If you’re looking for the best dating apps available on the market today then look no further. We have compiled the following list of dating apps to make your research quick and get you to decision time as fast as possible. But first, let’s define what it is we’re even talking about.
What Are Dating Apps?
It is okay if you are looking at yourself in the mirror and saying “Am I really debating on trying online dating?” Given the way the hustle culture seems to be the only way to make it, there doesn’t seem to be any other way of even possibly dipping your toe into the dating pool of life without becoming another member of the “online daters” club. How do you even know where to begin?
When it comes to online dating or dating apps, it is best to first understand what exactly they are. Firstly, with most dating apps, the big allure is the ability to get to know individuals on your own time. Especially since time seems to be limited, in a world where we all seem to be so stretched thin.
With most apps, users create a profile for themselves, including a small bio excerpt with some clever, catchy, and flirty sentences paired with a few selfies that are personal favorites in hopes to receive a reach-out from a possible friend, date, hook-up, or whatever sought after companionship a person might personally be seeking.
6 Best Dating Apps & Sites
1. Eharmony – Best Overall Dating App
2. EliteSingles – Most Exclusive Dating App
3. ChristianCafe – Best Christian Faith Dating App
4. SilverSingles – Best 50+ Dating App
5. Zoosk – Best LGBTQ+ Dating App
6. Tinder – Best Hookup App
Best Dating Apps & Sites – Reviews
1. Eharmony – Best Overall Dating App
Pros
- Excellent for any level of dating or interest
- 20 years of matchmaking experience
- Algorithm-based matchmaking using patented 32-Dimensions model
- Especially effective for those in their late 20s and beyond
Product Review and Features
Among the oldest and best dating apps in the business, eharmony brings more than 20 years of matchmaking experience to the table.
One of the strongest features of using the eharmony dating app is its proprietary 32-Dimensions of Compatibility matchmaking model. This model uses an extensive questionnaire to ascertain and catalog your mindset, attitudes, interests, principles, and even things like your everyday habits.
But any of the other dating apps out there can simply ask you a lot of questions and match you to those with similar answers. Eharmony takes things a step further and ascertains and connects people based on compatibility, not just similarity. The difference? In some things, opposites attract. In others, it’s important to align more closely.
Eharmony shines in that its compatibility models have been honed by more than two decades of matchmaking and hundreds of thousands of couples worldwide
This online dating site boasts nearly equal numbers of male and female users, thereby increasing the odds for every user to find the match of their dreams. The built-in video chatting option was something eharmony pioneered in the early 2000s, so they have a lot of experience honing that feature for online daters of all backgrounds.
User Levels, Discounts, and Promotions
Eharmony is a paid service, but you can begin with a free trial. Multiple membership payment options are available, and the longer the period of time you pay for the service, the more affordable and value-driven it becomes.
Eharmony is also known for the series of Free Communication Weekends it holds throughout the year, removing limitations on communication numbers and opening things up fully for new and existing users alike.
The Bottom Line
Eharmony leads our list of the best dating apps due to more than two decades of successfully matching love interests and a deeply refined and effective proprietary system for matchmaking.
Learn more about eharmony
2. EliteSingles – Most Exclusive Dating App
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Pros
- Great for singles who live in large cities and love to network
- EliteSingles pairs with Cityswoon for live events in large cities
- International dating base for traveling and international business clients
Cons
- Doesn’t have a specific screening tool that separates any user from other dating apps to be an “elite” user
Product Review and Features
EliteSingles is a dating site and app that is geared towards singles that have an established life, specific goals, aren’t interested in games and are highly educated, professionally geared, financially secure and ready for a serious commitment. In general EliteSingles dating app attracts singles that are looking for long term and monogamous relationships.
EliteSingles boasts that memberships are composed of more than 85% higher education degree holders. Not only does EliteSingles market themselves as one of the best dating apps for the educated but also the traveling professional, being available to use in over 25 countries.
Most EliteSingles users are in the 30-55 single and business professional age demographic.
User Levels, Discounts, and Promotions
Although EliteSingles is at a higher price point than other apps that provide similar app and website experiences, EliteSingles provides matchmaking for users with their detailed personality test and comprehensive quiz matchmaking “services”.
Signing up for a member profile with EliteSingles is free. The free app profile simply gives you some exposure to how the website is user friendly and allows you to get a feel for what being a member of EliteSingles is like.
Elite Singles provides their users with three membership options:
- Premium Lite
- One month membership subscription
- See all profile visits
- Read receipts on messages
- Unlimited communication
- As a member receive “Intelligent Matchmaking for Quality Connections” provided by EliteSingles
- One month membership subscription
- Premium Comfort: 3 month membership with all the Lite membership perks
- Premium Classic: 6 month membership with all the Lite and Comfort Membership Perks
The Bottom Line
EliteSingles has millions of users worldwide and markets heavily towards their achievement of 1,200 new successful matches made monthly while simultaneously bringing in more and more elite and highly educated individuals looking for love.
They are the only dating app on our list of the best dating apps that has local meet ups with a third party business and promotes dating options like speed dating parties, which is a definite extra perk for users who lack a little self-confidence in making the first move.
Learn more at EliteSingles
3. ChristianCafe – Best Christian Faith Dating App
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Pros
- Dating app specifically oriented toward those of Christian religious beliefs
- 10-day free dating app trial
- More than 25,000 marriages connected
Cons
- App doesn’t offer all the features of the website
Product Review and Features
If a shared Christian faith is foremost among your desires for a mate, ChristianCafe may be the best dating site choice for you. Connecting couples since 1999, roughly 60 percent of ChristianCafe’s users are within the 25-44 dating pool.
The site has created the impetus for more than 25,000 marriages over its 24 years in existence, largely by rooting its service in faith-based users and interactions.
In addition to the main basics that profiles on other best dating apps use, such as location and age, ChristianCafe also includes a variety of faith-based profile options. Everything from your faith’s denomination to your level of involvement in your church can be displayed and searched. Even things beyond physical appearance to consideration like whether or not a potential match drinks or smokes are available to list and search by.
User Levels, Discounts, and Promotions
You can try this dating app out with a 10-day free trial, with the caveat that you add three photos of yourself to create a profile. While communication is unlimited during the trial, there is no option for a free profile after the free trial ends.
Premium subscription plans are available at the 1, 2, 6, and 12-month time periods. All levels require payment at the time of sign-up.
The Bottom Line
If Christianity is at the top of your list for a life partner, ChristianCafe is a strong contender for your consideration on our list of the best dating apps. When the one thing everyone has in common is a shared religious belief, you’re in a great place to start.
Learn more about ChristianCafe
4. SilverSingles – Best 50+ Dating App
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Pros
- Rated #1 dating app for seniors
- Compatible across multiple devices
- Easy-to-use app and website
Cons
- No in-app video chat feature
Product Review and Features
SilverSingles is a dating site that also features downloadable dating app options for singles over the age of 50. Unlike some of the other best dating apps, SilverSingles is less about being sexy and subtle and more about finding someone to be a long-term companion and be by your side to witness your long term goals and dreams you finally have the time to experience and accomplish.
All the app platforms and website design are catered to their age demographic users and function with a simple and meaningful intent. The app features a swipe-style feature which makes it quick and convenient for older users to use. This SilverSingles app is iOs and Android compatible, features push notification options, and is fully accessible with a paid subscription.
SilverSingles does realize that for some of its users, it might be the first time they are using a computer, tablet, or mobile device. Upon this realization, not only do they promise an extremely easy to use interface between customer and online use of their website but they also provide an easy online-assessment when creating your dating profile. Most users have said it only has taken about thirty minutes to finish, noting that with other dating apps, some of the personality tests or questionnaires take 45 minutes or an hour to complete.
User Levels, Discounts, and Promotions
SilverSingles allows new users to sign up for free. To use the full features of the website and the app of SilverSingles, a purchase of a subscription is required. A subscription allows members to have full access to the dating site and the app, see other user’s photos, and exchange chats and messages between other users. Subscriptions are available at 3, 6, and 12 month subscriptions options.
It may have been awhile since some users or new members of SilverSingles have been dating. Or some members might not feel confident in what is the right way to come across as confident and how to shape the perfect profile. One of the features that sets SilverSingles apart from other best dating apps is they provide a professional profile writing option for an additional cost at any time with a subscription to their services.
The Bottom Line
SilverSingles makes our list of the best dating apps because it understands the importance of knowing its clientele. They provide an easy-to-use platform for their members for both iOs and Android platform users as well as keeping their website straightforward with easy-to-use and classic features. They also have a great customer service department, just in case users need some assistance or have any other concerns or questions – even about something like their bill.
Learn more about SilverSingles
5. Zoosk – Best LGBTQ+ Dating App
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Pros
- Over 30 million app downloads, wide cast dating pool
- Identity verification to help create a safer dating environment
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Cons
- Costs to use features to interact with other users
Product Review and Features
Creating a profile with Zoosk is fairly simple. Zoosk is a downloadable app, available on iOs and Android platforms. Zoosk requires users to verify their profiles for creation whether it be through various social media accounts or through your phone number.
This is an extra security feature in hopes that, although they do not share the information as part of your profile, that it provides your profile with a verification check, showing other users that you have been confirmed in a secondary way.
Zoosk also incorporates extra verification via both social media account connections as well as using a Photo Verification tool to ensure users create profiles with current photos, not outdated and misleading imagery.
Common profile ages range from 20 years of age to 45 years of age. The Zoosk dating app should not be considered as one of the industry’s small niche apps as it welcomes all users, including queer women, transgender people, gender neutral, and is an LGBTQ+ friendly platform.
User Levels, Discounts, and Promotions
A basic plan on Zoosk is free, but additional options are available at the 1, 3, 6, or 12-month subscription plan levels for additional fees.
The Bottom Line
Zoosk both makes our list and is among a lower ranking on our list of the best dating apps for roughly the same reason: the vast number of people using this dating app. Some users report feeling overwhelmed by what appear to be spam, bots, and fake profiles and the app doesn’t have the highest rating when compared to other best dating apps.
That said, Zoosk boasts more than 30 million app downloads, so casting a wide net into the deep ends of the dating ocean rather than the small ponds of niche apps is a distinct possibility here. It’s just that a lot of the ocean is unexplored – so fish carefully.
Learn more about Zoosk
6. Tinder – Best Hookup App
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Pros
- Simplicity of use
- Free dating app membership level available
- Huge database of users
Cons
- App operates in 18-35 years dating pool, not the best dating avenue for older users
Product Review and Features
Tinder quickly became the most ubiquitous and universal dating app due to the simplicity of its process: a potential match appears on your screen and you swipe right if you like them, left if you don’t. It is among the simplest, most straightforward, and easy-to-use best dating apps of the bunch.
By this same measure, it is also among the most shallow. That sounds like a dig against this app, but in reality, it is among the chief features of the app’s approach to online dating.
In essence, Tinder is widely known as the “hookup app”. This means Tinder is one of the best dating apps for meeting for fun, not necessarily deep relationships. Again, while this may sound like a criticism, it is not. Different dating apps have different purposes. While this dating app may be more aligned to light fun, other best dating apps on this list come at the notion of romance and love in other ways.
Some of the other positives of using Tinder beyond its simplicity include its formidable user base and the variety of membership/user levels available.
According to a Statista survey, Tinder ties for second place in terms of the most users, but that only accounts for its paid dating app levels. The number of free users eclipses even that number, making it one of the most-used and most popular dating apps on the market.
All versions of this app are available on the Google Play Store or on the Apple Store.
Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions
Tinder also has four main user levels: Free, Plus, Gold, and Platinum. Building a profile on Tinder is very simple, no matter which level you choose.
Each of these app versions allows you to connect your profile to multiple other apps as well, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel just to create a profile with some meat.
Connecting to Spotify allows you to showcase your music interests or show off playlists specific to Tinder. An Instagram connection allows you to pull images both for profile and personal highlights as well as for “color” and personality. And connecting to Facebook for Facebook dating lets you share a variety of details–as personal as you’d like. Connecting to these other apps allows you to build a profile quickly and easily.
All social connections listed above are available on the free level, but there are limitations that come mostly in terms of limits on rich media–the amount of photos and videos you can share on your profile. You can show up to nine on the free dating app account. Tinder Free also allows a video chat with people you match up with.
Tinder Plus removes ads from the app and allows you to hide some of your personal information. This level gives you an unlimited number of left or right swipes on those you’re interested in matching with and it also unlocks “Tinder Passport”, allowing you to adjust your location and use the app in multiple cities.
Tinder Gold includes the perks of both previous levels as well as access to unlimited “daily top picks” – a curated list of potential matches picked by Tinder on your behalf. This level gives you one free Tinder Boost per month. Using your Tinder Boost makes your profile one of the top-most viewed in your area for 30 minutes. You also get five free “super likes” per week, which make your profile stand out visually to potential matches. This level gives you visibility into other users who swipe you so you can see if they’ve expressed interest before you decide to or not.
Finally, Tinder Platinum gives you all previous level benefits as well as the freedom to send messages to other users whether you have matched with them or not. You also get to see all past likes that you’ve swiped over the past week and you get prioritized likes, which helps you rank higher on the list and basically have the best visibility possible.
The Bottom Line
Tinder is clearly one of the best dating apps for a good old fashioned fling. If you’re not looking to take things too seriously, this is the app for you. “For a good time, call…” – well, call Tinder.
Learn more about Tinder
How Did We Make Our Picks for this List of Best Dating Apps?
In order to make this list, we assembled a team of researchers to serve as a judgment panel. This panel identified, tested, and scored a variety of dating apps in order to compare and contrast them. Outcomes of these comparison procedures were then used to align them to the proprietary rating system the panel developed in order to rank each brand by overall point totals in a variety of categories.
What remains on this list are the best dating apps that scored highest across every category including everything from target age range to available features to the variety of free or paid levels of involvement.
How Do Dating Apps Work?
Most dating apps and online dating sites follow the same go-to basic formulas for online dating and their users. Primarily you choose the dating app or site you would like to become a user or a member of, fill out some basic fill-in questions, create a dating bio for yourself, upload some favorite selfies, and voila! You have now joined the other online daters of the world.
With dating sites like eharmony, for example, there is a lot of emphasis on the fact that they have a compatibility test. With the love experts they have on their panel their test asks questions about personality, work, and personal lifestyle. Asking these questions helps dating sites like eharmony find other users that might seem to match best with your interests compared with the answers from their test.
Looking at an example of a dating option that is more geared toward app usage, Tinder takes a less psychological approach and has no in-depth questions. It sticks to basic fill-in-the-blank easy-to-answer questions and throws you straight into the swipe left or right dating pool.
How To Start Conversations on Dating Sites?
You’ve done it. You have downloaded one of the best dating apps, created a profile, uploaded some favorite pictures of yourself, and even matched with a few people. Everyone has heard the dating horror stories or seen the screenshots shared in your friend group chats about the conversations that just didn’t go well. Dating is so awkward. Online dating is so awkward. Facebook dating is so awkward.
Here we all thought it would be easier but how do you come across as flirty or confident through text on dating sites? How do you not sound stupid?
There are a couple of conversation starters and pointers to keep in mind when using dating sites and making the best conversation with relationship interests on dating apps.
A great ice breaker and subject to keep in mind, in general, is to discuss what it is you are wanting out of a dating experience and make sure that whoever you text or video chat with is on the same page as far as dating desires, wants, needs, boundaries, and dealmakers.
There is a lot more effort needed in this area than a message containing “Hi, how are you?” Conversation is going to be the driving factor of what effort is needed most when it comes to online dating sites or other romance apps, so if you are not a conversationalist then you should probably become one pretty quickly.
If you absolutely have no idea what to say you can always shake things up and ask some below-the-surface questions, like:
- What is the most meaningful thing that has happened to you in your life?
- What is the best day of your life?
- If you could go back and relive one day what would it be?
Make the questions an opportunity for the person to reply back with a meaningful response. This type of question can also give opportunities to individuals to realistically show if they are interested in engaging with you or their answer might reveal that they seem emotionally unavailable and aren’t interested.
Staying Safe with Online Dating Apps
Hearing yourself, colleagues, and even some of your family members repeatedly say over and over again, “…Online is the only place, where else am I supposed to meet someone?” When you are single it seems to be everyone’s excuse for how they met someone or why they are signed up for dating apps. They even have Facebook Dating now! Which is fine – most connections even in this dating climate are all about networking.
But how do you shake the nagging creepier thoughts of “OMG what if he/she is a creeper and this turns into a situation where someone describes me to the world as someone who always ‘lit up the room’?!”
Relax. Let’s try to stay safe with online dating with some tips.
Stay on the dating app
Do not move off the dating app, network, website, or messaging service until you are ready. Firstly, this is an excellent gauge to test your boundaries button and the block button. Online dating and using dating apps is stressful enough. The whole point of creating a profile on an app is to use it. Don’t rush to make contact outside of the platform you are using.
Scammers, hackers, identity theft pirates, and other individuals use fake profiles that try to scam others through hacking or catfishing – even on the best dating apps. Don’t allow that to happen by moving off the dating site and going to third party communication apps. You have the dating app. Communicate there, that’s why it was created.
Think before meeting up
When and if you decide to meet with someone you have connected with online, tell someone where you are going, what time you are going, what you are wearing, who you are meeting with, and as much information as possible.
This holds true with any date you are going on. Make sure you have some safety nets in place for your whereabouts and check with your date to make sure that they have arranged the same thing.
Mind your manners
Another important thing to remember is that behavior, especially behavior that is inappropriate or violent in manner, is not acceptable–even within online dating sites or other apps. As a user, you can always report inappropriate, harassing, targeted, violent, or abusive behavior.
Reporting accounts can be vital, even if you feel someone is just suspicious. A lot of times your instincts can carry suspicions quite far so it is never a bad idea to report someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.
Conclusion
Online dating doesn’t have to be scary. Nor does it have to be something out of a chick flick gone wrong. Whether you are one of the many queer women just finding yourself, or are a senior single newly back out on the dating scene and not sure what it is you’re looking for, there is a place for you in the online dating world.
Think about what it is you’re wanting and remember to stay safe and just have fun. Also, everyone has feelings, so remember kindness.
