Today dating apps have become a prominent method many people use to find romantic connections and potential partners. In fact, according to Statista, over 60 million people in the United States used online dating services in 2023. Today, you will find dating apps for women and men seeking long-term relationships, marriages, casual connections, or even one-time hookups.
However, the wide range of online dating apps makes it difficult for many to know which is best. Most people new to online dating always wonder about the best dating app. Which app should they use? Which app offers the best chance for them to find true love?
The truth is that there is no single best dating app or site for finding all types of romantic connections. Instead, the best app to use depends on what you are looking for, whether marriage, relationship or just wanting to meet women tonight for hookups.
This article will explore the best dating apps for romantic connections, from serious relationships to casual hookups.
Hinge is one of the best dating apps for relationships. The app's motto is "designed to be deleted," which means its goal is to help you find a committed relationship that's serious enough for you to no longer need the app.
Hinge stands out for its focus on fostering serious connections by providing users with engaging profile prompts that spark real conversions. The platform also has a unique "Your Turn Limits" feature to increase users' focus on quality connection over quantity matches. It prevents you from "liking" anyone new if you have too many unanswered messages.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Fosters robust profiles |
Limited likes for free account |
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User-friendly with engaging icebreakers |
The user base is smaller than other major apps |
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Encourages deeper connections |
Expensive premium version |
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Features video chat and voice recordings |
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Founded in 1993, Match is one of the pioneering platforms in the online dating services scene. It began as a site but is now available as an app. While Match has a free but limited version, it is largely known as a premium dating site for ladies and single guys looking for a serious relationship. In fact, according to Roast Dating statistics, about 70% of people on the app admit to being there for a serious relationship.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Over 3 decades of matchmaking experience |
Paid subscription for full access |
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Fosters real connections for serious dating |
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Robust and vetted profiles |
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Proven track record of successful matches |
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Good filtering tools |
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Nu-Date is also one of the best dating apps for serious relationships. One of the standout features of Nu-Date is that it provides a safe setting where you can find romantic connections. Also, the site provides radar and geolocation algorithms and preference filters that you can use to narrow down compatible men or women in your local area.
You should note that, unlike other platforms, Nu-Date doesn't yet have an app. Instead, it has a mobile-friendly website version that is just as good as any app.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Easy signup process |
No app |
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Foster genuine connections |
The free version is heavily restrictive |
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User-friendly interface |
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Offers safe mode to match with only verified users |
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Great mobile site |
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Tinder is the most popular dating service in the U.S. and is the best app for casual dating and hookup encounters. Whether you are looking for a one-night stand, fuck buddy arrangement, or some casual dating fun, this app has proven to be the best place to find it.
Undeniably, Tinder is the platform that revolutionized the dating app scene, bringing about the "swiping" sensation. You swipe right if you like a profile and left if you don't. Tinder is also known for its location-based design, which helps users find casual connections within their local area.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Makes finding local matches easy |
Can emphasize appearance than compatibility |
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Large user base |
Geared more towards younger users |
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Easy-to-use platform |
Full access requires a subscription |
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Basic free features |
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Robust profile |
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Happn is a unique dating app that takes local casual dating to a new level. The adult dating app encourages real-world romance and directly connects you with people you pass by in your local club, park, coffee shop, etc.
This hyper-local location base is where to meet single women in your area, which is made easy without having to first strike up a conversation to see if they are open to a romantic connection. As you go about your day, if you cross paths with another Happn user, their profile will appear on your app.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Exciting encounter-based matches |
Limited free version |
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Easy signup process |
It can be limiting for small-town users |
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Video verification |
Privacy concerns |
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User-friendly interface |
Matching is based strictly on proximity and not interests |
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Promotes spontaneity |
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Plenty of Fish (POF) is one of the best local apps for casual dating. Founded in 2003, POF is one of the more mature dating services that started as a site but soon transitioned into a functioning app.
Plenty of Fish is a premier destination for finding casual dating online, connecting people with like-minded people in their area who are looking for fun. However, the app is also known for fostering genuine connections for long-term relationships. So, it should be no surprise if you find signs of a casual relationship getting serious.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Home to a large dating pool |
Declining member base |
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The free version offers plenty of features |
Known for the presence of loads of fake profiles |
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Advanced filter fosters compatible matches |
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Easy to use |
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Badoo is one of the best alternatives to Tinder for finding hookup encounters. It connects millions of users across the U.S. and the globe.
The app has several exciting features that help ensure a better chance of making connections.
Like Tinder, Badoo offers an extensive free version and a premium mode that grants full access to unlimited likes and other features.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Large and varied userbase |
Less popular in the U.S. |
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Offers various ways to connect with profiles |
Lots of ghosts and fake profiles are prevalent |
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Intuitive and user-friendly |
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The free version is extensive |
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Allows videos on profile |
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Grindr is another great app for finding hookup connections online. However, unlike the aforementioned hetero apps, this one is made exclusively for the LGBTQ+ community, especially the gay, bi, queer men, and trans and non-binary people. It's the largest LGBTQ+ dating app you will find online.
Like most apps, Grindr has an extensive free version and a premium mode that unlocks access to all features.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Massive member base |
Reports of discrimination towards lesbians, bis, and other women in the LGBTQ community |
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Easy-to-use platform |
Full access requires a subscription |
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Basic free features |
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Location features connect you with people nearby |
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Founded in 1996, AdultFriendFinder is one of the oldest and best free dating apps for hookups, where you can find no-strings-attached fun. Whether you are looking for a one-night stand, recurring flings, a fuck buddy arrangement, or even a potential relationship, this is the place to find it.
While it has a free basic version, users have to subscribe to the premium mode to enjoy full access to making matches and connections.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Extensive user base |
Limited free version |
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Users can express personalities and interests |
The presence of many fake profiles |
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Welcomes all types of relationships |
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Live call and video supported |
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eHarmony is undeniably one of the best dating sites that actually work for people looking to settle down and get married. As one of the pioneering sites, eHarmony's 20+ years of experience have provided insights into helping people find true and lasting love. The site reportedly accounts for nearly 4% of marriages in the U.S.
Like Match.com, eHarmony has a limited free version. The premium version is where all the fun begins.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Foster truly compatible connections |
The free version is very limited |
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Provides compatibility scores on all potential matches |
Lengthy signup process |
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Features serious-minded people |
Most features require a subscription |
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A large active member base |
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High success rate for marriages |
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Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is an app that is best for marriage-minded people looking for romantic connections. A standout feature of this app is that it prioritizes helping its members find quality matches.
As such, instead of getting an endless list of profiles, hetero men at CMB get a curated list of about 20 profiles to swipe on based on deep compatibility. Similarly, the hetero females get presented with seven matches a day (called bagels), all of which have already liked them.
Both parties get a curated list of compatible profiles for same-gender matches to browse daily.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Fosters deep-quality connections |
Has a small userbase |
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Removes the pressure of swiping |
Limited features compared to major apps |
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An inclusive platform |
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Verification and strict policies for user protection |
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Good preference filtering options |
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OkCupid is another great app for people looking to find that special someone they want to marry. Launched in 2004, OkCupid has been around for many years and has a proven track record of facilitating successful relationships and marriages.
One of the unique things about this app is that it goes beyond surface-level superficial connection. Instead, it helps users find matches with similar social and political beliefs, interests, and values.
While OkCupid has gone downhill in recent years and has become more like Tinder, it's still a solid app for people looking for long-term relationships and marriages.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Robust quizzes for compatible matching |
Lengthy questions for profile |
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The free version offers access to plenty of features |
The free version promotes ads |
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22+ gender identity options and 13+ sexual orientations |
Full access to better features requires a premium subscription |
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Allows nonmonogamy connections |
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Shows percentage level of compatibility with potential matches |
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Launched in 2014, Bumble is a great dating app many call the best platform for women. This is unsurprising as the app launched as a platform tailored for women. When it started, Bumble flipped the script by having women make the first move when searching for dates. Men had to wait for the women to message.
However, recently, Bumble has switched to "opening moves features" that allow men to start conversations by responding to opening questions. Overall, this women seeking dating app creates a more balanced dynamic in the online dating scene.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Offers women more control |
24-hour time limits to initiate conversations or matches expire |
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Provides a BFF mode for making new friends |
Not ideal for shy women |
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Robust profiles with links to Spotify accounts |
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Extensive free version |
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Excellent privacy and safety features |
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Launched in 2015, HER is one of the best serious dating sites designed exclusively for LGBTQ+ women. It is the world's largest community where lesbians, bisexuals, queer women, and gender non-conforming icons can find romantic connections.
A standout feature of this app is that it allows users to easily add their pronouns, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other details that make them who they are.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Designed exclusively for queer women |
Limited users in smaller cities |
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Provides a safe and secure judgment-free setting |
Access to some relevant features requires a subscription |
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Fosters interest-based connections |
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Proven track records |
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Ashley Madison is a unique dating app for people looking for extramarital affairs. No longer do you have to continue with your boring and sexless lifestyle – with this app, you can fulfill your hidden desires.
A standout attribute of Ashley Madison is that it is 100% free for women. This means that, unlike the men who have to pay for premium services, women can easily join, match, and chat without paying any credits.
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Pros |
Cons |
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100% free for women |
Male users must upgrade to get full access |
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Provides discreet connection for affairs |
Expensive credit system |
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Easy-to-use platform |
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Free version with basic features |
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Decent member base |
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One of the most important things you need to know before joining an adult dating app is that your profile is vital to finding matches.
As such, making your profile stand out on dating sites for singles by making it unique and appealing is important. Doing so will not only attract as many right swipes as possible but also help attract the right matches.
That said, here are a few tips you can utilize to craft the best profile on local dating apps for casual dating or serious relationships:
Unlike what most sites will lead you to believe, finding the perfect connection on dating apps for women and men is not a walk in the park
However, with the right tips, you can find someone online with whom you can develop a romantic connection. In fact, according to SSRS statistics, more than four in ten (42%) of adults have reported entering into a romantic relationship at some time with someone they met on a dating app.
Here are a few tips to achieve success on dating apps for serious relationships:
Online dating apps can be overwhelming, especially for beginners who don't know much about the scene or new singles getting back into the game. Plenty of great apps are out there, making it difficult to know the best choice.
That said, you should note that there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to dating apps. The best app to choose ultimately depends on what you are looking for. Whether you're seeking hookup encounters, casual dating connections, serious relationships, or even marriage, there's an app best suited for it.
Ready to find someone online today? You can check out our lists of the best relationship app platforms online, starting from the innovative Nu-Date site.
Maria Biz is an expert in the field of dating and relationships with 7 years of experience. Her mission is to help you build successful relationships and find true love.
