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Dating? In this economy? If you're hesitant to put yourself out there, you're not alone. One random survey of 2,000 Americans conducted in December 2023 found that some adults -- 37% of those surveyed -- are going on fewer dates due to things like high expenses. That might be why online dating apps like the recently updated Bumble (more on that below) are so popular these days.
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Dating apps make it easy to meet new people and make meaningful connections without all the stress, time, and money that can come with bad matches, blind dates, or meeting people at spendy social functions. The best dating apps are ones that eventually get deleted off your phone altogether -- but before you get to your "happily ever after," you have to find the right app for you.
And with so many dating apps to choose from (do you steer clear of paid apps or look for premium subscriptions with extra features? Are some apps better for the LGBTQIA+ community? Are you looking for certain shared interests or beliefs?), that can feel like a challenge. To help you make that first move confidently, we outline the top dating apps of 2024 and why you should sign up below.
When it comes to finding long-term (or short-term, live your life) love, Hinge has really climbed to the top of our list in recent years. Hinge doesn't disclose how many people use the mobile app to find connections, but according to one 2022 survey, 39% of adults aged 18 to 29 used it at least once.
Hinge stands out from the crowd by being more than just a swipe-based app. Users reach out using likes and comments instead, which can lead to more meaningful connections since this forces users to be more deliberate and thoughtful when sending someone a like.
Due to Hinge's growing popularity, it's becoming increasingly easy for gay, lesbian, and nonbinary users to find like-minded or open-minded individuals. Since Hinge is more of a relationship-oriented app; for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, it can offer a refreshing alternative to more casual apps such as Tinder or Grindr.
If a traditional swipe-based app is more your speed, we recommend adding Bumble to your phone. This dating app is all about shaking things up a bit when it comes to what people expect from a dating app.
One way Bumble goes about this is by offering more than just romantic connections. In addition to Bumble date, there are two other modes for interested users: Bumble BFF for making friendships and Bumble bizz for networking with potential professional connections.
The other standout feature of Bumble is the way communication works. Up until very recently, women were required to make the first move on Bumble, which was meant to take away some of the concern women and female-presenting people may have on other dating apps where unsolicited messages can be a problem.
On May 6, 2024, Bumble announced a new feature to cut back on some of the anxiety and uncertainty that came with the app's women-first approach to matchmaking. Opening moves is a new feature that gives women the option to set a question prompt that anyone can reply to. This new addition doesn't change the dynamics of Bumble too much -- opening moves aren't required -- but it's a welcome addition that can alleviate some matchmaking stress. This also extends to non-heterosexual dating as well: In nonbinary or same-gender matches, either party can set or respond to an opening move.
If you don't like filling out a detailed profile, maybe check out other mobile apps on our list first, because eHarmony starts users off with a compatibility quiz full of 80 questions. These help clarify details such as user likes and dislikes, communication styles, and what an ideal match might look like.
Until recently, eHarmony had limited options for LGBTQIA+ users interested in online dating. But in 2023, after consulting with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, eHarmony rolled out a big update with new inclusivity features. These included an expanded list of gender identities such as agender, bigender, genderfluid, transgender, nonbinary and more. There is also now the option to select whether you're interested in dating people who identify as men, women or nonbinary.
If you want a quality mobile app that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to use all of the best features, we recommend OKCupid. Users can create an account, upload photos, and send messages to potential matches with a free account (other users will have to swipe right on your profile as well to read your message, however).
While not specifically geared towards the LGBTQIA+ population, OKCupid does have more inclusive features than many other apps. OKCupid was the first dating app to let users list their personal pronouns, for example, plus there are more than 20 gender identities one can select when building their profile.
Offering users a match score and questionnaire similar to eHarmony's compatibility quiz (although less time-consuming), OKCupid uses user info to find potential matches. OKCupid is also a great dating app for inclusivity: the mobile app lets users choose from 13 sexual orientations and 22 gender identities.
One of the oldest dating sites around, Match has been bringing people together online since its launch in 1995. Setting up an account is super easy: no long quizzes or requirements to fill out every prompt before you can start matching with people (you can come back to add more prompts on your own time).
Match also offers a few features that make connecting with new people online easier than ever, including a matching algorithm that connects people based on gender identity and sexual preference in addition to location.
There is also a video chat feature that becomes available once you connect with someone. Additionally, users have access to Match-approved in-person events like hikes, food tours, and speed dating get-togethers.
These days, sites like Tinder, Hinge, Happn, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel are very popular with commitment-minded singles. Believe it or not, many of my marriage-minded clients have tried dating apps and have had very good experiences. In fact, some prefer dating apps over traditional online dating sites!
What a great article!
I am almost 40, and a couple of months ago I decided I am not coming back to apps. Ever.
And I loved the way you explained the logic behind this decision! Totally can relate to that!
Hi Emily, i recently came across you on instagram and started following you. I really like this blog post about the app, completely agree with you. About a year ago i deleted all the apps , i was exhausted and hopeless to meet someone there that is not looking to just have sex no strings attached. So I decided that enough was enough. Well i wish you the best finding the one. I will continue reading your posts and following you on IG.
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Tinder was the most entertaining but the most off-the-wall. Despite my efforts to be clear, my intentions often got lost. I encountered flirting and spam. I was ghosted, and I was the ghost. I even found myself in unexpected late-night text conversations, and one woman invited me to be the third member of her relationship.
The experiment started when I moved to Oregon from Colorado this past August. I initially had some luck joining ski-specific Facebook groups and meeting strangers in gas station parking lots to carpool into the Willamette National Forest. Mainly, the Facebook groups connected me with older women just learning to backcountry ski tour, which was empowering and lovely.
But come January, when our local hill opened for the season, I dove into the dating apps headfirst. By then, admittedly, my crisis for ski friends had already passed with my middle-aged posse on lock. However, I was still looking for a wider circle of ski friends my own age, folks who would ideally create an outdoorsy posse of mid-twenty-somethings. This group could lovingly get cranky about the woes of young adulthood over lift-bound PBRs.
Wanna shred??!? Was my opening line. Hinge proved more successful, with profiles feeling more genuine, even if matches were fewer. On Tinder, I swiped right on anyone remotely standing in the snow in a photo.
Eventually, we retired to the parking lot to make quesadillas on my camp stove, but I forgot the cheese. Instead, we sat on the asphalt with snacks cobbled together from our pockets and the far reaches of our cars.
I changed some design elements, added some new features and tried to publish it to Test Flight, so my friends with iPhone can test and send feedback to me. But my app was rejected again on Test Flight too with same reason.
In fact dating app that I developed is for a small group of people and there are (as far as I count) only 5 more dating apps in App Store for same small group of people. My dating app would be the 6th of them, if it was published. I think 6 apps for same group of people should not be too much.
For example should I wait for success of android version of this app. If many users are regularly using this app on android and many iOS users give me feedback as they want an iOS version of this app, and if I present these requests to apple review team, is that help to be published on App Store?
the App Store has enough fart, burp, flashlight, fortune telling, dating, drinking games, and Kama Sutra apps, etc. already. We will reject these apps unless they provide a unique, high-quality experience.
should I wait for success of android version of this app. If many users are regularly using this app on android and many iOS users give me feedback as they want an iOS version of this app, and if I present these requests to apple review team, is that help to be published on App Store? 152ee80cbc
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