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The 9 Best Dating Apps in 2023 With Proven Results (We Use Them)

Beautiful woman using the best dating apps

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Choosing the best dating app for you from the hundreds of apps available can be quite a challenge. It can be really tough to decide because most of the dating app reviews and lists you see look like they were put together by someone who doesn't have the first clue about dating.

If you read a "review" that doesn't even mention the writer's personal experience 99% of the time they have never actually used the app!

Fortunately, we have a different approach and it's important to understand the difference. We have taken hundreds of hours to test out and review 100+ different dating apps of all kinds to figure out for ourselves which dating app is the best and can actually get you results. Your time is too valuable to spend swiping away on an app that isn't going to get you what you want. Guys need to be especially careful because it is easy to waste a lot of time on low-quality apps.

It's even more important than ever to find a good dating app right now. A lot of people are still socially distancing and many people are ONLY looking on apps to find other singles. You need to be where they can find you!

How We Review Dating Apps and Sites and Why It Matters

The vast majority of dating app reviews you see online these days are written by professional writers, not dating experts. Most of the time they don't even do more than take a screenshot of the homepage before making up a review. It's become so prevalent that's it's really tough to actually get a sense for what apps work and which are complete trash.

That's where we're different.

We spend months reviewing dating apps and creating dating app comparisons. We have also tried and ranked over 100 different ones in the past year or so. This allows us to get a really good understanding of the value an app can provide and who would be most successful using it.

For each site or app we try we typically follow this process:

Our review process

We spend several weeks using both the free version of the app and any paid version (most reviews only cover the free version)
We send several dozen tailored messages to women of all kinds that have proven effective on many other sites
We followed up consistently using tried-and-true techniques that we teach that have led to hundreds of dates
We set up as many dates as we can and actually meet up (we’re looking to meet women too after all)
We then compare our experience with the 100+ other dating apps we have recently reviewed to see where that app or site ranks

This way of doing things takes a lot of time and money which is why nobody else does it like this. We think it's the only way to give accurate recommendations so we put in the work to make it happen. Now, lets get to our recommendations:

The Best Dating Apps For Singles Right Now

These are the best dating apps we have found for each "category" of dating. These are apps that we have had success with and believe you will as well:

If you REALLY want a long-term relationship the best dating app is eHarmony

When it comes to finding people who are looking for a commitment, eHarmony is the best dating app around. Let's look at some numbers:

70% of people who use eHarmony for a year meet their future spouse (that's crazy success)
Over 2/3rd's of all marriages that start online began on eHarmony (more crazy success)
Over 600,000 married couples met on eHarmony
33 million members

Those are some pretty shocking numbers when you really think about it. When 70% of users find their long-term partner in a year you are definitely doing things right! Once you start using eHarmony it isn't hard to figure out why it's one of the top dating apps out there.

For starters, you really have to be motivated to actually go through the signup process. You have to answer a lot of questions about yourself and what you are looking for before you even see any matches. This process weeds out all the attention-seeking people and only leaves people who are serious.

Once you get through the signup you are matched with several people every day that you have a decent chance of being compatible with. You don't have to spend hours every day combing through the users, just a few minutes a day taking a look at your newest matches before starting a conversation. It is a very easy app to use (though you have to invest time upfront) but you won't find a better dating app for actually finding someone for a long-term relationship.

What we like about eHarmony (Try App)

It is a more effective way of meeting compatible people than any app we've seen
Really does a great job of weeding out people who are not interested in a relationship
Has a solid matching algorithm to pair up compatible people, making it one of the top dating apps for finding long-term relationships
Doesn't overwhelm you with a ton of matches at once which helps guys who may not seem amazing on the surface get attention
Slower process before unhindered communication gives guys a chance to stand out based on qualities aside from their looks

What we don't like about eHarmony as a dating app

The signup process is pretty time consuming (though we think it's worth it)
It may be the top dating app for serious relationships, but you won't find hookups here
Guys who are very good with women online don't have as many opportunities to standout

If you are just looking for a quick fling or friend-with-benefits - AFF

If you are not really looking for something long-term but still want to have some no-strings fun there are only two options these days, Tinder and AFF. Tinder is still very good if you are young (18-28ish) and only interested in meeting people in that age range (you can see this in our Tinder dating app review). It has also been slowly morphing into a more general dating app filled with people who are not really looking for casual fun or are only using it for compliments and validation.

On the other hand, AFF is the top dating app that has remained really focused on helping men and women connect for short-term sexy fun or a longer-term friend-with-benefits type arrangement. If you are ONLY looking for that, this is the dating app for you. They have been around since the early 2000s and have over 50,000,000 active members (that's a ton) spread out in most English-speaking countries. AFF is especially good for people who are 28+ or those interested in meeting people that are 28+.

What we really like about AFF is how easy they make it. You don't have to jump through a ton of hoops to get started and they don't restrict who you talk to. You put together a simple profile and can start looking for other women (or men) interested in the same things. With 50,000,000 members there are a lot of options out there and with dating apps bigger is better.

Why AFF is the top dating app for hookups (Try App)

50 million + active users gives you the most opportunities of any app
Really easy to use app
The most users 28+
Really open to all ages
Remains consistently one of the best hookup options in our dating app reviews

What we don't like about AFF

The design is a little dated
Search features could be easier to use
With so many more people it takes more time to search and filter for the people you really are interested in

If you're looking for a woman 35+ or you're a woman 35+ without an age preference - Cougar Life

It seems like finding attractive, and single, women over 35 is incredibly difficult to do these days (especially if you are a younger guy). Women in this age bracket as extremely busy and seem to have given up on most of the typical singles spots. Instead, many have been giving dating apps a try and getting fantastic results.

So what is the best dating app for men who want to meet single women over 35?

Cougar Life is the only dating app that is completely focused on connecting men with eligible women 35+. There are some other apps out there that try but none of them even come close in terms of quality and actual number of women on the app. With over 7 million users Cougar Life is definitely doing something right.

Older guys can do very well on Cougar Life but it might be even more valuable to guys 35 and under. The reason is that Cougar Life is specifically for women who are interested in both older AND younger guys. There is still a stigma attached to women dating younger guys which can prevent women from acting on their desires. When everything happens online it is much easier to connect.

When you see an attractive woman without a wedding ring at the grocery store or in a bar you never know if they are interested in a younger guy. With Cougar Life, they are almost certainly open to dating a younger guy who they connect with.

What we like about Cougar Life (Visit App)

Very focused on helping guys connect with women 35+
The best way we have found for younger guys to find a lot of women looking to date younger guys
7,000,000 users which is impressive for an app that isn't just for general dating

What we don't like about Cougar Life

Typically guys are going to have to make the first move
Outside of English speaking countries it isn't as popular

If you're under 30 and only want to date people under 30 - Tinder

While Tinder hasn't always really been about "dating" things have really changed over the past few years. Even though this dating app started off as a way to find a quick fling it has morphed more and more into a more typical dating app as it has become more popular. It is now really common to meet couples who "met on Tinder" and formed a long-term relationship. With over 50 million active members they are also one of the largest apps out there.

In our experience, how successful you will be on Tinder is really going to depend on if you are a man or a woman and how attractive you are. If you are either a reasonably attractive woman or a very attractive man (we are talking like the top 10-15% in looks) Tinder is a great option. Attractive women will be bombarded with matches but something interesting tends to happen with guys. Women mostly ignore guys in the bottom 20% and just go after the most attractive guys.

If you don't happen to be a part-time male model it can be EXTREMELY frustrating since Tinder is almost 100% about your pictures. Guys with game can still get results but the odds are not in their favor.

What we like about Tinder

Huge number of users
Great for very attractive people under 28
Can be used all over the world

What we don't like about Tinder as a dating app

Not as popular with the 30+ crowd (especially women that age)
Really tough to get success if you are not in the top 20% in looks (for guys)
If you don't have great pictures your success will be low
Lots of women who are just looking for attention and will never meet up

If you're a guy who likes it when the girl takes the lead the top dating app is Bumble

Guys who tend to be a little more passive than the stereotypical "alpha male" have a rough time with even the best dating apps. Women are getting a ton of messages 24/7 and guys who can't break through the noise can get ignored. That is where Bumble turns the typical experience on its head.

With Bumble, only women are allowed to send the first message which completely changes the dynamics. Instead of spending a ton of time scrolling through all the possible matches and sending out tons of random messages you can sit back, relax, and wait for them to come to you. This assumes that you are a decent looking guy, have a solid profile, and know how to look good in your photos. If you don't pass the "eye test" Bumble may not be the best thing for you since there isn't anything you can do to get a woman's attention.

What we like about Bumble

Attracts a lot of women who avoid other dating apps
Doesn't require a lot of work once a guy sets up his profile
Has a pretty decent number of women using it
One of the top dating apps out there if you want women to send the first message

What we don't like about Bumble as a dating app

Not a lot of opportunity for a guy to standout though messaging
Can be rough on guys who are not particularly attractive or can write a good profile

If you want to date your friends (or friends of friends) - Hinge

Hinge tries to be somewhat between the endless swiping of dating apps like Tinder and the in-depth profile and analytics of eHarmony. The app itself has a nice look and feel and requires you to go a bit deeper about who you are and what you are looking for. The profile creation process is still pretty fast but it isn't going to happen in a couple of minutes like Tinder where you slap up a few selfies and talk about how much you love hiking and The Office.

By actually requiring you to be a bit more reflective on what you want the matches also tend to be better and less surface-level than an app like Tinder. Don't get me wrong, your pictures are still what is going to drive the number of matches you get but at least you have a chance to show a little personality as well.

As far as profiles go, Hinge has the most interesting ones. You get to answer a variety of interesting prompts that will help you find your ideal match. Of course, your photos will still play a huge role, but at least you can let your personality do some of the talking if you want to meet someone who's not too focused on looks. But is it one of the top dating apps out there? It's pretty close, but eHarmony and AFF still beat Hinge in terms of functionality and the diversity of its userbase.

What we like about Hinge (Visit app)

Easy to use and get set up with
Quick to scroll through matches but with more depth than Tinder
Big userbase of people in their 20's

What we don't like about Hinge

Not a lot of people 30+ using it
Results are very driven by your photos
If you don't have a large or attractive Facebook friend circle your results may not be what you are looking for

What Is the Best Dating App to Use Today?

With so many options out there, it's hard to pinpoint the top dating app you should use. But it all boils down to a few things you should consider before taking the plunge and trying a particular dating app:

What type of person are you looking for in a dating app?

Narrowing down your ideal match is the first thing you should do when considering what dating app or site to use. For instance, if you only want to match with a specific type of person, try going for a niche dating app. We've created lists of niche dating apps you can try if you fall into any of these categories:

If these are a little too niche for you, you can generalize things a bit by asking yourself, "What type of relationship am I looking for when using a dating app?" The answer usually falls into a scale ranging from casual, one-night encounters to more serious long-term relationships.

For those who want to keep things casual with no strings attached, the top dating app for you is undoubtedly Adult FriendFinder. AFF has a huge userbase of singles all looking for hookups, so there's no need to wonder if this awesome person you're chatting with is interested in anything more serious than a fling.

On the other hand, if you're not looking to hook up and would prefer a serious relationship, eHarmony should be your go-to. Our of all the dating app reviews we've done, nothing beats out eHarmony when it comes to matching up compatible singles. No matter how niche or specific your tastes are in partners, eHarmony's huge userbase ensures that you'll find the ideal match for you.

How do you want to find your matches?

You also need to consider your experience as a user when picking out the top dating app for you. Most people these days enjoy the gamification of dating apps where you get to swipe through potential matches and wait for them to swipe right on you as well. The top dating apps that provide this user experience are Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge.

On the other hand, if you don't want to go through dozens of potential matches a day and would prefer a dating app that will select your matches for you, the top dating app we recommend is eHarmony. eHarmony will require you to sign up and answer an extensive survey that the site will use to select potential matches for you. You'll receive a handful of matches each day, and you can get to know them a bit better through messaging. This process ensures that you focus on each potential match without being overwhelmed with choices.

Now if you want to search for matches yourself, AFF's process is perfect for you. To begin with, AFF considers how preferences can change on a whim, especially when it comes to hookups. So the site lets you browse through all its users to pick out the ones that tickle your fancy. There are plenty of filters that you can use to find your ideal hookup partner such as body type, hair color, location, cup size, age, and so much more. If you want absolute freedom of choice and a wide selection of users to choose from, AFF is the top dating app we recommend.

You can also check out our local recommendations of the best dating apps in the US by city

You can also check out our local recommendations of the best dating apps in the US by state

Georgia
Illinois
Michigan

New Jersey
North Carolina

Ohio
Virginia

If you're looking for some unconventional fun in the bedroom - Alt.com

Anyone who has interests in the bedroom that run beyond vanilla knows it can be a gamble when looking for like-minded people. You never know how your potential partner will react if you raise the subject and how that might impact your relationship. Fortunately, Alt can provide a solution to that problem.

With over 600,000 Alt is the largest community of its size and is especially popular in English speaking countries. If you are looking for a partner interested in various types of fetishes, kinks, and fantasies there is a very good chance you can find someone on Alt.

One word of warning though for anyone who isn't familiar with apps of this kind. They do tend to attract more fake profiles than more traditional dating apps. It is, unfortunately, the same for all apps of this type but is pretty easy to work around and spot the fakes.

What we like about Alt (Visit App)

Huge community which makes finding people with the same interests easy
A large variety of fetishes, kinks, and interests represented
Does a good job filtering out the darker aspects of these apps to keep it fun

What we don't like about Alt

Fake profiles can make it take longer to find the right people (like all apps of this kind)
Darker interface can be hard to look at for longer periods of time

If you are trying to cut down on the amount of time you spend on dating apps - Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel is an interesting app and one that we liked using. If you are a busy person that doesn't have a lot of time to spend on dating it is definitely one of the better choices. From what we have seen, it tends to attract younger professionals that are trying to fit in a little dating but not looking for just a quick fling.

We like that you get a set number of matches per day (21 for guys and 6 for girls) and once you go through them you have to wait 24 hours. For people who could waste hours and hours scrolling through endless profiles, this can be a great way to get your life back.

Women only receive matches for guys who have already "liked" them so they are not getting constantly bombarded by dozens of messages a day. With only six matches a day they can actually take their time to read through their profiles instead of just doing a quick "face check" and only matching based on appearances.

For singles in larger cities with their life together Coffee Meets Bagel is a solid choice.

What we like about Coffee Meets Bagel (Visit app)

A limited number of daily matches allows for time to thoroughly consider a possible match
Tends to attract users who have their lives together
Very popular in larger cities
Low time commitment

What we don't like about Coffee Meets Bagel

May take a while to get a match you really like
Outside of larger cities it isn't as popular
Not as diverse as larger dating apps

If you want the most options possible and have a lot of free time - OkCupid

OkCupid is the largest "free" dating app out there and has been around for a long time. If you have played around at all with dating apps you have probably made a profile on OKC. It can be a great option to get acquainted with how dating apps work but it requires a pretty big time investment to see real results.

Where OKC is strongest is also what leads to its flaws. Having a huge number of users is great but when there isn't any filter in place or specific audience the site is going for you get a little bit of everything. The filtering options are pretty basic so you really do have to spend a lot of time going through profiles to find people that you might be interested in. We hate to say it, but OkCupid also tends to have a lot more people that really are not very attractive. There are a lot of profiles with people who just don't put a lot of effort into themselves or their profiles.

What we like about OkCupid (Visit App)

A lot of users
Great place to practice messaging and attracting women
Easy to message anyone you are interested in

What we don't like about OkCupid

The quality of the people on the site is lower than the other apps we recommend
Women are getting tons of messages every day which makes standing out tough
It takes a lot more time to find the type of people you are interested in due to limited search capabilities and filters

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Dating Apps

What is the best dating app?

For long-term relationships, eHarmony has an unbeatable track record. For finding hookups, AFF remains one of the top dating apps.

Which dating app has the highest success rate?

eHarmony has the highest success rate among dating apps for singles looking for serious relationships. AFF, on the other hand, also has a great success rate among singles looking for hookups.

Is Bumble better than Tinder?

In our experience, Bumble has more responsive users and fewer instances of scammers. However, Tinder is also extremely effective since it has plenty of users.

Are dating apps safe?

Dating apps that have been around for a while and have a large number of active users are generally safe. However, keep in mind that while these dating apps may be safe, there will always be some users who are up to no good. Luckily, reputable dating apps do their best to find and ban these users.

Do dating apps actually work?

Yes! Plenty of singles have found successful relationships through dating apps. Studies have shown that dating apps are now one of the leading ways to find potential partners, and those who have coupled up through dating apps can also have successful relationships and even marriages.