“If you don’t meet your husband in college, good luck.” That’s what my cousin once told me. While a husband isn’t necessarily my top priority, I’d still like to keep my options open. After graduating college and now working a primarily remote job, meeting potential romantic partners can be tough. That’s why I, along with thousands of others of all ages, now turn to dating apps to meet people.
Dating apps tend to get 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. Now, 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. (Byline note: This story was initially written by Rebecca Fleenor and has been substantially updated, including the intro, by Charlotte Maracina. The blurbs below are initialed to reflect which of the authors’ respective opinions are referenced.)
Best dating sites
| Bumble | Best for women who don’t wait around |
|---|---|
| Tinder | Best for casual chat and hookups |
| OKCupid | Best free dating site |
| Hinge | Best for relationship seekers |
| Coffee Meets Bagel | Best for serious relationships |
| Happn | Best for local dating |
| Her | Best for lesbian, bisexual and queer women |
| Raya | Best for social media influencers |
| Plenty of Fish | Best for conversations |
| Match | Best for someone with money to spend |
| eHarmony | Best for marriage seekers |
Remember, dating apps are all about quantity. The more chances you give people, the more likely you’ll find an unexpected match. Good luck on your journey for love.