With a smaller dating pool, there are way fewer dating options out there for queer folks. Apps and websites are an easy answer. Over 50% of LGBTQ+ singles have dated someone they met online, and that number is only 28% for straight people. 

Dating apps corral all the hopeful singles in your area (or at least, most of them) into one place and make it easy to match up with new crushes and swipe away your exes. But not all apps are LGBTQ+-friendly. If you’ve ever been on Tinder, you probably noticed that you swiped through all the cute girls in your city and got stuck looking at the “You’re out of people” screen — or worse, encountered some men. Or maybe you tried Bumble and found its girls-go-first system wasn’t for you. 

If you're looking to try out the online dating thing but aren’t sure what apps serve the queer community, these are the best lesbian dating apps out there. 

What is online dating? 

Let’s go back to basics for a second. Online dating started in the 1990s with Match.com, the very first online dating website. From there, more options kept popping up, like eHarmony and OkCupid, which had detailed surveys to unpack your personality and find a clear match.  

Online dating has evolved considerably since then. In 2023, the apps are sleek and multi-functional, and there's more variety than you know what to do with. Some apps make you start a conversation within 24 hours or risk your match (Bumble), while others have users kick things off by leaving comments on specific parts of others’ profiles (Hinge). Each one tries to promise that it has the best system ever for finding love. But like the in-person meet-cutes of your dreams, there’s no one-size-fits-all way to connect with people.

Despite their differences, online dating apps all have something in common: helping people meet, learn more about each other, and potentially form romantic or sexual relationships. That doesn’t change no matter who you are or what apps you’re using. You just have to discover which of these magical love-matching systems works for you — both as a queer person and as an individual.

What are lesbian dating apps? 

Lesbian dating apps are digital meeting grounds for women attracted to other women, whether they identify as LGBTQ+, bisexual, or are exploring their sexuality. 

Because many mainstream dating platforms feel dominated by heterosexual norms, companies started creating non-men-only dating apps for queer women to authentically connect. They're vibrant communities offering users everything from romance to friendship, understanding, and support. 

These apps cater to the unique needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ non-men with tailored profiles, advanced filters to narrow down matches, and different communication modes. Whether you're interested in a serious relationship or casual hook-up, lesbian dating apps are great for getting out there and making connections on your terms.  

When it comes to lesbian dating apps, free and paid options are available. It all depends on what strikes your fancy in terms of features and functionalities. 

7 best lesbian dating apps   

Navigating the world of queer online dating can feel intimidating, but don’t take it too seriously. Choose an app and try it out, and if it doesn’t work for you, delete it and try something else. It’s really as simple as that. 

Here's a breakdown of seven of the best lesbian dating apps and why they're worth trying:  

1. HER 

The HER dating app is designed specifically for people who identify as women looking to date, network, and make friends. Users swipe to find matches and explore social features like communities and events, so if you’re looking to connect with lots of people in your area, HER is a great place to gather. 

Made for queers, by queers, HER has over 13 million members and is a supportive FLINTA (female, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender) community. It also has safe options for people who aren’t ready to come out, keeping their profile incognito until they’re ready.

HER is available globally for iOS and Android, with a free version and a $14.99 option for more features. 

2. Lex 

Lex is a queer dating app for everyone but cisgender men — so that includes lesbian, two-spirit, and asexual people, to name a few. This dating app is for having fun, building relationships, and everything in between, with a strong emphasis on community and friendship.

Lex takes a text-first, selfie-second approach that focuses on real connections, allowing members to express their personalities and interests before revealing their physical appearances. It's available worldwide for iOS and Android and has a Lexplore subscription option for $6.99 per month.

3. Hinge 

Known for its “designed to be deleted” mantra, Hinge is all about helping users make meaningful connections. It's not exclusive to LGBTQ+ individuals, but it does have inclusive features allowing users to specify their preferences and gender identities.

Hinge is built on a Nobel-Prize-winning algorithm and is known for its detailed profiles, which spark conversations that dive deeper than just “Hey.” It has paid and free membership options for iOS and Android, with subscriptions starting at $14.99 per month.

4. Taimi 

Taimi curates flexible dating and sexual experiences for LGBTQ+ members. A cross between a gay dating app and a social network, Taimi matches lesbian, gay, and genderqueer users based on interests and locations, and it has unique features like video calls and public posts. Its proprietary algorithm drives mutual likes, and measures are in place to prevent harassment. 

Taimi is available globally and prides itself on being a safe space, which makes it a great option if you’re just diving into queer dating. With over 16 million users, Taimi has free and paid versions for iOS and Android, and the different paid levels start at $3.99. 

5. Fem 

If you love TikTok, you'll love Fem. This lesbian dating app is video-based, with many users posting videos instead of photos (though photos are still allowed) for a more authentic window into who they are. It allows users to browse videos and start group chats with nearby people, with unlimited free messages.  

Fem is a great option, but the catch is it’s only available for Android. Like other apps, it has some paid features that vary in price, and it also has a game-like coin system that lets you unlock different chat rooms and see who’s liked you.

6. Feeld 

If you're non-monogamous or want to dabble in group play, Feeld might be for you. This inclusive dating app originated as a platform for threesomes but has expanded way beyond that, offering options like polyamory, kink, and of course, queer dating for all genders. 

Feeld is LGBTQ+ friendly and is one of the best dating apps for queer women exploring different relationship dynamics. Singles and couples create accounts, swiping through potential matches, and users connect to chat by sending “pings.”

This app, designed to connect like-minded, open-minded people, is super-inclusive with more than 20 gender and sexuality identities. It also offers a fun group chat feature. On both iOS and Android, it’s one of the best lesbian dating apps for free, but it also has paid options starting at $29.99 per month. 

7. Lesly  

Lesly is an app for people who identify as women seeking other people who identify as women. Similar to Tinder, this app lets you swipe left and right on different profiles and then chat with matches. But the biggest perk is that Lesly verifies all profiles so you know you’re matching with the real deal.

Advertised as a social network and dating app for lesbians, bisexual, and queer women, Lesly is available on the Google Play and App Store. The monthly subscription starts at $9.99.

How to stay safe on dating apps 

Using dating apps is fun and exciting, but taking precautions to stay safe is vital to having positive experiences. Here are some dating rules for the app world: 

• Don't sign up with social media: Signing up for a dating app with Instagram or Facebook could give people unwanted access to your socials. Use your phone number or email address instead. 

• Get to know them first: Spend extra time chatting on the app to get a feel for the person and who they are before meeting up. There's no rush! 

• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, trust your gut, and end communication if you feel uncomfortable.

• Video call first: FaceTime your potential date before meeting in person. This lets you know they are who they say they are and can weed out incompatibility. 

• Meet in public: For your first date, choose a public place like a coffee shop or a busy park. The presence of others makes things safer and offers a level playing ground for your first interaction. 

• Let your friends or family know: Always tell a trusted friend or family member about your plans, including where you're going and with whom. If anything goes south, they’ll be able to help you. You can also use your smartphone's location-sharing feature to give real-time updates on where you are to a friend or family member. 

• Personal transportation: Arrange your own transportation to and from a date, whether that's driving yourself, taking the bus, or getting dropped off and picked up. This means you can leave whenever you want if you feel uncomfortable.

• Privacy protection: Be cautious about sharing personal information with your date, like your home address or workplace, until you know you can trust them. 

Stay in with Quinn 

For those times when you're not navigating the dating scene, Quinn's audio erotica offers a unique way to explore your sexuality. 

Stay in for the night and dive into a range of sexy stories catering to different preferences, moods, and kinks. A safe, private space to explore your fantasies at your pace is the perfect complement to your dating adventures, and Quinn's content is ethical, fun, and arousing.

The Quinn app lets you explore your own sexuality in an empowering, healthy way. To access thousands of narrated sex stories, guided masturbation sessions, and playlists, download Quinn for iOS or Android.