Love
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expert reviewedAuthor: Expert reviewer:
May 24, 2024
Relationship Coach
By Julie Nguyen
Relationship Coach
Julie Nguyen is a relationship coach, Enneagram educator, and former matchmaker based in New York. She has a degree in Communication and Public Relations from Purdue University.
Expert review by
Myisha Battle, M.S.
Sexologist & Dating Coach
Myisha Battle, M.S., is a certified clinical sexologist and sex and dating coach, educator, and speaker. She has a master's in Psychology from The New School in New York City.
May 24, 2024 We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links. Research shows a happy relationship is one of the greatest predictors of happiness and overall well-being in our lifetime—but too many of us are wasting time finding the one (or the one for tonight) on the wrong dating app. There are currently more than 1,500 dating apps and websites available in 2024. Finding the right one for your dating goals can be a time-consuming (and often disappointing) process. Luckily, we have you covered. Not only have we spoken with relationship experts feedback on the dating apps with the most success, we had singles across the country of all ages and relationship goals put them to the test. We also spoke with people who found a serious relationships on dating apps, including six mindbodygreen editors, to find which dating apps were the most successful. Our final selection of the best dating apps is vetted by quality of matches, user interface, and actual date feedback. Below find our favorite expert- and tester-approved dating apps for serious relationships, casual flings, and everything in between. The best dating apps of 2024: mindbodygreen might not be a tech site, but we believe connections are key to our longevity. Plus, many of our editors found their partner through dating apps, so we know a thing or two about swiping for love. How we picked: Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Known for Serious relationships Main age demographic 30+ App rating: 4.0/5.0 Compatibility IOS, Android See all specs You're not going to find many dating apps that take the time and effort that eHarmony requires; every new user needs to create an in-depth profile and take a hefty questionnaire, complete with poll questions and an image selection game that vaguely reminds us of a Rorschach Inkblot Test. Profile setup takes at least 25 minutes, but experts say this step is key to making eHarmony' one ofthe best dating sites for serious relationships. "The profile list is limited since it's for [the people] who don't want to deal with the ups and downs of dating app culture and want to settle down," says marriage therapistOmar Ruiz, LMFT. Don't miss our full eHarmony review to find out why mindbodygreen still recommends eHarmony despite needing a paid membership. Pros Cons Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Known for Serious relationships App rating 4.5/5.0 Compatibility IOS, Android Where to browse Mobile app I think Hinge stands above its counterparts because it really leans into showing off your personality alongside photos. These tiny profile details act as built-in conversation prompts, so it's easier to chat with your matches. Online dating coachPerri Schneider says this also makes the app great for people who are new to the online dating scene, as there's less pressure to come up with a clever opener. You're also limited to just 10 "hearts" per day with free profiles. This motivates you to slow down and see each profile as a person, instead of another face in a sea of faces. I'm over mindless swiping! Just be warned: Hinge may be one of the best dating apps for serious relationships, but it's moved away from the initial "designed to be deleted tagline." You can seek everything from a casual hookup to a life partners on the app, with options for both monogamous and non-monogamous relationships. Check out our full Hinge review to know why so many editors love this app. Pros Cons Hinge X Six of our mindbodygreen editors met their partner using Hinge. Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Known for Serious relationships App rating 3.8/5.0 Compatibility IOS, Android Where to browse Mobile app, Desktop site I think of Match as the in-between of eHarmony and Hinge. It pushes in-depth profiles to help serious daters find a long-term relationship through compatibility, but it still brings the fun of Hinge's personality driven prompts. A2018 report found that Match's fastest-growing demographic is the 50+ age group—making it one of the best dating sites for those over 50. It also earned a shoutout from online dating coachSchneider who called it a "solid choice" for those who "live in a suburb or somewhere remote" due to the apps ability to attract users from all over. I like that Match is doing a lot to stand out in the crowded app space; the brand just partnered with Garbo to give users easier access to background checks and you can use matchPhone to avoid giving our your phone number too early on to a stranger. While you're still playing the same "like or skip" game, Match makes it feel more sophisticated. Read our full Match.com review to see what makes this app worth the download. Pros Cons Standard Membership Premium Membership Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Available IOS, Android Main age demographic 25 to 35 years old Known for Hookups App rating 4.4/5.0 Fun fact: Feeldwas originally called "3nder" with a focus on helping couples find a third. It's evolved into an inclusive space for different sexualities and gender identities searching for connection. Users can seekthreesomes, polyamory,swinging, casual sex, kink, or other alternative steamy encounters. Because of Feeld's transparency and refreshing openness, it's simpler to have honest conversations about your sexual preferences without feeling creepy or unsolicited. I believe Feeld is one of the best hookup apps you can find for casual sex, and it does a great job of helping newbies to the space find experienced counterparts. I like that anonymity reigns at Feeld, where you can go by a pseudonym and choose to hide your photos until you connect with a potential partner. This allows users to be more honest about their desires—so you won't have to worry about any situationships forming. Want to leave your comfort zone? Our full Feeld reviewreveals what to expect on the inclusive dating app. Pros Cons Majestic Membership Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Available IOS, Android Known for Hookups App rating 3.8/5.0 Compatibility IOS, Android See all specs Tinder is the dive bar of dating apps; you know what you're going to get, but it's still going to be a good time. The inventor of "swiping," Tinder is extremely straightforward to use. Photos matter more than profiles, and most people on the app are looking casual datesor casual sex. Remember: Tinder is a place of quantity, not quality. While you'll occasionally find something serious from Tinder—just ask our executive editor about her husband—you'll have to weed through a lot of matches to find that type of connection. Due to the sheer number of options, Schneider says it generally not the best app for serious dating. But Tinder's strong reputation is also its strong suit: "I find with my clients that it's still widely used, which can be helpful if you're not in a city and live in a more remote area," she says. Don't missour full Tinder review(and get the scoop on how it can still lead to marriage). Pros Cons Tinder Plus Tinder Gold Tinder Platinum RELATED: Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Image by mbg creative Known for Serious relationships & hookups App rating 4.3/5.0 Compatibility IOS, Android Where to browse Mobile app, Desktop site OkCupidis for relationships friendships, flings, relationships—and everything in between. The dating side is widely known for its keyword search options, long-form profiles, and interactive personality quizzes. It's a popular dating site with more than 70 million users—but compatibility scores make it easier to find those with a common interest to get off the app faster. I love that OkCupid caters to a diverse group, with additional gender and sexuality options for users, along with settings for nonmonogomous folks. Schneider confirms, "OkCupid does an amazing job at being inclusive for all."Why we write about dating apps
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While the dating app might not be as popular as its counterparts like Bumble and Hinger, the refreshing UX and compatibility scores make this app stand out in the crowded space. It feels like you're really learning about potential matches rather than rating their attractiveness.
I'm pleasantly surprise by this app—read our full OkCupid reviewto learn more.
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OkCupid Basic OkCupid Premium
Image by mbg creative
Image by mbg creative
Known for
Serious relationships & hookups
App rating
4.3/5.0
Compatibility
IOS, Android
Where to browse
Mobile app
Made for women, by women,Bumbleis a user-friendly app that strives to create a positive experience for its daters with its zero-tolerance policy toward hate speech and body shaming.
"I find that Bumble has the most active users on its platform–which is great to increase the chances of matching with someone you really like," Schneider says. "The women must initiate the conversation [when matching with men], but with same-sex matches, either can begin the chat."
You don't have to just look for a romantic match on Bumble either. They have other features for business and BFF connections, too.
Open the box below for tester feedback or read our full review here.
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Bumble Premium
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative
Image by Carleigh Ferrante / mbg creative
Known for
Serious relationships
Main age demographic
25-34 years old
Available on
IOS, Android
App rating
N/A
See all specs
Facebook Dating transforms your existing social profile into a dating one—saving users time and on setting up yet another in-depth profile. The app will never connect you with people you know in real life (friends and friends-of-friends are off limits). However you can send "crushes" to people within your network, in case you've ever historically felt the spark.
A majority of the single parents we spoke to for our guide to the best dating apps for single parents deemed it their favorite, as the app allows you to share whether you have kids without paying for a membership. In fact, the app is completely free with no paid option, so you never have to wonder whether the best parts of Facebook dating are trapped behind a paywall.
The app is also great for those who want to build a community; you can choose to either look for friends, dates, or both—all without changing your profile. You can only use Facebook dating on the mobile app—not desktop.
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Image by mbg creative
Known for
Hookups
App rating
4.6/5.0
Grindr consists primarily of a bio, pictures, and an ability to favorite others to keep track of the people you're interested in. It also has an efficient geo-social location-based feature to connect with others within a close radius.
"Grindris a social networking app with a goal to connect its gay, bi, trans, and queer users," Schneider says. Although any type of relationship can come from the app, one-night stands are typical for the user experience. "It is still very much notorious for being a hook-up-focused app."
We love that this app doesn't try to be something different; it's all about making quick, easy connections without commitment. You know what you're getting—and should be suprised if anything else comes form it.
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Grindr XTRA Grindr Unlimited
Image by mbg creative
Image by mbg creative
Image by mbg creative
Available
IOS, Android
Known for
Serious relationships & hookups
App rating
4.4/5.0
HERis a dating and community app for lesbian, queer, bisexual, and straight women; GNC folx; and nonbinary people. It's created for queer people, by queer people, making it one of the most popular lesbian apps on the market.
The app strives to create an inclusive interface that actively bucks against heteronormative narratives, with the app encouraging its users to be open about their intersecting identities and relationship orientations.
Unlike other apps, adding your interests is essential to making the most out of this dating app. Along with a feed to match with others, the app has a hub (actually called the FEED) sorted by interests to help connect you with other people in the LGTBQ+ community. Think: Part dating app, part social network.
Is HER really worth the download? Don't miss our full HER review here to find out why it made our list.
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HER Premium
Image by mbg creative
Image by mbg creative
Image by mbg creative
Image by mbg creative
Available
IOS, Android
Main age demographic
30 to 49 years old
Known for
Serious relationships
App rating
4.1/5.0
The hardest part of using The League isn't getting matches—it's getting access to the dating app. All users are sent to a "waiting list" upon application, where they must be approved. Wealthier users can pay to skip the queue.
As the name (and exclusivity suggest), you must upload your workplace and education information as part of your profile. It feels a little elitist, but we know it suits a certain crowd.
"The Leagueis an exclusive dating app for the modern-day working professional. It's [considered] the LinkedIn of dating," Ruiz says. It has a waiting list, and once you're in, the matches are set up similarly to an IRL networking event.
Every day at "happy hour," you're given a limited list of profiles to review. The success of the app may come down to your age and location, meaning you'll probably have better chances in a metropolitan city.
Is The League really worth the waitlist?Read what our reviewer thinks.
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Image by mbg creative
Image by mbg creative
Compatibility
IOS, Android
Main age demographic
30 to 49 years old
Known for
Serious relationships
App rating
3.6/5.0
See all specs
Although other apps filter for religious preferences, it's not their primary focus. If religion is important to you, I recommend finding the app that aligns with your views. For example, we recommend,JSwipefor Jewish singles andSalamsfor Muslim singles.). If you are Christian, I think your best bet is Christian Mingle.
Be prepared to share details about your faith; the app asks for your religion and denomination to help curate the best matches. Naturally, profiles will also ask info about how often you go to church—but there are also standard questions about interests and hobbies.
Similar to other apps, you can scroll through a feed of all users or sort potential matches based on activity, proximity, and compatibility.
We think Christian Mingle is a great option for those who consider faith to be essential to their romantic connections, but we wouldn't recommend to non-religious users.
Beyond a focus on faith, there isn't much that sets this dating app apart from others. While Christian Mingle isn't known for ghosting, it's known for getting people off the app quickly either.
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Christian Mingle Premium
RELATED: eHarmony vs. OKCupid: Which Dating App Is Better? We Tried Them Both
Comparing the best dating apps
App | Main age demo | Known for | App Store Rating |
---|---|---|---|
eHarmony | 30-49 years old | Long-term commitments & compatibility scores | 4.0/5.0 |
Match | 30-49 years old | Detailed profiles & fast-growing user base of seniors | 3.8/5.0 |
Feeld | 18-30 years old | Kink-based hookups | 4.4/5.0 |
OkCupid | 30-49 years old | Great free app with loads of features | 4.3/5.0 |
Bumble | 18-30 years old | Women always start the chat | 4.3/5.0 |
Hinge | 18-30 years old | Created for relationships & offers limited likes | 4.5/5.0 |
Tinder | 18-30 years old | O.G. swipe-based app for hookups | 3.8/5.0 |
Her | 18-30 years old | Community-based app for queer connections | 4.4/5.0 |
Grindr | 18-30 years old | Location-based app for anonymous meet ups | 4.6/5.0 |
The League | 30-49 years old | Exclusive app for working professionals | 4.1/5.0 |
Christian Mingle | 30-49 years old | Faith-based app | 3.6/5.0 |
Facebook Dating | 30-49 years old | Social-media based app | N/A |
How to find the right dating app
Typically, we're passionate about declaring one product the best, but we know dating app experiences are highly personal. Your background—straight, queer, monogamous, polyamorous, queer, age, etc.—plays a huge role in what dating apps will feel right for you.
Even within our own group of testers, there was a lot of debate about which dating app was actually the best (or whether you should really only stick to one dating app in the first place).
Our "Meet the tester" section shares background about each of our testers, so you can find the person most similar to you. This should make it easier to look through tester feedback and find which experience you're most likely to relate to.
Meet our testers
- Diana King (she/her), 64, is a single woman located in upstate New York. She started her online journey as a single mom (whenMatchwas the only option) and has been using dating apps for 15+ years.
- Braelyn Wood (she/her), 29, is the deputy commerce editor at mindbodygreen. She's been on and off dating apps for the last seven years while residing in New York City—giving her access to the newest dating app launches.
- Jennifer Stavros (she/her), 40, is located in California. She's used dating apps for decades and contributed her feedback for our articles on the best dating apps over 40, Hinge, Tinder, & LaVette.
- Carleigh Ferrante (she/her), 34, is the commerce editor at mindbodygreen. She used dating apps for over a decade in New York City and Chicago, trying a dozen options before meeting her long term partner on Hinge.
- Kathleen Wong (she/her), 30, was our tester for both eHarmony and Match.
- Jillian Angelini(she/her) is a queer writer based in New York City who wrote about her 6-month experience on Feeld, as well as her time on 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 membership to Bumble.
- Kesiena Boom, M.S. (she/her) is a working professional seeking an open marriage. She tested 8 dating sites for our guide to the best dating app for serious relationships.
- Neha Tandon (she/her) is a NYC-based writer who helped contribute to our guide to the best dating apps for women and wrote our League review.
- Chandra Hawkins (she/her), 42, is a single mom in St. Louis, Missouri. She used dating apps (Match, Bumble, Tinder, and Facebook Dating) for about three years before meeting her husband.
- Christina Andrews (she/her), 34, is a single mom located in Las Vegas. She has been on dating apps on and off for about six years. Her goal for online dating is to find a serious relationship.
What dating apps do we not recommend?
Raya: Everyone seems to want access to Raya, but our editor Hannah Frye says it's not worth the monthly membership fee (literally). She says the crowd is weird, often looking for followers over love. Frye actively recommends that her friends avoid it—even though she knows many people swear by it. We decided not to add Raya to the list due to the exclusive setup, which intentionally prevents people from making connections.
What is the most successful dating app?
At least 30% of adults in the United States have used a dating app, per a 2020 report by Pew Research.
The definition of dating success varies by person. Some people are seeking relationships, while others want a quick meet up.
Find your most successful connections by staying honest about your intentions—and only matching with people who actually share your end goal.
Ultimately, a large database will provide the biggest pool of potential matches. If you don't have a specific requirement for your spouse (i.e. religion or age), we recommend focusing on the most popular apps, like Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder with the most active (and expansive) user databases.
RELATED: Tips For Dating An Introvert
Some of our other favorite dating apps
Still unsure about the best dating app for you? Check out our additional dating guides, which are catered to specific demographics:
- Best dating apps for over 50
- Best dating apps for serious relationships
- Best dating apps for single moms
- Best dating apps for working professionals
- Best dating apps for over 40
- Best dating apps for men
- Best dating apps for introverts
FAQ
Which dating site is best for serious relationships?
eHarmonyis our top pick for serious daters due to the long, robust profiles, which allow for better compatibility between matches. Plus it's expert-approved by marriage therapistOmar Ruiz, LMFT.
Which dating app is best for beginners?
The best dating app for you will correlate with your dating goals. However the lower lift required to start a profile on Tinder, Bumble, or Hinge makes them great options for people just beginning to explore the world of online dating. Plus, their popularity means you're likely to find more potential matches regardless of your location.
What is the best free dating app?
The best free dating app for you depends heavily on what you’re looking for from your connections. Many popular apps are free, such as Hinge, Bumble, Tinder, and even OKCupid. However many of these offer added features, whether it be unlimited likes or reconnections, for a small fee. A few apps we'd avoid trying for free are eHarmony and Match, which are best with paid features.
What is the #1 used dating app?
Tinder has historically dominated the app space with more than 500 million users (and it’s no. 2 on the list for the top free lifestyle apps on the Apple App Store). If you’re looking for the to paid subscribers, Bumble takes the lead. And if you find neither of these swipe-based algorithms is quite for you, Hinge comes in as the third most popular dating app.
Is Tinder or Bumble better?
When deciding between Tinder and Bumble, the best dating app for you will come down to your intentions. Bumble puts the power to start the connection in women’s hands by having them making the first move in 24 hours. Our relationship experts say this creates a smaller chance of conversation fading out. Tinder is great for those seeking a more casual encounter. Online dating coach Perri Schneider also considers it a good recommendation for those in more remote areas due to its widespread usage.
How hard is it to get accepted into Raya?
Raya is a celebrity networking and dating app that famously accepts only 8% of applicants. Your chance of getting accepted into Raya is fairly low—but it’s not impossible. If you have the right job (or connections), you might make it through Raya’s strict vetting process.
You’ll notice Raya is not included in our list of the best dating apps. We felt the low acceptance rate would not make it the best option for most people seeking a dating app.
How do dating apps work?
All dating apps share a basic premise: to help you match with a potential suitor. However, the process for finding your match differs by app.
Most apps operate on a swipe system, which allows you to either swipe left (no) or right (yes) on a profile. Some apps offer minimal information before the swipe, such as Tinder, which makes vetting your potential suitors all about looks.
Others incorporate fun features like profile prompts, videos, and audio to help you get a better sense of the person on the other side of the screen.
If you're really picky about the way you vet potential suitors, you might want to opt for apps that offers a compatibility score based on your profile; while it's an algorithmic guess, these scores often reflect interests and values instead of physical appearance.
When you swipe right on a potential match, the app will let you know if it's a match. If you don't get a match right away, don't stress. Your profile may not have appeared in another person's line-up just yet, especially if your profile is new. Once two people both swipe right or express interest in each other, the app typically will send a prompt notifying you of the match.
Why do you have to pay for dating apps?
You'll often have to pay up to get the most curated selection of potential suitors. These advanced features will typically create a more intense vetting process with the ability to mark filters like race and religion as "dealbreakers" to ensure every match that makes its way into your feed meets these basic requirements.
The takeaway
The best dating app for you depends on what you're looking for. We think eHarmony is best for serious datings seeking a long-term commitment, while Hinge is one of the most popular apps for young adults.
And if you're still trying to explore and expand your sex life, we'd recommend going with Feeld over Tinder (where dates tend to be more respectful).
RELATED: Ready to ask someone out on a date? These online-dating rules form experts will help prepare you for your first interactions—and when you're there, be sure to ask some of these first date questions.