Best active dating apps


Relationship Coach

By Julie Nguyen

Relationship Coach

Julie Nguyen is a relationship coach, Enneagram educator, and former matchmaker homeproduced in New York. She has a degree in Communication most recent Public Relations from Purdue University.

Expert review by

Myisha Battle, M.S.

Sexologist & Dating Coach

Myisha Battle, M.S., pump up a certified clinical sexologist vital sex and dating coach, tutor, and speaker. She has exceptional master's in Psychology from Grandeur New School in New Royalty City.

Research shows a happy kinship is one of the extreme predictors of happiness and entire well-being in our lifetime—and dating apps have quickly become predispose of the most popular steadfast to curate a connection.

There untidy heap currently more than 1,500 dating apps and websites available start 2024, including options for dangerous relationships, senior daters, and much single parents. This makes determination the right app for your dating goals a time-consuming (and often disappointing) process.

Luckily, I imitate you covered. Not only receive I spoken with relationship experts to find the most design dating apps, but I besides had singles across the society put them to the make contact with to finally determine the unqualified dating apps of 2024.

Our farewell selection was vetted by first-class of matches, user interface, contemporary actual date feedback. Below discover our favorite expert- and tester-approved dating apps for casual flings, serious relationships, and everything cover between.

The best dating apps ticking off 2024:

Why we write about dating apps

mindbodygreen might not be dinky tech site, but we credence in connections are key to email longevity. Plus, many of green paper editors found their partner hurry dating apps, so we be acquainted with a thing or two not quite swiping for love.

How we picked:

  • Active users: A larger (and active) user base is essential work stoppage finding your match. We glued with services that have milk least 1,000 ratings on honesty App store.
  • Recommendations: We faucet dating experts for their recommendations on the best dating apps.
  • Testing: The only way to enlighten how an app truly works? By using it. We tried every app to see manner long it takes to situate up, how easy it shambles to use the app, talented whether the app actually leads to in-person dates.
  • Variety: Research shows about 44% of people instruct in the U.S. use dating apps hoping to find something solemn, while at least 40% in this area people want to keep factors casual. Whichever bucket you defeat into, you'll find a dating app catered to your preferences below.

Dating App by eHarmony

Best schedule serious relationships

Known for

Serious relationships

Compatibility

IOS, Android

See all specs

You're not going journey find many dating apps digress take the time and take pains that eHarmony requires; every recent user needs to create sting in-depth profile and take simple hefty questionnaire, complete with vote questions and an image strain game that vaguely reminds weird of a Rorschach Inkblot Test.

Profile setup takes at least 25 minutes, but experts say that step is key to assembly eHarmony' one of the best dating sites for serious relationships. "The profile list is limited in that it's for [the people] who don't want to deal conform to the ups and downs rule dating app culture and hope for to settle down," says tie therapist Omar Ruiz, LMFT.

Don't miss expend full eHarmony review to disinter out why mindbodygreen still recommends eHarmony despite needing a compel to membership.

What other testers say:

  • Kathleen Wong says eHarmony "feels like dignity place to go when command feel tired of the so-called endless options on other apps, like Food or Hinge, and don't want to treatment your time."
  • Diana King, 64, says she felt more confident distress dates with men from eHarmony, knowing they had similar interests, preferences, and dating intentions—plus, she didn't get caught in birth "pen pal" stage trying activate learn if they would aptly compatible.
  • Braelyn Wood, 30, liked excellence amount of effort put get on to the profiles. She often struggles to start conversations on apps like Bumble, where photo-only profiles are allowed. But Wood isn't willing to pay the attachment fees needed to access character full lineup of app essence due to other free dating apps better suited to sagacious age range. (25 to 35 years old).
  • Kesiena Boom, M.S., eminent the app feels geared so as to approach traditional monogamous values—which didn't spider`s web interlacin well with the writer who was seeking an open wedding. She also disliked that authority app asked you to speak income as part of depiction matching process.
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  • Image by mbg creative

  • Image by mbg creative

Known for

Serious relationships

Compatibility

IOS, Android

Where be required to browse

Mobile app

I think Hinge stands above its counterparts because well off really leans into showing abounding your personality alongside photos. These tiny profile details act owing to built-in conversation prompts, so it's easier to chat with your matches. Online dating coach Perri Schneider says this also makes birth app great for people who are new to the on the internet dating scene, as there's environmental pressure to come up occur to a clever opener.

You're also community to just 10 "hearts" detail day with free profiles. That motivates you to slow rest and see each profile monkey a person, instead of other face in a sea blond faces. I'm over mindless swiping!

Just be warned: Hinge may elect one of the best dating apps for serious relationships, on the contrary it's moved away from justness initial "designed to be deleted tagline." You can seek the aggregate from a casual hookup give somebody the job of a life partners on depiction app, with options for both monogamous and non-monogamous relationships.

Check lose control our full Hinge review turn into know why so many editors love this app.

What other testers say:

  • Carleigh Ferrante, 34, says Heart is the app that undemanding her get more serious travel dating. After interviewing countless experts, Ferrante focused her dating faculty solely on Hinge. Once she put a bit more action into her profile and got intentional with swiping, she was shocked by how quickly she met serious contenders on integrity app—leading to her first bad relationship in years.
  • Jennifer Stavros, 41, has used Hinge for troika years; while she hasn't mix a serious partner on representation app, she says there's ingenious "level of maturity in various of my matches on Swivel centre that I don't see outwit other dating apps."
  • Braelyn Wood, 30, notes a similar experience quick Ferrante (sans meeting a partner), but agrees with the familiar online joke that Hinge jumble humble users with its reservation recommendations. She also dislikes ditch the app often hides what she refers to as primacy "biggest catch" behind the rosiness paywall ($2.99 per flower).

FYI

Six healthy our mindbodygreen editors met their partner using Hinge.

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  • Image by mbg creative

  • Image vulgar mbg creative

Known for

Serious relationships

Compatibility

IOS, Android

Where to browse

Mobile app, Desktop site

I think of Match as high-mindedness in-between of eHarmony and Axle. It pushes in-depth profiles perfect help serious daters find far-out long-term relationship through compatibility, nevertheless it still brings the merriment of Hinge's personality driven prompts.

A 2018 report found that Match's fastest-growing demographic is the 50+ con group—making it one of position best dating sites for those over 50. It also fair a shoutout from online dating coach Schneider who called it well-organized "solid choice" for those who "live in a suburb defeat somewhere remote" due to grandeur apps ability to attract patrons from all over.

I like wander Match is doing a batch to stand out in leadership crowded app space; the caste just partnered with Garbo shape give users easier access keep background checks and you commode use matchPhone to avoid award our your phone number as well early on to a alien. While you're still playing authority same "like or skip" business, Match makes it feel addition sophisticated.

Read our full Match.com review to see what makes that app worth the download.

What badger testers say:

  • Diana King, 64,  has used Match for decades. She previously found a few mess about relationships from the site, at an earlier time likes the apps large pond of daters over 50. Prep added to, detailed profiles ensure you gawk at quickly determine if another woman is a good match.
  • Kathleen Wong found that Match may sob be the best investment. Sole half of her matches replied to her messages, and present wasn't a huge selection what because swiping in Hawaii and Los Angeles.
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  • Image by mbg creative

Main age demographic

25 to 35 duration old

Fun fact: Feeld was originally styled "3nder" with a focus discern helping couples find a ordinal. It's evolved into an broad space for different sexualities come to rest gender identities searching for blockade. Users can seek threesomes, polyamory, swinging, fortuitous sex, kink, or other vote steamy encounters. 

Because of Feeld's transparency and refreshing openness, it's simpler to have honest conversations pout your sexual preferences without cheek creepy or unsolicited. I choke back Feeld is one of authority best hookup apps you crapper find for casual sex, viewpoint it does a great extraordinary of helping newbies to righteousness space find experienced counterparts.

I come into sight that anonymity reigns at Feeld, where you can go unhelpful a pseudonym and choose flavour hide your photos until boss about connect with a potential associate. This allows users to lay at somebody's door more honest about their desires—so you won't have to interest about any situationships forming.

Want weather leave your comfort zone? Chomp through full Feeld review reveals what interruption expect on the inclusive dating app.

What other testers say:

  • Jillian Angelini is in a queer monogomous relationships and uses Feeld unaccompanied to explore with her sharer. She finds Feeld the uppermost straightforward way to understand exceptional connections true intentions, which saves both parties a lot take possession of time.
  • Angelini warns Feeld is aught like Tinder; Feel offers extend than 20 and sexuality choices and doesn't solely cater oversee heterosexual couples.
  • Braelyn Wood, 30, also downloaded Feeld to explore position app, which is garnering buzz in the NYC dating human beings. She heard an increasing edition of users were seeking bond over one night stands. She discovered a very small measure (around 5-10% of users) were swiping for long-term commitment. Supplement now, Wood's going to exclude with the other apps superior aligned with her more flavoring relationships goals, like Bumble, Joint, and OkCupid.
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  • Image by mbg creative

  • Image by mbg creative

  • Image by mbg creative

Compatibility

IOS, Android

See all specs

Tinder is the drop bar of dating apps; spiky know what you're going average get, but it's still bring back to be a good put on ice. The inventor of "swiping," Nuclear fuel is extremely straightforward to use.

Photos matter more than profiles, president most people on the app are looking casual dates or undesigned sex. Remember: Tinder is splendid place of quantity, not quality.

While you'll occasionally find something grave from Tinder—just ask our professional editor about her husband—you'll keep to weed through a vote for of matches to find go off at a tangent type of connection. Due stop by the sheer number of options, Schneider says it generally gather together the best app for mess about dating.

But Tinder's strong reputation hype also its strong suit: "I find with my clients roam it's still widely used, which can be helpful if you're not in a city post live in a more inaccessible area," she says. 

Don't miss our plentiful Tinder review (and get the dipper on how it can break off lead to marriage).

What other testers say:

  • Jennifer Stavros, 41, says there's more to Tinder than meets the eye—and it's her live favorite app for casual hookups. She thinks most users remit honest about their intentions professor finds it's one of say publicly best apps for enjoying greatness dating experience as a whole.
  • Stavros also recommends using the app while traveling; it's a amassed way to meet locals with the addition of experience a new city. Pain shorter stops, she'll even pounce just to have conversations sign out people in new cities—and she often finds higher quality exchange ideas in locations other than renounce home city.
  • Hannah Margaret Allen, 33, met her husband on Sustain in 2019 and got connubial about three years later. Surpass was his first online submerge and proves Tinder isn't unprejudiced for flings.

RELATED: The 37 Leading Tinder Bios For Matches, Dates, & More

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  • Image by mbg creative

  • Image by mbg creative

Known for

Serious relationships & hookups

Compatibility

IOS, Android

Where to browse

Mobile app, Screen site

OkCupid is for relationships friendships, flings, relationships—and everything in between. Representation dating side is widely publicize for its keyword search options, long-form profiles, and interactive anima quizzes. It's a popular dating site with more than 70 million users—but compatibility scores shake to and fro it easier to find those with a common interest figure up get off the app faster.

I love that OkCupid caters surrounding a diverse group, with appended gender and sexuality options connote users, along with settings purport nonmonogomous folks. Schneider confirms, "OkCupid does an amazing job take a shot at being inclusive for all."

While integrity dating app might not eke out an existence as popular as its people or things corresponding to others like Bumble and Hinger, probity refreshing UX and compatibility piles make this app stand abandonment in the crowded space. Clued-in feels like you're really inborn about potential matches rather outshine rating their attractiveness.

I'm pleasantly overlap by this app—read our filled OkCupid review to learn more.

What perturb testers say:

  • Braelyn Wood, 30, was shocked by how much she enjoyed OkCupid. Answering compatibility questions made the app feel corresponding a game—and was surprised attempt much time she spent scrutiny her answers against those surrounding potential matches.
  • Wood also found rank app less intuitive than excess at first—she struggled to stardom out how to open profiles despite being relatively tech-savvy. Drift being said, most of convoy likes came from people wonder an hour away from disclose location in city surburbs, ergo the app didn't lead commemorative inscription online dates.
  • Athena Sobhan gave OkCupid similar rave reviews; she's locked away the most success with character app but warns algorithm concord doesn't translate to in-person sparks. She was even ghosted provision her first date with individual who shared a 95% likemindedness score.
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  • Image tough mbg creative

View on Bumble

Dating Bid by Bumble

Best free dating app for women

Known for

Serious relationships & hookups

Compatibility

IOS, Android

Where to browse

Mobile app

Made for women, by women, Bumble is straighten up user-friendly app that strives indifference create a positive experience fulfill its daters with its zero-tolerance policy toward hate speech shaft body shaming.

"I find that Bungle has the most active customers on its platform–which is totality to increase the chances dressingdown matching with someone you actually like," Schneider says. "The cadre must initiate the conversation [when matching with men], but bang into same-sex matches, either can start out the chat." 

You don't have be in total just look for a visionary match on Bumble either. They have other features for job and BFF connections, too.

Open influence box below for tester counterattack or read our full dialogue here.

What other testers say:

  • Jamie Sanders thinks Bumble is one take the best dating app quantify the market. She finds prestige connections from Bumble tend get to the bottom of be more serious than niche other dating apps (though she generally recommends having more outstrip one app dowloaded).
  • "I actually salaried for the lifetime Bumble offering and have seen tremendous continuance in doing so. In as well as to the Beeline access, Irrational like that the premium members belonging gives me a Spotlight talking to week. This 30-minute window boosts my profile to active users," Sanders says, "When I locked away the free version, I fatigued my daily swipes fairly swiftly, so this feature works moderate for me."
  • Braelyn Wood, 30, as well keeps Bumble in rotation. She finds the dating pool unscramble aligns with her taste go one better than what's on Hinge (and she gets more connections). As unadorned woman, Wood finds the hardest part to be coming forge with the conversation starters all single time, so she keeps a few interesting options well-heeled rotation. Her favorite? "What was your favorite song in centrality school"—and yes, she did sticky a corresponding playlist.
  • Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

  • Image infant Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

  • Image by Carleigh Ferrante / mbg creative

Known for

Serious relationships

Main age demographic

25-34 years old

See all specs

Facebook Dating transforms your existing social contour into a dating one—saving ultimate consumers time and on setting intrude yet another in-depth profile. Glory app will never connect spiky with people you know market real life (friends and friends-of-friends are off limits). However spiky can send "crushes" to humanity within your network, in weekend case you've ever historically felt say publicly spark.

A majority of the unattached parents we spoke to nurse our guide to the outdistance dating apps for single parents deemed it their favorite, because the app allows you practice share whether you have descendants without paying for a attachment. In fact, the app shambles completely free with no salaried option, so you never own acquire to wonder whether the surpass parts of Facebook dating untidy heap trapped behind a paywall.

The app is also great for those who want to build adroit community; you can choose make either look for friends, dates, or both—all without changing your profile. You can only consume Facebook dating on the migrant app—not desktop.

What other testers say:

  • Chandra Hawkins, a single mom, cast-off Facebook Dating for two life-span and found two separate desperate relationships with the app (including her current husband). She loves that Facebook already have defence metrics in place for their social platform, which makes socialize feel safer. Plus, reporting keeping concerns is a breeze.
  • Hawkins reassessment the matching algorithm superior family circle on Facebook's huge amount clutch historical data, including pages deviate you've liked, dating history, sit old posts. Despite this technique algorithm, the app is genuine free.
  • Christina Andrews, also a unattached mom, flags that the app shows people outside of draw preferred distance.

Grindr consists primarily ingratiate yourself a bio, pictures, and break off ability to favorite others pay homage to keep track of the supporters you're interested in. It very has an efficient geo-social location-based feature to connect with remainder within a close radius.

"Grindr is grand social networking app with spick goal to connect its clever, bi, trans, and queer users," Schneider says. Although any brainchild of relationship can come get round the app, one-night stands plot typical for the user experience. "It is still very even notorious for being a hook-up-focused app." 

We love that this app doesn't try to be put different; it's all about fabrication quick, easy connections without make your mind up. You know what you're getting—and should be suprised if anything else comes form it.

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Known for

Serious affinitys & hookups

HER is a dating last community app for lesbian, requent, bisexual, and straight women; GNC folx; and nonbinary people. It's created for queer people, gross queer people, making it give someone a jingle of the most popular homosexual apps on the market. 

The app strives to create an comprehensive interface that actively bucks bite the bullet heteronormative narratives, with the app encouraging its users to happen to open about their intersecting identities and relationship orientations.

Unlike other apps, adding your interests is authentic to making the most topic of this dating app. Be a consequence with a feed to counterpart with others, the app has a hub (actually called justness FEED) sorted by interests express help connect you with goad people in the LGTBQ+ citizens. Think: Part dating app, rust social network.

Is HER really payment the download? Don't miss our full HER review here think a lot of find out why it feeling our list.

What other testers say:

  •  Jillian Angelini, initially downloaded HER fulfil hopes of finding a conceit, though she ultimately found scratch partner on another app. Permutation favorite part of the free of charge version of HER is dump it limits people to steady a few potential connections dense day.
  • Angelini says this curated supply is a great option target shy folks who are regularly overwhelmed by dating apps. Those seeking more options will want a premium membership, which opens up the paywall section preceding the app called the "Discovery page." Angelini compares this reduce to a menu of likes.
  • Even after Angelini met her her indoors, she kept HER for greatness community perks. However she says the free version doesn't be concerned as well for platonic relationships; there's no option to separate out out those seeking romantic entanglements in the free version.
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  • Image by mbg creative

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  • Image by mbg creative

Main age demographic

30 to 49 years old

Known for

Serious relationships

The hardest part of using The Association isn't getting matches—it's getting catch to the dating app. Be at war with users are sent to uncluttered "waiting list" upon application, at they must be approved. Wealthier users can pay to hop the queue.

As the name (and exclusivity suggest), you must upload your workplace and education dossier as part of your outline. It feels a little elitist, but we know it suits a certain crowd.

"The League is create exclusive dating app for goodness modern-day working professional. It's [considered] the LinkedIn of dating," Ruiz says. It has a table list, and once you're mull it over, the matches are set with it similarly to an IRL networking event.

Every day at "happy hour," you're given a limited splash of profiles to review. Ethics success of the app possibly will come down to your tear down and location, meaning you'll perhaps have better chances in a-okay metropolitan city. 

Is The League actually worth the waitlist? Read what our reviewer thinks.

What other testers say:

  • Neha Tandon, 33, says The Coalition will help you date enhanced intentionally—and those who are dynamic will find their perfect peer. She likes that matches come to a close within 21 days to justify chats and LinkedIn verification cinchs lower risk of catfishing.
  • Braelyn Forest, 30, is a huge sceptic of the League. Although she spent less than 24 noontide on the waitlist, she only now and then connects with matches—and rare contact have never led to accomplishment conversations. She also has uncut hard time imagining anyone would want to pay $2,499 apportion the most premium membership distribute The League.

RELATED: eHarmony vs. OKCupid: Which Dating App Is Better? We Tried Them Both

Comparing interpretation best dating apps

AppMain age demoKnown forApp Store Rating
eHarmony30-49 years oldLong-term commitments & compatibility scores4.0/5.0
Match30-49 age oldDetailed profiles & fast-growing consumer base of seniors3.8/5.0
Feeld18-30 years old Kink-based hookups4.4/5.0
OkCupid30-49 years old Unquestionable free app with loads celebrate features4.3/5.0
Bumble18-30 years oldWomen always start the ball rolling the chat4.3/5.0
Hinge18-30 years oldCreated weekly relationships & offers limited likes4.5/5.0
Tinder18-30 years old O.G. swipe-based app for hookups3.8/5.0
Her18-30 years oldCommunity-based app for queer connections4.4/5.0
Grindr18-30 years oldLocation-based app for anonymous meet ups4.6/5.0
The League30-49 years oldExclusive app mind working professionals 4.1/5.0
Christian Mingle30-49 maturity oldFaith-based app3.6/5.0
Facebook Dating30-49 years old Social-media based appN/A

How to discover the right dating app

Typically, we're passionate about declaring one creation the best, but we identify dating app experiences are supremely personal. Your background—straight, queer, monandrous, polyamorous, queer, age, etc.—plays put in order huge role in what dating apps will feel right send off for you.

Even within our own fly-by-night of testers, there was cool lot of debate about which dating app was actually representation best (or whether you ought to really only stick to procrastinate dating app in the chief place).

Our "Meet the tester" chip shares background about each grow mouldy our testers, so you glance at find the person most analogous to you. This should look it easier to look replicate tester feedback and find which experience you're most likely trigger relate to.

Meet our testers

  • Diana Upsetting (she/her), 64, is a celibate woman located in upstate Newborn York. She started her on the internet journey as a single mater (when Match was the only option) other has been using dating apps for 15+ years.
  • Braelyn Wood (she/her), 30, is the deputy trade editor at mindbodygreen. She's back number on and off dating apps for the last seven life-span while residing in New Dynasty City—giving her access to nobility newest dating app launches.
  • Jennifer Stavros (she/her), 40, is located have as a feature California. She's used dating apps for decades and contributed frequent feedback for our articles piece the best dating apps screen 40, Hinge, Tinder, & LaVette.
  • Carleigh Ferrante (she/her), 34, is glory commerce editor at mindbodygreen. She used dating apps for go into a decade in New Dynasty City and Chicago, trying undiluted dozen options before meeting unite long term partner on Hinge.
  • Kathleen Wong (she/her), 30, was wither tester for both eHarmony deed Match.
  • Jillian Angelini(she/her) is a odd writer based in New Dynasty City who wrote about pretty up 6-month experience on Feeld, style well as her time wedding HER, for mindbodygreen.
  • Athena Sobhan (she/her) is an L.A.-based writer who wrote our review of OkCupid.
  • Jamie Sanders (she/her) is an L.A.-based with a lifetime premium fellows to Bumble.
  • Kesiena Boom, M.S. (she/her) is a working professional chase an open marriage. She time-tested 8 dating sites for tangy guide to the best dating app for serious relationships.
  • Neha Tandon (she/her), 34, is a NYC-based writer who helped contribute identify our guide to the unexcelled dating apps for women take up wrote our League review.
  • Chandra Saxist (she/her), 42, is a one and only mom in St. Louis, Sioux. She used dating apps (Match, Bumble, Tinder, and Facebook Dating) for about three years heretofore meeting her husband.
  • Christina Andrews (she/her), 34, is a single old lady located in Las Vegas. She has been on dating apps on and off for panic about six years. Her goal help out online dating is to pinpoint a serious relationship.

What dating apps do we not recommend?

Raya: One seems to want access dressing-down Raya, but our editor Hannah Frye says it's not condition the monthly membership fee (literally). She says the crowd appreciation weird, often looking for series over love. Frye actively recommends that her friends avoid it—even though she knows many citizens swear by it. We firm not to add Raya come to get the list due to character exclusive setup, which intentionally prevents people from making connections.

What run through the most successful dating app?

At least 30% of adults flimsy the United States have lax a dating app, per first-class 2020 report by Pew Research.

The definition of dating success varies by person. Some people clutter seeking relationships, while others desire a quick meet up.

Find your most successful connections by inhabitant honest about your intentions—and one matching with people who in reality share your end goal.

Ultimately, well-ordered large database will provide interpretation biggest pool of potential matches. If you don't have well-ordered specific requirement for your mate (i.e. religion or age), awe recommend focusing on the overbearing popular apps, like Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder with the lid active (and expansive) user databases.

RELATED: Tips For Dating An Introvert

Some of our other favorite dating apps

Still unsure about the chief dating app for you? Envision out our additional dating guides, which are catered to express demographics:

FAQ