Despite dating apps’ ever-growing popularity, they still have something of a bad reputation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard my mother say that back in the day you’d just go out to the neighborhood bar to meet people. Well, times have changed — and in some ways for the better. Dating apps have emerged for all groups and niches, allowing singles to narrow down the field and find exactly who they’re looking for.
The downside is that with all these apps it’s hard to know which you should focus your time on and which to avoid. Luckily for you, I have a lot of first-hand experience with current dating apps. This is a list of some of the best dating apps out there, including the experiences they offer, their unique features and the pool of people you can expect to find on each platform. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your match. We’ll update this list periodically.
(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 2023
| 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 |
How we test
There’s only one true way to test a dating app and that’s to try them out ourselves. Everyone’s experience with dating apps will be different, but our reviews are based on our own personal experiences along with reviews from friends and family. After carefully crafting a profile we then took the time to swipe through our options and familiarize ourselves with the platforms. Once we’ve had the opportunity to talk to potential partners, we’re able to form our opinions of the overall vibe of the app and who we think it might appeal to.
Factors to consider
If you’re freshly single or have been single your whole life, it’s important to have an idea of what you want when picking out the best dating app to invest your time in. You can download all of them and constantly be switching between platforms, but I’ve found it best to invest your time, and money if you want, into one or two apps. Also consider whether or not you want to spend money on app.