenty Of Fish is a popular free dating site, but they’ve been known to have just as many bots as they do genuine users, so that’s why it sits at the bottom. This doesn’t mean that POF doesn’t work. It has been known to foster a ton of successful relationships. There are even some celebs who have found love on POF. It simply might get annoying attempting to dodge the folks who aren’t real.

One of the best aspects of POF is the volume of users. They have so many. Bots aside, even if you live in a small town or rural area, you will find plenty of prospects. Most apps function best in urban cities, but POF does the job well anywhere. Another thing we love is that POF, and all features like unlimited messaging, is totally free.

Because there are so many daters on POF looking for all sorts of relationships, POF has implemented a pretty advanced search feature that allows you to whittle down the crowd. The quality of daters doesn’t seem to be as top-notch as some other apps on this list, but there are definitely some catches who make their way onto the site.

Tip for using Plenty Of Fish to find a long-term relationship: POF is known for having a ton of users. With that in mind, be selective with who you decide to reach out to. Too many options won’t help you land that soulmate you’re after.

Final Verdict

Downloading a dating app can seem like a big commitment and feel a little bit overwhelming if you’re not sure which to try first, since they all have extremely different vibes. Hinge is the best option if you’re looking to get a little bit more serious about app dating. It gives you more information about potential dates and encourages more meaningful conversations. Raya is ideal if you’re hoping to spot a celebrity or want to network with other like-minded creatives, but it can be difficult to get an invite to it. 

Bumble is great if you’re hoping to go on a lot of first dates. The app doesn’t tell you much about people, but it makes it easy to swipe endlessly and start chatting. Think of it more like meeting someone at a bar casually. If you’re looking to date women and want an app exclusively for that, HER is your best bet. And if you want to keep it casual, Tinder is the old faithful for a reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Dating Apps Work? 

Some apps require both parties to swipe right if they’re interested and then allow you to connect. Others let one person send a message, and then the recipient can decide whether or not they want to respond. A few of the apps give extensive information, including college, height, and even whether or not people want kids, while others will simply show you nearby potential partners without a lot of information. 

Are There Free and Paid Options for Dating Apps? 

Most dating apps are free, or at least have a free option as well as a premium, paid option. The free option usually gives people the opportunity to swipe, while paying allows people to be more particular, setting filters that show only a certain height, religion, or political affiliation, for example. For most apps, it’s extremely easy to download them and then use the free version unless you’re looking for something super specific. Some apps, like Raya, do require all users to pay a small monthly fee. Usually, the fee is less if you pay for a few months or longer. 

How Much Do Dating Apps Cost? 

Dating apps range from free to about $100 if you get a premium version and invest in a few months of it. The least expensive options will give you a range of premium offerings that upgrade your profile, either putting you in the spotlight for potential matches or giving you the option to message someone without matching first. 

Methodology

We asked experts about apps, read reviews, and examined our own years of experience using them. We also looked for apps that give a wide range of information about others, as well as flexibility when it comes to payment plans. It was important for us to present a variety of options for dating preferences, whether it’s casual hookups, first dates, or even marriage. Inclusivity was also an important factor in determining our options, so apps catering to different sexual orientations and religions made the list.

Whether you love or loathe Tinder, there is no denying it has changed online dating forever.

As a result there is now no end of apps with the same aim of helping you fall in love and live happily ever after, or at the least find someone to hang out with next weekend.

Whether it's matching you on your favourite interests or finding someone who you share mutual friends with. Here, we take the biggest alternatives to Tinder and give them a spin to find out what (if anything) they do differently and what sets them apart.

Parship

The USP: The serious dating site for serious daters. This Hamburg-headquartered company leads with a couple of facts: a 38 percent success rate for premium Parship members and 23,000 new members each week. The idea is that Parship uses strictly objective, scientific processes to matchmake, which does rather click with the comedy German stereotype. Imagine Thomas Tuchel reading this bit of bumph from the website: "Sounds complicated. Mathematical. Psychological. But it is very simple. Parship searches – you find." Haunting.

Pros: There's an ID check feature which feels extremely sensible, and the emphasis on finding a match for you who does actually fit what you want and who you are is a good thing.

Cons: You register for free, but then there's a fair old monthly fee of £14.90 for the basic membership package – and it'll renew automatically, so you'd best not forget about it. There are a lot of extremely grumpy reviews from people struggling to make head or tail of the app. Plus, the pool of people in the UK isn't gigantic.

Verdict: Like a more intense reworking of OK Cupid, but without the charm or easy functionality for a casual user, this one feels like it's got some way to go before it goes overground.

Kippo

The USP: Liking the same things is the starting point of so many relationships, it does make a lot of sense to build a dating app around finding the fandoms and subcultures you're into already. Kippo doesn't style itself explicitly as a dating app, rather a place to find friends and hang out, but there's certainly a lot of sifting through profiles in hope of matching with people you fancy in the time-honoured manner. Fill out a form detailing which games you love plus the usual trad stuff about what you're looking for in a friend/partner, and on you go. It's the dating app for proud nerds and hardened gamers.

Pros: It's not just a case of sifting through pictures – there's the Kippoverse to wander around, looking something like a GameBoy era Pokémon universe. Play games, hang out with people, and audio chat with new mates. Depending on how much you liked Habbo Hotel, you might find the interface endearingly retro or maddeningly cutesy.

Cons: The clientele definitely skews younger, which might make you feel extremely 'How do you do fellow kids'. Suspicions that the Metaverse-lite interface is a bit too close to the thing Zuckerberg wants to boot you and your consciousness into will persist.

Verdict: For the shy dater, this is a godsend: there are so many icebreakers at hand to give you a simple in with whoever you're chatting to, plus the audio call functionality is both more intimate than just text and less open to abuse than video calling. You might not go out with someone just because they also like PUBG but it's a foot in a door.

The Sauce

The USP: The TikTokification of dating apps has already started, but The Sauce does away with stuffy, boomerish concepts like 'still images' entirely and instead has users approve or disapprove of each other by uploading videos of themselves. That, co-founder Sachin Kara says, means you can expect "Instagram stories, Reels, the odd TikTok and playful videos usually filmed by someone’s mate thrown into the mix, allowing members to get to know their match before they’ve even sent their first like".

Pros: Getting a read on someone's vibe is a lot easier with sound, movement and the sudden realisation that you were both in Rowan's arcade room the other Saturday night. Plus, you've got a lot more leeway to get creative and avoid the dreaded profile picture triumvirate of 'man holding fish', 'man with arm around four other men', and ''

Cons: Watching other people's Insta stories can be a bit tedious at the best of times. Also, might feel a bit like doing one of those excruciatingvideo pre-interviews for an internship. Let's keep those memories pushed deep, deep down.

Verdict: A lot livelier and more fun than your average app format, and it does make it easier to filter out anyone who's got a sideline in lame Olly Murs-lite pranks.

thesauceapp.co

Victoria

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The USP: Properly styled as 'Victoria the app', just in case you get it mixed up with 'Victoria the rail terminus' or 'Victoria the Beckham', this is less a straightforward dating app than a member's club with a bit where you can get your sauce on. The idea is to help people connect through curated experiences suggested according to your shared interests. It's also got a networking function for anyone looking for a partner in the boardroom rather than the bedroom.

Pros: There's an extremely no time-wasters vibe to the whole enterprise, and you're not likely to end up doing the same thing as you always do if you hit it off with someone on the app and meet up in real life. The app has a load of

Cons: It's a bit Soho House. If you've limited patience for hearing about your date's plans to push into SaaS marketing or minting some NFTs of some pieces from their flatmate's art show in Deptford, you might find it a little much.

Verdict: If you're comfortable with only dating within a very particular echelon of society, and aren't put off by the slightly wiffly 'Who is the Victoria member?' section on the website ("Driven — Members pursue their dreams and passions with intensity. They are pushed to excel, to do more, to be better in every facet of their career and personal life" etc), then jump in.

victoriatheapp.com

The Intro

The USP: The Intro positions itself as the dating app for the busy urban professional. It skips the bit where you spend three weeks running through the 'have you got any brothers or sisters' stage and skips straight to video calls, and it even does the scheduling for the pair of you too. It's a bit like having a PA whose only remit is to sort out facetime with hotties.

Pros: It's a lot more time efficient, person-focused and tactile than tapping out messages for however long, and you can get a proper vibe off someone before you go spending a whole evening of your precious, precious time with them.

Cons: There's a teeny whiff of the, "Hi, yah, buddy" Square Mile broseph about it. Just because you're spending 15 hours a day squeezing emerging markets and shifting units before Tokyo opens, it doesn't mean you should be spared the swipe-match-chat-ignore drudgery of most apps. It's the great leveller.

Verdict: A little bit Train Guy in the conception, but anything that whittles down the chances of anyone using the monkey hiding its eyes emoji to take the edge off whatever wildly overfamiliar opening line they've used 50 times that day is a good thing.

theintro.com

Jungle Dating

The USP: Throwing yourself into solo dates all the time can end up feeling quite lonely, especially if they're not tending to go quite how you'd like them to. So, Jungle is a platform for organising double dates for yourself and a mate.

Pros: Turning the dating game into a team pursuit makes it a lot more fun, and at the very least you and whichever mate you bring along will get some anecdotes out of the whole thing. Hopefully it's a dynamic which will make single women feel more comfortable, and there's also a lot more chance you're going to just make some new friends, which is always nice.

Cons: It only launched in July in London, so the pool is likely to be a little smaller than the other apps on this list. Also kind of depends on you having mates who are good crack, but not such great crack that your opposite numbers only fancy them and not you. And if you thought sorting out a time to go for brunch with one other person, try it with four diaries on the go.

Verdict: A nice idea, especially in a gigantic megacity that sees thousands of awkward two-drink Tuesday night dates every week. One to keep an eye on.

bit.ly/getjungle

Thursday

The USP: Many conversations you have on dating apps go absolutely nowhere. There are a number of reasons for this. Some nascent chats are simply overwhelmed by the sheer number of other romantic options that are available to the user at all times (why tolerate some less-than-stellar small talk when there are so many other people to talk to?) while longer conversations peter out over the course of weeks, as incessant back and forth robs both parties of their best material before they’ve even met up. Thursday attempts to solve this problem by only allowing users to match and talk on – you guessed it – Thursday. It builds anticipation, allows people to get straight to the point, and encourages the organising of actual dates.

Pros: While other apps can often function as a game at this point – something to swipe while you’re on the bus – Thursday is all about spontaneity and IRL encounters. It’s been a big thing in New York for a while, but has only recently launched in London.

Cons: Its strengths are also its drawbacks. Most people go on their dating apps on the weekend, specifically Sunday. A strict 24-hour period, on a working day no less, adds a sense of pressure to proceedings.

Verdict: An interesting concept.

getthursday.com

Feeld

The USP: Originally called 3nder, Feeld is sex-positive dating app for polyamorous couples who want to explore bringing a third into their bedroom, but it’s also a place where people can explore other kinks as well. That being said, it doesn’t allow nudity and takes great lengths to ensure users feels safe on the platform. The audience is mostly made up of young straight couples, but the app encourages everyone to join in and gender options are relatively vast for a dating app. Usefully, there’s a mode which allows you to stay invisible to any Facebook friends who might be using the app too (you have to sign in through the social media site in the first place, which it scrapes your personal information from.)

Pros: The platform creators care about the safety and privacy of their user base, and have created a respectful community as a result. The group chat feature is handy, obviously. Safer than many other options on the internet.

Cons: Fake profiles abound. At £14.99 a month it’s not exactly cheap, but you can get a better deal by going for a 90 day membership package. Some people might resent the need for Facebook verification.

Verdict: Of all the threesome apps on the market, this is the only one to break into the mainstream. It’s easy to see why.

feeld.co

MATCH

The USP: Match.com is Old Internet – it launched in 1995! Before Google! Before you even had a computer! – so we understand any scepticism you might have. What are we going to suggest next, an AOL chat room? Habbo Hotel? The dating world is about gimmicks and ever-advancing AI. Why would you look backwards when you could just download the trendy new app?

But Match.com has survived this long for a reason. It’s moved with the times from an algorithmic standpoint but remains extremely stripped-back and basic. The filters are extensive, and while the ‘like’ system is very similar to Tinder, the discover page allows a more curated window-shopping experience. The MatchPhone feature also provides you with a custom, totally anonymous phone line that allows you to chat without monitoring (you can block the caller if need be).

Pros: The phone app is simple, and the service has a wide database of users.

Cons:A one-month subscription is £29.99, which is pretty crazy. Three months works out at £19.99/m and six boils down to £9.99/m.

Verdict: VINTAGE FUN with a NEW AGE FEEL.

uk.match.com

Facebook Dating

The USP: It’s safe to say that Facebook Dating has arrived about a decade too late. People are probably far less keen to involve Zuckerberg and co in their love lives following the Cambridge Analytica privacy fall-out of 2018, and the site’s popularity amongst young people is dropping off. Still, it was always perfectly suited to hosting a dating app and now it's here, completely free, simple to set up and integrated with the rest of site’s myriad social features.

Pros:It’s easy to find others with similar interests through the group function, and there’s a ‘Secret Crush’ feature that allows you to select Facebook friends who you’re interested in (they won’t see if they don’t choose you too.)

Cons: It’s Facebook.

Verdict:Free and easy to use

facebook.com/dating

Hinge

The USP: "Designed to be deleted", as the company's motto goes.

Pros: It delves deep into your preferences to make sure matches are as suitable as possible, and it easily has the most impressive (and sleek) profile experience. You can also send 'likes' in reference to specific elements of their profile, and send messages to mutual matches.

Cons: The sheer amount of profile questions and features creates a pressure to impress – but then, is that any different to other dating apps?

Verdict: A great experience from start to finish.

hinge.co

Badoo

The USP: With more than 400 million members, Badoo is one of the world's most popular dating apps and part of the same umbrella company as Bumble. Uniquely, it allows users to live stream to potential partners.

Pros: It's a non-swiping app and allows you a smaller pool of potential dates tailored to your taste.

Cons: It's doesn't have quite as many features as some competitors.

Verdict: If you've got very specific tastes Badoo might work for you but fancying someone because they look like a celebrity is so rarely how attraction works.

badoo.com

Guardian Soulmates

The USP: As one of the longest standing dating sites on the internet, The Guardian’s Soulmates service doesn’t need to prove its credentials. Perhaps that’s why it’s one of the only apps that requires a paid subscription to fully utilise (and at £35/month, it doesn’t come cheap.)

So what are you getting for that money? None of the bells and whistles that we’ve come to expect from modern dating apps, that’s for sure. This is a back-to-basics service that relies on its like-minded and loyal user base (more than 80 per cent of members read the Guardian, and unlike many dating apps men only slightly outnumber women). It also offers regular singles events for users, a regularly updated Soulmates blog and a highly refined search function.

Pros: A strong reputation and compatible crowd

Cons: Not as innovative or packed with features as newer dating apps.

Verdict: Worth the money if sitting in the pub on a Sunday quietly reading The Observer is one of your kinks.

soulmates.theguardian.com

Coffee Meets Bagel

The USP: Their mantra and methodology is explained thus: "Each day at noon, guys will receive up to 21 quality matches – known as 'Bagels'. They are given the option to either LIKE or PASS. Then, Coffee Meets Bagel will curate the best potential matches for women among the men who expressed interest."

Pros: A more curated selection than just endlessly swiping through everyone.

Cons: The app requires you to give over control over to someone else to decide for you.

Verdict: CMB only lets you see people who have liked you, so no torturing yourself about 'the one that got away'. Think of it as a time-effective dating app.

coffeemeetsbagel.com

Down

The USP: Gives you the chance to tell your friends (rather than strangers) that you want to sleep with them.

Pros: There is a strange thrill in being able to 'swipe' that acquaintance you've always fancied, asking them for a date (up) or telling them you want to sleep with them (down). Until you realise how pathetic it is.

Cons: It pulls in every single woman who happens to be your friend on Facebook, even if they haven't joined Down yet (your cowardly come on will be waiting for them if they ever do), making it rather pointless.

Verdict: The more you think about it, the less sense Down makes. Isn't the whole point of internet dating that you can meet someone new? This hook-up app for friends (and friends of friends) is the equivalent of passing 'I Like You' notes in class.

downapp.com

Happn

The USP: Hook up with the people you walk past on the street.

Pros: Once you get over the slight stalker complex Happn instils on you by showing women who walked past your front door an hour ago, matching with users within a 250-metre radius is actually quite handy. Chances are you live or work in the same area, so arranging a date becomes a lot simpler.

Cons: If the date goes horribly, there are no assurances you won't bump into her when you're buying milk a few days later. Also, spend too much time on it and you start getting paranoid you're seeing 'someone you liked on Happn' every time you sit in your local cafe.

Verdict: One of the most effective – and convenient – dating apps out there. Until it isn't.

happn.com/en

HER

The USP: A progressive dating app designed for queer, bisexual and lesbian women that boasts a worldwide membership of 4 million, the free version of the app allows users to view mutually matched profiles and chat, while the premium option lets you view the photos and names of those who like you, and gives you unlimited swipes. The gender options are also very inclusive, including female, non-binary, agender, gender fluid and intersex.

Pros: The app notifies users about LGBTQ+ events that are happening in the local area.

Cons: It only lets you sign up through your Facebook or Instagram account, which many are loath to do (but it only uses your first name).

Verdict: The most popular lesbian dating app in the world for a reason.

OKCupid

The USP: Endless personality quiz questions that give you a match percentage with would-be partners.

Pros: You can weed out people with traits or points of view you find simply unacceptable. Racists, bigots and Mumford & Sons fans, then.

Cons: Too many basic functions are restricted to paid membership.

Verdict: Worth a shot, if only to kill time answering bizarre questions about yourself.

okcupid.com

Plenty Of Fish

The USP: It's a huge ocean, with more members than any of the others (around 70 million).

Pros: Unlike most of the other apps, doing the basics on PoF – looking at profiles, sending and reading messages – is absolutely free.

Cons: A high number of sexually frustrated virgin-trolls means a lot of women find using it a harrowing experience, which understandably makes them cagey when you, a normal man, comes along. It's disheartening how many women have to resort to 'please no sex pests' appendices on their profile information.

Verdict: Easy to navigate, simple and free to use, void of distracting gimmicks. And unlike Tinder, users tend to write a bit about themselves, meaning you have more to go on (and sell yourself with) than just your five least-worst selfies.

uk.pof.com

Grindr

The USP: It really works. If you happen to be gay, bisexual or curious.

Pros: Easy and efficient to use, you can find a hook-up within minutes.

Cons: It is notoriously 'glitchy', with messages disappearing and some functions not working properly.

Verdict: The app that started it all, Grindr has been helping men who like men improve their sex lives since 2009. Whether they are honest about it or not, every heterosexual internet dating app out there aspires to be the 'Grindr for straight people'. Has is happened yet? Not even close.

Grindr

Lumen

The USP: Dating for over-50s.

Pros: Most (if not all) dating apps provide age boundaries, but Lumen is the first dedicated service for people over the age of 50, with a verification system that keeps bots and scammers at bay.

Cons: Not a lot of search filter options. All opening messages must feature more than 50 characters, which means you can't rely on the tried-and-tested "Wazzzuuuppp?!?!"

Verdict: Asimple interface, strong security focus and growing community means that Lumen's future is bright for this mature dating app.

Inner Circle

The USP: Members are vetted, and they also run IRL singles events.

Pros: The screening process ensures out-and-out perverts are banished, which means everyone wins (except the perverts). The fun and well-organised events means membership feels a bit more like a club, and less like pin-balling around a vast galaxy of random singletons.

Cons: After sending someone a message, you're notified when they're checking your profile, which means you can actually see yourself being rejected in real time. But hey, that's life.

Verdict: Pulling together the best elements of other older dating apps, Inner Circle is the best all-rounder out there with the highest quantity of people you'd actually like to meet. £5 a week for the advanced user options is just too much, though.

theinnercircle.co

Bumble

The USP: Like Tinder, except once you match, only the ladies can make the first move and say hello.

Pros: It means women have an extra barrier against the 'hey hun wanna fuk??' brigade, which is good for all concerned. It also means if she's got in touch with you, you definitely weren't an 'accidental swipe', meaning you'll be leaving less of those unanswered hellos that slowly chip away at your soul.

Cons: None, really. Though one minor gripe is that Bumble's algorithm clearly pulls ten of the highest rated profiles to the top of your feed every time you log in. Parading the hottest – and least obtainable – women in front of your face every time you log in feels a little bit manipulative.

Verdict: A dating app where women need not fear to tread, and where the sting of rejection is largely removed for you. Win-win.

bumble.com

Luxy

The USP: Connect with verified millionaires.

Pros: The site boasts a large portfolio of high earners and offers 24/7 customer service for their members.

Cons: Sadly, you also need to be a millionaire. People tend to upload shots of their huge houses.

Verdict: Aside the obviously Dickensian classism all over the site, it also has an understandably odd mixture of trust fund brats and retired divorcees. Luxy does however offer high security to protect your privacy and weeds out people looking for a sugar daddy or mumma.

onluxy.com

Muddy Matches

The USP: It's a dating service for countryside lovers, rather than people who don't bathe.

Pros: You don't actually have to live in the countryside. You just need to be into the rural scene. Rambling, jodhpurs, chortling, wax gilets, shovelling poo. All that good stuff.

Cons: Full membership (which allows you to send messages) comes in at £94/year.

Verdict: No other app can guarantee you a weekly polo tutorial. For that, it's worth the yearly fee.

Tastebuds

The USP: Fall in love with someone who shares your music taste.

Pros: A nice way to connect with people on something you're passionate about, or it can be used to find friends to visit gigs with.

Cons: Just because you both like Kings of Leon doesn't really mean you're made for each other.

Verdict: A nice concept and considering music is a personal passion that connect a lot of people, Tastebuds actually has more of a USP than most niche interest apps. However the same warnings apply – you may be looking for your dream girl who loves Ok Computer, but you're going to end up with a page of middle-aged Radiohead loving blokes like yourself.

tastebuds.fm

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It's never been easy to find a partner, and challenges from COVID-19 has made dating even more complicated. Luckily, even if you're not getting out as much as you used to, online dating sites and mobile dating apps can help you make connections that lead to a long-term relationship (or even a fun fling!). Yes, the internet is a wonderful thing.

But where to start? There are lots of good dating websites and apps, whether you're looking to meet new people, try casual dating, find others with similar interests or finally find your ideal match for a long term relationship. I took into consideration everything from each online dating service's dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free dating app or a paid service. A new person that fits your exact dating profile is sure to be out there!

Here's an overview of the best dating sites on the market. My recommendations are based primarily on my own experiences in the online dating platform arena as a woman, with some word-of-mouth impressions from friends thrown in for good measure.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your perfect match. We'll update this list periodically.

Bumble

Bumble is basically Tinder for women... and on a timer. Bumble is a free dating app that requires women to message first. If the guy doesn't message back within 24 hours, he loses the potential dates. Because that's the one thing my love life was really missing: Arbitrary time limits.

The timer is designed to encourage contact and some people really do appreciate that feature. But if you're someone who procrastinates, Bumble may not be for you. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the more insecure males from the dating pool. However, the rate of overly confident men tends to be higher than I've seen on other apps. Bumble also has a BFF feature to help you meet new people, but that's really not our focus, so I'll save it for another time. 

Tinder

Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, potential date, friendship or an LTR (long term relationship), Tinder has you covered. It's basically the first stop for those entering the dating world. If you want to play the odds when it comes to online dating, you need to be swiping where everyone's swiping.

On the upside, the profiles are brief, which helps you to make decisions quickly. The downside is that a short dating profile makes it harder to figure out what a lot of people are looking for. Knowing very little about a person can also make initial messaging a lot more challenging. You'll need to wade through a sea of profiles, which makes it easy to pass over people you might have given a chance under different circumstances. 

OkCupid

OkCupid, how you confuse me. I have friends who've met their ideal match and even spouses through OkCupid. My last serious relationship came from the OkCupid dating service. In fact, I've been on OkCupid on and off, for roughly the last 11 years. Profiles are a lot more in-depth than most online dating sites and if you answer a seemingly endless series of questions (much like a personality test), they will spit out a reasonable Match/Enemy percentage ratio on profiles to help you gauge compatibility based on interests.

Changes in the last few years have made OkCupid a bit more like Tinder (both owned by the same company), focusing more on swiping and eliminating the ability to message a user without matching with them first. Online daters can still send a message -- it just won't show up in the recipient's inbox unless you match. Because who doesn't enjoy sending a thoughtful message to someone who might never see it? However, OkCupid has pointed out that these changes did help lower the number of offensive messages and fake profiles people received, which might be a worthwhile trade-off. Unfortunately in my experience OkCupid has become a bit of an online dating app ghost town.

Hinge

Hinge

Hinge finally won me over, becoming my favorite dating app. Originally the 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. Hinge has designed the 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. The prompts provided by Hinge make it easy to create more engaging profiles. Hinge's current slogan is "designed to be deleted," so if a potential match for a serious relationship is what you're looking for, this is the dating app I would recommend.

Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel hopes to offer people better-quality matches by sending curated daily matches, or "bagels," each day at noon. They suggest ice-breakers for first messages and the profiles are more in-depth than Tinder. For people who like a little extra hand-holding, CMB isn't the worst option. However, I found the app confusing to use, with too many features and a lot of gimmicks. I shouldn't have to look up online tutorials to figure out how to use a dating app. Plus why call matches Bagels?

I was also disappointed in the notifications, which I found too pushy. CMB was constantly "gently" reminding me to message people I'd matched with. I eventually disabled the app after receiving the following notification: "Show [match name] who's boss and break the ice today!" Should a potential future relationship be rooted in a hierarchical power dynamic? At the end of the day, I have friends who've had the perfect match on CMB, but it isn't one of my favorite online dating apps. 

Happn

Happn matches you with people who are located nearby. It's a cool concept and helpful for people who want to meet someone in a more organic manner. That said, I've never met a single person who actually uses the app.

After signing up, Happn showed me 68 people it said I'd crossed paths with in the preceding 3 hours, though I hadn't left my apartment all day. This might be helpful if you're looking to date your immediate neighbors (or Uber drivers), but I don't see the attraction when competitors like Tinder already show the distance between you and other users. Frankly, if I saw an attractive guy in a coffee shop, I'd just approach him rather than check to see if he's on Happn. The app seems designed for people who don't want to use online dating sites but also don't want to approach people in real life. Pick a lane.

The League

The League is an "elite dating app" that requires you to apply -- and supply your job title, college and LinkedIn profile. Big cities tend to have long waiting lists, so you might find yourself twiddling your thumbs as your application to be one of the elite singles on the app is reviewed. (Of course, you can pay to expedite the process.) The exclusivity can be a draw for some and a turnoff for others, but I'll let you in on a secret: I've seen most of the profiles I come across on The League on other dating apps, too. So at the end of the day, you'll probably see the same faces for potential dates on Tinder, if you aren't deemed elite enough for The League.

Her

Most dating apps are fairly LGBTQ inclusive. Still, it's nice to have an app to call your own. Her is tailored to lesbian, bisexual and queer women. It's a worthy notion -- but the app has some bugs and glitches that made it frustrating to use. Most of my queer female friends have told me they found the app "just OK" and not perfect and that they usually end up back on Tinder or Bumble. Still I checked it regularly for some time and had a few pleasant conversations with actual human beings. Isn't that all we're really looking for in a dating app?

Clover

Clover tried to be the on-demand version of online dating sites, letting you order a date much like you would a pizza. It also provides numeric match predictions based on compatibility and interests, though it isn't entirely clear how those numbers are calculated.

I was on Clover for quite some time, but had since forgotten it existed until I started to compile this list. It strikes me as a less-successful hybrid of OkCupid and Tinder with a relatively small user base, even though I live in an urban area with plenty of people who use a wide variety of dating apps. Clover says it has nearly 6 million users, 85% of whom are between the ages of 18 and 30.

Find love (or casual sex) with the help of these dating sites.

Finding dating IRL is proving tricky after Coronavirus? Some people are understandably anxious about finding love after lockdown and dating face-to-face after two years of restrictions, while others just prefer being able to get to know someone virtually before spending time with them in person – which is where our round up of the best dating sites comes in.

Stats show that searches for dating site Bumble rose by 3,350% in September, and over half of all single people are now using some form of match-making site to find love (read our guide to the best sex apps, here—hi, Tinder). Long gone are the days when Internet dating was seen as a no-go. Now, e-dating is about as normal as Internet banking (just way more fun).

That said, scoping out the best dating sites in a market of very *meh* ones can be difficult, especially if you’re a newbie to the whole she-bang. So what is a guaranteed win?

We drafted in online dating expert Sloan Sheridan-Williams, who shared her pick of the fourteen best dating sites to find your perfect match. Read up on our guide to what to talk about on a first date, while you’re here – and if all goes wrong, remember: the best sex toys will always be your friend.

Video you may like:

Credit: Love Is Blind

14 best dating sites to try now

eharmony‘sRachael Lloyd says: “Maintain an open mind, and remember that being yourself is key to success. Treat online dating as an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy new experiences, rather than wondering if who you’re talking to is the love of your life. It’ll take the pressure off a little bit.”

And while you’re at it, read our guides to how to make your online dating profile stand out and tantric sex, too.

1. Best dating site for over 40s: eHarmony

How does it work? If you are serious about looking for that special thing called love, then this is the site for you. eHarmony take this match-making lark very seriously, making them one of the top sites to try. They’ve even patented The eHarmony Compatibility Matching System. That’s right. They’ve taken 35 years of research to come up with a Relationship Questionnaire and pride themselves on matching users with people who are actually compatible with them.

How much does it cost? £9.95 per month.

The experts say: This is one of the best dating sites for those who are looking for personality matching. eHarmony takes the hard work out of trolling through 100s of photos and delivers compatible dates directly to your inbox. This site provides quality over quantity and is great for those looking for a long term relationship.

Sign up with Marie Clarie’s unique eHarmony discount code and save 20% on any membership. Use Code: MC20

Try now: eHarmony

2. Best dating site for over 50s: Lumen

How does it work? Lumen is a modern dating app specifically designed for adventurous over 50s to meet genuine like-minded singles. Every profile includes at least three photos and a detailed bio, designed to spark interesting and meaningful conversation with your matches.

How much does it cost? It’s free!

The experts say: If you want good conversation with likeminded individuals in the age bracket, there’s no place better. There is a focus on good conversation and common interests so for people who want to chat away without the awkwardness, this is the app to download.

Try now: Lumen

3. Best dating site for over 60s: match.com

How does it work? match is the most widely-used dating site in the world and has nearly 1.8 million subscribers. It works in the most traditional way: Simply create a profile, check out your potential matches, send them a few messages and then arrange to meet for a date. There are also various off-shoots of match.com with microsites for gay and lesbian dating, Asian dating, Christian dating and Polish dating. The love-gods at match also arrange singles events and provide online dating advice, so it’s easy to see what makes them one of the top-drawer dating sites.

How much does it cost? £12.99 per month for a 6-month membership.

The experts say: For those nervous about dating, this is one of the best dating sites as it puts the control in your fingertips allowing you access to thousands of profiles and the ability to chat to potential dates at the rate which works for you. It is well known and therefore attracts a wide demographic, allowing you to widen your dating pool or limit it with their advanced matching facility.

Try now: Match.com from £12.99 per month

Credit: Love is Blind

4. Best dating site for busy people: Lovestruck

How does it work? Lovestruck helps you target potential partners according to location and it covers many of the major cities across the world. It’s aimed at time-starved professionals, who due to busy work and social lives simply don’t have the time to date. Lovestruck helps put you in touch with people who are near you – be it where you work or live – to save you precious minutes or hours travelling to and from a date. The site also hosts regular events which are a fun, relaxed way to meet people.

How much does it cost? A minimum of £16 per month.

The experts say: Perfect if you are looking for love in the city and want to approach dating with an informal first meet in your lunch break or after work. It takes the travel out of dating especially with its tube station search parameter.

Try now: Lovestruck from £16 per month

5. Best dating site for beginners: DatingDirect.com

How does it work? There are no gimmicks or USPs with DatingDirect. In fact, it’s fairly similar to our old friends Match, mentioned above. You can start looking at potential dates for free, then when you like the look of someone and fancy striking up a conversation, you need to subscribe. Like a lot of these highly-rated dating sites, it also has a handy instant messenger service which makes chatting to your matches easy and breezy.

How much does it cost? £12.99 per month for a 6 month membership.

The experts say: This site is owned by the dating giant MEETIC and gives you access to 20 million members across Europe and it also merged with Match.com in 2009. A daily email suggests six members you might be interested in, which is a useful feature that doesn’t feel like you’re being bombarded but provides you enough choice to find a compatible date.

Try now: DatingDirect from £12.99 per month

Credit: Love is Blind

6. Best dating site for finding long-term relationships: PARSHIP.co.uk

How does it work? This is sold as a serious online dating site for ‘discerning singles.’ A bit like eHarmony, PARSHIP uses a patented test, this time called The PARSHIP principle®, which analyses 32 personality traits and is based on an algorithm of 136 rules. It sounds complicated, but that’s not for you to worry about. Just sign up, do the test and get chatting to all those love-compatible people out there.

How much does it cost? Minimum of £14.90 per month.

The experts say: One of the best dating sites for those looking for long-term relationships with professional people, users complete a personality test to measure compatibility with potential dates using psychometric analysis. Functionality is limited as the site is more geared up to helping you find a long term partner rather than flirting randomly with people you like the look of. Members have similar incomes and education. There is also a specific gay version of the site for those looking for a serious committed relationship with a same sex partner.

Try now: PARSHIP from £14.90 per month

7. Best dating site for fussy people: PlentyofFish

How does it work? Plenty of Fish works by asking users to take a special POF Relationship Chemistry Predictor test, which measures self-confidence, family-orientation, self-control, social dependency and easygoingness. You’re then matched to those most compatible to you.

How much does it cost? It’s free!

The experts say: This is great if you want free access to a large database of single people. It has a compatibility matching system that includes areas such as self-confidence, openness and family. A great starting point for people who have not tried online dating before and want to try it for free. See – finding the best dating sites never looked so simple.

Try now: PlentyofFish for Free

Credit: Love is Blind

8. Best dating site for shy people: Mysinglefriend.com

How does it work? Mysinglefriend.com is the brainchild of TV presenter Sarah Beeny and it works by each member on the site being put forward and described by a friend. The site aims to get rid of the ‘cringe factor’ associated with having to big yourself up through your online profile and makes it more of a fun community, where like-minded people can chat, meet and potentially fall in lurve.

How much does it cost? £13 per month.

The experts say: For those who are at a loss as how to sell themselves in 500 words or less, this site offers the opportunity to be described by your friend. It works on the premise your friend can sell you better than you can but they can also embarrass you too. MSF has a more chatty style in the profile and gives you a greater insight into your potential date’s world.

Try now: Mysinglefriend from £13 per month

9. Best dating site for the aesthetically-orientated: BeautifulPeople.com

How does it work? This online dating site does exactly what it says on the tin and only people deemed beautiful enough will be allowed to join. To become a member, applicants are required to be voted in by existing members of the opposite sex. Members rate new applicants over a 48-hour period based on whether or not they find the applicant ‘beautiful’. It sounds harsh, but the site claims that by admitting people based on their looks they’re removing the first hurdle of dating, saying that because everyone on the site is a fitty, members can concentrate on getting to know people’s character and personalities. Beautiful People also promises access to exclusive parties and top guest lists around the globe. Now for that brutal 48-hour wait…

How much does cost? If you buy a 6-month membership, you’ll get a reduced price of £7.50 per month.

The experts say: This infamous dating site claims to have no unattractive members and is known for deleting members who gained weight. Aspiring members have to pass a 48-hour peer vote to be accepted as one of the ‘beautiful people’. They regularly host members’ events where allegedly you have to look as attractive as your profile photo otherwise entry to the venue is refused. This is the ideal site for those who want to bypass the usual filtering of profiles based on looks and focus on getting to know people they know they will be attracted to.

Try now: BeautifulPeople from £7.50 per month (6 month membership)

Credit: Love is Blind

10. Best dating site for people who hate first dates: Doingsomething

How does it work? Let’s face it, meeting up with a complete stranger for a first date can be awkward and hideously cringeworthy. But it’s less so when the date itself is a total riot. This is where Doingsomething.co.uk comes in. The site is all about the actual dating experience and let’s you pick a match based on the date idea they’ve suggested. And the more fun and unique the date the better. So, rather than nervously meeting someone for a luke warm coffee in a crowded chain, you could be trying out your culinary skills at a sushi-making masterclass or bonding over super-strong cocktails at a hipster speakeasy. It’s basically about finding someone who wants to do the same things as you at the end of the day, isn’t it?

How much does it cost? £10 per month.

The experts say: It’s a simple and unique approach to online dating which is great for those looking for fun and interesting ideas for first dates. Sign up is quick and easy without the usual numerous questions and sections to fill in, the hardest part is thinking what you would like to do on a date that might attract like-minded people.

Try now:Doingsomething from £10 per month

11. Best dating site for music-lovers: Tastebuds

How does it work? A similar taste in music can be a great indicator as to whether you’re compatible with someone, so the fine folks behind Tastebuds have struck gold with their music-based online dating site. Getting started is dead simple: pick three artists or bands that you’re interested in, the gender you’re looking to date and press ‘go’. It’s a fun and relaxed site, which can introduce you to new music, concert buddies and potentially even your own real-life Caleb Followill.

How much does it cost? It’s free for existing members, but £8 per month for new members.

The experts say: This is one of the go-to dating sites for those looking for love who also love music. It makes sense that if a potential partner shares your taste in music then you’re off to a good start and a favourite artist/band is a great ice breaker when approaching someone online for the first time.

Try now: Tastebuds from £8.00 per month for new members

12. Best dating site for parents: Playdate

How does it work? Not a site, but an app, and a good one at that. Playdate is the UK’s first dating app for single parents. Founder Nevine shares: “As a single mum myself, I struggled to meet people, so I spent the year of lockdown creating this app.”

With nearly three million single parents in the UK, she found that there wasn’t a dating app that caters solely to them, so… made one. Plus, fun fact: they’re partnered with Bubble, a babysitting app, to provide discounted childcare solutions, too.

How much does it cost? Free, but offers in store purchases.

Try it now:www.gotoplaydate.com

13. Best dating site for sporty people: Zeal

How does it work? Zeal is a new dating app that connects people based on a shared interest in sport, instead of matching people based on looks.

If you’ve ever joined a club run or cycled with friends, you’ll know that there’s normally a real sense of community. That’s what Zeal’s aiming to recreate – a sense of community but on the online dating space, in the hope to create ‘more genuine and meaningful relationships’, or so says the founder Izzy.

How much does it cost? Free.

Try it now:www.zealmatch.com

14. Best dating site for video-lovers: Qemistry

How dies it work? The new London-based, video-only dating app Qemistry was created in lockdown and had 11,000 on the waiting list before it even launched.

After becoming frustrated that online dating was looks driven and lacked personality, the founders launched video only profiles. Think Tinder, but for TikTok lovers. Sound up your street? Get downloading.

How much does it cost? Free

Try it now:https://www.qemistry.co/

Credit: Love is Blind

How to stay safe when using the best dating sites: 5 tips

We spoke to eHarmony UK’s resident relationship expert, Verity Hogan, on how to date online safely.

1. Be cautious with your personal information

‘When dating online or in person, be wary of anyone who seems to be asking for a lot of your personal informal early on. Don’t share any details such as your address, birth date or financial information. If a match is asking a lot of questions of this type, let them know that you’re not comfortable sharing that information and report them if you have any suspicions about their true motives.’

2. Arrange to meet in a public place

‘Even if they claim to make the best pasta in town, never meet someone for the first time at their home and don’t invite them to yours. Arrange to meet somewhere that’s busy and in public such as a restaurant or coffee shop that you’re comfortable in.’

3. Tell a friend

‘If you’re planning to meet an online date for the first time, be sure to tell a friend or family member who you’re meeting, when and where.  If you have an iPhone you could also share you location on the app Find My Friends. Check in with a friend during the date or ask them to call you at a specific time to check on you.’

4. Don’t be afraid to leave

‘If your date is making you feel uncomfortable, leave. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just sat down or enjoyed a three-course dinner with them. If they do or say anything which makes you feel uneasy, walk away. This person is a stranger and you need to protect yourself, first and foremost.’

5. Travel there and back by yourself

‘If your date offers to pick you up at home, politely decline. Plan your own route to and from your date so that you remain completely in control at all times. This also means you’re not relying on someone else to dictate how long the date lasts if you need to make an early escape’

How to have a successful first date – 10 expert dating tips

Now you’ve read our round up of the best dating sites and geared yourself with all the appropriate safety tips to know pre-date night, we’ve picked the experts brains on how to have a good date.

Yes, much of it comes down to chemistry, but there are a few fail-safe tricks to navigating a first date that you should know about, according to Verity Hogan, an eHarmony relationship expert.

1. Avoid social media stalking

‘It’s always tempting to ‘accidentally’ check out a date’s social media accounts before meeting up. In fact, our research shows that over a third (38%) of us admit to a pre-date Google. Try to avoid it, if possible. In-depth social media stalking will make you form judgments before you’ve even sat down together so prioritise getting to know the real person, rather than their online persona.’

2. Choose comfort

‘A first date is your opportunity to get to know your date – and for them to get to know you. While we all want to present the best version of ourselves, dressing in a way that feels unnatural is guaranteed to make you feel uncomfortable and is likely to put a damper on your date. Wear something that you’re comfortable in and that reflects the real you.’

3. Try a confidence exercise

‘First date nerves are natural, but you can tackle them by employing a few confidence tricks. Visualise a great date – one where the conversation flows easily – and hold on to the positive feelings that the thought encourages. Affirmations are a useful tool too. Stand in front of the mirror, put your shoulders back, and say out loud ‘I can do this’. It may sound strange but it really works.’

4. Have a laugh

‘When we laugh we release endorphins, which can help us to relax. Sharing a laugh on a first date is a great way to break the ice as well as an effective bonding tool. You don’t need to start telling knock-knock jokes, but if you have a funny anecdote or two in your arsenal, don’t be afraid to share.’

5. Use open body language

‘Most of what we communicate is through our body language rather than words. Folded arms and legs creates a physical barrier that implies you’re closed off. Try to adopt open body language instead. And don’t be afraid to make eye contact – it’s a great way to show your date that you’re interested.’

6. Pay attention

‘There are few things more attractive than someone who gives us their undivided attention. And there’s nothing worse than spending time with someone who’s constantly looking over our shoulder at something or someone else. Make an effort to be engaged and present on your date and save checking your phone until they go to the bathroom!’

7. Ask questions

‘Asking your date questions not only shows that you’re interested in what they have to say but it also allows you to get to know them, which is what a first date is all about! Don’t stick to small talk. More intimate questions about your date’s hopes, dreams and passions will help you forge a closer connection – and it’s a lot more interesting than talking about the weather.’

8. Be positive

‘Nothing is as reassuring as a genuine smile. If you go into your date with a positive attitude, you’re much more likely to have a good time – and make your date feel good too.’

9. Split the bill

‘Who should pay the bill is one the most hotly debated aspects of first date etiquette. Traditionally, whoever initiated the date would pick up the bill but, these days, it’s much more common to split the bill. But if your date does insist on paying, it’s more polite to graciously accept than argue about it!’

10. Follow up

‘If you’ve had a great date, let them know. Trying to act aloof by waiting three days after a date to get in touch doesn’t work in today’s age of instant communication. In fact, only 4% of people think you should purposely wait before replying to a message from a date. If you enjoyed the date, don’t be afraid to send them a quick message and let them know that you’d like to see them again.’

We do hope this guide to the best dating sites was helpful—and happy dating.

In a world where dating horror stories are almost a rite of passage, I can take consolation in a few things. One, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Two, most of those fish are dating from their phones making it easier to connect than ever.

About 44 million people dated online in 2021, and studies show this is now the number one way people meet their partners. (By way of comparison, in 2009 the most common way was through a mutual friend.) So why can it all still feel so overwhelming? Well, for one, people are being flooded with options, says Shawntres Parks, PhD, LMFT, the co-founder of Parks & Powers and member of the Women's Health advisory board. “It is a lot easier to disregard people really quickly without being the most compassionate," she adds.

This confirmed a suspicion of mine: all that scrolling on the toilet, or the couch, or when you’ve run out of things to look at on Instagram isn’t the best way to find ~The One~. It is time to bring in the intention. “Dating has become as competitive as the job market,” says Parks. And it certainly feels that way. Who hasn’t felt lost in a sea of perfectly curated dating profiles—except that everyone else's just seems slightly cooler, better, or funnier than your own? This constant comparison is detrimental, according to Parks.

Here’s a little free therapy homework from the pro: Take a couple of weeks writing down the essential characteristics you want in a partner, and what your non-negotiables are. (Want someone who eats vegan and is going to run 5Ks on Thanksgiving morning? Good to know! Looking for more of a laid-back partner who isn’t afraid to order a large pepperoni pizza at midnight? Also fine, but you may need to look in a different place!)

Once you are clear about who you are looking for, you can decide where to look. And lucky for all the singles out there, there are tons of options.

Here are 15 of the best dating sites in 2022:

Final Verdict

Downloading a dating app can seem like a big commitment and feel a little bit overwhelming if you’re not sure which to try first, since they all have extremely different vibes. Hinge is the best option if you’re looking to get a little bit more serious about app dating. It gives you more information about potential dates and encourages more meaningful conversations. Raya is ideal if you’re hoping to spot a celebrity or want to network with other like-minded creatives, but it can be difficult to get an invite to it. 

Bumble is great if you’re hoping to go on a lot of first dates. The app doesn’t tell you much about people, but it makes it easy to swipe endlessly and start chatting. Think of it more like meeting someone at a bar casually. If you’re looking to date women and want an app exclusively for that, HER is your best bet. And if you want to keep it casual, Tinder is the old faithful for a reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Dating Apps Work? 

Some apps require both parties to swipe right if they’re interested and then allow you to connect. Others let one person send a message, and then the recipient can decide whether or not they want to respond. A few of the apps give extensive information, including college, height, and even whether or not people want kids, while others will simply show you nearby potential partners without a lot of information. 

Are There Free and Paid Options for Dating Apps? 

Most dating apps are free, or at least have a free option as well as a premium, paid option. The free option usually gives people the opportunity to swipe, while paying allows people to be more particular, setting filters that show only a certain height, religion, or political affiliation, for example. For most apps, it’s extremely easy to download them and then use the free version unless you’re looking for something super specific. Some apps, like Raya, do require all users to pay a small monthly fee. Usually, the fee is less if you pay for a few months or longer. 

How Much Do Dating Apps Cost? 

Dating apps range from free to about $100 if you get a premium version and invest in a few months of it. The least expensive options will give you a range of premium offerings that upgrade your profile, either putting you in the spotlight for potential matches or giving you the option to message someone without matching first. 

Methodology

We asked experts about apps, read reviews, and examined our own years of experience using them. We also looked for apps that give a wide range of information about others, as well as flexibility when it comes to payment plans. It was important for us to present a variety of options for dating preferences, whether it’s casual hookups, first dates, or even marriage. Inclusivity was also an important factor in determining our options, so apps catering to different sexual orientations and religions made the list.

If you're looking for something long-term, the last thing you want to do is waste time on a dating app filled with singles looking for a hook up. These are the 5 best dating apps for serious relationships:

1. Hinge
2. Match
3. The League
4. Bumble
5. Coffee Meets Bagel

Keep reading for a quick overview of each one, including how much the premium features cost and what you can do for free!

Revealed: The Opening Line No Woman Can Resist! [Access Now]

Hinge

Branded as the dating app “designed to be deleted,” Hinge markets itself squarely to people looking for serious relationships.

App founder Justin McLeod said the Hinge prompts allow people to “put themselves out there a bit more.”

In his opinion, that's crucial when you’re looking for someone you can genuinely relate to and connect with.

Who Uses Hinge

Hinge’s target demographic is millennials. Roughly 49% of users are between the ages of 18 and 29. Most of the rest are between 30 and 49.

But Hinge is currently the fastest growing dating app in the US, so it's a great option for just about anyone to try.

Why It’s A Great Dating App For Serious Relationships

If you want to communicate with other users, you must fully complete your Hinge profile.

That includes uploading all 6 photos and completing 3 prompt answers. This requirement helps cut down on people who aren’t looking to invest much time in the process. (And by extension, probably won’t be using the app in a meaningful way.)

Hinge also uses machine learning to present potential matches based on your interactions with the app. So you’re not just mindlessly swiping through singles in your area.

This is especially true when it comes to Hinge’s “Most Compatible” feature. It analyzes your preferences over time, as well as the types of ‘likes’ you both send and receive.

These daily match suggestions are curated based both on AI and the Gale-Shapley algorithm, commonly known as the “stable marriage algorithm.” Or as McLeod explained to the Evening Standard, you’re shown “someone you’ll like, who’s also going to like you back.”

Hinge also follows up on number exchanges made within the app in a feature called “We Met.”

You’ll get a notification asking if you and your match met up in the real world, and if so, how the date went. The feedback isn’t shared with your match. It’s designed to provide more data about your specific preferences to the matching algorithm.

Hinge also offers a specially curated feed of “Standout” prompts. Each of the ten or so prompts is displayed because it's similar to content you've positively interacted with in the past. Clicking on the prompt pulls up the user's profile.

To access your Standouts feed, just tap the star icon in the menu bar.

Hinge Cost

It’s free to download the Hinge app on iOS or Android and create a profile. You have the option of signing up via your mobile number or through Facebook.

But Hinge is making a concentrated effort to discourage the creation of fake profiles, so new users are required to have at least 60 Facebook friends to sign up that way.

Free Hinge users can comment on or “like” a photo or prompt answer in up to 10 profiles a day. You’ll also be able to use the basic match filters, which include age range, distance, height, ethnicity and religion.

And true to its “serious relationship” mission, you can specify any number of those filters as Dealbreakers, meaning you won’t be shown anyone who doesn’t fall into that particular parameter.

Hinge’s premium membership option is called “Hinge Preferred.” Upgrading Hinge costs $29.99 for a single month. It's $14.99/month for 6 months and $19.99/month for 3 months. (Price may vary depending on your area.)

Hinge Premium features include:

• Additional filters you can use to screen your potential matches, including education, children, political views and drug/alcohol/cigarette use.
• Unlimited “likes”
• See who has already “liked” your Hinge profile
• Receive more “Standouts” in your queue every day

Wondering if Hinge Preferred is worth it for you? Check out this in-depth Hinge Preferred review!

Match Mobile

Like Match.com, Match’s dating app is free to download, but you’ll need a paid subscription to exchange messages.

When you're on a dating app to find a relationship, using one you need to pay for is a smart move. It can save you a lot of wasted time, since you’ll be checking out profiles of singles who are serious enough about meeting someone to make the same investment you are.

Who Uses Match

Roughly half of Match users are in the 30-49 age bracket, with the next biggest group in their 50s+. Only around 12% of the people using Match Mobile are under 29.

Why It’s A Great Dating App For Serious Relationships

Since you have to invest in a subscription to contact anyone, the singles you’ll find on Match tend to be more responsive and less likely to flake out on date plans. You’re also far less likely to encounter fake profiles.

According to CEO Hesam Hosseini, Match’s goal is to “get you into a relationship.” That’s one of the reasons you won’t be doing any swiping – the format is set up to encourage people to spend time actually reading profiles.

It’s also the reason Hosseini launched the “AskMatch” feature – access to a real, live dating coach who will answer questions ranging from how to improve your profile to how to act on a date.

You can interact with a dating coach via a call placed through the app at no additional charge, but it does require a paid subscription.

Match Cost

Downloading the Match dating for iOS or Android is free, as is creating your profile and checking out profiles. But to do much of anything else, you’ll need the premium subscription.

The cost for a Match.com subscription ranges from around $15 to $42.99 per month, depending on how many months you invest in up front and what sales are going on at the time.

Here are some of Match’s premium features:

• Unlimited messaging
• See who has “liked” or viewed your profile
• Message read receipts
• Free monthly profile boost

Want to learn more about the Match.com dating app? Check out this Match Mobile review, and you'll find everything you need to meet someone special in our Match Guide!

The League

The most exclusive dating app on this list, The League isn’t just for anyone – there’s a rigorous profile vetting process and a wait list. As app creator Amanda Bradford explained, their mission was to create “power couples”:

Sometimes I joke and say it’s an app for workaholics, but at the end of the day, it’s people that are really serious about their career and really want to make some kind of impact on the world.

The League has strict requirements – every potential user has to pass a two-part authentication process that evaluates your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.

Then you’re added to the waiting list, where your League profile is evaluated (you’ll definitely want to put some polish on it, so check out these League profile examples!)

Who Uses The League

The League was designed for “smart, ambitious, driven people that know how to put themselves together,” so the typical user is college-educated, career-minded and successful, and generally in their 30s+. Right now The League is available in over 150 cities globally, with over 80 of them in the US.

Why It’s A Great Dating App For Serious Relationships

The League is geared toward bringing people with similar priorities and relationship check lists together. As Bradford explained,

I always say The League is people that value education really highly. That’s why people who went to highly selective universities tend to want to pair up with other people that went to highly selective universities.

Investing a lot of time putting together your League profile isn’t just expected, it’s required. And that can also be a great barometer for choosing which dating app is best for you.

In general, the less time it takes to set up a profile, the more people you’ll tend to find who aren’t serious about meeting someone.

So when you’re seeking a serious relationship, you’re better off choosing a dating app that requires some effort and attention during the set-up process.

The League Cost

You can use The League as a “Guest” for free, which means you can download the app for iOS or Android, set up a profile, and get on the waiting list for free.

Assuming you’re accepted, you can also receive up to 3 daily matches, which roll in like clockwork at 5 pm.

There are 3 levels of premium membership to choose from: Member, Owner and Investor.

At the Member level, a 1-week membership costs $99. It's $299 for a 1-month membership, and $399 for a 3-month one. Premium perks include 5 potential matches each day,

Owners pay $399 for one month and get 6 daily prospective matches.

As an Investor, you’ll pay $399 for one week, and unlock all the features.

Want the full scoop on this exclusive dating app, including all the premium features at each level? Check out this review of The League!

And if you decide to give it a try you'll definitely want to benefit from the expert advice in our League Dating Guide.

Bumble

Sometimes referred to as the “feminist Tinder”, founder Whitney Wolfe created Bumble as a dating app that makes women equal partners, and hopefully “the perfect solution to our dating woes as a culture.”

The premise that sets Bumble apart from apps like Tinder is simple – only women are able to send an icebreaker. The one exception is same-sex relationships, wherein either person can make the first move.

And Bumble isn’t just about dating. with its BFF and Bizz modes, founder Whitney Wolfe also wants it to be a social and professional network as well.

Given the more serious vibe Bumble has had from the beginning, it’s no surprise that it attracts people seeking long-term relationships.

Who Uses Bumble

Known for its ‘by women, for women’ attitude and push for female empowerment, Bumble attracts women in droves – especially women under 30. In fact, 63% of Bumble users are 18-29, with all but around 8% of the rest being under 50.

Why It’s A Great Dating App For Serious Relationships

A survey of Bumble’s users revealed 85% of them are seeking a long-term relationship, and 25% of respondents said they had gone on a first date with someone from the app in the last month.

Bumble also facilitates daily engagement by imposing a 24-hour time limit after matching – if the first message isn’t sent within that time frame, the match expires.

And the other half of the match likewise has only 24 hours to respond to that first match, or the same thing happens. Once both people have sent a message, there are no further time limits to worry about.

Bumble Cost

Like most popular dating apps, Bumble is free to download for iOS or Android, and you can create a profile, swipe through your card stack, and exchange messages without paying for the privilege.

There are also two premium subscriptions available.

“Bumble Boost” costs $7.99 for one week, $14.99 for one month, $29.99 for 3 months, or $47.99 for 6 months.

Bumble Boost includes these perks:

• Instantly re-match with expired matches so you don’t have to waste time waiting for them to pop up again in your Bumble match feed.
• Extend the “first message” countdown by an additional 24 hours.
• Undo a swipe.
• Use 5 SuperSwipes & 1 Spotlight each week.
• Swipe right as much as you’d like.

To read more about Bumble Boost and when it’s worth purchasing, check out this Bumble Boost review. And for expert tips on every aspect of your Bumble profile, bookmark our Bumble Guide!

Your other upgrade option, Bumble Premium, includes all those features plus:

• The Beeline, where you can see all the singles who have swiped right on your profile.
• Incognito Mode, which reveals your profile only to people you “like”.
• The ability to change your location.
• Unlocking all the match filters, so you can use more than two.

Upgrading to Bumble Premium runs between $17.99 for 1 week to $66.99 for 3 months. Read more about it in this Bumble Premium review!

Coffee Meets Bagel

Created by sisters Dawoon, Soo and Ahreum Kang as a “meaningful dating app for people sick of swiping,” Coffee Meets Bagel strives to get people off the app and onto real life dates by imposing an 8-day limit on message exchanges.

And as Dawoon Kang has frequently mentioned, “It’s not about getting as many Likes as possible — it’s about getting one right like.”

From the very beginning, CMB’s goal has been to provide a platform that was appealing to men and women alike, built around a foundation of safety and quality.

Who Uses Coffee Meets Bagel

Women generally outnumber men on this popular dating app, by a ratio of about 60% to 40%. Around 36% of users are 18 to 29, with just over 55% in the 30-49 range.

Why It’s A Great App For Serious Relationships

Thanks to its “slow dating” over “endless swiping” approach that’s designed to get compatible people in front of each other, CMB is made for people who want to prioritize quality over quantity – especially women.

Branded as “#LadiesChoice”, women are sent 6 highly-compatible, pre-screened Bagels who match their search criteria – and who have already “liked” their profile. Men also receive a limited number of suggested Bagels daily, up to 21.

Both men and women have the option to spend “Beans” (the in-app currency) to procure more matches from the Discover section.

Coffee Meets Bagel Cost

Coffee Meets Bagel is free to download for iOS or Android, and you can also create a profile, receive your daily suggested Bagels at noon, and exchange messages without paying.

There’s also a subscription that unlocks additional features, and costs $35 for 1 month, $75 for 3 months or $120 for 6 months.

Here are a few of the best features included in a Premium CMB membership:

• Activity Report for each Bagel
• See all your “likes”
• 8 additional “likes” in Discover each month
• Set advanced match preferences
• Monthly profile boost
• Skip the line by having your like prioritized
• Undo your last swipe

Want a detailed description of how Coffee Meets Bagel works? Check out this Coffee Meets Bagel Guide!

When You’re Looking For A Serious Relationship, You Need A Strategy To Match

Choosing the best dating app for a long-term relationship is the first step, but that’s when the hard work really begins.

You’re looking for The One – but so is your future perfect match.

That means you need to present your “best self” in a genuine, attractive and compelling way – so your photos and profile need to be on point. And then once you’ve matched, your messages need to seal the deal if you want a chance to actually meet in person.

In other words, get ready to invest some serious time in the search for your ideal partner. Or, have the modern dating experts at VIDA Select do all that hard work for you!

Literally, all of it. Your profile, handled by a professional writing team. Your photo lineup, handled by a team of image experts. And your messages – did we mention we have a full staff of professional writers?

Our Matchmakers will even screen singles in your area, and hand select the ones who fit all your criteria! You just need to show up for all the dates!

Finding your ideal partner just got a lot easier – click here to see how it works!

Whether you love or loathe Tinder, there is no denying it has changed online dating forever.

As a result there is now no end of apps with the same aim of helping you fall in love and live happily ever after, or at the least find someone to hang out with next weekend.

Whether it's matching you on your favourite interests or finding someone who you share mutual friends with. Here, we take the biggest alternatives to Tinder and give them a spin to find out what (if anything) they do differently and what sets them apart.

Parship

The USP: The serious dating site for serious daters. This Hamburg-headquartered company leads with a couple of facts: a 38 percent success rate for premium Parship members and 23,000 new members each week. The idea is that Parship uses strictly objective, scientific processes to matchmake, which does rather click with the comedy German stereotype. Imagine Thomas Tuchel reading this bit of bumph from the website: "Sounds complicated. Mathematical. Psychological. But it is very simple. Parship searches – you find." Haunting.

Pros: There's an ID check feature which feels extremely sensible, and the emphasis on finding a match for you who does actually fit what you want and who you are is a good thing.

Cons: You register for free, but then there's a fair old monthly fee of £14.90 for the basic membership package – and it'll renew automatically, so you'd best not forget about it. There are a lot of extremely grumpy reviews from people struggling to make head or tail of the app. Plus, the pool of people in the UK isn't gigantic.

Verdict: Like a more intense reworking of OK Cupid, but without the charm or easy functionality for a casual user, this one feels like it's got some way to go before it goes overground.

Kippo

The USP: Liking the same things is the starting point of so many relationships, it does make a lot of sense to build a dating app around finding the fandoms and subcultures you're into already. Kippo doesn't style itself explicitly as a dating app, rather a place to find friends and hang out, but there's certainly a lot of sifting through profiles in hope of matching with people you fancy in the time-honoured manner. Fill out a form detailing which games you love plus the usual trad stuff about what you're looking for in a friend/partner, and on you go. It's the dating app for proud nerds and hardened gamers.

Pros: It's not just a case of sifting through pictures – there's the Kippoverse to wander around, looking something like a GameBoy era Pokémon universe. Play games, hang out with people, and audio chat with new mates. Depending on how much you liked Habbo Hotel, you might find the interface endearingly retro or maddeningly cutesy.

Cons: The clientele definitely skews younger, which might make you feel extremely 'How do you do fellow kids'. Suspicions that the Metaverse-lite interface is a bit too close to the thing Zuckerberg wants to boot you and your consciousness into will persist.

Verdict: For the shy dater, this is a godsend: there are so many icebreakers at hand to give you a simple in with whoever you're chatting to, plus the audio call functionality is both more intimate than just text and less open to abuse than video calling. You might not go out with someone just because they also like PUBG but it's a foot in a door.

The Sauce

The USP: The TikTokification of dating apps has already started, but The Sauce does away with stuffy, boomerish concepts like 'still images' entirely and instead has users approve or disapprove of each other by uploading videos of themselves. That, co-founder Sachin Kara says, means you can expect "Instagram stories, Reels, the odd TikTok and playful videos usually filmed by someone’s mate thrown into the mix, allowing members to get to know their match before they’ve even sent their first like".

Pros: Getting a read on someone's vibe is a lot easier with sound, movement and the sudden realisation that you were both in Rowan's arcade room the other Saturday night. Plus, you've got a lot more leeway to get creative and avoid the dreaded profile picture triumvirate of 'man holding fish', 'man with arm around four other men', and ''

Cons: Watching other people's Insta stories can be a bit tedious at the best of times. Also, might feel a bit like doing one of those excruciatingvideo pre-interviews for an internship. Let's keep those memories pushed deep, deep down.

Verdict: A lot livelier and more fun than your average app format, and it does make it easier to filter out anyone who's got a sideline in lame Olly Murs-lite pranks.

thesauceapp.co

Victoria

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The USP: Properly styled as 'Victoria the app', just in case you get it mixed up with 'Victoria the rail terminus' or 'Victoria the Beckham', this is less a straightforward dating app than a member's club with a bit where you can get your sauce on. The idea is to help people connect through curated experiences suggested according to your shared interests. It's also got a networking function for anyone looking for a partner in the boardroom rather than the bedroom.

Pros: There's an extremely no time-wasters vibe to the whole enterprise, and you're not likely to end up doing the same thing as you always do if you hit it off with someone on the app and meet up in real life. The app has a load of

Cons: It's a bit Soho House. If you've limited patience for hearing about your date's plans to push into SaaS marketing or minting some NFTs of some pieces from their flatmate's art show in Deptford, you might find it a little much.

Verdict: If you're comfortable with only dating within a very particular echelon of society, and aren't put off by the slightly wiffly 'Who is the Victoria member?' section on the website ("Driven — Members pursue their dreams and passions with intensity. They are pushed to excel, to do more, to be better in every facet of their career and personal life" etc), then jump in.

victoriatheapp.com

The Intro

The USP: The Intro positions itself as the dating app for the busy urban professional. It skips the bit where you spend three weeks running through the 'have you got any brothers or sisters' stage and skips straight to video calls, and it even does the scheduling for the pair of you too. It's a bit like having a PA whose only remit is to sort out facetime with hotties.

Pros: It's a lot more time efficient, person-focused and tactile than tapping out messages for however long, and you can get a proper vibe off someone before you go spending a whole evening of your precious, precious time with them.

Cons: There's a teeny whiff of the, "Hi, yah, buddy" Square Mile broseph about it. Just because you're spending 15 hours a day squeezing emerging markets and shifting units before Tokyo opens, it doesn't mean you should be spared the swipe-match-chat-ignore drudgery of most apps. It's the great leveller.

Verdict: A little bit Train Guy in the conception, but anything that whittles down the chances of anyone using the monkey hiding its eyes emoji to take the edge off whatever wildly overfamiliar opening line they've used 50 times that day is a good thing.

theintro.com

Jungle Dating

The USP: Throwing yourself into solo dates all the time can end up feeling quite lonely, especially if they're not tending to go quite how you'd like them to. So, Jungle is a platform for organising double dates for yourself and a mate.

Pros: Turning the dating game into a team pursuit makes it a lot more fun, and at the very least you and whichever mate you bring along will get some anecdotes out of the whole thing. Hopefully it's a dynamic which will make single women feel more comfortable, and there's also a lot more chance you're going to just make some new friends, which is always nice.

Cons: It only launched in July in London, so the pool is likely to be a little smaller than the other apps on this list. Also kind of depends on you having mates who are good crack, but not such great crack that your opposite numbers only fancy them and not you. And if you thought sorting out a time to go for brunch with one other person, try it with four diaries on the go.

Verdict: A nice idea, especially in a gigantic megacity that sees thousands of awkward two-drink Tuesday night dates every week. One to keep an eye on.

bit.ly/getjungle

Thursday

The USP: Many conversations you have on dating apps go absolutely nowhere. There are a number of reasons for this. Some nascent chats are simply overwhelmed by the sheer number of other romantic options that are available to the user at all times (why tolerate some less-than-stellar small talk when there are so many other people to talk to?) while longer conversations peter out over the course of weeks, as incessant back and forth robs both parties of their best material before they’ve even met up. Thursday attempts to solve this problem by only allowing users to match and talk on – you guessed it – Thursday. It builds anticipation, allows people to get straight to the point, and encourages the organising of actual dates.

Pros: While other apps can often function as a game at this point – something to swipe while you’re on the bus – Thursday is all about spontaneity and IRL encounters. It’s been a big thing in New York for a while, but has only recently launched in London.

Cons: Its strengths are also its drawbacks. Most people go on their dating apps on the weekend, specifically Sunday. A strict 24-hour period, on a working day no less, adds a sense of pressure to proceedings.

Verdict: An interesting concept.

getthursday.com

Feeld

The USP: Originally called 3nder, Feeld is sex-positive dating app for polyamorous couples who want to explore bringing a third into their bedroom, but it’s also a place where people can explore other kinks as well. That being said, it doesn’t allow nudity and takes great lengths to ensure users feels safe on the platform. The audience is mostly made up of young straight couples, but the app encourages everyone to join in and gender options are relatively vast for a dating app. Usefully, there’s a mode which allows you to stay invisible to any Facebook friends who might be using the app too (you have to sign in through the social media site in the first place, which it scrapes your personal information from.)

Pros: The platform creators care about the safety and privacy of their user base, and have created a respectful community as a result. The group chat feature is handy, obviously. Safer than many other options on the internet.

Cons: Fake profiles abound. At £14.99 a month it’s not exactly cheap, but you can get a better deal by going for a 90 day membership package. Some people might resent the need for Facebook verification.

Verdict: Of all the threesome apps on the market, this is the only one to break into the mainstream. It’s easy to see why.

feeld.co

MATCH

The USP: Match.com is Old Internet – it launched in 1995! Before Google! Before you even had a computer! – so we understand any scepticism you might have. What are we going to suggest next, an AOL chat room? Habbo Hotel? The dating world is about gimmicks and ever-advancing AI. Why would you look backwards when you could just download the trendy new app?

But Match.com has survived this long for a reason. It’s moved with the times from an algorithmic standpoint but remains extremely stripped-back and basic. The filters are extensive, and while the ‘like’ system is very similar to Tinder, the discover page allows a more curated window-shopping experience. The MatchPhone feature also provides you with a custom, totally anonymous phone line that allows you to chat without monitoring (you can block the caller if need be).

Pros: The phone app is simple, and the service has a wide database of users.

Cons:A one-month subscription is £29.99, which is pretty crazy. Three months works out at £19.99/m and six boils down to £9.99/m.

Verdict: VINTAGE FUN with a NEW AGE FEEL.

uk.match.com

Facebook Dating

The USP: It’s safe to say that Facebook Dating has arrived about a decade too late. People are probably far less keen to involve Zuckerberg and co in their love lives following the Cambridge Analytica privacy fall-out of 2018, and the site’s popularity amongst young people is dropping off. Still, it was always perfectly suited to hosting a dating app and now it's here, completely free, simple to set up and integrated with the rest of site’s myriad social features.

Pros:It’s easy to find others with similar interests through the group function, and there’s a ‘Secret Crush’ feature that allows you to select Facebook friends who you’re interested in (they won’t see if they don’t choose you too.)

Cons: It’s Facebook.

Verdict:Free and easy to use

facebook.com/dating

Hinge

The USP: "Designed to be deleted", as the company's motto goes.

Pros: It delves deep into your preferences to make sure matches are as suitable as possible, and it easily has the most impressive (and sleek) profile experience. You can also send 'likes' in reference to specific elements of their profile, and send messages to mutual matches.

Cons: The sheer amount of profile questions and features creates a pressure to impress – but then, is that any different to other dating apps?

Verdict: A great experience from start to finish.

hinge.co

Badoo

The USP: With more than 400 million members, Badoo is one of the world's most popular dating apps and part of the same umbrella company as Bumble. Uniquely, it allows users to live stream to potential partners.

Pros: It's a non-swiping app and allows you a smaller pool of potential dates tailored to your taste.

Cons: It's doesn't have quite as many features as some competitors.

Verdict: If you've got very specific tastes Badoo might work for you but fancying someone because they look like a celebrity is so rarely how attraction works.

badoo.com

Guardian Soulmates

The USP: As one of the longest standing dating sites on the internet, The Guardian’s Soulmates service doesn’t need to prove its credentials. Perhaps that’s why it’s one of the only apps that requires a paid subscription to fully utilise (and at £35/month, it doesn’t come cheap.)

So what are you getting for that money? None of the bells and whistles that we’ve come to expect from modern dating apps, that’s for sure. This is a back-to-basics service that relies on its like-minded and loyal user base (more than 80 per cent of members read the Guardian, and unlike many dating apps men only slightly outnumber women). It also offers regular singles events for users, a regularly updated Soulmates blog and a highly refined search function.

Pros: A strong reputation and compatible crowd

Cons: Not as innovative or packed with features as newer dating apps.

Verdict: Worth the money if sitting in the pub on a Sunday quietly reading The Observer is one of your kinks.

soulmates.theguardian.com

Coffee Meets Bagel

The USP: Their mantra and methodology is explained thus: "Each day at noon, guys will receive up to 21 quality matches – known as 'Bagels'. They are given the option to either LIKE or PASS. Then, Coffee Meets Bagel will curate the best potential matches for women among the men who expressed interest."

Pros: A more curated selection than just endlessly swiping through everyone.

Cons: The app requires you to give over control over to someone else to decide for you.

Verdict: CMB only lets you see people who have liked you, so no torturing yourself about 'the one that got away'. Think of it as a time-effective dating app.

coffeemeetsbagel.com

Down

The USP: Gives you the chance to tell your friends (rather than strangers) that you want to sleep with them.

Pros: There is a strange thrill in being able to 'swipe' that acquaintance you've always fancied, asking them for a date (up) or telling them you want to sleep with them (down). Until you realise how pathetic it is.

Cons: It pulls in every single woman who happens to be your friend on Facebook, even if they haven't joined Down yet (your cowardly come on will be waiting for them if they ever do), making it rather pointless.

Verdict: The more you think about it, the less sense Down makes. Isn't the whole point of internet dating that you can meet someone new? This hook-up app for friends (and friends of friends) is the equivalent of passing 'I Like You' notes in class.

downapp.com

Happn

The USP: Hook up with the people you walk past on the street.

Pros: Once you get over the slight stalker complex Happn instils on you by showing women who walked past your front door an hour ago, matching with users within a 250-metre radius is actually quite handy. Chances are you live or work in the same area, so arranging a date becomes a lot simpler.

Cons: If the date goes horribly, there are no assurances you won't bump into her when you're buying milk a few days later. Also, spend too much time on it and you start getting paranoid you're seeing 'someone you liked on Happn' every time you sit in your local cafe.

Verdict: One of the most effective – and convenient – dating apps out there. Until it isn't.

happn.com/en

HER

The USP: A progressive dating app designed for queer, bisexual and lesbian women that boasts a worldwide membership of 4 million, the free version of the app allows users to view mutually matched profiles and chat, while the premium option lets you view the photos and names of those who like you, and gives you unlimited swipes. The gender options are also very inclusive, including female, non-binary, agender, gender fluid and intersex.

Pros: The app notifies users about LGBTQ+ events that are happening in the local area.

Cons: It only lets you sign up through your Facebook or Instagram account, which many are loath to do (but it only uses your first name).

Verdict: The most popular lesbian dating app in the world for a reason.

OKCupid

The USP: Endless personality quiz questions that give you a match percentage with would-be partners.

Pros: You can weed out people with traits or points of view you find simply unacceptable. Racists, bigots and Mumford & Sons fans, then.

Cons: Too many basic functions are restricted to paid membership.

Verdict: Worth a shot, if only to kill time answering bizarre questions about yourself.

okcupid.com

Plenty Of Fish

The USP: It's a huge ocean, with more members than any of the others (around 70 million).

Pros: Unlike most of the other apps, doing the basics on PoF – looking at profiles, sending and reading messages – is absolutely free.

Cons: A high number of sexually frustrated virgin-trolls means a lot of women find using it a harrowing experience, which understandably makes them cagey when you, a normal man, comes along. It's disheartening how many women have to resort to 'please no sex pests' appendices on their profile information.

Verdict: Easy to navigate, simple and free to use, void of distracting gimmicks. And unlike Tinder, users tend to write a bit about themselves, meaning you have more to go on (and sell yourself with) than just your five least-worst selfies.

uk.pof.com

Grindr

The USP: It really works. If you happen to be gay, bisexual or curious.

Pros: Easy and efficient to use, you can find a hook-up within minutes.

Cons: It is notoriously 'glitchy', with messages disappearing and some functions not working properly.

Verdict: The app that started it all, Grindr has been helping men who like men improve their sex lives since 2009. Whether they are honest about it or not, every heterosexual internet dating app out there aspires to be the 'Grindr for straight people'. Has is happened yet? Not even close.

Grindr

Lumen

The USP: Dating for over-50s.

Pros: Most (if not all) dating apps provide age boundaries, but Lumen is the first dedicated service for people over the age of 50, with a verification system that keeps bots and scammers at bay.

Cons: Not a lot of search filter options. All opening messages must feature more than 50 characters, which means you can't rely on the tried-and-tested "Wazzzuuuppp?!?!"

Verdict: Asimple interface, strong security focus and growing community means that Lumen's future is bright for this mature dating app.

Inner Circle

The USP: Members are vetted, and they also run IRL singles events.

Pros: The screening process ensures out-and-out perverts are banished, which means everyone wins (except the perverts). The fun and well-organised events means membership feels a bit more like a club, and less like pin-balling around a vast galaxy of random singletons.

Cons: After sending someone a message, you're notified when they're checking your profile, which means you can actually see yourself being rejected in real time. But hey, that's life.

Verdict: Pulling together the best elements of other older dating apps, Inner Circle is the best all-rounder out there with the highest quantity of people you'd actually like to meet. £5 a week for the advanced user options is just too much, though.

theinnercircle.co

Bumble

The USP: Like Tinder, except once you match, only the ladies can make the first move and say hello.

Pros: It means women have an extra barrier against the 'hey hun wanna fuk??' brigade, which is good for all concerned. It also means if she's got in touch with you, you definitely weren't an 'accidental swipe', meaning you'll be leaving less of those unanswered hellos that slowly chip away at your soul.

Cons: None, really. Though one minor gripe is that Bumble's algorithm clearly pulls ten of the highest rated profiles to the top of your feed every time you log in. Parading the hottest – and least obtainable – women in front of your face every time you log in feels a little bit manipulative.

Verdict: A dating app where women need not fear to tread, and where the sting of rejection is largely removed for you. Win-win.

bumble.com

Luxy

The USP: Connect with verified millionaires.

Pros: The site boasts a large portfolio of high earners and offers 24/7 customer service for their members.

Cons: Sadly, you also need to be a millionaire. People tend to upload shots of their huge houses.

Verdict: Aside the obviously Dickensian classism all over the site, it also has an understandably odd mixture of trust fund brats and retired divorcees. Luxy does however offer high security to protect your privacy and weeds out people looking for a sugar daddy or mumma.

onluxy.com

Muddy Matches

The USP: It's a dating service for countryside lovers, rather than people who don't bathe.

Pros: You don't actually have to live in the countryside. You just need to be into the rural scene. Rambling, jodhpurs, chortling, wax gilets, shovelling poo. All that good stuff.

Cons: Full membership (which allows you to send messages) comes in at £94/year.

Verdict: No other app can guarantee you a weekly polo tutorial. For that, it's worth the yearly fee.

Tastebuds

The USP: Fall in love with someone who shares your music taste.

Pros: A nice way to connect with people on something you're passionate about, or it can be used to find friends to visit gigs with.

Cons: Just because you both like Kings of Leon doesn't really mean you're made for each other.

Verdict: A nice concept and considering music is a personal passion that connect a lot of people, Tastebuds actually has more of a USP than most niche interest apps. However the same warnings apply – you may be looking for your dream girl who loves Ok Computer, but you're going to end up with a page of middle-aged Radiohead loving blokes like yourself.

tastebuds.fm

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It's never been easy to find a partner, and challenges from COVID-19 has made dating even more complicated. Luckily, even if you're not getting out as much as you used to, online dating sites and mobile dating apps can help you make connections that lead to a long-term relationship (or even a fun fling!). Yes, the internet is a wonderful thing.

But where to start? There are lots of good dating websites and apps, whether you're looking to meet new people, try casual dating, find others with similar interests or finally find your ideal match for a long term relationship. I took into consideration everything from each online dating service's dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free dating app or a paid service. A new person that fits your exact dating profile is sure to be out there!

Here's an overview of the best dating sites on the market. My recommendations are based primarily on my own experiences in the online dating platform arena as a woman, with some word-of-mouth impressions from friends thrown in for good measure.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your perfect match. We'll update this list periodically.

Bumble

Bumble is basically Tinder for women... and on a timer. Bumble is a free dating app that requires women to message first. If the guy doesn't message back within 24 hours, he loses the potential dates. Because that's the one thing my love life was really missing: Arbitrary time limits.

The timer is designed to encourage contact and some people really do appreciate that feature. But if you're someone who procrastinates, Bumble may not be for you. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the more insecure males from the dating pool. However, the rate of overly confident men tends to be higher than I've seen on other apps. Bumble also has a BFF feature to help you meet new people, but that's really not our focus, so I'll save it for another time. 

Tinder

Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, potential date, friendship or an LTR (long term relationship), Tinder has you covered. It's basically the first stop for those entering the dating world. If you want to play the odds when it comes to online dating, you need to be swiping where everyone's swiping.

On the upside, the profiles are brief, which helps you to make decisions quickly. The downside is that a short dating profile makes it harder to figure out what a lot of people are looking for. Knowing very little about a person can also make initial messaging a lot more challenging. You'll need to wade through a sea of profiles, which makes it easy to pass over people you might have given a chance under different circumstances. 

OkCupid

OkCupid, how you confuse me. I have friends who've met their ideal match and even spouses through OkCupid. My last serious relationship came from the OkCupid dating service. In fact, I've been on OkCupid on and off, for roughly the last 11 years. Profiles are a lot more in-depth than most online dating sites and if you answer a seemingly endless series of questions (much like a personality test), they will spit out a reasonable Match/Enemy percentage ratio on profiles to help you gauge compatibility based on interests.

Changes in the last few years have made OkCupid a bit more like Tinder (both owned by the same company), focusing more on swiping and eliminating the ability to message a user without matching with them first. Online daters can still send a message -- it just won't show up in the recipient's inbox unless you match. Because who doesn't enjoy sending a thoughtful message to someone who might never see it? However, OkCupid has pointed out that these changes did help lower the number of offensive messages and fake profiles people received, which might be a worthwhile trade-off. Unfortunately in my experience OkCupid has become a bit of an online dating app ghost town.

Hinge

Hinge

Hinge finally won me over, becoming my favorite dating app. Originally the 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. Hinge has designed the 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. The prompts provided by Hinge make it easy to create more engaging profiles. Hinge's current slogan is "designed to be deleted," so if a potential match for a serious relationship is what you're looking for, this is the dating app I would recommend.

Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel hopes to offer people better-quality matches by sending curated daily matches, or "bagels," each day at noon. They suggest ice-breakers for first messages and the profiles are more in-depth than Tinder. For people who like a little extra hand-holding, CMB isn't the worst option. However, I found the app confusing to use, with too many features and a lot of gimmicks. I shouldn't have to look up online tutorials to figure out how to use a dating app. Plus why call matches Bagels?

I was also disappointed in the notifications, which I found too pushy. CMB was constantly "gently" reminding me to message people I'd matched with. I eventually disabled the app after receiving the following notification: "Show [match name] who's boss and break the ice today!" Should a potential future relationship be rooted in a hierarchical power dynamic? At the end of the day, I have friends who've had the perfect match on CMB, but it isn't one of my favorite online dating apps. 

Happn

Happn matches you with people who are located nearby. It's a cool concept and helpful for people who want to meet someone in a more organic manner. That said, I've never met a single person who actually uses the app.

After signing up, Happn showed me 68 people it said I'd crossed paths with in the preceding 3 hours, though I hadn't left my apartment all day. This might be helpful if you're looking to date your immediate neighbors (or Uber drivers), but I don't see the attraction when competitors like Tinder already show the distance between you and other users. Frankly, if I saw an attractive guy in a coffee shop, I'd just approach him rather than check to see if he's on Happn. The app seems designed for people who don't want to use online dating sites but also don't want to approach people in real life. Pick a lane.

The League

The League is an "elite dating app" that requires you to apply -- and supply your job title, college and LinkedIn profile. Big cities tend to have long waiting lists, so you might find yourself twiddling your thumbs as your application to be one of the elite singles on the app is reviewed. (Of course, you can pay to expedite the process.) The exclusivity can be a draw for some and a turnoff for others, but I'll let you in on a secret: I've seen most of the profiles I come across on The League on other dating apps, too. So at the end of the day, you'll probably see the same faces for potential dates on Tinder, if you aren't deemed elite enough for The League.

Her

Most dating apps are fairly LGBTQ inclusive. Still, it's nice to have an app to call your own. Her is tailored to lesbian, bisexual and queer women. It's a worthy notion -- but the app has some bugs and glitches that made it frustrating to use. Most of my queer female friends have told me they found the app "just OK" and not perfect and that they usually end up back on Tinder or Bumble. Still I checked it regularly for some time and had a few pleasant conversations with actual human beings. Isn't that all we're really looking for in a dating app?

Clover

Clover tried to be the on-demand version of online dating sites, letting you order a date much like you would a pizza. It also provides numeric match predictions based on compatibility and interests, though it isn't entirely clear how those numbers are calculated.

I was on Clover for quite some time, but had since forgotten it existed until I started to compile this list. It strikes me as a less-successful hybrid of OkCupid and Tinder with a relatively small user base, even though I live in an urban area with plenty of people who use a wide variety of dating apps. Clover says it has nearly 6 million users, 85% of whom are between the ages of 18 and 30.

It’s never been easier to meet someone online. There are more singles than ever in the dating pool. Most are in search of a meaningful connection that could lead to a long-term commitment. Landing a real catch in a traditional setting feels like fishing in the Dead Sea: impossible. But dating apps and websites have softened the blow and made it possible to scope out your options from the safety and comfort of your own home. With life online becoming an omnipresent reality, it’s one of the best ways to date. The best part? They actually work.

Now, this isn’t true of all dating sites, and there are plenty to comb through. While it’s nice to have options, digging around for the top dating sites can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Additionally, veteran daters know that modern dating culture has become murky at best.

Which apps will introduce you to singles who are serious about commitment and not just another hookup? Tinder might be the big dog of swipe-based dating apps, but you likely won’t find anything beyond a hot make-out session or a one-night stand. While most dating sites attract a mix of serious and casual daters, some options generate more success for long-term relationships.

Here’s an overview of the best dating sites that will give you the best chance at finding a real partner. When it comes to love, these apps do their best to find you the perfect match. Whether it’s a particularly advanced matching algorithm, personality analysis, or select group of users, these apps do more for you than your average hookup app ever could.

14 Best Dating Sites To Meet Someone Online For A Real Relationship in 2022

1.) eHarmony

Ok, so eHarmony puts some cheesy ads out there that might deter you from trying it out, but if you’re tired of dating around, looking for a real connection and maybe just want to put a ring on it, you’re going to want to give it a second chance. Why? Well, eHarmony is allegedly responsible for around 4 percent of all marriages in the U.S. today. Wild, right?

So what gives eHarmony its secret sauce? We guess it has to do with the revamp of their model. Back in the day, eHarmony would put you through the wringer with a lengthy sign-up process and lame alienating questions. Today, the questionnaire is around 30 questions long and very practical. It’ll ask you how you feel about moving in with someone or how you feel about arguments.

It should be noted though that eHarmony hasn’t always been the most welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community and some users believe that it’s truly a place for the heteronormative. They’ve been working on fixing this major issue, but it seems that it hasn’t yet been totally resolved.

Tip for using eHarmony to find a long-term relationship: Use eHarmony if you are genuinely ready for commitment. Don’t be afraid to set up dates quickly and emotionally open up earlier than you normally would.

2.) Match

Match.com is a dating site that was launched in 1995, and it has been helping daters find long-term relationships ever since. Match is comforting to a lot of people because it’s so familiar and has pretty much provided the blueprint for other dating sites. Not to mention, it has worked hard to perfect its strategy over the years. There’s even a guarantee that you’ll be dating someone within six months, and if you’re not, they’ll give you six months free of charge! That’s how confident they are.

There are two factors that make Match best for long-term partnerships.

Number one is their matching algorithm. When you sign up, you will be put through a rigorous personality quiz. While it can feel a little cumbersome, know that Match is only doing its job. You’ll be asked about your basic preferences along with some gushy romantic stuff (which is important in a relationship).

Number two is that, though it’s technically a free dating site, most users end up paying $20 per month. Yeah, it’s a lot. But love is an investment you should be making for yourself, right?

Tip for using Match to find a long-term relationship: Match is known for their intense matching algorithm, so take your time with the questionnaire and try to make your profile as detailed as possible.

3.) Zoosk

For some, travel is one of the most important aspects of a relationship. Zoosk takes the concept of online dating and allows users to connect internationally. But this isn’t one of those “fly me out to hookup” sites. Zoosk utilizes behavioral matching to facilitate genuine connections between folks who may live thousands of miles apart. If you want your first date to involve a plane, this app is for you.

Rather than dragging you through a tedious questionnaire, Zoosk synchs up your social media profiles to analyze your behavior. It’s a unique way to determine personality, but arguably more accurate given that it takes your actions into account.

Zoosk is a crowd favorite because it doesn’t try to distract you with any bells and whistles. It’s got a smooth, modern interface that makes international dating feel like a breeze.

Tip for using Zoosk to find a long-term relationship: Clean up your social media profile. Zoosk uses it to determine your matches. Your matches will likely be able to find your socials as well. If you come across as a player, you won’t land a serious relationship.

4.) Friend Finder

Friend Finder is one of the biggest dating communities on the Internet. It has the feel and ease of a social media platform but ultimately aims to set up romantic connections between singles. There’s a wide range of connections to be made on Friend Finder, from the flings to the wedding bells. You are more likely to meet someone who doesn’t want to commit right off the bat, but knows they want to meet someone special. Friend Finder also caters to all genders and sexualities, giving it a really warm and welcoming feel.

The users on Friend Finder tend to be in their 40s, but anyone who is 18+ is welcome to give it a shot. They also take your safety very seriously and run a tight ship as far as regulating profiles and banning fakes, catfish, and bots. You do feel like you’ve got a matchmaker on your side when you use Friend Finder to find a mate.

Because Friend Finder is more of a community than strictly a dating site, there are various ways to meet people and other ways to enjoy the site. For instance, you can take a look at their interest groups and forum pages to learn how users in the community are feeling about Friend Finder and dating in general.

Tip for using Friend Finder to find a long-term relationship: Treat this community like a social media platform rather than strictly a dating app. It will open up the possibilities for you by introducing you to more people!

5.) Bumble

There’s a lot we don’t love about Tinder. The platform allows ghosters and players to run rampant. That’s why Bumble is the perfect alternative for women seeking a serious relationship with a man.

Bumble is swipe-dating with a twist. It’s a free dating app that requires women to break the ice first. If the man doesn’t respond to the initial message within 24 hours, the match goes away. It’s one of the first dating apps to really hold daters accountable for their ability to follow through. Flakiness doesn’t survive on Bumble.

The women-message-first concept also combats those incessant creepy messages that ladies on dating apps are used to getting. While the profiles are limited and there’s no major questionnaire, the rules laid out by Bumble make it a great environment to start a long-term relationship. Oh, and there’s also an Astrology filter for the horoscope buffs.

Tip for using Bumble to find a long-term relationship: If you are a woman, reach out to all the men that you match with. Remember, they can’t get in touch with you. You need to make the first move before those matches disappear. You swiped right for a reason, right?

6.) Hinge

Many daters cite Hinge as their absolute favorite dating app. While Hinge has introduced a ton of successful couples to each other, the draw to Hinge has more to do with the fact that using the app is fun! The app was originally supposed to match you based on mutual friends you had through social media platforms. But it has evolved since then to be the ultimate icebreaker dating app.

Setting up a Hinge profile takes some time, but it’s entertaining. Once you pick your photos and basic preferences, you can choose through dozens of hilarious or serious prompts to add to the profile. One reads, “A life goal of mine is. . .” while another reads, “We’re the same type of weird if. . .” Hinge users can “heart” someone’s photo or their prompt answer. They can also comment on it, which makes initiating a conversation so much more interesting than on other dating apps.

With engaging profiles and an in-depth matching algorithm, Hinge is the cocktail party that sets the scene for long-term potential. The crowd is generally young, cool, and interested in dating. Its slogan is, “designed to be deleted,” which is kind of awesome!

Tip for using Hinge to find a long-term relationship: Add some humor to your profile by picking funny prompts. This will give your potential matches an icebreaker when they reach out to you.

7.) OKCupid

OKCupid is the woke dating app geared towards socially conscious millennials. It’s been around for a while, but in 2017, OKCupid saw a massive redesign both in aesthetics and operations. Now, it’s incredibly modern and perfect for the liberal-minded dater who is seeking a likeminded partner. With 12 gender identities and 20 sexual orientations to choose from, it’s not hard to see why.

The questionnaire helps to weed out folks who you wouldn’t get along with by asking questions like, “Is contraception morally wrong?” They also get into your sexual preferences and dealbreakers. That’s when the algorithm takes over. At first, it feels a bit like Tinder. That would make sense as the two are owned by the same company, but it takes the more in-depth serious approach that goes beyond swiping based on appearances.

One critique that OKCupid gets is the feature that allows you to message someone who you haven’t matched with yet. They won’t see that message unless you match. While it keeps creepy messages at bay, it also lends itself to a bunch of unanswered messages and a strange feeling of rejection.

Tip for using OKCupid to find a long-term relationship: Don’t bother using this application if you are ultra-conservative. You likely won’t find anyone who meshes with your views. Also, show more than you tell. In other words, pick profile photos that communicate who you are as a person.

8.) The League

If all the apps were personified, The League would be the most narcissistic. To get on the app in the first place, you must apply by submitting your LinkedIn profile, current job status, and what university you attended. So yeah, it’s a little full of itself. However, for people who think that education and job status is a dealbreaker, it’s a nice change of pace from the randomness that apps like Tinder supply.

The League allows you to be very picky with your preferences, even allowing you to select which races you prefer to see. That makes our stomachs turn a little. If you’re willing to ignore the cringeworthy-ness, The League is a pretty decent dating app. It has a high success rate, so we think it deserves a review.

Members span all age groups but tend to be on the younger side. There’s also no way for catfish to get onto this app. You must link both your Facebook and LinkedIn for approval. Unless a catfish is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to land someone, they aren’t going to slip through the cracks on these dating apps.

Tip for using The League to find a long-term relationship: The League tends to be a tough crowd and the app comes across as a little judgmental. You can ease the tension by sending a message to someone who you have something in common with. Perhaps you’ve been to their university, hometown, or have insight about their career choice.

9.) Happn

Some people believe in fate and others believe in the “Proximity Effect.” There’s a strong correlation between proximity and attraction, which Happn takes into account. Rather than setting you up with people who live in a five-mile radius from you, Happn actually matches you with someone you’ve crossed paths with in the past. It’s a neat concept in that it shows you and your match have similar habits and interests. It’s also the most convenient way to date.

We’ll be honest though, there aren’t a ton of people who use Happn, so there might be slim pickings. There have also been reports that the daters you’ve apparently “crossed paths with” are hogwash. This is coming from users who never stepped foot outside of their homes and were told they had a handful of missed connections. However, there are also folks who say the exact opposite.

Regardless of whether or not the proximity feature is a placebo, it sure makes for a nice icebreaker when you finally do go on that first date!

Tip for using Happn to find a long-term relationship: Don’t rely too heavily on the proximity feature. Try to get to know the people who you match with and then decide if you want to meet up with them!

10.) HER

Nearly all dating sites claim to be inclusive of all sexualities and genders; however, many people in the queer community don’t completely agree. Some sites just don’t feel all that welcoming or provide enough options, especially to queer women. Grindr was there for queer men, but what about the ladies? That’s where the app HER comes in. It’s a tailored dating site and community for women in the LGBTQ+ community.

According to their members (currently 4 million and counting), HER is a really fun space. Profiles can get quite detailed with the ability to put your diet preferences (like vegan) on your profile, along with your astrological sign and pronouns. There’s also an entire element of HER that doesn’t really have to do with dating but rather operates as a social media platform and shows you what queer events are going on in your area.

HER is great, but it’s not perfect. In the past, users have reported some glitches that make the user experience a bit frustrating and annoying. However, they are actively working to evolve their functionality in a positive way.

Tip for using HER to find a long-term relationship: HER is all about empowering women and LGBTQ+ dating. Mimic that energy by always shining a positive light while you are chatting with new friends or matches.

11.) Silver Singles

Dating over 50 can be quite a challenge. Many of these online dating apps focus so much energy on catering to millennials that they don’t take time to consider the older daters. Silver Singles is a dating app that’s exclusively for daters who are age 50 and above. Knowing that you’re in the company of others who are your age and looking for love can be really comforting.

Silver Singles takes matching seriously and uses a personality test to break users up into the Big Five personality traits, and then matches you accordingly. There’s an expectation on Silver Singles that the dating is taken seriously, so it’s not for the person looking for something casual. The users who are old enough to be completely over dating games that tend to be consumed by them see this as a benefit.

Tip for using Silver Singles to find a long-term relationship: Make it clear that you are seeking a long-term relationship. You can do this by posting it in your profile or by opening each chat by explaining what you want out of the app. The mature daters will appreciate the transparency.

12.) Coffee Meets Bagel

The concept behind this dating app was to set up a casual online dating experience. It’s likened to grabbing a cup of coffee with someone, but online. The vibe is meant to feel low-key, so that pressure doesn’t get in the way of your dating experience. A Reddit review actually noted that “Coffee Meets Bagel helped me find someone, which I never thought would happen because I am cripplingly introverted.” So, we know it works!

Other dating sites will throw a bunch of options at you, leaving you swiping through tons of photos or scrolling through an indefinite amount of prospects. While this can be nice, it also can deter you from really investing in one person and might make you feel overwhelmed. It’s not exactly the easiest way to make a real connection. That’s why CMB sends you seven options a day that are carefully selected based on their matching algorithm. These matches are called “bagels,” which frankly is a little strange. But hey, we’re not here to judge CMB on anything but their success rate as a dating app. To encourage followthrough, the bagels only last for a week. If you really like someone, you need to reach out.

Another reason why CMB works so well is that the algorithm takes your previous swipes into account when curating the next batch of fresh bagels for you. It learns your trends and preferences based on actual activity rather than just a questionnaire.

Tip for using Coffee Meets Bagel to find a long-term relationship: Give each “bagel” a chance. You might be used to apps that give you tons of options; however, there’s a reason why these bagels were suggested to you. Don’t be afraid to do a deep dive into each of their profiles!

13.) AdultFriendFinder

Ok, so AdultFriendFinder isn’t exactly great for finding your soulmate, but nothing is impossible! The reason it makes the list is that some people like to approach dating in a casual way before getting into anything super serious. Physical intimacy is an essential part of any relationship, and AdultFriendFinder has no problems in that department.

While millennials rely on Tinder to help them find friends-with-benefits, AdultFriendFinder caters to an online dating crowd that’s a tiny bit older. It’s sort of the Tinder for Gen X. Given that there are so many users on AdultFriendFinder, it’s nearly impossible to not find someone interested in talking to you. But be warned—AdultFriendFinder is not for the faint of heart. There’s no telling how raunchy your inbox will get.

AdultFriendFinder is an adult site, so that means explicit photos are welcome and encouraged. You won’t find that on other dating websites. In a time where isolation is more familiar than physical touch, it’s a nice change of pace.

Tip for using AdultFriendFinder to find a long-term relationship: Keep an open mind, sexually. AdultFriendFinder has a lot of raunchy undertones. By going in without judgment, you open yourself up to a world of dating potentials on this site.

14.) Plenty Of Fish

Plenty Of Fish is a popular free dating site, but they’ve been known to have just as many bots as they do genuine users, so that’s why it sits at the bottom. This doesn’t mean that POF doesn’t work. It has been known to foster a ton of successful relationships. There are even some celebs who have found love on POF. It simply might get annoying attempting to dodge the folks who aren’t real.

One of the best aspects of POF is the volume of users. They have so many. Bots aside, even if you live in a small town or rural area, you will find plenty of prospects. Most apps function best in urban cities, but POF does the job well anywhere. Another thing we love is that POF, and all features like unlimited messaging, is totally free.

Because there are so many daters on POF looking for all sorts of relationships, POF has implemented a pretty advanced search feature that allows you to whittle down the crowd. The quality of daters doesn’t seem to be as top-notch as some other apps on this list, but there are definitely some catches who make their way onto the site.

Tip for using Plenty Of Fish to find a long-term relationship: POF is known for having a ton of users. With that in mind, be selective with who you decide to reach out to. Too many options won’t help you land that soulmate you’re after.

Even with Valentines Day in the rear view mirror, the best dating apps can help you meet new people so that you have someone to spend the holiday with next year. And even if romance isn't on your mind, dating apps have pivoted from arranging hook-ups to just putting you in touch with people who share the same interests.

While you might think that two years and counting of a coronavirus pandemic may have stopped the best dating apps in their tracks, the opposite has happened. Dating apps have gotten even more popular by adding new features aimed at helping you forge relationships even when you're sticking close to home. Video chats, remote dating and similar tools are now a mainstay among these types of apps.

Whether it's friendship or something more, the best dating apps can help you widen your circle of acquaintances. And the apps we've selected have moved beyond simple swiping by adding features such as video meetups and security checks to make the world of online dating a lot better than it was before.

If you find yourself looking for some companionship, we can help you sort through a bunch of competing options to find the best dating apps that fit your particular needs.

What are the best dating apps?

When it comes to finding love in the mobile age, it's hard to topple Tinder, one of the biggest and best dating apps that also enjoys a wide reach. Tinder has a reputation for helping you find quick hook-ups, though it's also geared to finding more permanent partners and recent additions to the app have improved user safety while adding video features.

Other dating apps boast strengths of their own. Bumble gives the power to make new friends to its female members, while OKCupid offers several different tools for finding romance. Eharmony has its famous algorithm for pairing up people, while Hinge's ultimate goal is to get people to delete its app off their phones (presumably because you've found a lasting connection and not out of frustration). Even Facebook has gotten into the act, with a dating service tied to its massive social network.

Looking for a same-sex partner? Grindr was the pioneer in that space, while Her offers a dating app for lesbian and bisexual users. 

Before diving in to find the right dating app to find the best possible mate, don't forget to consider privacy. Don't just skim past the privacy policies of any dating app you use, as those policies can outline exactly what a dating site does with your personal data. Also be aware that many dating apps — including several on this best dating apps list — are owned by the same company. The Match Group, for example, not only operates Match.com but also Tinder, OKCupid and PlentyOfFish.

The best dating apps right now

1. Tinder (Android; iOS)

Tinder blazed the trail set by Grindr toward a world of swipe and scroll dating apps. On its face, Tinder encourages you to make shallow, snap judgments about potential partners. You create a simple profile with a handful of photos and a few sentences about yourself, then throw yourself at the Internet's mercy. 

The app displays singles in your area. If you like one, swipe the photo to the right; otherwise, swipe to the left. If you both swipe right, you can send messages and set something up. (Interested in upping your Tinder game? We've got tips on how to use Tinder like a pro.) Upgrading to a paid Plus or Gold membership at Tinder gives you premium features like unlimited likes or rewinds that give would-be partners a second chance.

Tinder continues to tinker with its formula, rolling out a video feature that allows you to make in-app video calls to matches without exchanging personal details. A Safety Center feature ties into Noonlight app and provides a panic button in case you wind up on a date where you feel unsafe, and you can run background checks based on data from public records. Tinder may even add a "swipe party" feature that lets your friends join in on the fun of helping pick out a would-be partner for you.

Download Tinder: Android, iOS

2. Bumble (Android; iOS)

Apple recognized Bumble as one of the top iOS apps for 2021 — don't worry, Android fans, Bumble works on your phone — and it's easy to understand why. The app can help you line up dates or make new friends, with the power to connect in the hands of its women users. 

Women get to make the first move after two people mutually connect and are part of each other’s hive. From there, you've got just 24 hours to make some kind of contact or the connection disappears forever. For same-sex connections or friendships, either person has to make a move within 24 hours before that connection is gone, though you can get a 24-hour extension. 

Just looking to widen your circle of friends, as opposed to a romantic relationship? Bumble has a BFF feature for people who are not looking for dates and a separate section for making business contacts. The Bumble Boost upgrade, which ranges from $2.99 to $8.99, makes it easier and faster to meet or date people. 

Bumble added video a couple years ago, giving one of the best dating apps a leg up in the shelter-in-place era. A Night In addition added games starting with a trivia game to give you and your date something to do on your video chat.

Download Bumble: Android, iOS

3. OkCupid (Android; iOS)

OkCupid features a massive userbase and straightforward dating tools. But rather than rest on its laurels, OKC keeps refining and adding on 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. A premium subscription adds other features, such as refined search tools and the ability to see users who have liked you. 

Download OKCupid: Android, iOS

4. Match.com (Android; iOS)

Match.com offers its users a freemium dating experience on Android and iOS. Free users can set up online profiles, upload a few pictures of themselves and then engage in some online flirting with "winks", and have new matches delivered to them daily. More comprehensive features, such as the ability to see who has checked out your profile and liked your pictures, can be unlocked by a Match.com subscription. 

Match has continued to add on to its features, such as a Tinder-like Mixer, Android Wear and Apple Watch integration, and the addition of voice and video snippets to your profile. Vibe Check, launched in the spring, lets you enjoy video chats with your matches, while Match also lets you pay a little extra to have real-life dating coaches make matches for you.

Like Tinder, Match also added a safety feature that lets you alert friends if you're on a date and feel unsafe. You can even set your political views in Match, so you can better find a person whose outlook lines up with yours (or don't, if you believe that opposites attract).

Download Match.com: Android, iOS

5. Grindr (Android; iOS)

Grindr 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 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. 

Download Grindr: Android, iOS

6. eharmony (Android; iOS)

eharmony is a long-time player in the online dating game, and the first service to push an algorithmic system to try to make the best possible dating matches for its members. Once you create an account, users go through a "Relationship Questionnaire" to create a personality profile that helps match you with other users that eharmony thinks you'll click with. Every day, the app will provide you with a selection of matches and your areas of compatibility; you'll have the option to connect if the interest is mutual. 

Premium subscribers get expanded matching and discovery options, and other features like being able to see who has recently viewed your profile.

Download eharmony: Android, iOS

7. Facebook (Android, iOS)

Facebook Dating has been around for a few years now, added on as an opt-in service built into the social network, Facebook Dating focuses on helping you find long-term relationships, not hook-ups. You access the Dating section from within Facebook's mobile app, setting up a Dating profile that's separate from your regular Facebook profile. From there, Facebook finds matches for you based on your preferences, interests and activities on the social networking site. 

Facebook won't suggest matches among people you already know on Facebook, unless you use the service's Secret Crush feature in which you can select up to nine Facebook friends or Instagram followers you have an interest in. If they also express an interest in you via Secret Crush, Facebook will match you up. 

You can add Instagram posts to your Facebook Dating profile as well as share Facebook and Instagram stories. Like other dating services, Facebook Dating also introduced the ability to make video calls to your would-be sweetie, using the Messenger app.

Download Facebook: Android, iOS

8. Coffee Meets Bagel (Android; iOS)

Coffee Meets Bagel takes the opposite approach to many of the best dating apps, trying to focus on quality rather than quantity. Every day at noon, the app will send men a small selection of potential matches based on their profile and preferences, and women are then sent a number of matches who've shown interest in them, leaving the ladies the option of reciprocating the like. If the attraction is mutual, then the app will set you up with a 7-day chat window and icebreaker. 

A redesign of the dating app puts a greater emphasis on user profiles, giving you the ability to comment on profiles and photos in hopes of fostering more connections between Coffee Meets Bagel users.

Download Coffee Meets Bagel: Android, iOS

9. Her (Android; iOS)

Her is a dating and social network app designed with lesbian, bisexual and queer users in mind. You sign up with Facebook or Instagram accounts, and then view a stream of activity from other verified Her users both in your area and globally. You can Like photos of other users, and if the interest is mutual, the app will link you up to chat. 

Of course, it's also more than just meeting prospective dates, with the app offering social features, news and articles about LGBTQ issues, events, questions and more. While the app is free to use and sign up for, a premium subscription adds extra features.

Download Her: Android, iOS

10. Hinge (Android; iOS: $10.99/month)

Refusing to follow the trail blazed by swipe-driven apps like Tinder, dating app Hinge puts its focus on relationships and interesting conversations. In fact, the service's explicitly stated goal is to get you to the point where you've deleted the app altogether — presumably because you've found love and not because you've had it with the app.

Hinge turns its nose up at swipes for a more detailed profile that you fill in with pictures and stories. Users can then choose to like and comment on something in that profile, and that serves as a mutual conversation starter. Each day, you can check out new recommendations, as well as see people who have liked something in your profile.

Hinge responded quickly to our shelter-in-place situation imposed by the coronavirus pandemic by rolling out Date From Home features. Other changes include teaming up with the likes of Chipotle and Uber Eats to encourage users to have socially distanced dinner dates. And a redesign last year introduced Standouts feature that highlights people who are more likely to be your type, along with topics that Hinge thinks will spark a conversation with your would-be match.

Download Hinge: Android, iOS

11. Snack (iOS)

Imagine TikTok, but for dating, and you've got a pretty good sense of what Snack has to offer. This dating app puts an emphasis on short videos. You sort through a feed of introductory videos to see if anyone sparks your interest, favoriting the ones of people you'd like to get to know. Should they favorite your video, you'll be able to DM each other.

The emphasis on videos makes Snack a good dating app option for our socially distant times, though the focus is clearly on the under-30 crowd. Snack is only available on the iPhone at the moment, though you can sign up to be notified when an Android version drops.

Download Snack: iOS

12. LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games (Android, iOS)

Previously known as XO, LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games wants to put some of the fun back into dating by using games to help break the ice. Quizzes, drawing games and other party activities let you share a laugh with somebody new and maybe forge a connection that leads to a relationship.

You find matches by filling out a profile and meeting up with someone who has similar likes. Or you can try one of LOLO's other, more random pairings. Blind Date puts you in touch with someone to play a game and exchange messages before you see their profiles, while Random puts you in touch with someone from anywhere in the world.

People who are serious about finding a significant other right now may want to some of the other best dating apps, but LOLO seems like a fun, casual way to make new friends — and maybe that friendship blossoms into something more.

Download LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games: Android, iOS

13. Kippo (Android, iOS)

Of course, there's more than one way to game online, and Kippo looks to attract online gamers in search of a little companionship. The app lets you customize your own profile — the more unique, the better — in which you can show off the things you're truly passionate about. The app then tries to find matches based on the games you like.

Once you find a match, you're ready to DM and chat, though the free tier of Kippo has some limitation on just how many profiles you can swipe each day and how many messages you can send. Joining a paid Kippo Infinity tier for $10 a month removes those restrictions.

Kippo says it verifies that everyone using its service is a real person, and there's moderation to keep out any bad actors. 

Download Kippo: Android, iOS

15. Thursday (Android, iOS)

If you're getting a little tired of using dating apps all the time, the developers behind Thursday have heard your complaints. They've built an app you're only supposed to use one day a week — Thursday, naturally — to meet new people

Every Thursday, the app reveals people around you that want to go on a date that specific evening. The idea is to do away with the seemingly endless online flirtations and get straight to finding out if you've met your match.

Thursday is live in New York and London at this point, and the app is currently free to use, though a $14.99 "Black Card" membership boosts your presence and gives you an unlimited number of likes to find would-be matches.

Download Thursday: Android, iOS

15. Once (Android, iOS)

Once wants to slow down those frantic swipes as you try to find your ideal match. Instead of an unending string of photos to sort through, Once pairs you up with one potential partner a day, and you've got 24 hours to make a connection. You can keep chatting after that if both of you like another, but the idea is to focus on just one person at a time, so you can see if a more lasting connection is possible.

Matches are created with Once algorithm, which draws on your profile and your past behavior to find an ideal match. You can use Once for free, but paid memberships speed up the searching process and give you more matches per day if you prefer.

Download Once: Android, iOS

16. Happn (Android, iOS)

Happn is all about the people whose paths you might have crossed who you might find interesting and might also be doing the same things you are. A location-based dating service, Happn shows you the profiles of other Happn users you've crossed paths with, along with time and location. You can like any of the profiles that show up, and if the feeling is mutual, the app gives you the option to connect. Paid options offer the ability to “Say Hi” to other profiles, which includes a notification, as well as the ability to see profiles which have liked you.

Download Happn: Android, iOS

17. SwoonMe (Android, iOS: Free)

Let's face it — even the best dating apps are heavily skewed toward swiping through photos to find a match. But SwoonMe wants you to look beyond the surface when you're trying to meet someone new, whether it's for friendship or a more serious relationship.

To that end, the SwoonMe app does away with photos in exchange for avatars — the photo you upload to the dating app is converted into a cartoon version of yourself. Instead, you search for a would-be significant audio by listening to short audio clips the person has recorded. If you like what you hear, you can further communicate through audio messages, eventually reaching the point where you can reveal your true picture.

It's a different take on dating than some of the other apps here, and as a fairly new service, SwoonMe isn't as polished as some of its more well-established competitors. But it's worth checking out if you find other dating apps to be overly superficial.

Download SwoonMe: Android, iOS

18. Plenty of Fish Dating (Android; iOS)

Plenty of Fish Dating lacks the depth of features found in some other apps, but it makes up for in breadth. This free dating app is one of the largest and most popular in the world, boasting more than 70 million members spanning the whole English-speaking world. 

Users set up a simple profile, including age, education and profession, then search through potential matches and message them. Plenty of Fish keeps adding small tweaks to its app, including Chat Heads for Android users, VoIP calling for premium users and Instagram image uploads. You'll also find a free livestream feature that encourages dating over video.

Download Plenty of Fish Dating: Android, iOS

19. Badoo (Android; iOS)

A standout in a rich field of dating apps, Badoo features 370 million-plus users from more than 190 different countries, all sharing their profiles and photos as they search for matches. The app uses a lot of varied means to find interesting matches, from a Tinder-like swiping system to viewing the profiles of nearby users. 

Badoo puts a premium on making sure that its users are actual verified people, instead of "catfish"-style scams, with verification methods based on uploaded photos, connected social media accounts and phone verification. While the app is free to use, you can also buy premium credits for $2.99 to increase visibility or subscribe to gain "Super Powers," which provide expanded features.

Download Badoo: Android, iOS

20. Clover Dating App (Android; iOS)

A little bit of Tinder and a little bit of OkCupid, Clover takes a grab bag approach with a variety of ways to find and meet potential matches, from Tinder-like swiping to questionnaires, date planners, and detailed profiles with lists of interests. 

Clover avoids the one-trick pony trap of more focused dating app experiences, so if you ever get bored of the swiping style, you can always try participating in live mixers, check out the 20 Questions game, or even experiment with Clover's "on demand dating." As with other apps, Clover has premium tiers that can improve visibility and add or improve existing features.

Download Clover: Android, iOS

How to find the best dating app

You're going to have the biggest success finding romance through a dating app if you first settle on what exactly you're looking for. If casual flings and hook-ups are your focus, shy away from apps designed to help you find long-term relationships. Similarly, if you're tired of one-night stands, dating apps that put a greater emphasis on swiping than on matching up compatible people are more likely to frustrate you.

Speaking of frustrations, nothing's more irritating than using a dating app filled with fake profiles. Pay attention to what dating services do to make sure that you're only being paired up with people who are taking things seriously (or at least as seriously as you are.) It's also a good idea to pay attention to what services are doing to protect the privacy of their users.

Since many cities still have a limit on just how many people can gather in public places, it would be good to consider apps that offer some form of video chat, so that your love life doesn't get put on hold during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As best you can pay attention to security measures and how much of your data gets shared. Dating sites can suffer security breaches, just like any service, so use good password practices and don't re-use login info you've tied to other accounts.