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With the advancement and ubiquity of technology, it's transformed the way we date, like many other aspects of our lives. Rather than approaching someone at a bar or asking out a fellow coworker in person, more and more people who are looking for a relationship are resorting to digital tools. According to a 2019 research study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, dating apps are the most common way that couples meet, surpassing all other traditional means, such as through mutual friends or at school or church. Based on a 2023 Pew Research Center study, one in 10 people meet their partner through online dating.
These virtual tools have become a wildly popular way to connect single people due to a variety of reasons. For one, they give you the autonomy to set your own parameters, like whether you’re looking for a serious relationship or a casual fling, which you won’t be able to tell by talking to someone at a bar, according to dating coach Grace Lee. Plus, you aren’t solely limited to your social circle: Dating apps expand your reach, giving you access to thousands of people you would have otherwise never crossed paths with. And since your first encounter with a potential romantic partner is taking place online, you don’t have to work up the courage to talk to someone that caught your eye at a party and possibly face rejection, which makes many people feel more comfortable with taking the initiative. Not to mention, dating apps make the search for a relationship more efficient by providing a gist of a person’s likes, interests, and personality, so you can choose whether or not you’re compatible with them.
Meet the Expert
- Grace Lee is a dating coach and the founder of A Good First Date, which offers professional services to help single people find love.
- Dr. Jess Carbino is a relationship and online dating expert and a former sociologist for Tinder and Bumble.
If you’re new to the dating world or you’re looking to get back out there after a breakup, consider downloading a dating app or two. Since there are a lot of different options, you might be wondering which one to try. Whether you’re looking for a committed relationship or a short-term one or you’re interested in dating someone based on your religion or sexual orientation, there’s a service out there for you. To help you figure out the right app for your wants and needs, we’ve rounded up our top picks for meeting your future match, which we've selected based on interviews with dating experts, online reviews, and our own personal experiences.
Ahead, the best dating apps of 2024.
Best Overall: Hinge
Hinge is a frequently-used app that connects users with potential matches based on the neighborhood they've selected. To create your profile, you upload six photos and answer prompts, such as "Dating me is like..." or "This year, I really want to..." to give others an impression of your personality and interests. To match with another person, you either like a photo or prompt on their page or tap the heart next to it. Since Hinge reveals a lot of information about people, such as their neighborhood, age, height, job, hometown, and college, if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of meeting strangers on the internet, this format helps eliminate the unknown.
While the app is free, there is a paid membership called the "Preferred Member," which gives you the opportunity to send unlimited likes and set stricter filters. The cost for various membership and subscription options can range from $32.99 to $49.99 per month. If you're sticking with the free version, there are options to pay for virtual "roses" meant for standout matches that the service chooses for you based on what you’re looking for.
Why We Chose It
Hinge gives you a limited number of connections a day, making it a better option for people searching for more serious relationships.
Pros and Cons
Shares a lot of information about people, including likes and dislikes
Focuses on meaningful conversations and building a relationship
Includes unique features, like voice memos and videos
Only offers a limited number of matches unless you pay to upgrade
Wants you to pay to give matches a “rose"
Doesn't always suggest accurate daily picks
Can be difficult to filter who you've "liked"
Best for Marriage: Match
Match is an old standby for a reason. Since its inception in 1995, it's remained popular, especially with people who are looking for serious relationships. Because users must pay for a membership, those who join are usually focused on commitment.
To get started on this online platform, you’ll specify what kind of person you’re looking for before entering your gender, birthday, first name, and email address. Then, you’ll answer screening questions about your relationship status, appearance, lifestyle, education, faith, ethnicity, and more. Next, you’ll respond to prompts, like “For fun I like to…” or “Right now I’m reading…” Finally, you'll add up to 26 photos.
While there are free options, if you’re interested in using Match, you will have to pay; otherwise, you can’t see who’s messaging you or what they’re saying. Memberships cost $34.45 per month for a three-month plan, $24.48 per month for a six-month plan, or $21.84 per month for a yearly plan.
Why We Chose It
Match is the best option for serious daters who are marriage-minded.
Pros and Cons
Attracts those who are seriously looking for relationships or marriage
Gives you extensive information about potential matches
Requires a fee to access matches and see their messages
Takes time to create a profile
Best for Exclusivity: Raya
Raya is famous for being one of the most exclusive dating apps, touting A-listers and influencers as members. Because it's invitation-only with an application process and a fee for members, there is a higher-quality appeal to it than a typical app. According to the app store, a basic membership is $24.99, while a premium membership is $49.99. If you reach your daily likes, you can pay $10.99 for 30 extra likes, or you can simply chat with your current connections, which the app urges you to do. Once you’re a member, you can give friends a pass, which could help expedite their admission—although the app reserves the right to refuse applications.
On your profile, you can connect your Instagram account, choose a song, make a slideshow of photos, and search for romantic connections or friends. Since members are located all over the world, you can connect with virtually anyone. You can also search by location to see who’s nearby or who's in a certain city, or you can look up a specific industry.
Why We Chose It
Raya is an exclusive dating app where you can spot Hollywood stars.
Pros and Cons
Includes a "Directory" feature, where you can search by member name, city, or industry
Appeals to many members due to its exclusive nature
Attracts celebrity users
Demands a fee if you've reached your daily "like" limit
Only works on iPhones
Best for First Dates: Bumble
Bumble offers a unique model that sets it apart from others because women message first. “I think Bumble is really wonderful as an app because it really has turned traditional gender norms on their head and gives women control in an environment when they historically haven't had it," says Dr. Jess Carbino, former sociologist for Bumble and Tinder. "It’s been very successful for partnering individuals.”
Using this service is quite simple. All you have to do is make a profile with your pictures and information about yourself, and then, either continue with a free plan or pay for premium features. The “Spotlight” feature promises more matches and puts you at the front of the line for 30 minutes, so your potential matches see you first. Another option is SuperSwipe, which allows you to "super like" someone, so they'll receive a notification and get access to your profile. If you want access to all of the additional services at once, you can also upgrade your account to premium. With premium, you'll receive unlimited likes, advanced filters, a travel mode option (where you can see who’s swiping in certain places), and limitless backtracks (in case you swipe the wrong way on someone), among many other features.
To match with people, you swipe right. Once you connect with someone, you have 24 hours to make the first move and start the chat, meaning you must check the app frequently to prevent matches from expiring. After you send the first message, your match will have 24 hours to respond. You can search the app using filters, selecting the gender, age range, and distance you're interested in. You can also set advanced filters to look for a specific height, astrology sign, educational background, and more.
Why We Chose It
Bumble has a unique concept: Women message men first, and they’re given 24 hours to respond, making it a female-driven app.
Pros and Cons
Makes it easy to connect with multiple people at once
Gives women the autonomy to start the conversation
Is based on location, so you can see who’s near you in any place
Can filter your search
Provides limited response time, so you have to check the app frequently
Limits word count on the initial profile section
Requires a payment for backtracking and additional daily swipes
Prohibits men from reaching out first
Best for LGBTQ+ Dating: HER
HER is the world’s largest free dating app for queer women, giving you the ability to match with potential partners and join over 30 different groups. The app works as a community and aims to be welcoming and supportive to all.
To set up your profile, you'll select your pronoun, gender, and sexual identity labels, along with information about your star sign, height, diet, alcohol preferences, and more. You can also specify which type of relationship you're interested in, whether it's a hookup or a monogamous one. Unlike other apps, HER allows you to join social groups, such as "Queer Women of Color" or "Astrology." Instead of swiping "yes" or "no" on this app, you scroll down to the bottom and press the heart or the x. If you go with the former, the other person will decide if the feeling is mutual and send you a message.
While this app is free, there are also three types of premium subscription memberships: $14.99 for one month, $59.99 for six months, and $89.99 for a year. With the paid version, you'll get access to a discover page, where you can see all of your likes in one place, and you'll have the opportunity to match with friends as well.
Why We Chose It
HER is the world’s largest free dating app for LGBTQ+ women. It gives you the opportunity to match with romantic connections and join 30 social communities.
Pros and Cons
Offers over 30 groups to join, a low-pressure way to meet people
Champions inclusivity
Limits the amount of swipes you get with the unpaid version
Conceals discover feature, where you can see all of your likes, unless you pay
Best for Jewish Dating: JSwipe
If you’re Jewish or you're looking for a Jewish partner, consider JSwipe. On this app, you set up a profile by entering a short bio, your education, and your age. You're also asked to fill out whether or not you're kosher, plus the name of your denomination. Then, you can begin swiping. Your profile links with your Facebook page, so it will show you which interests you share with your matches based on your Facebook likes. This app also demonstrates who's swiping around you, according to your location, but if you want access to single individuals elsewhere, you can expand your mile radius.
JSwipe offers a free version and a premium membership. The upgraded version allows you to see who's liked your profile, and it also includes profile boosts, "Super Swipes," and more. Premium memberships cost between $24.99 and $59.99, depending on how many months you subscribe for.
Why We Chose It
JSwipe is a great option for Jewish people looking to meet and match, no matter where they’re based.
Pros and Cons
Creates a user base for Jewish singles
Has many free features
Puts expiration date on matches (18 days)
Has a smaller pool of users due to the specific target market
Best for Casual Dating: Tinder
Tinder really is the app that started it all. After it launched in 2012, this platform changed the dating scene forever, introducing singles to a world of swiping left or right to match with potential hookups or serious significant others. And while there used to be many people looking for all different things on the app, it’s now geared toward casual dating. Regardless of your intentions, Carbino says the model is extremely effective. "It’s a very simplistic but elegant model to match people that mirrors the psychological process that occurs when people are deciding whether or not they’re interested in someone," she explains.
While it started as an entirely free app, there’s now a free and paid premium option that allows users to "super like" people (an extra form of flattery that allegedly triples your chances for a match), use the passport feature (to see who’s out there in other locations), and learn who liked you before you swiped right on them. Tinder Gold gives users all of that and more, while Tinder Platinum offers those options, plus the ability to message someone before matching with them. Prices vary depending on how many months you subscribe for and what package you select.
Why We Chose It
Tinder is the preliminary dating app that sparked the swipe. It's ideal for both hookups and long-term dating alike.
Pros and Cons
Provides a user-friendly interface
Has a large pool of users, giving you more access to potential matches
Allows you to message matches without any character limits
Lacks basic information about people
Focuses more on photos (and thus looks) as the basis for determining a connection
Puts limits on free swipes and likes
The Final Verdict
Downloading a dating app can seem like a big commitment and feel a little bit overwhelming if you’re not sure which to try. Hinge is the best option if you’re looking to get more serious about dating on the apps since it gives you more information about potential dates' background and identity and encourages more meaningful conversations. Raya is ideal if you’re hoping to spot a celebrity or if you want to network with other like-minded creatives, but it can be difficult to get an invitation. Bumble is a wonderful option if you’re a woman who wants to take matters into your own hand and if you're looking for an easy way to swipe endlessly and start chatting, but the app doesn’t tell you much about who people are. For queer individuals on the hunt for an inclusive place to find romantic matches, HER is your best bet. And if you want to keep it casual, Tinder will probably be your go-to.
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Luis Alvarez / Getty Images
How to Make a Profile
Once you've figured out the right dating app (or apps) for you, the next step is downloading the tool and creating a profile. Although each online platform has its own method and format, Lee explains that generally, you'll upload six different photos and videos and share information about yourself in about 300 characters or less, either through free-writing or answering prompts.
The Photos
For the visual portion of your profile, you'll want to choose your best photos, of course, but also ones that look most like you. "Your date should be able to recognize you when they see you," Lee says. She explains that the first two pictures should be a clear shot of your face, with one showing your full body. If you want to include a group photo, she suggests placing it near the bottom of your profile, so those viewing it will be able to spot which person you are.
The Written Portion
If you’re wondering what to write in such a limited amount of space, Lee advises valuing authenticity over popularity and likability, so you attract the right person, not a large number of suitors. “Ten thousand likes will not get you any closer to finding ‘the one’–it actually makes it harder,” she points out.
She also suggests viewing yourself from a potential romantic partner's point of view, capturing what makes you unique, special, and lovable. Instead of surface-level details, like enjoying yoga or trying new restaurants, she encourages you to dig deeper and formulate a specific, interesting response that reflects your values and passions, such as working in the pharmaceutical industry due to your family's history with heart disease or regularly playing ping-pong with your son in your downtime, Lee cites as examples. And don't be afraid to use a sense of humor or poke fun at your quirks if that feels natural to you.
How to Increase Your Chances of Finding Love
Once you've made your profile and started exploring what's out there, you might be wondering how to maximize these tools and increase your chances of matching with a romantic partner. Here are expert-approved tips for finding love.
Gauge Compatibility
When you're looking at a person's profile, Carbino advises assessing whether or not you have common interests and values, which will increase your chances of a connection. First, take a note of your non-negotiables, whether it's educational background, religion, lifestyle, and/or physical attraction, and determine whether their photos and responses align with your priorities. Although you won't really know for sure until you meet them offline, ask yourself if they're worth going on a date for an hour or so.
Message Them Quickly
After you match with someone, don't wait to message them; strike while the iron is hot. Carbino recommends sending a message within 24 hours of matching with them, especially if the app you're using has time restrictions. If you're wondering what to say, she suggests referring to something on their profile. "[They'll] know that you're not simply messaging everyone the same thing because it signals investment," she states.
Get Off the Apps
Once you've expressed interest, make sure to get their phone number. Since not everyone checks their dating app profile as frequently as their text messages, it's important to take the conversation off of the app. While you can certainly exchange a few texts, save heartfelt discussions for the first date, and instead, use the opportunity to ask them out. "Just say, 'I'm not great at keeping up with text. Would you be up for meeting in person sometime soon?'" Lee suggests.
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