Meeting a partner online used to feel like a futuristic dream — but those days are long gone. 

In 2022, there were over 366 million people using online dating sites to find their match. And that number’s only going to grow.

Looking for that special someone online is the new normal, but that means there’s been an influx of websites and apps that all do the same thing. And it can be hard to tell what the best dating apps are for you, no matter what your relationship goals are. Tinder’s easy to use, but it’s saturated with people hoping for a no-strings-attached situation. And apps like Hinge might feel too serious when you’re looking for a fling.

Whether you're hunting for the love of your life or searching for a hookup, using the proper online forum boosts your chances of success. 

Are dating apps worth it? The pros and cons

Popular dating apps have transformed how people meet. They make it easier to connect with people in your area, start a conversation, and put yourself out there with a few taps. That said, like any tool, even the most successful dating apps have benefits and drawbacks. Let's look at the pros and cons: 

Pros 

• There are dating apps that actually work: Countless people have found long-term love on dating apps. It's becoming much more common in modern love stories. 

• It's easy to meet new people: You can connect with potential matches at home or on the go, all with a swipe or a click. This makes it so much easier to date when you have a busy schedule and can’t go out every single night to meet people.

• You have control of your situation: With dating apps, you choose who to talk to, when to talk to them, and what information to share. 

• You can chat with multiple people simultaneously: Flirting with a few people at once helps you find someone who checks all your boxes without the in-person pressures of traditional dating.

Cons

• More opportunity for conflict: Because texting lacks the same intonation and nonverbal communication you get in person, misunderstandings may be more likely to happen. 

• You may connect with a catfish: Unfortunately, not everyone online is genuine. Some people use fake photos and details to convince others they're someone else. 

• Online dating may lead to online harassment: Not everyone behaves the way they should online. Some users might send unsolicited pictures or unwelcome messages, and there are discussions about how safe dating apps really are. 

• It can take considerable time and effort: Finding the right match often takes time. It's a process that often requires plenty of swiping and many lackluster first dates, and it can get tiring.

The 9 best dating apps 

There are so many paid and free dating apps out there now it's hard to know which one to try. Each one puts a unique spin on the dating experience, but the number of options might feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the scene.

Here's a breakdown of some of the most popular dating apps available from the Apple App Store and Google Play:

1. Bumble

This female-forward app encourages people who identify as women to make the first move. If you’re a woman, you have 24 hours to initiate a conversation before a match disappears, and people who identify as men on Bumble actually can’t send the first message — for queer couples, anyone can say “Hi” first. As a bonus, Bumble is one of the best apps for networking (Bumble Bizz) and making new friends (Bumble BFF). 

Bumble is free to use, but Bumble Boost, which costs $8.99 weekly, and Bumble Premium, which costs $19.99 weekly, include extra features. You can see who's shown interest in your profile and purchase Spotlights and SuperSwipes (which boost your profile) without a subscription. 

2. Tinder

One of the best dating apps for young adults, Tinder, introduced the revolutionary concept of swiping right for “Yes” and left for “No.” If both people swipe right, it's a match, and they can start a conversation.

Tinder has a massive user base and is generally known as a hookup app for casual dating, though many users do find love through the platform. Basic Tinder is available for free, but there are three main subscription tiers: Tinder Plus ($7.99/month), Tinder Gold ($24.99/month), and Tinder Platinum ($29.99/month). And if you’re really into it, there’s Tinder Select for $499/month.

3. Coffee Meets Bagel

This free dating app has a unique approach (and a cute name) for straight dating. Every day at noon, men on the app receive a selection of up to 21 profiles of women in their area. And then the app sends female users up to six people who've expressed interest in them. This system creates a curated experience that reduces swiping time and plays with gender dynamics to give women more control.

CoffeeMeetsBagel is marketed as an app for serious online daters, so users seeking casual hookups need not apply. Users are called Bagels, and when two Bagels like each other's profiles, a chat becomes available that expires in seven days. This helps encourage Bagels to meet up IRL instead of texting endlessly. 

4. BLK

Catering specifically to Black singles, BLK is a dating and lifestyle app that helps people find connections based on shared backgrounds and experiences. It gives each user a personalized list of profiles and a swipe feature for easy browsing. It costs $9.99 per month, but it’s worth it for the warm and inviting space.

5. Hinge

Billing itself as "designed to be deleted," Hinge is all about finding the one. When building your profile, Hinge gives you fun prompts that serve as conversation starters to break the ice and provide insights into compatibility. That means these profiles are pretty comprehensive — and according to the app’s website, it uses a Nobel-Prize-winning algorithm to choose who to show you.  

Hinge works similarly to other dating apps, letting you like or dislike other users from the dating pool based on their profiles. But it also enables you to like specific parts of someone's profile, such as a picture or a response to one of the icebreaker questions. It’s a great way to start a more specific conversation instead of “WYD?”

The free version of Hinge allows users to like up to eight profiles daily. Hinge+ and HingeX are paid versions, with extra features that cost $14.99–$29.99 monthly.

6. Plenty of Fish (POF)

An OG dating app, POF has had a vast user base since its launch in 2003. It offers a mix of free and premium features and detailed questionnaires for weeding out incompatible matches. Calling itself "The most welcoming way to date," POF allows users to play dating games, send direct messages, and even live stream. 

POF is unique in its conversational approach to connecting people, but keep in mind that its dating pool is older than most. It's free to sign up, and three, six, and 12-month memberships are available for $25, $60, and $110.

7. Happn

Have you ever crossed paths with someone and felt an instant connection? Happn uses location-based services to show you potential matches you've crossed paths with in real life. With the tagline, "Find your Crush in the places you love," this app brings an element of real-life serendipity into online dating — which its 100 million users can't get enough of.

On Happn, a match is called a "Crush," and you like profiles that come up according to the search criteria you set (there's no swiping here). This app lets users choose dealbreakers right from the get-go, which can be particularly helpful if you want a serious relationship. The only downside is you might not see a lot of profiles if you don’t live in a big city.

This dating site is free, but a paid premium subscription with additional features is available for $21.99 for one month, $11.34 per month for three months, or $7.59 per month for six months. 

8. Feels

Feels redefines the traditional dating app concept by promoting real people and vibes. It takes a stance against social pressure and relationship norms to advocate for relaxed relationships without labels. There's no swiping. Instead, it shows you videos like Instagram Stories, giving you a sneak peek into what someone’s life is like. Feels is free, but subscriptions are available with costs varying according to country. 

9. Feeld

Yes, this is a different app from the one above. Feeld is a dating app for the open-minded, with a heavy focus on polyamory, ethical non-monogamy, and people of all sexualities. Founded in London in 2014, it’s become extremely popular in sex-positive communities, with communication at its center.

Feeld has over 20 gender and sexuality identifiers, and it lets you state your kinks and desires right on your profile if you’re open to doing so. And if you’re already partnered but looking for fun together, you can connect your profiles and search as one. 

This app is free to use, but does have a Majestic Membership option for unlimited likes and more visibility into the people who’ve already liked you.

The future of connection

As the world becomes increasingly digital, our smartphones are valuable tools for connection. All it takes to find your dream date is a swipe.

Whether you're seeking a spouse or a fun night on the town, don't forget about the importance of dating yourself, too. That's where Quinn, an ethical audio erotica app created by women and for the world, comes in. 

This app lets you explore your own sexuality in a fun, empowering way, on your own or even with a partner. To access thousands of narrated sex stories, guided masturbation sessions, and playlists, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.