From serious relationships to casual meet-ups, there are many different ways to date. To go with all the kinds of ways to date are many types of dating apps. This helps people who are looking for similar relationships connect more easily. You can message people prior to meeting up with them, adjust your searches to fit your preferences and in some cases take a quiz to find someone who would be a good fit. After spending hours testing the most well known apps, this is our teams take on which apps are the best online dating apps, many of which offer a free membership tier.
There are countless dating apps out there but not all of them are worth your time (or your money). Despite the popularity of these apps, many of them still have bad reputations. Thankfully, there are some good ones out there. The best dating apps will let singles narrow down the field and find exactly the right person, no matter who they’re looking for. This list includes some of the best dating apps out there, including the premium features they offer, their other notable features and the active user base you can expect to find on each platform. We’ll update this list periodically.Â
(A note on the byline: This story was initially written by Rebecca Fleenor and has been substantially updated, including the introduction, by Charlotte Maracina. The blurbs below are initialed to reflect which of the authors’ respective opinions are referenced.)
Best dating apps for 2024
| Bumble | Best dating app for bold women |
|---|---|
| Tinder | Best dating app for casual chat and hookups |
| OKCupid | Best dating app for those on a budget |
| Hinge | Best dating app for relationship seekers |
| Coffee Meets Bagel | Best dating app for serious relationships |
| Happn | Best dating app for local dating |
| Her | Best dating app for lesbian, bisexual and queer women |
| Raya | Best dating app for social media influencers |
| Plenty of Fish | Best dating app for conversations |
| Match | Best dating app for someone with money to spend |
| eHarmony | Best dating app for marriage seekers |
eHarmony was one of the pioneers among online dating site options. I haven’t personally used this one, but I certainly remember the pitch for online daters, thanks to years of TV commercials: The service matches couples based on “29 dimensions” of compatibility and interests (as determined by a thorough relationship questionnaire and personality test). While you can review the profiles of your prospective matches for free, you’ll need to pay to unlock the full features of the service. There’s a three-month plan and a six-month plan, and they come with a guarantee: If, after three months of paid membership and communicating with at least five members, you’re not satisfied, eHarmony will refund your money. Despite a rocky road that eventually involved a high-profile lawsuit, the site finally added same-sex dating in 2013. I have mixed feelings about using the site myself, but it’s at least technically more inclusive now. — RF
- Monthly subscription cost: $36 for Premium Extra
- Free version available: Yes
- Download from: Android, iOS
Bumble is for the women who aren’t afraid to make the first move… and don’t mind losing matches if they don’t receive a reply within one day. If the guy doesn’t message back within 24 hours, the match then expires. Not a great scenario if you’re like me and check your dating apps once every other week.
If you’re a woman who wants to take charge, you’re looking for a quick response and aren’t afraid to lose matches if someone doesn’t get back to you right away, I’d recommend checking Bumble out. Based on my personal experience Bumble tends to attract bold women and shy men, which isn’t a bad thing. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the more insecure guys from the dating pool. Plus, Bumble also offers Bumble BFF which allows you to meet friends when moving or visiting new cities. — CM
Pros:
- Allows women more controlÂ
- Offers Bumble BFF, making it easier to meet friends
- Allows users to specify their interests and dating goals
Cons:
- Matches expire in one day
- Only the woman can make the first move, making it harder for those more shy
- Monthly subscription cost: $33
- Free version available: Yes
- Download from: Android, iOS
Those looking for love, lust and everything in between have a good chance of finding that on Hinge. Hinge is the app “designed to be deleted” and ranks as one of my favorites. While Tinder may be more for hookups, Hinge is for those looking for something a little more than a one night stand.
Since it first launched, Hinge has added dozens of features that allow you to display your interests and specify who you’re looking for. My only issue with the app is that it’s recently began limiting the amounts of likes you’re allowed to give, requiring you to upgrade to the paid version of the app for unlimited likes. I’ve gone on several Hinge dates and while the only thing it’s ever really led to has been an “it’s complicated” status relationship, I’ve never had a bad experience using the app and definitely recommend it to those looking for something more than a casual relationship. — CM
Pros:
- Prompts allow your profile to show your personality
- Good for those not totally sure what they want
- You can see who liked your profileÂ
Cons:
- Limit on the amount of likes you have per day
- You have to pay extra for your top potential matches
- You have to add three prompts
- Monthly subscription cost: $33
- Free version available: Yes
- Download from: Android, iOS
