With so many options around the city, figuring out what the best dating apps in Baltimore are, can be challenging. You may even be hesitant to use a dating app but it’s one of the best ways to meet people around town. If you aren’t sure where to start, we can help!
Especially with the pandemic, you might even be more confused on the correct course of action. After all, dating has been changed PERMANENTLY. But, you’re in luck: it has changed in favor of the virtual dating experience. More people now are joining dating apps and sites in hopes of finding someone they match up with.
Our experienced team has personally tested and reviewed over 100 dating apps, so we know firsthand which ones are the best. Compared to the rest of Maryland, our city has a bigger variety of singles. We’ve got the dating app for you whether you live in Federal Hill, Charles Village, Downtown or anywhere else in Baltimore.
Let’s take a look at some of the best dating apps and sites Baltimore has to offer!
#1 - Tagged is for those wanting a chill dating experience
Tired of the stressful dating experience? Wanting something laid-back, fun, and just generally free from anxiety? Then Tagged is probably where you want to be. Play games with matches, tap into a vat of potential partners who keep things light and date without the awkwardness. After all, what better way to break the ice than by playing a game? And if you don't end up finding someone fun to match with, at least you had some fun!
Why you should try Tagged:
- All of the users prioritize fun and are chill
- You won’t have awkward dating experiences
- You can play games with matches
What we don’t like about it:
- There seem to be a decent number of bugs
- There isn’t a shortage of fake users
#2 - eHarmony is the best dating site in Baltimore for long-term relationships
eHarmony is the best place to start looking for a long-term relationship in Baltimore right now. Hookup culture is huge now but are there still plenty of people who want to settle down? If that sounds like you, this is the best dating app in Baltimore for you, by far.
What makes eHarmony so good is that it does a lot of the work to make finding and building chemistry with other singles easy. You don't have to scroll through hundreds of profiles, send dozens of messages and maybe get a date or two. They do all of that for you.
To set up your profile, you need to answer a multiple-choice quiz about your values, interests, habits and attitudes. eHarmony will then match you with singles who answered the quiz similarly. With the detailed multiple-choice quiz, you should easily find something in common with the matches suggested to you.
This is a system that has worked for MILLIONS of people. In fact, eHarmony is responsible for 75% of all marriages that started online. One app responsible for 75%! It's hard to say they don't get the best results when they are 300% better than EVERYONE else combined.
If you haven't tried it, you need to. Start with their trial offer below and start getting results.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Baltimore:
- 75% of all marriages that begin online start here
- Over 35 million users worldwide, so the dating pool is huge.
- Best success we’ve seen for long-term relationships
- Your matches are curated specifically for you daily
- eHarmony offers a great refund policy for unsatisfied customers
What we don’t like about it:
- The sign-up process is time-consuming as you must answer all 80 multiple-choice questions first
- No search option to find matches yourself
#3 - Tantan is for those tired of fake profiles
Ever wanted a dating app that actually prioritizes preventing bots and fakers from joining the pool? Well, that’s what the original creators of Tantan wanted.. and they made it happen. If you want a genuine chance to match with real people, then this is the platform for you. No more fakers, no more catfishers, no more BS - just real, honest dating.
TanTan may be more popular in Asia than it is in the US. But considering how many people are quitting Tinder and Bumble, it might just be the next big thing. So get a headstart by checking it out!
Why you should try Tantan:
- Tantan prioritizes preventing bots from joining the platform.
- There are over a million reviews.
- The app has been rated 4/5 stars
What we don’t like about it:
- There seem to be quite a few fake reviews.
- It seems to be more expensive than other options.
#4 - AFF is the best hookup app in Baltimore
AFF is the only Baltimore hookup app worth using right now, especially for guys. Tinder used to be great but it's pretty much just a dating app now. If you're just looking for something casual and fun AFF is where it's at these days.
This app is so good because it's really popular in Baltimore and it doesn't mess around. It's all about being a great hookup site and helping you meet other people looking for the same thing.
It really stands out by how active the users are. They aren't just waiting around looking for compliments, they're actually trying to meet people. If you're looking for something without any strings attached give their free trial a shot below.
Why you should try AFF:
- The most popular hookup site in Baltimore with over 60 million total users
- Where we’ve been seeing men have the best success
- Very easy to use
What we don’t like about it:
- Many users can only access via web app
- Too many ads on it
#5 - Tinder can be great for the young crowd
Tinder was created in 2012 and since its inception, it has become one of the most popular dating apps for young people. The app has been downloaded more than 100 million times on the Android Play Store alone, so it’s safe to say you’ll have plenty of options on Tinder.
Tinder started as an app for finding flings and while it can still be used as such, many young people are finding long-term relationships on Tinder. As Tinder focuses heavily on looks, it can be harder to find someone with common interests but it’s not impossible.
Why Tinder has over 50 million active users:
- As there are so many users on Tinder, it continues to attract more and more people
- You can choose from over 30 different gender identities on Tinder, so everyone is welcome
- Great for young people as 30% of users are millennials
What we don’t like about it:
- Only around 30% of users actually meet up with their matches
- The app is appearance-based as the focus is on people’s pictures
#6 - Bumble is a favorite among women
Bumble is one of the best Baltimore dating apps for women who are hesitant to start online dating. On the app, the woman has to message the man first. This allows women to control who can message them and who can’t, as a man cannot message a woman until she reaches out first.
On Bumble, women don’t need to worry about being bombarded by inappropriate messages all day long, which is one of the main things that put women off from online dating.
Why Bumble is one of the best dating apps in Baltimore:
- Women have full control over their matches and who messages them
- Setting up an account and using the app are both extremely easy
- There are a lot of young (20 to 35 years old) people using Bumble now
Why we can’t say it’s the best Baltimore dating app overall:
- Gender identity is limited on Bumble
- For same-sex couples, Bumble functions as most dating apps do.
#7 - Happn is great for people on-the-go
Happn is the best app for people hoping to run into their true love at the grocery store. It is a location-based app that shows you the profiles of users who are in the same general location. Using Happn is thus one of the best dating apps in Baltimore for meeting people in your area.
With online dating becoming more popular, people are more hesitant to approach others in real life. Happn is the best of both worlds. You could see someone really cute walking down the street and check Happn to see if they have a profile you can match with.
Why Happn is great for Baltimore-based users:
- You won’t have to travel far to meet your matches
- Using Happn is free with the option to pay for more features
- The app is easy to use and navigate
What we don’t like about it:
- Those in smaller neighborhoods in Baltimore may have a limited dating pool
- As your matches will be local, there’s a high chance you’ll run into them unplanned
#8 - Hey Baby (iOS) is one of the best options for people with children
Hey Baby is made for you if you are a single parent or looking to start a family. Single parents often have trouble dating using traditional apps or sites centered around flings. Hey Baby, instead, is an iOS app designed to help people start a family. It's one of the best dating apps in Baltimore for anyone who's family-oriented.
Hey Baby uses a fun questionnaire to help match you with people you will be compatible with. You won’t need to worry about how potential partners will take the news that you have kids, as everyone on the app will have similar familial ideals.
Why you should try Hey Baby:
- No one will judge you for being a single parent
- The initial questionnaire is fun to complete rather than tedious
- Everyone on the app will be people who have kids or want kids, so you won’t have to worry about having that awkward conversation too early on
What we don’t like about it:
- Hey Baby is only available as an iOS app
- The dating pool is limited as Hey Baby is relatively new
#9 – Wingman (Android; iOS) is one of the best dating apps in Baltimore if you want friends to help you out
Wingman is aptly named as it is a dating app that can be controlled by your friends. All you need to do is make your account and an account for your friends and connect the two. Then, your friends can take the reins and find you your ideal man or woman!
Your friends likely know you better than you know yourself, so having them control your dating profile makes sense! Wingman is a great time saver in this regard as well since you just need to sit back, relax and let your friends do the heavy lifting.
Why Wingman is worth a shot:
- Wingman is super easy to use even though it requires both you and your friends to have an account
- Extra features, such as recalling a profile you accidentally swiped left on, are free! Many other dating apps charge a premium for this
- Puts the pressure of matching with someone onto your friends
What we don’t like about it:
- It’s still relatively new, especially in Baltimore, so the dating pool is limited
- If you see a dating profile you like and want to match with them, you can’t. Your friends have total control over who you do (or don’t) match with
#10 – Luxy is one of the best Baltimore dating apps for affluent singles
Luxy is one of the most elite dating sites available in Baltimore. The site allows only sophisticated and successful rich people so they can meet like-minded people. Over 60% of users make over $200,000 a year, many of which are millionaires. This may seem like the ideal situation for sugar babies, but that sort of arrangement is not allowed on Luxy.
As it is quite an exclusive dating site, signing up can be tough. To create an account, you must get voted in by members of the opposite sex. To get accepted, over 50% of the votes must be “yes”; otherwise, you won’t be able to make an account.
What we like about Luxy:
- It’s one of the best dating sites in Baltimore because the profiles are high-quality and detailed, meaning you can easily get to know someone
- Sugar babies and sugar daddies are not allowed, so you don’t need to worry about people using you for your money
- All members are vetted to ensure they are real and wealthy
What we don’t like about it:
- The dating pool is limited because of how exclusive Luxy is
- Using Luxy is quite expensive, depending on the plan you go with
The Best Dating Sites in Baltimore for Long-Term Relationships
There comes a time in all of our lives where we just want someone to call our own. We want those nights where we completely forget about the walls we built up over the years and fall in love with someone - no worries, no doubts, just the feeling of being completely enamored by an incredible person. We all deserve that, and you especially deserve that right NOW. So, let’s make it a reality.
The best way to find a relationship online is through eHarmony
eHarmony is our pick for the best long-term dating site in Baltimore. The site has been around for seemingly forever, and throughout that time they’ve always delivered on their promise: to bring together like-minded people to fall in love. To create “forever” relationships.
Thousands upon thousands of couples have married because of eHarmony; thousands of families have started because of eHarmony; countless people have brought love into their lives because of eHarmony. You deserve these results, too - seize them, today.
Plenty of Fish has tons of singles looking for love
POF is a great free option in finding your forever partner. Although it isn’t as intensive as eHarmony, most people are over 30 and therefore are looking to settle down. Now, with that being said, there still is a decently large portion of the users NOT in that mindset. So, with anything free, you get what you (don’t) pay for. Don’t expect results as fast as eHarmony and don’t expect your first match to be a perfect fit.
The Best Hookup Sites in Baltimore
So, you’re in the mind-frame of wanting to get laid. We’ve all been there and success is oh so worth it. A no-strings-attached hookup is like nothing else: passion, kinkiness and everything in between engulf you, bringing out the most intense of emotions and pleasure. You’re not wrong to want something like that… in fact, you need to experience it. Here are the best Baltimore hookup sites.
AFF is the top Baltimore dating site if you want something casual
AFF was revolutionary when it first burst into the hookup scene almost 30 years ago. People went crazy and got their freak on like never before. The early days of this site were something to behold. And, still, it’s going strong - 30 years later.
This is our pick for the best free hookup site in Baltimore. There’s nothing else like it, honestly. Yeah, the interface sucks. Yeah, the design is 10 years out of date. But does any of that really matter when it can get a different person in your bed every weekend? After all, with so many users on AFF, all of whom are looking to hook up, what more can you ask for?
OkCupid isn’t just for serious relationships
Whenever you stray from niche-specified options for hookups like AFF, things can get a little bit frustrating. OkCupid can further that because their users aren’t usually explicitly on there for hookups nor are they on the platform to date. So, yes, you can find hookups. But you’ll probably find that the process won’t be as easy and seamless as on AFF, and that’s why we’ve named it the best casual dating site in Baltimore (instead of being the best for just hookups).
The Best Free Dating Sites in Baltimore
Free options work, but man can they ever be frustrating. From locked features to an excess of bots, free dating apps and sites have their problems. Now, that isn’t to say you can’t find success with them but don’t expect it to be as easy as their paid counterparts. Free options do work, but not without a little bit of work and patience - you get what you don’t pay for, after all.
- Bumble
- Coffee Meets Bagel
- Hinge
Using Tinder in Baltimore
If you’re looking for hookups OR long-term relationships, then you might want to stay away from Tinder.
That’s because Tinder was designed for neither of those. It was designed for those in the stage of their life where they’re dating in a casual fashion. They’re not looking for hookups specifically and they’re not looking for something long-term either. They instead are playing their options, seeing what works, what doesn’t and are going from there.
In Baltimore, you’re going to want to be from 20-30, somewhat attractive and not looking for something too serious or too lax - you’ve gotta be in the middle ground to find success on Tinder. So if you have the looks and you're pretty young, go for it!