Gone are the days when you could just meet someone on the street, in a store, or at the cinema. But there’s no reason to lament it – quite the contrary.
Online dating has taken over, and there’s much to celebrate.
You have a larger dating pool to choose from, and you can find your dream partner more easily without having to settle for anything less. But you can’t just go to any dating apps and hope for the best.
You should choose legitimate dating apps and the ones that WORK.
And we’re here to bring you just that – the best dating apps for all kinds of dating. There are free dating apps on the list, too, that sure as hell beat Facebook dating.
Best Dating Apps
Have a quick look at the best dating apps you can find online today. We’ll go into more detail on each of these below:
- Best dating app overall – Zoosk
- Your dash of romance – eHarmony
- Horniest dating app – Friend Finder
- High-quality members – EliteSingles
- Quick & easy hookups – Pure
- Luxury dating – Seeking
- Free + mega-popular – Tinder
- Coolest dating app – Hinge
- Online dating for 35+ – Plenty of Fish
- Safest dating app for women – Bumble
1. Zoosk – Number One Dating App
Pros
- Hookups & long-term relationships
- Diverse user base
- You can pause your account
Cons
- No free messages
Pricing
- 1 month – $29.99
- 3 months -$20 a month
- 6 months – $12.50 a month
- 12 months – $12.50 a month
There’s a big reason why Zoosk is at the top of our list of the best dating apps – it can give you anything you’re looking for.
Zoosk works for both serious relationships and casual flings.
Besides that, it’s the dating platform with the most diverse dating pool. That goes for age, gender, sexual preferences, and backgrounds, so it’s easy to find the kind of potential partner you’re looking for.
There’s a video chat feature to keep everyone safe and entertained, but there’s also an option to verify your account.
The only downside is that free users don’t get messages – you have to subscribe for that.
Once you do, you’ll get unlimited messages, access to Great Dates and SmartPicks, and the ability to see who liked you.
And when you get into a more serious relationship, you can simply pause your account and pick up where you left off once you’re on the market again.
>>Join Zoosk, the best dating app of them all
2. eHarmony – Romantic Online Dating
Pros
- Love & meaningful relationships
- High success rates
- Excellent matchmaking system
Cons
- More expensive than other dating apps
Pricing
- 6 months – $69.90 a month
- 12 months – $49.90 a month
- 24 months – $39.90 a month
If you want your slice of Hallmark fairytale love in real life, eHarmony is one of the best dating apps for you.
Folks on it are high-quality relationship seekers looking for serious relationships.
The app itself is packed with advanced features. There is a video chat and an excellent matchmaking system to fix you up with potential matches that best suit you. For the system to do its magic, you need to fill out a survey when you sign up.
The better you do, the better your luck.
The only downside to eHarmony is that it’s a bit more expensive than other dating apps on our list. But it’s well worth it as you get access to successful singles who are serious about online dating.
Over 2 million people have already found love on the app. Who knows, maybe you’ll join the success rates?
>>Download eHarmony, one of the best dating apps for love
3. Friend Finder – Horniest Dating App
Pros
- Free video calls
- Everyone’s down
- Safe and inclusive space
Cons
- Too sex-focused for some
Pricing
- 1 month – $39.95
- 3 months – $26.95 a month, $80.85 total
- 12 months – $19.95 a month, $239.40 total
Friend Finder is for those not looking for romantic connections but rather a casual hookup here and there. If that’s you, you’ll find it to be the horniest hookup app.
Everyone on the dating app came there for casual dating, and everyone’s down.
The behemoth of a user base (80 million folks worldwide) is only one thing that makes Friend Finder one of the best dating apps. The other is the fact it’s packed with advanced (and X-rated) features.
You’ve got free video calls, free live cams, and some excellent premium features like adult videos, adult superstore, and many more.
Our favorite one is the conversation forum, where you can talk to other users on all sorts of topics, mostly sex-related.
The forum is also a great place to meet potential matches.
>>Go to FriendFinder, one of the best dating apps for hookups
4. EliteSingles – Best Dating App for Successful People
Pros
- The hub of high achievers
- Detailed approach to matchmaking
- Free personality report
Cons
- Buggy app
Pricing
- 1 month – $59.95 a month
- 3 months – $57.95 a month, $173.85 total
- 6 months – $44.95 a month, $269.70 total
Those who’re doing great at life and looking for similar folks for a serious relationship have to go somewhere, and they’re all on EliteSingles.
82% of folks on the dating app have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher education. They’re often in higher-paying positions in their professional life, too.
What makes EliteSingles one of the best dating apps isn’t only its user base – it’s the elite matchmaking system.
Even the free users get a detailed personality report that the dating app later uses to find you the best potential matches.
The system is really advanced and comes up with more hits than misses.
The communication is reserved for paid users only, though, and the subscription fees for EliteSingles are – well, elite.
But those who’ve crossed paths with the dating app say subscribing to it is 100% worth it.
>>Join EliteSingles, one of the best dating apps for young professionals
5. Pure – Designed for Quick Hookups (1 hour or less)
Pros
- Fast hookups (1 hour or less)
- No one can download your photos
- Vibrant place
Cons
- You have to give credit card info
Pricing
- 1 week – $14.99
- 1 month – $29.99
- 3 months – $19.66 a month
- 12 months – $6.30 a month
If you really want a casual fling and you want it ASAP, Pure is the place to go. It’s one of the best dating apps but also the fastest casual online dating place we’ve crossed paths with.
Pure’s got this thing called ‘1-hour quick matches’ that lets you set up a hookup within 1 hour.
It works kinda like classified ads – you post what you’re looking for or offering, and other users have 1 hour to respond to your post before it disappears.
Everything disappears after that 1 hour, including likes and messages.
Not everyone is a fan of the 1-hour quick matches, of course, but many more love it, and it is an interesting twist to online dating.
Another interesting thing about Pure is that no one can download your photos, videos, or anything else you post on the app or send via chat.
Most dating apps don’t have this kind of protection, and we really like it.
>>Join Pure, one of the best dating apps for quick hookups
6. Seeking – Exclusive Dating App
Pros
- 100% free for women
- Luxurious dating
- More women than men (rare!)
Cons
- Not for everyone
Pricing
- 100% free for women
- Premium 1 month – $109.99
- Premium 3 months – $96.66 a month
- Diamond 1 month – $274.99 a month
Luxury online dating is a thing, and those who crave it won’t be happy with traditional dating apps. So, we’ve got you covered with Seeking, the best elite dating app.
The whole eliteness of it may not be for everyone, but those who are looking for luxurious online dating sites will love it.
Seeking is the place where wealthy men and beautiful women meet.
The latter can use the dating app for free and will be asked to verify their profile. Men, on the other hand, will need to provide proof of income.
Not that the ladies on the app will need it to know the men on it have the dough – the membership fees speak for themselves.
To make everyone feel safer, Seeking lets you order a background check for yourself. You, then, get a special check on your profile, upping your chances for potential partners.
The app itself is packed with modern features and has a sleek interface fitting for an elite dating app.
>>Go to Seeking, one of the best niche apps for luxury dating
7. Tinder – One of the Most Popular Dating Apps
Pros
- All-you-need free version
- (Almost) everyone’s on it
- LGBTQ+-friendly
Cons
- Less interesting for serious relationships
Pricing
- 1 month – $13.49
- 6 months – $6.75 a month, $40.50 total
- 12 months – $4.50 a month, $54 total
No one leaves the list of the best dating apps without Tinder, and neither will we. Tinder deserves its spot on each and every one of those lists.
First things first – it’s the most popular dating platform.
It took the online dating world by storm when it was founded in 2012, and it’s been going strong ever since.
The swipe-style app may not be the best choice for serious relationships, but everyone still has it, at least as a backup.
Those who really like the app can always choose to become premium users – the fees are affordable and start at $4.50 a month.
Paid features include the ability to rewind or undo matches as well as match with focus from around the world, which is pretty useful when traveling.
>>Go to Tinder, one of the most popular dating apps
8. Hinge – Coolest Dating App with Icebreakers
Pros
- All-you-need free version
- Millennials and Gen Z
- Video verification
Cons
- Few members for hookups
Pricing
- 1 month – $29.99
- 3 months – $19.99 a month, $59.99 total
- 6 months – $14.99 a month, $89.99 total
If you ask millennial and Gen Z online daters what’s the coolest dating app right now, they’ll all tell you it’s Hinge. All of them are on it, and they’re loving it.
How could they not? Hinge’s free version lets you message folks, so you don’t even have to upgrade to a paid membership.
You also have the option to video verify your profile, which will definitely make other users more at ease and up your chances.
When it comes to what you can do on Hinge – there are too many features to count.
Our favorite things about Hinge are its ice breaker prompts. They really make it easy to start conversations and connect.
Here are some examples:
- “One Fact About Me That Surprises People Is…”
- “This Year, I Really Want to…”
- “A Shower Thought I Recently Had…”
Those looking for a serious relationship will be happy to hear that most online daters on Hinge are looking for the same thing.
Fewer are looking for hookups, but it’s possible to find that, too.
>>Head to Hinge, one of the best dating apps for long-term relationships
9. Plenty of Fish – Best Dating App for 35+
Pros
- Free messages for everyone
- Video chat
- Interactive games
Cons
- Some fake profiles
Pricing
- 3 months – $20 a month
- 6 months – $15 a month
- 12 months – $10 a month
Those looking for a bargain online dating experience have another option on this list that sure beats Facebook dating – Plenty of Fish.
Yes, POF is free to use, and its free version is more than enough.
You get all the basic features (like messaging) as a free user. But POF is more than just another one of the free dating sites.
It takes a more fun approach to online dating.
There are live streams, games, and fun compatibility quizzes. We especially like the CueMe feature. It’s a quirky game that lets other singles get to see your fun side that may not come out on your profile.
And lets you see theirs, too.
Like other dating apps with an excellent free version, Plenty of Fish also has its fair share of fake profiles. But you can use the video call feature to protect yourself, and you can also report suspicious profiles to the mods.
>>Join Plenty of Fish, one of the best dating apps for 35+
10. Bumble – Safest Dating App for Women
Pros
- Maximum protection for women
- Only women can initiate contact
- Balanced male-to-female ratio
Cons
- The disappearing matches
Pricing
- 1 week – $8.99
- 1 month – $16.99
- 3 months – $11.33 a month, $33.99 total
- 6 months – $9.16 a month, $54.99 total
The dating scene ain’t all peaches and cream for women, and Bumble creators know it. They are both women and creators of Tinder, so they would, wouldn’t they?
So, they brought us Bumble, the safest dating app for women.
Bumble may not be able to protect women from every jerk that appears on the best dating apps, but it sure comes close.
There are strict anti-harassment measures in place, and women are the only ones that get to start a conversation with a potential date.
The man then has 24 hours to reply, or the match disappears. This hasn’t scared off the men, who make up about 50% of the user base.
The best part? Everyone gets free messages within matches and mutuals.
You can log in with your Facebook account, but you can also hide your Bumble account from your Facebook friends.
There’s also Bumble BIZZ and Bumble BFF for networking and making new friends. Both work like a charm!
>>Join Bumble, the safest dating app for women
11. Happn – Among Best Dating Apps for City Folks
Pros
- Free messages
- Top-notch security
- Buy extra features per piece
Cons
- No Desktop version
Pricing
- 1 month – $24.99
- 6 months – $15 a month, $89.99 total
- 12 months – $10 a month, $119.99 total
Do you know those moments when you see a cute girl or a handsome guy on the train or in a store, and you two exchange looks or have a MOMENT? Then when the moment’s gone, and you go off your merry way, you wish you could find them.
Well, Happn can help you with that.
It’s location-based, and it WILL show you the people you’ve crossed paths with. But Happn is more than just that.
First of all – it’s one of the best dating apps where you can message for free.
Next, all the cool folks are on it. But Happn is more of a city app, and it’s not the best option for those in rural areas.
But the city IT folks will love it, just like current users do.
The app offers its users a chance to buy some of the hip features per piece. These include going incognito, rewinding the matches, or seeing who liked you.
>>Get on Happn, one of the best dating apps for city folks
12. OkCupid – Best Free App
Pros
- Still as strong as ever
- Compatibility questions
- LGBTQ+-friendly
Cons
- ‘Not corny’ questions are boring
Pricing
- 1 month – $9.95
- 3 months – $7.95 a month
- 6 months – $4.95 a month
You probably noticed that many dating apps on this list of the best dating apps are free or with solid free versions, but OkCupid beats all other apps.
And it’s not (just) because of our fond memories of it from our youth.
Yes, messaging is free, but it’s not limited to your matches only. The SuperLike feature lets you send notes and messages to folks you haven’t matched with (yet).
OkCupid is the OG legend of online dating and a long-time favorite of queer people. It’s as strong as ever and still very LGBTQ+-friendly. There are over 20 sexual orientations and 12 genders to choose from.
Some things have changed, though – people used to go there for hookups mostly, but now most use it to find compatible matches for a long-term relationship.
There’s even a Match % score to help you two determine how compatible you are.
>>Join OkCupid, the top dating app you can use for free
13. Badoo – Kinda Like a Social Network
Pros
- Free messages
- Video introductions
- Celebrity Look Alike feature
Cons
- More popular in Europe than in the US
Pricing
- 1 day – $1.99
- 1 week – $7.99
- 1 month – $25.99
- 3 months – $10.66 a month, $31.99 total
- 6 months – $7.99 a month, $47.99 total
- Lifetime – $159.99
Badoo is one of the best dating apps where you can look for a romantic connection but also meet new friends – it functions kinda like a social network.
You can create your profile, add photos and videos, use stickers when communicating, and see who’s online at that moment.
But let’s start with what most people want to know first – you get free messages! Yay!
There’s something you can do on Badoo that you can’t do on other apps – find folks that look like your favorite celebrity.
That’s brought to us by the Celebrity Look Alike features.
The Encounters feature, on the other hand, lets you find people who share your interests, and it works pretty well and fast.
We also like that you can send video messages to your matches through the Video Introductions feature. You can use it to introduce yourself, say hi, tell jokes, or tell them something nice about them.
The only downside is that Badoo is not as popular in the US as it is in Europe, where it’s among the most popular apps. But it has a pretty strong presence here, too, and its user base is growing fast.
>>Jump to Badoo, one of the best dating apps
14. Coffee Meets Bagel – Best Dating App for Straight Men
Pros
- Free messages
- More women than men
- Highly responsive women
Cons
- No video chat
Pricing
- 1 month – $34.99
- 3 months – $25 a month, $74.99 total
- 6 months – $20 a month, $119.99 total
- 12 months – $15 a month, $179.99 total
Few apps come close to Coffee Meets Bagel when it comes to the responsiveness of female users. That’s why it’s one of the best dating apps for straight men.
Not only does it have more women than men, which is already a good thing for the fellas, but the women on this app have a higher reply rate.
There’s more good news – you can use the app entirely for free.
Everyone who joins the app gets free messages within matches, and you get 21 daily matches or ‘Bagels.’ That’s more than enough for most folks, but you can get more if you subscribe.
The prices start at $15 a month.
You get your daily matches at noon, and you can either just send them a message or make a short video introducing yourself.
There are also cute prompts that help ease the first step.
>>Download Coffee Meets Bagel, the best dating app for men
15. Christian Mingle – Online Dating for Christians
Pros
- 72% of members are church-goers
- Photo verification
- Dedicated customer support
Cons
- Niche site, so a smaller user base
Pricing
- 1 month – $42.99
- 3 months – $24.99 a month, $74.97 total
- 6 months – $19.99 a month, $119.94 total
Many people would like for their potential partner to belong to their particular religion. Christian Mingle is the best dating app for Christians who are devoted to their faith and want a like-minded partner.
Since it’s one of the niche apps, it doesn’t have as strong of a membership base as general dating apps and sites.
But it has over 3 million members, which is a solid number compared to other Christian dating apps, and it sure beats Facebook dating.
The best part for devoted Christians would be the fact that 72% of members are active church-goers that go to church at least once a week.
There is a fast swipe-style matching, but you can also browse for members that fit your criteria based on the following:
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Desired relationship type
- Church attendance
- Number of children
- Willingness to relocate
Christian Mingle is dedicated to their users’ safety – there’s photo verification in place and an abundance of safety tips.
>>Go to Christian Mingle, one of the best dating apps for Christians
16. JDate – Best Dating App for Jewish Dating
Pros
- Advanced search options
- Online and offline events
- Seamless app for iOS and Android users
Cons
- No matchmaking algorithm
Pricing
- 1 month – $59.99 a month
- 3 months – $44.99 a month, $134.97
- 6 months – $29.99 a month, $179.94
JDate has been connecting Jewish singles since 1997, and many marriages have formed thanks to the app.
That’s right – we said the M-word and that’s because JDate isn’t for those looking for hookups or casual flings.
It’s for practicing Jews looking for committed relationships.
There’s no matchmaking algorithm – you are supposed to discover your matches by yourself. Don’t worry; the app will help you with its advanced search filters.
You’ll get to search by specific Jewish specifications as well as synagogue attendance and kosher adherence.
JDate also lets you keep an activity tab of users you’ve viewed, users that viewed you, users you’ve liked, those who have liked you, and mutual likes.
It’s one of the most popular and safest apps for Jewish dating.
>>Go to JDate, one of the best dating apps for Jewish dating
17. Reddit R/R – Completely Free Online Dating
Pros
- Completely free
- Huge user base
- Positive chaotic energy
Cons
- Less safe than real dating apps
Pricing
- 100% free
When it comes to social media platforms for dating and completely free dating spaces, Reddit is the best.
The R/R subreddits, or Redditor for Redditor, are made so Redditors can meet, whether for relationships or hookups.
There are local subreddits and international ones.
Reddit dating works kinda like Missed Connections and other classifieds, where you post what you’re looking for, and other Redditors get back to you.
You can stay completely anonymous on Reddit, which beats Facebook dating, where everyone gets full access to your personal information.
That means others can stay anonymous, too, so you have to be more careful when connecting with folks.
The dating pool is HUGE, and meeting people on Reddit is 100% free, so you should at least give it a shot.
>>Head to Reddit, the best way to meet people for free
5 Online Dating Tips
Before we wrap it up, we’ll share some online dating tips that should help you make the most of the best dating apps.
1. Keep It Real
Don’t try to make yourself look like something you’re not. You don’t have to come up with fake hobbies to be interesting to folks on the best dating apps.
Be yourself.
The same goes for photos – use realistic photos and lay off the filters. People will meet you IRL, and you don’t want them to be disappointed.
If you fake it, you’ll only attract other fakers. So present yourself in the way you truly are, to attract those people you actually want to spend time with in your life.
2. Make Yourself Approachable
When you choose the photos for your profile, choose some chill ones that make you look approachable.
For instance, you can have a candid shot with friends, a selfie, and a photo of you doing your hobby.
You don’t want to intimidate other folks, so keep those funny faces and photo fails to yourself.
The same goes for your bio and how you write about yourself and what you are looking for. Be honest, but don’t make it look like a CV or job interview.
3. Make the Most of the Features (Video Calling, Ice Breakers, etc)
Use all the features the app gives you. These were carefully made to facilitate the first step and make it easier for folks to meet.
Besides, many of them are super fun.
For example, if your dating app has a video chat feature, why not have a virtual date before meeting up in real life. This way, you can check out their chemistry and weed out the catfish in advance.
If you’re using an app like Hinge, you can use the icebreakers to show off your unique personality and sense of humour. It can help you stand out from the crowd, instead of blending in with all these picture-perfect summer bodies.
4. Be Open and Start Convos
Be responsive when people approach you for some small talk or light conversations, even if you’re not that into them.
You may make new friends! Or you might have to admit your prejudice about a person was completely wrong. Keeping an open mind is really important.
Also, don’t be afraid to start conversations – use the prompts and other features, and have fun with them.
5. Stay Safe!
Online dating is supposed to be fun, and you’ll get plenty of fun and meet interesting people. But don’t forget to mind your safety while doing so.
The apps on this list are generally safe, but common sense never hurts anybody.
One can never be too careful, so here’s a few basic tips to help you stay safe while dating:
- Never give out any personal information
- Always meet up in a public place
- Choose yourself where you want to meet
- Don’t meet in your local pub
- Tell at least one of your friends where you’re going
- If you have the person’s name, Google it
Best Dating Apps FAQs
People have A LOT of questions about dating apps. We can’t tackle them all in this article, but we can take some of the most popular ones.
What Is the Best Dating App Right Now?
Zoosk is the best dating app right now. It has a huge user base of people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds. It’s a bustling place that works for both hookups and serious relationships.
Is Tinder Really That Good?
Sure, Tinder is sorta good, especially when it comes to casual hookups. Almost everyone is on the app, making it a bit oversaturated. Tinder is free to use, but if you want a bit more real and active profiles, we recommend checking out eHarmony.
Is Bumble Better Than Tinder and the Other Dating Apps?
Bumble is better than Tinder when it comes to committed relationships, whereas Tinder is better for casual hookups.
What Is the Most Recommended Dating Site?
Zoosk is the most recommended dating site. It’s got a huge and diverse user base, a good gender balance, and it’s easy to use. Zoosk also supports all kinds of dating.
Which Dating App Is Best for Beginners?
Zoosk is the best dating app for beginners because it’s the most user-friendly one. It’s also a sound choice because it has a huge and diverse user base and supports all kinds of dating.
We also recommend you have a go on eHarmony and Hinge to get the hang of dating online.
Is Zoosk a Good Dating Site?
Yes, Zoosk is a good dating site. It’s got great safety measures, a huge and diverse user base, and it supports all kinds of dating.
To get the most out of Zoosk, a premium membership is recommended. Once you have that, you’ll access features such as SmartPicks and the ability to see who’s viewed your profile.
What Are the Best Free Dating Apps With Free Messages?
The best free dating apps with free messages are:
Free messaging is only a part of the experience though. Have a look at our entire list of apps to discover other perks, like video calling and icebreakers, to enhance your dating experience.
Is OkCupid App Free?
Yes, the OkCupid app is free to use. The core features (including messaging) are free for everyone, so you can use the site functionally without paying.
Which Is the Safest and Best Dating App?
Zoosk is the safest and best dating app. It’s got top-notch safety features in place, and it’s got a vast and diverse user base. It also supports all kinds of dating, from casual hookups to committed relationships.
Good Luck With the Best Dating Apps
There you have it – the list of the best dating apps right now so you don’t have to waste time and money figuring out which ones work.
We did that part for you, so now all you need to do is choose.
Zoosk is the best of them all as it has something for everyone. It’s safe, with a huge and diverse user base, and it supports all kinds of dating.
eHarmony is best for romantic souls looking for love, while EliteSingles is best for young, successful professionals looking for their pair.
You choose based on what you are looking for in terms of user base and the type of relationship you want.
One thing’s for sure – you won’t make a mistake with any of the apps on our list.
Related Reading: Best Dating Sites for Casual, Serious, or Anything in Between
