Best Free Dating Apps In Us

 

With that in mind, here are the best (and OK-est) dating apps to try out. My recommendations are based primarily on my own dating-app experiences as a woman. Make of that what you will. 5 Best Free Dating Apps for Android December 23, 2021 December 23, 2021 shaziby25 0 Comments Android Apps, Best Apps, Companionship, Friendship, Matchmaking, Online Dating Finding the perfect match for your life is obviously a struggle but due to the improvement of online dating services, today it’s not tough as it was.

As an adult, you don’t always have the chance to meet and woo people in your daily routine, and that’s why adult dating apps can be incredibly useful for singles on the move. A free app can give you access to a broad dating pool of like-minded and age-appropriate singles.

Online dating has become one of the most popular ways for single adults to find romance. A 2017 survey found that 39% of straight couples and 60% of gay couples said they met online, making it the most popular modern matchmaking. Every week, dating apps like Tinder facilitate millions of first dates around the world.

Singles can a free dating app whenever they’re feeling lonely and want to connect with a potential match. An online connection could lead to a one-night stand, or it could evolve into a long-term relationship. Either way, you’re in for an adventure on the following online dating platforms.

Overall Best Dating Apps Free for Adults

Adults have to bring their A-game to the online dating world because it is full of attractive, desirable, and local singles. We’ve ranked some of the top dating apps where adults can mingle day in and day out. All these apps are completely free to join, so you don’t have to worry about paying monthly fees or subscriptions if you don’t want to.

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When it comes to arranging hookups, BeNaughty is fast, easy, fun, and safe. This dating site has built a global network of sexy men and women who want to skip the small talk and cut right to the chase. If you're interested in short-term romance, BeNaughty is the place to go and get your flirt on.

  • A global network of naughty singles over 18
  • Ability to blur nude and explicit content, if desired
  • Advanced search filters and one-on-one messaging
  • Browse BeNaughty profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
13.3 MillionTry BeNaughty Free

Joining BeNaughty can increase your chances of taking someone home for some one-on-one time. This hookup platform is always buzzing with activity, and adults come here specifically looking for sexual partners.

BeNaughty members can use the search filters by gender, age, location, body type, orientation, and ethnicity to find someone who’s exactly their type. BeNaughty even gives users the chance to send a mass message to everyone who fits their search criteria. That way, you can save time and see who responds to your flirtatious invitation.

If you’re feeling adventurous, go to the Like Gallery and swipe through photos until you find someone you want to get to know better.

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Registering for an account on Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is like speeding into the fast lane of the online dating world. This hookup site puts you in the center of action and encourages sexy singles and swingers to satisfy their secret fantasies. Anyone over 18 can join AFF and browse millions of profiles for free, but only full-fledged members have access to the revealing content in the community forums and chat rooms.

  • One of the largest adults-only sex communities
  • Free and fast registration process
  • Dating forums and live chats foster live flirtation
  • Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles & Couples
35%
25.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Over the last 25 years, Adult Friend Finder has grown into one of the largest sex and swinger communities available, and its adults-only membership base is active around the world.

Anyone over 18 can create a profile and identify themselves as a man, woman, trans person, couple, or group seeking erotic experiences. Some AFF users want to be naughty online and post X-rated stories or engage in sexting, while others are more interested in turning online flirting into a real-life hookup.

Adult Friend Finder supports over 14 million group discussions, and it has created over 4 million matches between users looking to hook up.

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If casual sex is your goal, then Flirt.com can be your wingman. This sex site offers anonymous browsing, advanced searches, and private communication, all for free, to help single men and women find a potential partner and arrange sexual encounters that satisfy their secret fantasies.

  • A massive user base of over 70 million dating profiles
  • Send a free private message or Flirtcast to get something going
  • Exchange nude pics or adult videos with a Flirt member you trust
  • Browse Flirt.com profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
1 MillionView Profiles FREE

Flirt.com appeals to casual daters who want to play the field and see what’s out there. It’s 100% free to send a private message up to five people a day here, and you can also use the FlirtCast tool to send a pre-written message to dozens of compatible singles at once.

Singles can use the search filters for age, location, appearance, and other factors to find the perfect match, and they can pursue a romantic connection by sending a like or a message. Once you see a hot dating profile on Flirt.com, don’t hesitate to reach out and solicit sex right away. Everyone in this flirtatious database is sexually active and looking for a potential partner to sweep them off their feet.

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FriendFinder-X offers sexy singles the gratifying experience of meeting hot dates within a few clicks. This hookup site is designed to excite people's imaginations and fill them with sexual energy. Whether you're chatting privately or in a group forum, singles and swingers can be upfront about their sexual desires, fetishes, and fantasies.

  • A casual personals site for singles, couples, and groups
  • Profiles have suggestive photos and strip tease videos
  • Chat live via a two-way webcam or private messaging
  • Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles & Couples
36%
1.2 MillionView Profiles FREE

FriendFinder-X is a discreet dating site where singles, couples, and groups of all orientations can mingle freely. You don’t have to give your real name or upload a profile photo to take part in the fun here.

This hookup platform gives people the freedom to express their desires and follow their passions. Many of its members take on a sexy persona and send bold, sexually explicit messages in a private, open-ended forum.

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First impressions matter on Tinder. The dating app gives its users the chance to find romance by liking the photos and bylines of local singles. The app's casual atmosphere encourages flirty conversations that quickly lead to exchanging numbers or arranging in-person dates. Every week, Tinder facilitates over 1.5 million dates and hookups in 190+ countries.

  • The dating app of choice for millions of sexually active singles
  • Accelerating the dating process through swiping
  • Has led to over 60 billion mutual matches
  • Browse Tinder profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
50 MillionView Profiles FREE

Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has dominated the online dating scene and become one of the most popular dating apps in the history of dating apps. In total, it has been downloaded over 340 million times. Singles use Tinder for all sorts of reasons, but many of them want to build confidence by going out with hotties and exploring physical attractions.

Tinder’s swiping system is photo-based, so it naturally leads to a lot of local hookups. “I swiped right nonstop for a weekend and got about 300 matches,” said a Reddit user named Rick. “I had two one-night stands as a result of this.”

In terms of sheer numbers, Tinder is the undisputed king of the hookup scene. It is responsible for 43 billion matches, and the app leads to 1.5 million dates every week. Tinder also offers 50 gender identities and 9 sexual orientation options, so you can feel free to be yourself.

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Match.com is an open-ended dating site where singles can make their own rules. Some are seeking heartfelt relationships that lead to marriage, while others just want to hook up. Sexy singles can hunt for a date by using Match's advanced search tools and live chat and video features. Unlike some other sites, Match doesn't restrict messaging to mutual matches, so you can woo anyone who strikes your fancy.

  • Free profile browsing and liking
  • Private chat rooms and video dates for Match members only
  • Fast-working, time-tested AI match algorithm
  • Browse Match.com profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
51%
15 MillionTry Match.com FREE

Match doesn’t advertise as being for hookups, but not all of its members are interested in settling down and putting a ring on it. Some singles create Match accounts out of curiosity and just want to see where the conversation leads them.

Most Match members are over 30 and have graduated college, so they’re not usually into playing games. In a survey, 42% of Match members said their favorite thing about online dating is that they can meet people they wouldn’t run into otherwise, and 29% said they preferred online dating to trolling for dates at bars and clubs.

As a premium dating site, Match verifies its members and brings greater accountability to online dating, so you don’t have to worry about being catfished or scammed here.

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Zoosk is a fun-loving dating site where singles can let go of their inhibitions and attract dates one private message at a time. The site's varied search options and communication features facilitate fast connections in a unique social environment. Zoosk members are a chatty bunch, sending over 3 million messages a day, so you won't have to search far to find hookups here.

  • Fast-paced dating scene available in 80 countries
  • Full members can send unlimited messages
  • Advanced search filters help you zero in on the hottest dates
  • Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
12 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Zoosk has a truly massive dating database with over 40 million members in 80 countries, and it continues to grow larger every day. Casual daters have plenty of options when mingling on this socially savvy site and app.

Thanks to its behavioral matchmaking system, Zoosk can identify mutual attraction and point singles toward the most compatible dates. As you send likes and view profiles on the dating platform, Zoosk will learn about your dating preferences and select dates that meet your standards.

Zoosk offers a variety of free communication features, including likes and smiles, and it allows members to read and respond to a limited number of greetings in their inboxes. These free messages could be just enough to get you on a hot date. However, only paid subscribers have access to premium messaging, which means they can send unlimited messages to anyone online.

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Plenty of Fish lowers the cost of romance by allowing casual daters to send private chats for free. It's easy to make a fast connection thanks to Plenty of Fish's free messaging system. On average, POF members send over 1 billion messages a month, and these chats often lead to romantic encounters in the real world.

  • Free instant messages for all singles
  • Over 150 million members in 20 countries
  • The MeetMe section highlights local hotties
  • Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
40%
120 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

It’s free to browse profiles and send messages on PlentyofFish, and that makes it a natural ally for singles seeking short-term romances. POF users don’t even have to form a mutual match before having a conversation here.

This popular dating app currently sees over 4 million daily active users. By lowering the barriers between singles, PlentyofFish has fostered a flirtatious free-for-all where people can chat, connect, and arrange dates without making any big commitments.

PlentyofFish endeavors to create a safe space that’s free of harassment and bullying. Its community guidelines encourage singles to be real, be authentic, and be kind, and the moderators will remove any fake profiles or sexually explicit content posted by a user.

Best LGBT Dating Apps (Free for Adults)

The LGBTQ+ dating scene can be difficult to navigate if you’re new in town or newly out of the closet. You may not always know which gay bars, clubs, or social spots attract singles who are like you, but you can always meet local queer folks on a gay-friendly dating app.

We’ve picked out some serious contenders in the gay hookup scene to help adults spice up their love lives.

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MenNation has tons of X-rated content to arouse the senses and stimulate conversation. The hookup site attracts single men and gay couples all over the world and has grown its network to include over 93 million people. Free members can browse these profiles for as long as they want and send flirts to anyone who catches their eye.

  • A massive men-only sex and swinger community
  • Browse profiles and send private messages to your favorites
  • Profiles feature erotic videos and sexually explicit blogs
  • Browse MenNation profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Gay Singles
10%
780,000Try MenNation FREE

MenNation is an all-gay dating platform where men can be honest about their intentions and arrange straight-up sex. The mobile-friendly website is open to singles and couples seeking male companionship.

It takes less than a minute to create a dating profile on MenNation, and you can start flirting with local singles immediately. Nothing holds you back from making hot connections through text and video chats.

MenNation has over 68,000 daily active users, and its database includes millions of dating profiles ripe for the picking.

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As part of Friend Finder Networks, LesbianPersonals is a fast-paced hookup site built to satisfy. The dating platform caters to women, straight couples, lesbian couples, and groups who are looking to enjoy lesbian sex. LesbianPersonals members can find romance in live video chats or instant message conversations and take things to the next level by exchanging contact information.

  • Create a free profile in less than a minute
  • Search filters can identify attractive singles and couples in the area
  • Strip tease videos, revealing photos, and other adult content
  • Browse LesbianPersonals profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Single Women & Couples
90%
2 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

LesbianPersonals is a wild and fast-paced dating platform designed to help a queer woman use her feminine wiles to attract sexy playmates.

Women are the target audience for LesbianPersonals, but the dating service also sees a fair number of couples seeking threesomes (aka unicorn hunters) and groups looking for orgies or no-strings-attached sex. Anything goes on this female-friendly platform.

Lesbian, bisexual, and bi-curious women can create a free personals ad on LesbianPersonals to explore their sexuality in a safe online space that’s free of fake profiles.

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Grindr facilitates hookups by telling local singles where the hottest guys in town are and giving them a direct line of communication. It's easy to jump into this active dating pool and start flirting with gay and bisexual men near you.

  • Sexually active men can create free profiles
  • Matching system uses GPS information to find local dates
  • Millions of prospects available in 192 countries
  • Browse Grindr profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Gay Singles
0%
5 MillionTry Grindr FREE

Finally, Grindr is an incredibly popular hookup app for gay men on the prowl. The app uses location-based matching to ensure men can always find a date in their general vicinity. That makes it easy to arrange a meetup that leads to a hookup.

Since 2009, Grindr has become synonymous with gay dating, and this free online dating app has seen over 27 million signups. Every day, more than 3 million guys swipe, match, and chat on the app in hopes of meeting a potential partner on the down low.

If you’re looking for a casual hookup, this popular dating app for men should be on your radar.

“Awesome app,” said a review on Google Play. “I’ve had sex with like five different guys I met on here.”

Which Online Dating App is Best for Hookups?

If sex is your main priority, then you should join a hookup app that supports the hit-it-and-quit-it lifestyle. We’d recommend trying a free dating platform to make something happen without paying an arm and a leg. BeNaughty is a great option for adults seeking intimacy without commitment.

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BeNaughty invites singles to walk on the wild side and explore their sexuality in a fun, free-wheeling environment. This adults-only dating site is full of X-rated content, but users can blur nude photos if they'd prefer to leave some things to the imagination. Premium subscribers get the most bang for the buck because they can send messages, browse incognito, and receive alerts when their messages have been read by someone special.

  • Sexually active adults in 10 countries
  • Browse the Like Gallery for hot singles
  • Stimulate conversation in intimate private messages
  • Browse BeNaughty profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
13.3 MillionTry BeNaughty Free

Over the years, BeNaughty has won over a lot of sex-driven singles — and the best part is that it won’t cost a thing to send messages and arrange sexy encounters with local hotties.

This casual dating service is available for download in the Google Play store, but iOS users will have to content themselves on the mobile-friendly dating website for now.

Is There a Dating App for Couples?

Yes, a number of dating apps cater to swingers and couples in open relationships. Feeld is a poly dating app where individuals can pair their accounts to a partner, lover, or special friend.

Along the same lines, Adult Friend Finder is inclusive of couples and groups seeking threesomes, orgies, and other types of sexual relations with a potential match. Since 1997, the AFF community has been open for business as an adult dating service.

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Registering for an account on Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is like speeding into the fast lane of the online dating world. This hookup site puts you in the center of action and encourages sexy singles and swingers to satisfy their secret fantasies. Anyone over 18 can join AFF and browse millions of profiles for free, but only full-fledged members have access to the revealing content in the community forums and chat rooms.

  • One of the largest adults-only sex communities
  • Free and fast registration process
  • Dating forums and live chats foster live flirtation
  • Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free»
Apps
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles & Couples
35%
25.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Adult Friend Finder offers a sex-positive space where couples can explore romantic possibilities that don’t come around every day. It’s an exciting place to discover romance and satisfy your deepest desires.

Whether you’re in a serious relationship or looking for poly lovers, you can mingle on AFF to meet new people who share your sexual inclinations.

What is the Best Alternative to Craigslist Personals?

Many hearts were broken when Craigslist shut down its personals section in 2018. The classifieds website had become a hot bed of sexual activity, but U.S. law enforcement officials condemned the platform for supporting prostitution as well as legit daters.

Although Craigslist personals is history, many legitimate alternatives have cropped up and given singles the chance to continue hooking up anonymously. FriendFinder-X, for instance, has a similar profile setup and local search tools, so it can be a good resource for former Craigslist users.

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FriendFinder-X specializes in delivering hot dates to your inbox. For the last 20+ years, this hookup site has amassed a huge following around the world and led to countless sexy encounters. Millions of people have created an account and searched for singles, couples, and groups who can satisfy their deepest desires.

  • Open to casual daters in the U.S. and abroad
  • Free members can browse profiles and watch sexy videos
  • Chat anonymously in the forum or private messages
  • Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles & Couples
36%
1.2 MillionView Profiles FREE

FriendFinder-X is all about inspiring local connections, and it highlights ads created by sexually active individuals near you. There’s no need to worry about your budget either because it’s free to create a FriendFinder-X dating profile and browse the dating website.

Singles don’t need to have a Facebook, Instagram, or social media account to join this sexy database. FriendFinder-X allows newcomers to browse under a nickname and keep their identities secret if they wish. All it takes is a valid email address and a birth date, and you’re good to go.

Is Bumble a Hookup App?

No, Bumble is most definitely not a hookup app. In fact, it prides itself on being the exact opposite. As a progressive dating app, Bumble’s mission statement is to create meaningful connections based on shared interests and values.

Only 1% of Bumble women surveyed said they joined the app seeking a hookup, and 85% said they would like to find a serious relationship here.

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Since its launch in 2014, Bumble has positioned itself as one of the queens of the online dating world. The dating app turns gender stereotype on its head by empowering women to make the first move in a conversation with a man. Once you've made that mutual match, you have up to 48 hours to respond and make a connection.

  • A feminist dating app puts singles on equal footing
  • 60% of Bumble matches turn into dates
  • Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF spark non-romantic connections
  • Browse Bumble profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
22 MillionTry Bumble FREE

Bumble is a popular dating app known for its feminist values, but it’s not going to work for everyone. Singles who only want to get laid typically steer clear of Bumble because it does not support nude photos, risqué content, or suggestive messages. The app doesn’t even allow you to post pictures of yourself in underwear or bathing suits. What a buzzkill!

Which Free Dating App Works the Fastest?

Swiping and chatting can sometimes take up hours and hours of your time, and it’s only natural for busy singles to start looking for a shortcut to romance. Especially if you’re more interested in a casual hookup than a serious relationship. If you want to press fast forward on the dating scene then Tinder is the online dating app for you.

Just look at the numbers: Tinder boasts having 340 million downloads, creating 43 billion matches, and leading to 1.5 million dates per week. And it’s free to download in the Google Play store or the App Store. That’s a pretty compelling reason to give it a try.

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In 2012, Tinder pioneered a swiping-based match system that empowered singles to connect with dates who liked them back. Tinder users can message their mutual matches for free on this fast-paced dating app. Since its launch, Tinder has created over 60 billion matches worldwide.

  • Supports active daters in 190+ countries
  • The swiping system creates over 12 million matches per day
  • Tinder Plus members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes
  • Browse Tinder profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
50 MillionView Profiles FREE

Tinder requires a new user to connect his or her dating profile to a Facebook profile, Instagram account, or phone number, so that no fake profiles slip through the cracks. This top dating app goes to great lengths to keep everyone moving in the online dating scene, and the swiping system is famous for delivering fast results to singles seeking hot dates.

The Tinder app is completely free from start to finish. You can chat with your mutual matches for as long as you like without paying for a Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold membership.

Will My Facebook Friends Know I’m on Tinder?

A lot of singles worry about their privacy in the online dating world. It’s perfectly reasonable to worry about data breaches or criminal hackers on the web, but you shouldn’t have to worry about a legit dating app sharing your personal details without your permission.

Tinder may require access to your Facebook account, but that is solely to gather information for your dating profile — the dating app will not post, share, or publish anything on your Facebook profile or newsfeed. Your Facebook friends will only see your Tinder profile if they are on Tinder too and happen to swipe on you.

What’s the Top Dating App for iOS Users?

I know a person who is an Apple user through and through. He loves his iPad, he’s always glued to his iPhone, and he even wore an Apple Watch for awhile before realizing it. He has been online dating for years now, and he has often wished that more online dating apps would start with iOS versions first rather than catering to Android devices.

Well, Zoosk was actually one of the first dating apps to launch for iOS users, and it remains one of the top social networking platforms for singles seeking an iOS date.

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Zoosk is a socially savvy dating site known for its diverse membership base and behavioral matchmaking system. Over 40 million singles in 80 countries have joined the network so far, and it's growing larger every day. The platform offers many different ways to communicate and express interest in members, so it's easy to form a fast connection here.

  • Send messages to premium members for free
  • Over 3 million messages sent a day
  • Premium perks include photo verification and sending virtual gifts
  • Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
12 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Zoosk offers a lot of engaging communication tools for free, so singles can send likes, winks, favorites, and greetings without upgrading to a paid subscription plan. The online dating app also has the option to link to your Facebook profile, so it can comb through your photos and Facebook friends to make sure you have the best online dating experience.

Any iOS user seeking a real date with real person should consider downloading Zoosk for free and browsing its list of curated matches. Who knows? You may come across a keeper in the Zoosk database, which includes over 40 million people.

“I met my husband on Zoosk eight years ago,” said Marinelli’s in a Zoosk review on the App Store. “Our first date was on Christmas Eve, and we had such a good time. Thank you, Zoosk!”

Can I Find a Casual Hookup on eharmony?

While it’s possible to hook up with a person you met on eharmony, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to score without first wining and dining your potential partner both online and offline. The eharmony dating website (and its companion app) focuses on building deep romantic connections that lead toward a serious relationship or marriage. It does not support hookup culture and #SwipeLife.

Best Free Dating Apps In Us

Singles who want to keep things casual won’t find a lot of viable and satisfying date options on eharmony. This premier dating platform delivers a curated list of matches based on a personality test and compatibility assessment.

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Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has endeavored to find the formula for love. Its 32-dimension personality test uses psychological truths to identify areas of compatibility between two individuals. The dating site's mission is to foster relationships that last, and every potential match has a reason behind it.

  • Over 2 million people have found love here
  • Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
  • Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals
  • Browse eharmony profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Straight Singles
49%
10 MillionView Profiles FREE

The eharmony matchmaking system has led to over 2 million relationships in the U.S. alone, and it creates a new love connection every 14 minutes. From the in-depth profiles to the fun icebreakers, eharmony is all about guiding singles to the perfect match and allowing love to blossom.

If you want a quality-driven dating experience, the eharmony is right up your alley. But if you just want to hit it and quit it, then you’re better off on a free online dating app like Tinder.

How Does Coffee Meets Bagel Work?

Coffee Meets Bagel is a free online dating app available for iOS and Android users. Three Silicon Valley women came up with the idea for Coffee Meets Bagel (or CMB) because they wanted to bring greater accountability and authenticity to the online dating world.

In 2012, the Coffee Meets Bagel app invited singles to slow down and really consider their options when swiping on profiles. The app delivers curated matches based on specific dating preferences, and it caps the number of likes and conversation invites that people can send in one day.

Rather than inundating singles with potential matches, Coffee Meets Bagel prioritizes quality over quantity and keeps users engaged by making each match something truly special. To date, Coffee Meets Bagel has inspired over 50 million connections between online daters.

How Do I Ask for a Hookup on Match.com?

From the beginning, Match.com has been geared more toward serious relationships than casual hookups, but that doesn’t mean that people don’t try their luck and make romantic short-term connections here. After all, Match has over 15 million monthly active users who are looking to spice up their love lives in a variety of ways.

Some Match members may want to find a special person to cuddle up with forever, while others may just want a first date that leads to a one-night stand.

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Match.com has come a long way since it launched in April 1995. This well-reputed dating site has honed its match algorithm to identify long-term compatibility and facilitate countless first dates, serious relationships, and successful marriages. Match.com's esteemed dating experts go to great lengths to guide singles to a seriously good match.

  • Match is the world's longest running dating site
  • The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
  • Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages
  • Browse Match.com profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
51%
15 MillionTry Match.com FREE

The best dating advice I can give casual daters on Match.com is to ease into the subject of sex in your conversations and understand that you may have to do some wooing before you hook up with someone. Match encourages flirtation and lengthy chats, but be sure to let your date know your intentions so neither of you wastes your time.

Best New Dating Apps

You could start off the conversation by saying something like, “hey sexy, how’s your day going?” to let your potential match know where your head is at while still making an effort to keep things respectful and low-key. Becoming too sexually explicit too soon is a good way to get yourself reported and/or banned on Match.com, so watch your tongue and keep your chats family-friendly until you get the green light from your partner.

What’s the Best Totally Free Online Dating App?

Our dating experts consider OkCupid to be the top dating app for budget-conscious singles under 35. This fast-paced and free-wheeling dating service offers 100% free communication between all users, and the chats don’t have any time limits or expiration dates.

As soon as you set up your OkCupid account, you can start messaging anyone you like on the site or app. You must like a dating profile to send an initial message, and you won’t be able to send a follow-up message and start a real conversation until the other person has liked you back.

Once you’ve formed a mutual match, you can send lengthy messages for as long as you like. OkCupid gives members the option to upgrade to A-List accounts so they can get read receipts, appear higher in search results, and see who’s liked their dating profile, but this isn’t necessary to spark a conversation on the app or site.

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In 2004, OkCupid's founders decided to create a fool-proof formula for love, and they launched a free dating site to delve into what personal attributes made relationships work. OkCupid members can send unlimited messages for free. It's easy to discover mutual interests and compatibility on the platform's information-rich dating profiles.

  • Free, unlimited communication for everyone
  • Singles can swipe or search for a compatible date
  • Over 91 million connections every year
  • Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
48%
3.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

One of our favorite free features on OkCupid is the in-depth personality test which includes over 4,000 questions — don’t worry, they’re all optional — and is the bedrock of the compatibility ratings you’ll see on other people’s profiles.

OkCupid lets users state upfront what they’re looking for — short-term dating, long-term dating, friendships, hookups — so there’s no confusion or unrealistic expectations when singles get to chatting with each other.

OkCupid has brought a lot of joy, laughter, and intrigue to the casual dating scene, and the dating site and app continues to impress with its personality-driven matchmaking and affordable dating services. Every year, OkCupid creates over 91 million matches and leads to around 2.6 million first dates.

Adult Dating Apps Can Turn Up the Heat

A lot of adults notice that their dating options start to dry up after they graduate from school and start their careers. It’s just not as easy to run into attractive singles anymore, and it takes more effort to find dating hot spots. Many adults naturally rely on dating apps to bring them of their comfort zones and into a new flirtatious environment.

We’ve reviewed the top dating apps for casual daters to help you make sense of the modern online dating scene. You can build new relationships by swiping and messaging on these dating apps that are free for adults.

If you’re serious about meeting new people, then a free dating app could be the perfect wingman. With such a vast dating pool at your fingertips, all you need to do is work up the courage to say hi to that special someone. Good luck!

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Between 2012 and 2018, the amount of time people spent on their smartphones jumped from 88 to 203 minutes a day. The top dating apps took advantage of this trend and created fast-working features to entice users to swipe, match, and chat as they went about their days.

Today, the average single millennial spends about 10 hours a week on dating apps hoping to get lucky and land a catch. Online dating apps have taken hold of our time and attention like never before, and that has been largely good news for the hopeless romantics of the world. Modern singles can always take action to meet new people and find someone special — without leaving home — and we’ve ranked the top apps to help them get started.

You may see some familiar names on this list, but we have also thrown in a good number of lesser-known niche dating services that have proven effective for certain types of daters. Here we go!

Top Online Dating Apps

It takes a lot for us to rank a platform among the best dating apps around. The app has to be an established name in the industry (meaning it didn’t just launch this year), and it has to have a proven track record for success. We also look at the features to ensure they make sense and are easy to use — even for non-tech-savvy singles.

The following dating apps have passed every test we could throw at them and set high standards for competitors in the online dating scene.

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Match.com has come a long way since it launched in April 1995. This well-reputed dating site has honed its match algorithm to identify long-term compatibility and facilitate countless first dates, serious relationships, and successful marriages. Match.com's esteemed dating experts go to great lengths to guide singles to a seriously good match.

  • Match is the world's longest running dating site
  • The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
  • Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages
  • Browse Match.com profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
51%
15 MillionTry Match.com FREE

In our book, Match is the undisputed best dating site and app for singles of all ages, locations, and backgrounds. Not only has it been around longer than any other dating site or app (established in April 1995), but it has also connected more relationships and marriages than any of its competitors.

Match.com has taken a personality-driven approach to the online dating scene. It doesn’t just throw singles together at random — the match algorithm actually curates a list of compatible profiles and provides guidance in a potentially overwhelming online dating scene.

As a free Match.com member, you can spend as much time as you like searching for local dates and sending likes to profiles that meet your standards. You’ll get limited communication options if you upgrade your account to a paid monthly subscription.

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EliteSingles.com maintains a sophisticated network of young professionals seeking a relationship. Over 80% of its members hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, and over 90% are over the age of 30. Elite Singles uses an intelligent matchmaking system to introduce daters to someone on their level.

  • Over 2 million monthly users
  • Premium members receive 20 wildcard matches a day
  • Search features include age, height, education, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits
  • Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
57%
2 MillionFREE Sign Up

Best Dating Apps In 2021

From the beginning, EliteSingles has made a name for itself as a quality-driven dating platform designed to connect like-minded professionals on the web.

This upscale dating app, which is free to download, offers a exclusive pass to the upper class of the dating world. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and other successful singles have created an EliteSingles profile because they’re ready to take their love lives up a notch, and that’s what EliteSingles does.

Over 80% of EliteSingles members have graduated from college, and over 90% are seeking a real relationship.

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Zoosk is a socially savvy dating site known for its diverse membership base and behavioral matchmaking system. Over 40 million singles in 80 countries have joined the network so far, and it's growing larger every day. The platform offers many different ways to communicate and express interest in members, so it's easy to form a fast connection here.

  • Send messages to premium members for free
  • Over 3 million messages sent a day
  • Premium perks include photo verification and sending virtual gifts
  • Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
12 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Zoosk first got our attention in 2007 when it combined social-media-like features with a more traditional online dating interface. This resulted in an engaging and one-of-a-kind mingling experience.

Over 40 million singles have given Zoosk a test spin and enjoyed its free matching and communication features. While its competitors focus on profile information, Zoosk uses a boutique behavioral matchmaking system to arrange dates online. That means it identifies a user’s dating preferences based primarily on that person’s like history and browsing patterns. Basically, if you tend to send messages to a certain type of single, you’ll find more people like that in your match recommendations.

Mobile dating app

Zoosk was also among the first dating companies to launch a companion app to go with its dating site. The Zoosk app is currently available on iPhones and Android devices, and it has earned top ratings in the App Store where it has 4.4 stars. “I like many things about Zoosk,” said Rancho Cowboy in a 2018 review. “It’s one of the best dating sites.”

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Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has endeavored to find the formula for love. Its 32-dimension personality test uses psychological truths to identify areas of compatibility between two individuals. The dating site's mission is to foster relationships that last, and every potential match has a reason behind it.

  • Over 2 million people have found love here
  • Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
  • Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals
  • Browse eharmony profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Straight Singles
49%
10 MillionView Profiles FREE

When it comes to building relationships online, it doesn’t get much better than eharmony. This premium dating site and app have turned heads in the dating scene by using in-depth psychological evaluations to identify which singles belong together.

The 29-dimension matchmaking system is eharmony’s signature feature, and it forms the basis of every compatibility rating and match suggestion. While eharmony’s search filters are limited, the app makes up for it by delivering high-quality matches straight to your inbox and providing plenty of details on every dating profile to help you get your bearings.

If you want to see how your personality compares to another person’s, simply click on the Compatibility section, and you’ll see a breakdown of how you fit in terms of athleticism, agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, emotional intimacy, intellect, and other important characteristics.

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Christian Mingle is a faith-based dating website for singles who want a relationship grounded in Christian values. People of all religions and backgrounds turn to this site in hopes of meeting a good Christian man or a good Christian woman. Christian Mingle's claim to fame is that it has the highest percentage of Christian members of any dating site or app in the world.

  • For singles interested in God-centered relationships
  • Over 3.5 million monthly users around the world
  • Available as an app on Google Play and the App Store
  • Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
56%
3.5 MillionView Profiles FREE

ChristianMingle has been a blessing in the lives of many Christian singles around the world, and it has become the leading Christian dating site and app in the space.

ChristianMingle isn’t a Christian-only site — it keeps the door open to believers and non-believers alike — but it does instill a strong moral code on members and encourages authentic relationships with its matching tools.

In the words of the ChristianMingle team, “As the site responsible for more Christian marriages than all other dating sites combined, your Christian dating happiness means everything to us.”

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Since its launch in 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has created an African American singles network that stretches across North America. This niche dating site has 1.5 million members who are attracted to Black and biracial people. It takes less than two minutes to create a full profile and start browsing through profiles sorted by age, location, and orientation.

  • One of the largest Black singles networks in existence
  • Straightforward search and matching features
  • Use Tokens to appear higher in search results
  • Browse BlackPeopleMeet profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Black & Biracial Singles
53%
1.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Even though it’s a niche site, BlackPeopleMeet has amassed a huge following in the U.S. and Canada. The dating platform appeals to black, biracial, and multiracial singles, and it also leaves the door open to anyone who wants to find a dark-skinned date.

You don’t have to have a certain skin tone, heritage, or racial identity to join BlackPeopleMeet. Singles from all walks of life can create a dating profile in less than two minutes and start browsing immediately.

“I just want to say I have found true love and the most beautiful, amazing, and wonderful woman, thanks to this site,” said a former BlackPeopleMeet member from Sacramento, California. “I am terminating my membership on here since I found the woman I am to share the rest of my life with.”

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In 2004, OkCupid's founders decided to create a fool-proof formula for love, and they launched a free dating site to delve into what personal attributes made relationships work. OkCupid members can send unlimited messages for free. It's easy to discover mutual interests and compatibility on the platform's information-rich dating profiles.

  • Free, unlimited communication for everyone
  • Singles can swipe or search for a compatible date
  • Over 91 million connections every year
  • Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
48%
3.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

The OkCupid dating site got started in 2004 with four Harvard math nerds attempting to create a formula for love. In 2012, OkCupid adapted to the times by launching a dating app that made its vast network and powerful matching tools available to a mobile audience.

Today, OkCupid creates over 91 million love connections each year and inspires somewhere around 50,000 first dates in the average week.

OkCupid sets pretty clear guidelines for its members — “We don’t like jerks, so please don’t be a jerk” — and offers unlimited free messaging to allow singles to follow their hearts and pursue friendships, dates, and relationships on their terms.

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Plenty of Fish prides itself on being one of the best dating sites for conversations. It supports 100% free and unlimited messaging for over 120 million monthly users in 20 countries. Since its launch in 2003, Plenty of Fish has developed a science-based matching system that has proven successful.

  • Free registration, searches, and messaging
  • The Chemistry Test creates a compatibility framework
  • Over 1 billion messages sent per month
  • Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
40%
120 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Plenty of Fish is a free dating app where singles can unleash their chatty sides and build genuine connections online.

Over 150 million people have joined the POF community, and something like 65,000 more people join every day. Those are some pretty impressive stats, and here’s one more: over 4 million daily active users seek romance on Plenty of Fish, and you could be one of them.

When all is said and done, Plenty of Fish offers one of the largest dating communities around, and messaging is free, so you don’t have to limit yourself to a small dating pool of singles.

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In 2012, Tinder pioneered a swiping-based match system that empowered singles to connect with dates who liked them back. Tinder users can message their mutual matches for free on this fast-paced dating app. Since its launch, Tinder has created over 60 billion matches worldwide.

  • Supports active daters in 190+ countries
  • The swiping system creates over 12 million matches per day
  • Tinder Plus members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes
  • Browse Tinder profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
50 MillionView Profiles FREE

Tinder is obviously one of the best mobile dating apps around. It invented swiping, for crying out loud. Since its launch in 2012, the Tinder app has been responsible for over 43 billion (yes, billion with B) matches in 190 countries around the world.

While the fast-paced swiping system may get criticized as superficial, the fact is that it puts singles in the driver’s seat and allows them to decide who shows up in their inboxes. That makes it a powerful tool for Android and iOS users looking to narrow a broad dating scene down to a few likely date candidates.

The Tinder dating field is what you make of it. Tinder arranges over 1 million dates per week. Some of those are hookups and one-night stands, but some lead to relationships based on mutual attraction and shared interest.

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Since its launch in 2014, Bumble has positioned itself as one of the queens of the online dating world. The dating app turns gender stereotype on its head by empowering women to make the first move in a conversation with a man. Once you've made that mutual match, you have up to 48 hours to respond and make a connection.

  • A feminist dating app puts singles on equal footing
  • 60% of Bumble matches turn into dates
  • Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF spark non-romantic connections
  • Browse Bumble profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
22 MillionTry Bumble FREE

Finally, we had to put Bumble among the top 10 free dating apps of all time. If only for pushing a feminist agenda. We love the dating app’s empowering message to women and how it encourages its female users to make the first move and message the guys they’ve already liked.

In 2014, Bumble made headlines as the anti-Tinder app. Whitney Wolfe-Herd actually left Tinder (even though she was among its co-founders) to launch Bumble and compete against the online dating juggernaut. Whitney believed the dating scene could become instantly more respectable and effective if women were in control of their own inboxes and potential matches.

So far, her theory seems to be working out. Bumble’s progressive mission and features have attracted a high-caliber crowd of singles, and 85% of members say they’re looking for a relationship on the free dating app.

Top Senior Dating Apps

Once you reach a certain age, the club and bar scene may no longer appeal to you, and it can become difficult to make a mature romantic connection as a senior single. Fortunately, senior-friendly dating apps have arisen to bridge that gap and introduce age-appropriate dates online.

You can sign up for the following dating platforms for free on Google Play or the App Store and discover new pen pals, travel buddies, and love interests in just a few clicks and swipes.

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SilverSingles is serious about helping singles over 50 meet one another, and the site doesn't allow anyone under 50 years old to join the network. The secure signup process includes profile verification and fraud detection, so new members must portray themselves accurately to gain access to the platform. By fostering a safe environment, SilverSingles helps men and women meet mature dates in their area.

  • An exclusively senior membership base
  • Over 800,000 monthly users worldwide
  • App available for free on Google Play
  • Browse SilverSingles profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles Over 50
59%
800,000View Profiles FREE

First up, we have SilverSingles, a premier destination for divorcees, widowers, and never-married singles over 50. The popular dating site (and its companion app) only allows seniors in its database, so sugar daddies and cougars will have to look elsewhere for young dates.

The mature dating atmosphere on SilverSingles is perfect for men and women who are hesitant to try the mainstream dating scene but want to meet dates in their age bracket.

You can download the SilverSingles app for free on Google Play or the App Store. Over 1 million Americans have joined the SilverSingles network so far, and many have left positive reviews that praise its features, safety policy, and membership base. “I feel more at ease on this site so far,” said a 57-year-old SilverSingles user. “Trusting I will discover a loyal, sincere, and competent female partner.”

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OurTime is an over-50 dating site with a lot of helpful features to facilitate friendships and relationships. Senior singles can look for dates themselves using the search tools, or they can view a curated list of matches to find compatible folks. Singles can send likes, flirts, and faves for free, but they have to subscribe to send messages to their online crushes.

  • Open to straight, gay, and lesbian singles over 50
  • Free match recommendations and conversation starters
  • Use Tokens to promote your profile and send virtual gifts
  • Browse OurTime profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Senior Singles
52%
600,000Try OurTime.com FREE

OurTime is another excellent option for singles in their 50s and up. The dating site is powered by the good folks at People Media — the same dating company responsible for SingleParentMeet and BlackPeopleMeet — and it has time-tested features at your disposal.

Over 20,000 new members join this popular dating network every week, and they don’t have a pay a penny or make any app purchases to create their accounts and set up their profiles. OurTime is a free dating site with optional monthly subscriptions offering unlimited communication online. You don’t have to upgrade to explore the site, though.

OurTime can help senior singles feel comfortable mingling online, viewing potential matches, and making special connections with someone their own age.

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Since 2003, SeniorMatch has built its reputation as one of the world's leading senior dating sites. The site offers free communication and searches to help singles over 50 find companionship and love. If you're interested in a mature dating experience, this dating site can meet your needs.

  • Doesn't allow members under 45
  • Available as a dating app in Google Play
  • Dating advice and safety tips shared by senior daters
  • Browse SeniorMatch profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Senior Singles
60%
2.7 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

SeniorMatch has supported senior singles since 2003, making it one of the old-timers in the online dating industry. All those years have given the SeniorMatch team the wisdom and experience it needs to make the dating experience as senior-friendly as possible.

Today, SeniorMatch has become one of the leading dating sites and apps for people over 50, and it has won millions of hearts with the message, “You don’t have to be alone.”

Still feeling hesitant? Check out SeniorMatch’s success stories on the site — it has over 36,600 of them — to hear seniors say in their own words what the dating platform has meant to them. “Clearly found the love of my life,” said one user. “Thank you, SeniorMatch, for this wonderful adventure.”

Top LGBT Dating Apps

The mainstream dating scene isn’t always vibrant or diverse enough to suit LGBTQ+ daters, so niche communities have arisen to provide a safe rainbow haven for these singles.

Online dating has a lot of value to offer LGBTQ+ people. Today, about 65% of gay couples meet online, and the following gay-friendly dating apps have been instrumental in making those love connections.

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Since 1996, MenNation has connected over 93 million men around the globe. This men-only dating site measures its success by the number of conversations and dates it facilitates with its intuitive matching system. Gay men love having a site to call their own, and its helpful features keep members engaged and entertained as they look for a hot date.

  • One of the largest gay hookup sites in the world
  • Search filters for age, location, physical attributes, and more
  • Available in 12 languages and counting
  • Browse MenNation profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Gay Singles
10%
780,000Try MenNation FREE

As a hookup site, MenNation doesn’t fool around or waste time. The platform’s prime purpose is to help guys meet guys in an anonymous, judgment-free setting, and that has led to many steamy encounters online and offline.

MenNation caters to a sexually active crowd and has established itself as a reliable place to pick up a hot date or arrange a no-strings attached hookup.

When you register free account on MenNation, you can enjoy a stimulating dating experience surrounded by potential matches who share your desires, fetishes, and kinks. This sex-positive environment.

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HER is a women-only (or 'womxn' as the team says) dating app that helps cis, trans, and non-binary identified singles come into their own. This is a strict no-boys-allowed zone. HER encourages LGBTQ+ women to mingle by commenting on photos or events in the Feed, or they can like profiles to initiate a private conversation with a mutual match.

  • A quirky and unapologetic womxn-only dating community
  • Queer events get users connecting IRL
  • The constantly updated Feed facilitates social networking
  • Browse HER profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Women
100%
7 MillionView Profiles FREE

HER has our vote as the top dating app for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women. The app was designed by Robyn Exton, a powerhouse lesbian woman who saw a need for a female-only — not just female-friendly — dating space.

Over the last several years, HER has built up an all-womxn community that’s currently 4 million strong, and it’s still growing. It’s free to create a dating profile, send likes and comments, and get to know intelligent and dynamic queer women on this free dating app. As long as you’re authentic and respectful of others, you’ll always be welcome here.

Apps

“It felt crazy to me that no one had truly made a dating product for women,” Robyn said in a HuffPost interview. “So I decided to quit my job and start making it.”

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LesbianPersonals.com is powered by Friend Finder Networks, so it encompasses a vast network of sexually active women. The female-friendly dating site allows women, couples, and groups to create a profile and find online and offline romance. With over 2 million women in its community, LesbianPersonals is fast becoming one of the most popular lesbian dating sites around.

  • Free membership includes viewing profiles and sending likes
  • Exchange revealing photos and videos privately online
  • Simple search filters by interests and appearance
  • Browse LesbianPersonals profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Single Women & Couples
90%
2 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

LesbianPersonals invites women to find love and lust by using free search filters and live messaging tools. The dating platform boasts being one of the largest lesbian hookup sites in the world, and it puts new members right in the middle of the action.

Single women, lesbian couples, straight couples, and groups can join LesbianPersonals to spice up their love lives and meet potential sex partners all over the world.

Whether you’re interested in a hookup, a threesome, an orgy, or just sexting, LesbianPersonals aims to satisfy a variety of desires and give women the satisfaction they crave.

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Grindr became the world's first gay geosocial app in 2009, and it continues growing its all-male user base more than a decade later. The app uses real-time GPS data to locate nearby date prospects and give gay and bisexual singles a chance to connect while they're out on the town.

  • Social networking for gay, bi, trans, and queer men
  • Location-based matches spark instant chemistry
  • Grindr Equality advocates for LGBTQ+ interests on the global stage
  • Browse Grindr profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Gay Singles
0%
5 MillionTry Grindr FREE

Since launching in 2009, Grindr has become a staple in the gay dating scene. The all-male network includes gay, bisexual, and bi-curious singles seeking a nighttime adventure.

Grindr’s location-based match settings make it a natural wingman for singles on the town, and it is widely known as a hookup-friendly space, but some guys have found loving long term relationships here, too.

If you’re looking to bring some excitement to your love life, downloading Grindr is a good first step. In an online survey, over 74% of gay men said they have tried Grindr, and 31% of Grindr users said they go on a date at least once a month.

Top Hookup Apps

Not everyone was cut out for the steady relationship life. Maybe you’re too young, too hot, or too adventurous to settle down just yet — and that’s perfectly all right. There are hookup sites for that.

These top-rated hookup apps give singles (and swingers) the freedom to explore their sensual sides and meet playmates who share similar goals and interests.

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BeNaughty invites singles to walk on the wild side and explore their sexuality in a fun, free-wheeling environment. This adults-only dating site is full of X-rated content, but users can blur nude photos if they'd prefer to leave some things to the imagination. Premium subscribers get the most bang for the buck because they can send messages, browse incognito, and receive alerts when their messages have been read by someone special.

  • Sexually active adults in 10 countries
  • Browse the Like Gallery for hot singles
  • Stimulate conversation in intimate private messages
  • Browse BeNaughty profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
13.3 MillionTry BeNaughty Free

BeNaughty has got to be one of the most outrageously sexy dating platforms around with tons of revealing photos and romantic opportunities on every page.

Naughty singles jump on board this platform whenever they want to mix things up, and the live chat features make it easy to make something happen.

The Like Gallery is a particularly popular place to assess your options. BeNaughty will highlight a dating profile (based on your stated dating preferences), and you can like the profile to show interest, or click the X to move onto another sexy profile in your area.

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In 1996, Friend Finder Networks began harnessing the power of online networking to help adults meet sexually active singles in their area, and it has now grown into a global X-rated phenomenon with over 93 million profiles. Adult Friend Finder provides a safe, anonymous dating platform where singles and swingers can hook up with another.

  • Among the largest online sex and swinger communities
  • Completely free no-obligation registration
  • Live chat rooms and discussion forums open 24/7
  • Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles & Couples
35%
25.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

With over 97 million profiles, AdultFriendFinder has earned the right to call itself “the world’s largest sex and swinger community.” Since the 1990s, this hookup platform has built its naughty reputation and attracted adults seeking a sexual release.

The site is open to singles, couples, groups, and all types of daters, and you don’t have to give your real name to create a profile. All you need is a valid email address and a ZIP code, and you’re good to go. This flirtatious zone includes erotic blogs, private chats, and dating forums, all designed to get you in the mood.

The AFF community has hosted over 14 million group discussions and launched nearly 5 million romantic connections between local hotties.

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FriendFinder-X specializes in delivering hot dates to your inbox. For the last 20+ years, this hookup site has amassed a huge following around the world and led to countless sexy encounters. Millions of people have created an account and searched for singles, couples, and groups who can satisfy their deepest desires.

  • Open to casual daters in the U.S. and abroad
  • Free members can browse profiles and watch sexy videos
  • Chat anonymously in the forum or private messages
  • Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles & Couples
36%
1.2 MillionView Profiles FREE

FriendFinder-X is the go-to hookup site for millions of singles around the world, and it characterizes itself as a place “where good girls do bad things.”

You can get a sneak peek at the FriendFinder-X database as you fill out your profile, and these teasing nude-cam videos can get your gears turning before you’ve even become a full-fledged member. Once you’re on board, you can explore a sexual playground full of adults seeking pleasure and excitement on their own terms.

What Are the Most Popular Dating Apps?

A lot of dating apps are free to use, and that alone can make them pretty popular, but it takes more than free membership and messaging to keep singles satisfied in the long run. Dating apps with a little extra pizzazz have become popular among singles forever on the prowl for the next big thing.

Tinder is a strong contender for being one of the most popular dating apps. It sees over 2 billion views per day and has been a driving force behind #SwipeLife in 190 countries. What’s more, 27% of millennial singles say they have used Tinder to find dates.

However, Match has been in the online dating game longer and has helped more singles get in long term relationships and marriages than any other dating service.

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Match has become a trusted name in the online dating industry by catering to quality singles looking for love and romance. Since 1995, the dating site has developed a time-tested matching system to facilitate deep connections between men and women who share similar goals in life.

  • In-depth matching appeals to women with high standards
  • Video chat tools help online daters establish a rapport
  • An established singles network in 50 countries worldwide
  • Browse Match.com profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
51%
15 MillionTry Match.com FREE

A PCMag survey found that Match is the most popular dating site in 17 states, and it was by far the preferred site for singles over 45 years old. If you’re serious about finding a relationship, then this is the best place you could possibly be.

What is the Best International Dating Site?

International dating sites prove that love knows no bounds and can happen anytime and anywhere. Singles no longer have to stick to their own backyards to find romance, and we find that quite inspiring. Many online dating apps tend to have location-based matching features, but some dating sites allow singles to broaden their horizons and pick up an international pen pal.

Plenty of Fish maintains an active singles network in 20+ countries, and it has been translated into 11 languages, making it one of the best options for worldly daters.

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Plenty of Fish is great for single men who are ready to get off the sidelines and into the action. The dating site offers 100% free communication for everyone, so nothing holds you back from a new connection. Chatty POF users send over 1 billion messages per month here, and the database is constantly expanding to include more active daters worldwide.

  • Send unlimited messages to single women online
  • Membership includes a free Relationship Chemistry Predictor
  • Dating forums offer guidance along the way
  • Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
40%
120 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Plenty of Fish offers a large, international dating pool for singles who want to explore romantic possibilities all around the world.

Other apps like Tinder and Coffee Meets Bagel can help singles swipe in the international dating scene, and you don’t need to make any app purchases or have a Facebook or social media account to get started.

What Are the Best Dating Apps for Relationships?

Without question, eharmony is one of the best dating sites and apps for anyone seeking a serious relationship.

. This site has been honing its matchmaking system since the early 2000s, and its offers great insights into compatibility to help singles choose the right partners and forge deep long term relationships.

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It may take some time to fill out eharmony's 32-dimension personality test, but the results are well worth it. This dating site goes the extra mile to get to know its members and deliver quality matches to their inboxes. Every profile has a compatibility rating to let you know your essential similarities and differences. Plus eharmony has inspired more than 2 million love connections since 2000.

  • Designed to satisfy marriage-minded single women
  • In-depth compatibility quiz generates high-quality matches
  • Personalized Match Preferences on gender, age, income, religion, education, and more
  • Browse eharmony profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Straight Singles
49%
10 MillionView Profiles FREE

You can take a look at eharmony’s success stories to get a sense of how life-changing a membership on eharmony can be. The site was designed to inspire loving marriages, and that’s exactly what it’s done.

What is the Best and Safest Dating Site?

It’s important to look out for your safety while looking for a date online because you never know who you’ll meet. It could be the person of your dreams, or it could be the catfisher of your nightmares. A few precautionary measures can help you avoid unsavory folks, and it never hurts to have a trustworthy dating site watching out for you as well.

EliteSingles is a totally safe dating site with a paywall protecting full members from scammers and cybercriminals. Free members can’t send messages nor see photos on the platform, and that ensures singles only mingle with dates who have invested in the online dating process.

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Elite Singles appeals to the cream of the dating crop with its smart, personality-driven matching system. Over 80% of its members have at least a bachelor's degree, and these well-educated singles are looking for someone equally ambitious, attractive, and clever. Elite Singles focuses on helping relationship-minded men and women find someone who meets, or even exceeds, their high standards.

  • More than 2 million monthly users
  • A growing network of female professionals in 25 countries
  • Elite Singles offers daily match recommendations and expert profile advice
  • Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
57%
2 MillionFREE Sign Up

EliteSingles has a profile verification system in place to ensure everyone is who they say they are. Every month, over 2,000 couples fall in love thanks to this site’s good work.

Is Bumble a Hookup App?

No, Bumble is definitely not a hookup app. Bumble appeals to discerning singles with strong moral values, and only 3% of its users are looking for a hookup. Conversely, over 85% of Bumble users say they want to find a committed relationship or marriage.

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Bumble has embraced its role as the world's feminist dating app. The app launched in 2014 with the unique premise that women should send the first message and take the lead in a new romantic relationship. According to Bumble, over 85% of its users are looking for a long-term relationship, and less than 4% are looking for hookups.

  • A female-friendly dating environment puts women in control
  • Zero tolerance for bullying, misogyny, and rude behavior
  • Conversations expire in 24 to 48 hours
  • Browse Bumble profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
22 MillionTry Bumble FREE

Bumble aims to create meaningful relationships by putting women’s needs first and empowering singles to follow their hearts. The app doesn’t even allow users to post photos of themselves in bathing suits or underwear, so the atmosphere isn’t exactly right for pickup lines and players.

Bottom line: casual daters should avoid this app and seek meaningless sex on dating apps like Tinder.

What is Facebook Dating & Should I Try It?

Facebook announced the launch of its boutique dating service in 2018, and many online dating experts thought it would overtake apps like Tinder and Match because it could use social media networking to power romance. However, Facebook Dating has yet to live up to its hype and potential so far.

Facebook Dating is an app-only service, and you can only access it from the Facebook app on your Android or iPhone device. You don’t have to download anything other than the Facebook app (which is free on Google Play and the App Store), and your dating profile will be separate from your Facebook account, so your Facebook friends won’t see your online dating activity.

Facebook Dating is a swipe-based app for singles with a Facebook account.

In many ways, Facebook Dating is virtually identical to apps like Tinder because it uses the same swiping and mutual matching system singles have grown so used to. The main difference is the Secret Crush feature, which allows users to identify which of their Facebook friends they’ve got a thing for. Facebook Dating only alerts users about secret crushes when there’s a mutual match — otherwise, your secret is safe with Facebook.

Although Facebook is a massive social media powerhouse, it’s still perfecting its dating services, so singles may find it hard to get traction here. If you’re burnt out on traditional dating apps and sites, then you can always give Facebook Dating a whirl, but don’t go into it expecting to have a ton of success right away.

What Are the Best Dating Apps like Tinder?

When talking about swipe-based apps like Tinder, many of the same names typically come up over and over again.

Coffee Meets Bagel is one of the most popular dating options for men and women seeking quality dates. The Coffee Meets Bagel app actually puts a cap on how many likes and matches singles can make, so you’re not inundated by too many date options all at once.

We’d also recommend trying Hinge if you want to escape superficial swiping on dating apps like Tinder and get more serious about meeting the perfect match. The Hinge app boasts that it’s “designed to be deleted” because it offers personality-driven swiping and in-depth profiles to help people get to know one another.

Finally, the app Happn is a good alternative to the Tinder app because it uses location-based settings on your iPhone or Android device to find people who regularly cross paths with you. Many singles use Happn as a hookup app, but it can also spark deeper romances and relationships if you give it a chance. After all, you never know what could happen!

Do I Need a Facebook Account for Mobile Dating Apps?

Not usually. Many of today’s dating apps for Android or iOS users have the option to use Facebook or Instagram integration to set up your dating profile — but it’s not usually a requirement. Most mainstream apps, including Tinder, Match, and Bumble, will let users connect via a phone number or email address rather than use their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account.

Apps typically use Facebook and Instagram account to verify people’s identities, remove fake profiles, and automatically upload photos, so it can be helpful to link your dating profile to your Facebook account, if you’d like, and doing so won’t mean outing yourself as an online dater to your Facebook friends or Instagram followers. The top dating apps never post anything on Facebook or Instagram.

You don’t have to join Facebook to join Tinder, Bumble, Elite Singles, and other dating apps, but sometimes it’s a good idea to do so if you want to save time in the registration process and let the apps automatically vet dates for you.

Which Dating Sites & Apps Have Free Chatting?

Good question. Budget-conscious daters should always look for free apps where online communication and matching doesn’t cost a thing. The best free dating apps aren’t just free to join — they’re forever free for all your messaging and flirting needs.

OkCupid is a good example for a highly effective free dating service. Singles can download the app for free or create a profile on the website for free, and they’ll have instant access to millions of dating profiles and messaging tools.

The OkCupid site and app offer free communication, and you never have to upgrade to the A-List subscription, unless you want to rank higher in searches and see who has liked your dating profile.

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OkCupid inspires dates and relationships by identifying specific areas of compatibility. The dating site and app has an endless questionnaire that allows single men to express who they are and what matters to them. OkCupid uses this treasure trove of information to generate highly accurate match recommendations and compatibility ratings.

  • Men can leave a message to anyone they fancy
  • A sophisticated match algorithm developed by Harvard math majors
  • The site and app facilitate over 50,000 dates every week
  • Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
48%
3.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

With a free OkCupid membership, you can send messages to anyone you like for as long as you like with very few restrictions. Your first message will show up as a notification when that person views your profile, but as soon as your online crush likes you back, you’ll be in their inbox for good and can send lengthy and frequent messages to build a rapport online.

I joined OkCupid years ago and have used my free account to go on dozens of dates, and I even met two long-term boyfriends on the free dating site.

One of the most helpful things about OkCupid, besides its free communication policy, is the highly accurate compatibility ratings that you’ll see as you browse profiles. The OkCupid algorithm takes your likes, dislikes, habits, personality quirks, and lifestyle choices into account when tabulating just how well you’ll get along with another person, and that makes it easy to focus on the right matches for you.

Dating Sites & Apps Can Help You Find a Local Date

In today’s technology-driven age, smartphones are essential, all-purpose solutions for life. Over 90% of smartphone users say they keep their phones with them 24/7, and it’s easy to understand why.

Apps can offer handy ways to deal with everything from waking yourself up in the morning to ordering pizza for dinner, and some mobile dating apps can even help you get a date or create a relationship. The top dating apps have led to countless romances, some lasting a single night and others continuing for a lifetime.

The most popular dating apps can prompt singles to go outside their comfort zones and explore dating prospects they may never have met otherwise. That’s a pretty powerful tool to carry around in your pocket!

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