Finding the right dating apps in Akron can be a bit difficult. In fact, finding the right dating app in any given state or country is a matter of trial and error. For years I had this misconception that you can go anywhere in the world, download Tinder, and a ton of hot girls will flood your phone.
That is until I began to travel a lot and realize that things don't go this way. Of course, Tinder works everywhere (duh!), but each country or even state has its own favorite dating apps based on demographics, language, sexual preferences, religion, or even weather. What works in Amsterdam may not work in Rio de Janeiro and what works in LA may not work in Seattle or in our case, Akron.
But, overall, you shouldn't remove online dating from your dating basket, especially after the pandemic. Society is growing busier every day - and maybe, lonelier - and we can't rely on the traditional dating methods to meet people anymore.
With only a phone, a well-written bio, and a few good photos, you can talk to whoever you want from the comfort of your own home and date them in a matter of days, if not hours. You don't need to suit up, call a few buddies and hit some club to meet up with women.
So what are the top dating apps in Akron that you should try out? Here's our short list:
#1 - eHarmony (Android, iOS) makes meeting "The One" so easy
It may not get the same buzz as Tinder, but eHarmony remains one of the best dating apps in the country. It was the first to introduce compatibility into the online dating scene by using algorithms to determine matches. It's known for asking questions, lots of them. You probably won't answer the same number of questions on any other dating app. But these questions help connect you with like-minded matches whom you're more likely to enjoy dating (another reason why we recommend it for serious daters).
With 70% of users meeting their future spouses on eHarmony within a year, there's no reason not to try the app. With that kind of motivation, you can breeze through the signup questionnaire and start matching with women in a matter of minutes.
What we liked about eHarmony
- Thorough, despite having to answer a ton of short questions
- Very popular in Akron
- You get curated matches every day
What we didn't like about it
- It takes a lot of time to complete one’s profile
- You can’t select your own matches
#2 - Coffee Meets Bagel (Android, iOS) is the Akron dating app if you want a chill experience
"The best app for meaningful dating." That's how Coffee Meets Bagel promotes itself. It may not be popular worldwide, but it is in Ohio and Akron. It strays away from the normal "fun till you run out of swipes" model by limiting your daily swipes to just five suggestions curated to your own interests.
The algorithm uses the filters you set for yourself to connect you with a few daily matches with high compatibility levels then leaves the rest to you. The matches arrive at noon, perfect for browsing through while you're on your lunch break. We recommend Coffee Meets Bagel for Akron singles who want a long-term relationship. Judging by our results, and the app testimonials, the app suggests some pretty good matches.
What we liked about Coffee Meets Bagel
- Helps you focus on a few like-minded matches instead of a ton of potential matches
- Very popular in Akron
- Users tend to be more cultured
What we didn't like
- You only get about 5 matches a day
- It’s easy to give up on the app if your first few matches were terrible
#3 - AFF is the top dating site in Akron for casual fun
AFF is well-known within the hookup sphere. It's one of those apps that are wildly popular but no one likes to talk about, probably because most AFF users stick to a golden rule that says, "What happens on AFF, stays on AFF."
AFF has more than 80 million active users across the globe, many of whom are located in Ohio. Using the site's filters, you can choose to only see people within your city. Combine that with other interesting features (yes, even raunchy ones) and you can set up your perfect hookup scenario!
What we liked about AFF
- It has plenty of users
- Discretion is highly appreciated on the app
- Women are less flaky on AFF compared to the likes of Tinder
What we didn't like
- Its design hasn’t been updated in a while
- It doesn’t have an app
#4 - Tinder (Android, iOS) is the most downloaded app in the country
Like it or not, Tinder is the most popular dating app in the world (6.5 million monthly downloads) and the country. Tinder also broke the record of the maximum number of swipes in a single day with 3 billion swipes in March 2020 during the pandemic.
Being user-friendly is the best thing about Tinder. You can set up a profile and start swiping in less than five minutes. However, being popular comes with some cons, one of which is the fierce competition among men.
On Tinder, it's a 2:8 female to male ratio (some even claim it's up to 1:9) which means that for every one or two women, there are 8-9 men competing for their attention. So, unless your profile and texting skills are sharp, you won't find much success on Tinder beyond a few occasional matches.
What we liked about Tinder
- Seems to have everybody on it
- Easy to use
- A well-timed, weekly boost can get you a ton of matches for less than $10
What we didn't like about Tinder
- Some women are on Tinder for attention, not dates
- Lackluster profiles don’t get much attention
#5 - Bumble (Android, iOS) is where women look for relationships
I like Bumble, even though I occasionally call it the "taxi app." But the app is really great and easily one of the best dating apps in Akron and the world. The best thing about Bumble is that it's both popular and has high-quality users.
It's a dating app with a feminist touch. You can't text a woman you just matched with unless she texts you first, and if she forgets (or ignores you), the match will expire and you won't talk to her, ever.
Even though it's for everyone, Bumble tends to attract a specific type of woman: educated and confident women between 25 and 40 y/o looking for something serious, or anything that may lead to a relationship. There are exceptions, of course, but that's the majority.
What we liked about Bumble
- Looks more professional compared to Tinder
- You can play with their filters as much as you want to narrow down your selections
- High conversion rates and less flakiness. If she likes you, she won’t waste your time or hers (I met my two last girlfriends on Bumble)
What we liked about Bumble
- Their boost seems a bit useless
- You’ll lose so many hot matches just because they forgot to text before the match expires
- Get ready for a ton of “hi,” “what up” and “how’s your day,” which are the same texts that drive girls away if sent by a dude
The Best Dating Sites in Akron for Long-Term Relationships
Even though the hookup culture is dominant in our society, I've met so many guys over the years who want to be good with women just so they can find love and settle down with a beautiful loving girlfriend. If that's you, don't worry, you're normal. And, I have a treat for you.
In this section, we divided the best dating sites in Akron based into two groups, hookups, and relationships. Below are my relationship selection, and in the following section, I'll tackle the hookup ones.
eHarmony remains the top dating app in Akron for relationships
What can you expect from a dating app with a 30% market share and a stunning 15.5 million users that marries 438 Americans every single day? A relationship. Even if you've never tried online dating and you don't know how it works, eHarmony makes it super easy for you by doing all the matchmaking themselves.
According to eHarmony, 70 % of its users find their partner within one year of coming on board. This means that all you need is just a cool profile and some patience. It's really that simple if you stick to it and learn some texting skills.
Not a lot of women on other apps? They're probably on Bumble
I've already mentioned Bumble as one of my favorite dating apps, and I want you to give it a try, or take it seriously if you haven't. It attracts more women to it every day and I won't be surprised if it surpasses Tinder's popularity in just a few years.
While the "woman texts first" has its appeal, keep in mind that not a lot of women are used to making the first move. Some might be intimidated by you and others might send you the most basic, boring message. But if you stick with the app, it usually pays off.
The Best Hookup Sites in Akron
Now that we covered the best relationship dating apps in Akron, it's time to mention the fun ones. Finding hookups in Akron can be a bit problematic if you don't know how to get started on the apps. We've tested several good ones, and here are our absolute favorites:
AFF is the best hookup site in Akron
Most of the hookup dating apps out there is a complete waste of time. A bunch of crappy apps that want to squeeze your wallet for a fake promise of affection. Most of these sites/apps use cam girls and a few nude photos to lure subscribers in, charge them some money, then offer them nothing.
On the other hand, AFF is completely legit. It's not totally about the looks - unlike Tinder. You can find secret hookups on the app by simply messaging someone you think is hot. All the users on AFF want the same thing, so you can basically just ask what kind of hookup they're looking for. From there, it's just a matter of setting up a date.
Tinder promises easy hookups
It's true that finding hookups on Tinder is easy... compared to going to a club and spending money on a ton of drinks. The mechanics are simple and there's a huge userbase on Tinder. But why isn't it our top recommendation? Because of the simple principle of like attracts like.
Because of Tinder's ELO rating system, users who get a ton of right swipes are usually only shown to other users who get lots of right swipes. So hot people are more likely to match with equally hot people. So what about the average Joe and Jane? Well, they end up on each other's feed. Does it make sense? Kind of. But does it benefit you? You be the judge of that.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Akron
Which are better, free or paid dating apps? Both can work fine, as long as you pick a reputable, popular dating app with enough people using it.
Paid dating apps edge out free dating apps because of extra features. Keep in mind that these are the features that you pay for. These features were put into place to make it easier for you to find a compatible match (not just a match that you like based on looks alone).
But if you're not into the idea of paying to find a date, I think these are the best dating apps you can use in Akron without paying a dime:
- Bumble
- Tinder
- OkCupid
