How To Determine Which Dating App Is Right For You
Putting yourself out there to date new people can be nerve-racking. It's normal if you feel a little bit of anxiety surrounding the idea of meeting potential partners on dating apps. It makes the whole ordeal a lot less scary if you know which dating apps are best suited to fit your needs. Dating apps rose in popularity for many years but are on the decline now, perhaps, at least in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's probably the amount of ghosting, inconsistency, and callousness that has users looking for love totally turned off. Despite how common and useful dating apps can be, they are still widely disliked by many individuals across-the-board. The good news is that if you're able to decipher which dating apps are best for you based on the things you care about most, it's possible that you'll have a better experience trying to find your soulmate through your phone screen.
Online dating doesn't mean you're throwing in the towel on the possibility of meeting your next significant other in person somewhere like the grocery store or a sporting event. It simply means that you're ready to take action and see who's out there to potentially spend time with in your local area. Here's how you can determine which dating app is right for you.
If you're interested in casual dating
Dating apps work well for people who are looking for casual hookups and meaningless flings. If you're truly not looking for anything serious, you are in luck. We suggest downloading Tinder, which is the most popular dating app in the world, for your casual hookup needs. Tinder might claim to be an app intended for relationships of all kinds, including long-term romances, but at the end of the day, most people know by now that Tinder is an app designed for people to easily meet up with each other without any strings attached.
On the other hand, Zoosk is good if what you have on your mind is an easy one-night stand. Some other potential options include Kasual, Badoo, and Down. Don't worry about suffering through small talk or pleasantries on these particular apps if you only have one sultry activity to handle on the brain. It will be easy enough for you to find like-minded individuals who are interested in the same exact thing.
If you're interested in marriage
Marriage is a huge deal, and it's not for everyone. If you've already decided that walking down the aisle and living out the rest of your life with someone special is an absolute must, there are a handful of apps to consider in order to make that happen. Hinge is the best dating app to download if you're serious about meeting a compatible partner you can commit yourself to for life. Hinge's tagline is "Designed to Be Deleted," which is incredibly promising. After all, the brand is claiming that they'd rather their users find love than spend more time or money on the app they designed.
The app encourages users to connect with people based on attraction and shared interests. It also follows up with you after you've matched with people to find out if you ended up meeting with potential partners in real life for a date at any point. Apps such as eHarmony, Match, and Coffee Meets Bagel are some other great options for people who care about marriage. If getting married is your top priority, it's important to sign up for dating apps that are filled with users who feel the same way.
If political and religious views are important to you
Religion and politics are some hot-button topics that can lead to major disputes between people who don't see eye to eye. Since the subjects of religion and politics can be incredibly controversial, it makes sense if you'd want to date someone who's on the same page with you about your views and morals. If dating someone based on religion is a super big deal to you, Christian Mingle and Muslima are two ideal apps to check out if you fit into the Christian or Muslim religions.
JDate exists for Jewish people, CatholicMatch is out there for Catholics, and dharmaMatch is perfect for Buddhists. If your political affiliation matters to you the most, apps such as Maple Match, Better Together, and CandiDate will all suffice. Believing that your romantic connection will be strengthened if you and your new partner can get along about religion and politics is valid. You should never feel like you have to waver over your belief system to find love.
If you're okay with long-distance dating
What if you want to date someone, but you're too shy to ever meet them in person? Dating someone long-distance sort of saves you from having to make those face-to-face plans. What if you're interested in relocating somewhere you've never been before, but you want to connect with potential romantic partners in that area before you take such a leap? Dating people long-distance through an app before packing up your things to move could be a great way to prepare yourself for the unknown.
Jolly Romance, The Lucky Date, and Eastern Honeys are some great apps to consider if you're more comfortable dating someone from afar. PenPal World is another option to think about if you're interested in meeting people from any country across the globe. You can sign up for a free account and remain in control of all friendly or flirty correspondence coming your way. There's no shame in wanting to date someone long distance if it removes loads of pressure or anxiousness from your shoulders.
If your safety and well-being are the most important
There have been one too many horror stories released in the news about devastating things happening to young people who meet up with strangers from dating apps. If your safety is your top priority, Match is a great place to start. It's a top choice because it helps users avoid romance scams and unwanted contact. Users can access free background checks in the app, so you know you're only interacting with people who haven't committed any serious crimes.
It turns out that eHarmony is another safe dating app choice due to its secure messaging system and two-factor authentication. This means that it's very difficult for catfishes to create profiles without getting flagged for suspicious behavior. The best rule of thumb when meeting people on dating apps is to always meet for the first time in a public location surrounded by many other people. Using the safest possible dating apps will nudge you in the right direction when it comes to protecting your well-being.
If you want to date someone based on their wealth and success
Are you the type of person who is tired of dating people who can't pull their own weight? Are you ready to be wined and dined by your next significant other? There are plenty of apps to sign up for if you want to date someone based on their wealth and success. SugarDaddy, Seeking, SugarDaddyMeet, and What's Your Price are our top suggestions for people who are on the same page about these things.
You can lengthen that list with Elite Singles, Secret Benefits, and Established Men. The allure of these apps is that people with an abundance of wealth and financial freedom sign up looking for individuals whom they find extremely attractive. This means that attractive individuals don't necessarily need to have tons of success or wealth under their belts since that's not what they're expected to bring to the table. These dating apps are designed specifically for people interested in mutually beneficial relationships between consenting adults.
If you want the chance to date a celebrity
If there is a possible chance that you can match with a celebrity you've been crushing on for years, would you take it? Downloading Raya might just be your way to make that happen. Raya is an exclusive dating app designed for celebrities. Some of the famous people who've been spotted on the app in the past include Matthew Perry, Ben Affleck, Demi Lovato, Channing Tatum, and John Mayer.
The pros of downloading Raya are that the members tend to be interesting and respectful, the app is appealing and exciting due to its exclusivity, and it's intriguing to come across dating profiles that belong to true celebrities. Signing up for a Raya account isn't the easiest thing ever, though, because it's invite-only. On top of that, you have to pay to be a member whether you sign up for one month, six months, or a full year. The rule of thumb for being invited and accepted on an app like Raya is that you should be at least a little influential with a decently large following on your social media platforms such as Instagram or TikTok. The app is only compatible with iPhone users also, so android folks are out of luck.
If you're okay with anyone messaging you
One of the reasons people prefer dating apps like Tinder and Bumble is that you can't communicate with anyone unless mutual interest has been shown. In other words, two people have to swipe on each other before a conversation can get started. If you don't mind anyone in the world reaching out and dropping you the line, OKCupid is certainly the dating app for you.
It sort of doesn't matter at all if you find the other person attractive while they're scripting out a message for you on OKCupid. Your inbox will potentially fill up with notes from people coming in all shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicities. You can also try Plenty of Fish if this style of online dating suits you best. All you have to do is browse the database to scout out people you might be interested in. You can also check whether or not individuals are online to gauge when to get a conversation started.
If you'll be investing money
It's clear that you're taking the process of dating super seriously if you're willing to start investing money. Plenty of dating apps are totally free to use, but you have to weed through users who aren't determined about achieving the same romantic goals you care about. If you're willing to pay into the process, there's a chance you'll be able to meet the person you're looking for. Match and The League are two dating apps that are worth paying into if you're looking for love over the age of 35.
Paying into eHarmony to meet your match is a smart move also. Money.com broke down eHarmony's costs revealing that they offer a free three-day trial to see if you're actually enjoying yourself. After that, you can sign up for one month at $59.95, or three months at $29.95 each. In addition to spending money for any of these profiles, you'll also be expected to fill out extensive questionnaires in order to come across the people with whom you'll be most compatible.
If you care about in-depth dating profiles and prompts
Some folks who use dating apps aren't interested in answering long questionnaires or filling out "about me" sections. They'd rather keep it short and sweet by paying attention to pictures instead of paragraphs and descriptions. If you're the type of person who actually cares about in-depth dating profiles and problems, we suggest downloading Bumble, Hinge, or Coffee Meets Bagel. You can lengthen that list with OkCupid and Match.
Some of the dating prompts you might come across on these apps are playful and silly. You can find out what someone's recent shower thoughts were, what they spend the bulk of their money on, or the most spontaneous thing they've done in the last year. Other dating prompts are a little more serious and thought-provoking. People might open up about the places they want to travel, something they've been fearful of since childhood, or why their last relationship crumbled.
If you're dating in the LGBTQ+ community
There are several incredible dating apps to consider for people in the LGBTQ+ community. Scruff, Hornet, Jack'd, Grindr, and Her are some top options for people wanting to date in their community. You can still use dating apps that cater to heterosexual couples by toggling your preferences to reveal exactly what you're into. This means you can successfully use Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder in your search for love if you so choose.
Grindr is arguably the most popular dating app for gay people, while Her is greatly appreciated by lesbians. Apps that are specifically designed for members of the LGBTQ+ community give you the chance to choose through multiple sexualities and multiple gender identities while setting up your profile. You can also assign more than one pronoun to your bio to allow your potential matches to better understand who you are as a person. Grindr and Her offer premium memberships that you can pay into if you want to take your relationship search more seriously.
If you want to meet other sober people
People who are on a journey of sobriety often know that it's easier to connect with others who are also in recovery. Dating without the use of drugs and alcohol can be difficult if you've dedicated yourself to staying clean from all substances. Downloading Loosid, Clean & Sober Love, Love in Recovery, 12 Step Match, and MeetMindful are some options that will make your journey a whole lot simpler.
Sober Grid is another app you might consider adding to your list. When you link up with potential partners on apps like these, you don't have to worry about them inviting you out to a nightclub, bar, or cocktail lounge. Instead, it's more likely that plans for a daytime brunch or outing will be arranged. Even if you come up with dinner plans in the late evening with a potential future partner, going places where alcohol and drugs are being circulated simply won't be on the table.
If you're interested in polygamist dating
Polyamorous dating apps are more common than ever these days now that people are becoming more comfortable discussing the notion of open relationships. As long as everyone involved knows how to communicate, has a sense of maturity, and understands that trust is required, polyamorous relationships can thrive. Think about downloading Double Dates, More Than One, and PolyFinda. You might also consider creating profiles on Open, Down, PolyAm Date, and PolyMatchmaker.
Individuals who are in successful polyamorous relationships tend to avoid jealousy by keeping open minds about what it means to truly love more than one person at a time. Although the idea of being in a polyamorous relationship might still be considered slightly taboo to many people in society, that doesn't mean you should feel held back from exploring your options. It's pretty difficult to find polyamorous opportunities on typical dating apps like Tinder or Bumble, which means apps that are specifically geared towards polyamorous individuals are beyond necessary.
If you're interested in interracial dating
Everyone has their own preferences, and that includes dating outside of your own race and culture. Anyone who's interested in pursuing an interracial relationship has the freedom to do that these days in the United States. Being able to love whoever you want to love, regardless of their skin color, is a beautiful concept. If this matters to you the most, setting up a profile on Interracial Dating Central or AfroRomance could be in your best interest.
You can add to that list Interracial Match, Interracial Romance, MixedMatch, Interracial Cupid, and Interracial People Meet. It's definitely possible to find what you're looking for on typical dating apps like Tinder or Bumble, but if the specific goal you have in mind is to date someone interracially, these apps exist for that purpose. Interracial dating apps give potential couples a chance to discuss topics that go way beyond race and culture with the creative and conversational prompts they provide.
If you prioritize spirituality and astrology
There's something different about the way this generation views spirituality. Millennials and Gen-Z individuals all seem to be incredibly open-minded when it comes to subjects such as manifestation, the Law of Attraction, the Law of Assumption, and more. They also tend to be interested in things such as astrology, healing crystals, and chakras. If these are things you care about on a deeper level, there are dating apps you can download to find exactly what you're looking for.
An app called Stars Align is the best one to download if you want to meet someone who shares similar spiritual interests with you. In fact, the app even matches you with potential partners based on whether or not your zodiac signs are compatible with the astrological chart. Some other dazzling options include Spiritual MatchMaking and Spiritual Singles. You might not easily cross paths with people who care about spirituality and astrology on regular dating apps, which is why these options exist.
If you're a single parent
Being a single parent isn't the easiest thing in the world. Just because you have kids (and your original relationship didn't work out), it doesn't mean finding love isn't in the cards for you. Think about Single Parent Match and Next Love as some potential options for those who want to date with kids in tow. Stir is one of the newer apps that's already being thought of as the ideal dating up for a single parent since it was created by the same company that launched Match, OkCupid, Tinder, and Hinge, giving it instant credibility.
When you're dating as a parent, you also have to keep your children's best interests in mind. The good thing about dating other single parents is that they totally understand the struggle of booking babysitters, dealing with ex-partners you share custody with, child support drama, and more. Single parents who date childless individuals often butt heads about priorities. Two single parents who come together in one solid relationship are able to easily understand each other's needs.
If you're over the age of 50
Finding love over the age of 50 doesn't have to feel impossible. No matter how old you are, you deserve to experience a whirlwind romance. If you're on the older side, it's possible that you've lost your partner to death or divorce. It doesn't necessarily matter why you're single at an older age, though, because all that matters is that you're open to love. There are tons of places you can go to find it.
Silver Singles, eHarmony, Senior Match, Singles 50, and Our Time are top-tier choices. In addition, Facebook Dating is easy enough to try if you're over the age of 50 and are passionate about meeting your next partner. Millennials and Gen-Zers are using Facebook less and less, which means that Facebook is filled with a crowd of older folks who are way more active there. It won't be long before you strike up a conversation with someone in your area who cares about the same things you do.
If you have one or more disabilities
Most people can agree that putting yourself out there on dating apps is difficult enough as it is. It makes things even more complicated when you're dealing with one or more disabilities. It makes it easier to start dating when you don't have to fret over the timeline of when and where you should share details about your disability with potential partners. You can skip that conversation altogether by using dating apps intended for people with disabilities such as Glimmer, Disability Matches, Dating4Disabled, and Single Disabled.
Downloading Disabled Passions, Special Bridge, or Whispers4U can all potentially lead you toward your soulmate. When looking for love on a dating app that's intended for people with disabilities, you can be open, honest, and upfront about whatever you'd like to share about yourself on your profile. These apps give you a chance to focus on other interesting subjects beyond your disability since you've already gotten that conversation out of the way.
If personal STI or STD diagnoses affect you
Being diagnosed with an incurable STI or STD doesn't mean that your chances are finding true love have been diminished forever. According to Inner Body, more than 18.6 million Americans have genital herpes, 42.5 million Americans have the human papillomavirus (also known as HPV), and 1.2 million Americans have HIV. If this is you, why not try finding potential partners on apps such as Positive Singles, Meet Positives, and POZ Personals?
Some people have mixed feelings about these types of dating apps because unfair stigmas might be getting perpetuated. These people believe that it isn't right for those with permanent STIs and STDs to feel like they can't use regular dating apps such as Tinder or Bumble. The reason these apps exist, though, is so that people who have been positively diagnosed don't have to worry about the pressure of disclosing their status with new partners. They avoid dealing with the rejection that could potentially come along with that. If you're dating someone who already has the same diagnosis as you, then it's easy for you both to understand and accept each other on a deeper level.