Have you ever tried choosing dating apps in Madison? If so, you probably know just how difficult it can be. With so many platforms to choose from and a plethora of men’s dating advice websites that never quite get it right on which dating app in Madison is the best, where should you turn?
We’re here to help Madison men find the right relationship through the best dating app that’s right for them.
The truth is that dating has changed. In the past, hitting up some of the biggest bars in Madison (like Genna’s Lounge and Cask & Ale) was a guarantee to find love or a new hookup. Or, maybe you’re studying at the University of Madison and you felt destined to find the girl of your dreams sooner or later. Those days are gone, as what it means to interact in the “new normal” has also significantly changed. With the COVID-19 pandemic changing how people interact, more and more it seems that dating apps are the way to go.
As dating becomes more and more online-oriented due to people getting comfortable with using dating apps to meet new partners, it’s only natural to want to discover the Best dating sites in Madison and find some romance. Now let’s take a look at the best dating apps in Madison.
The 5 Best Dating Sites in Madison Right Now
Not all Madison dating apps are created equal. Nor do they all work the same for people in Madison. To help you get the best success when it comes to online dating, we chose 5 best dating sites based on how much we liked them. Keep in mind that we’ve reviewed hundreds of dating apps, and the ones we mention below are truly worthwhile in Madison.
In the next section, discover our 5 best dating site recommendations for Madison.
#1 - eHarmony (Android, iOS) is one of the best dating apps in Madison for successfully finding a long-term relationship
eHarmony remains one of the top LTR dating apps in Madison simply because isn’t designed for hookups like other apps are (talking about you, Tinder). Instead, eHarmony requires all users to complete a questionnaire upon signing up. The app takes into account your preferences, interests, hobbies, and more. Just by the sheer detail of the questionnaire alone, most people who just want attention are screened out.
Second, eHarmony’s questionnaire sends you match recommendations based on your compatibility. It’s not just about instant attraction based on a bunch of photos. We know this works because an astonishing 4% of married couples in the US met through eHarmony. If that doesn’t make you at least curious to try the app, we don’t know what will!
Why eHarmony remains one of the best dating sites in Madison
- Best success rate out for serious relationships among every other dating apps
- Easy to form connections based on shared interests and personality types
- Designed for serious users that want long-term relationships
- Virtually no scam or spam profiles
What we don’t enjoy about eHarmony
- The questionnaire requires a significant time investment (not good for those with limited free time)
- The app isn’t as popular with the below-25 demographic
#2 - Tinder (Android, iOS) is a great way for singles to get together
Tinder is the most popular dating app in the world - and it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the most popular dating apps in Madison, WI.
Here’s why: Tinder makes it easy to get started to find singles in Madison for hookups, open relationships, and even long-term relationships. All you have to do is swipe left to weed out profiles you don’t like, swipe right to wait for a match, tap to see more photos, scroll below to learn more about their profile, and start matching to begin the conversation.
But let’s be honest: Tinder’s reliance on photos means this is an app for attractive people. Tinder’s algorithm will try to pair you with women that are more in line with your looks (rated by something called an “ELO rating”). Best-suited as a smartphone app, Tinder is available for desktop computers and tablets.
Why Tinder is great for Madison singles
- Largest pool of potential romantic partners and hookups in the Madison area
- Easy to use platform that takes seconds to start matching
- Simple to get started with photos you have on your phone, Facebook profile, or even short videos
What can be off-putting about Tinder
- Lots of competition
- Hard to screen out scammers
- A paid membership is expensive
- It can be hard to make meaningful connections with so many options at hand
#3 - AFF is the best dating site in Madison for no-strings-attached relationships (try it free here)
Without a doubt, AFF is the first choice when it comes to finding some sexy fun from millions of willing partners. Getting results in Madison is simple and straightforward - everyone’s here to hook up and have NSA fun, so you’ll never have to worry about coming on too strong!
With 60+ million users (and growing), you won’t struggle to find someone in Madison who’s looking for some fun between the sheets. AFF gets rid of the guesswork with other “hookup”-type apps, like Tinder or Zoosk, where you’re never sure if you’re speaking to someone who’s looking to hook up, looking for a date, or just looking for attention.
Users can also filter searches based on a number of criteria: location, age, preferences, body type, and more. Best of all, you can use the app’s free trial to get a good feel for it before you shell out for a membership.
Why AFF is great for Madison hookups
- Plenty of active users
- Plenty of searches options
- Webcam options for those that want to set expectations well-before meeting in-person
What we don’t like about AFF
- Can be highly competitive if you’re looking for just vanilla sex
- Extremely NSFW, so you can’t use it in public
#4 - Plenty of Fish (Android, iOS) is a great way for singles to meet
Among dating apps, Plenty of Fish (PoF) has gotten an undeserved reputation in the past for being second-rate. From its less-than-impressive design to its relatively smaller pool of users, PoF just seemed like it was no match for Tinder…
Well, think again. PoF is actually a goldmine for users that don’t want to deal with the heavy competition on other apps, plenty of scam profiles, and paid features that don’t work. PoF puts you in touch with users that feel the same way, giving you access to a more discerning user base. Plus, paid memberships - known as Upgraded Profiles - let users add up to 16 pictures, get a boost in the rankings, more space for profile information, and much more!
Why PoF is great
- Less competition
- Paid features give you more than other apps at a cheaper cost
- Simple to get started
What we don’t like about PoF
- May not have top-tier profiles that gravitate to other popular apps
- The interface feels like a knock-off of other apps
#5 - Madison women love using Bumble (Android, iOS)
Bumble is a unique app perfectly suited for Madison’s large female population. Usually, Wisconsin men have to do all the grunt work when it comes to swipe-heavy apps like Tinder, hitting up as many profiles as they can.
Instead, Bumble empowers women to send that first message. Any time both of you swipe right (like Tinder) on one another’s profiles, a 24-period countdown starts. This motivates her to reach out before you’re gone forever. To get rid of FOMO, women are more likely to actually talk to their matches instead of just keeping them around for validation.
Why Bumble is great for dating in Madison
- Less pressure to come up with an interesting opening message
- Better quality matches
- Great free profile perks and paid membership features
- Women are more responsive here than on other sites
What we don’t like about Bumble
- Waiting on messages slows down the spontaneity for spontaneous hookups
- Filling out your entire profile can take a lot of time and may seem redundant
- You may struggle to stand out if you aren’t reasonably attractive or have interesting pictures
The Best Hookup Sites in Madison
If you’re not interested in a long-term relationship in Madison right now, there are plenty of dating apps to help you find a casual partner. Here are some of the best Madison hookup sites for you to try:
Cut out the nonsense with AFF
Adult Friend Finder is one of the best casual dating sites in Madison, making it a cinch to cut out timewasters with a paid membership. Everyone who uses AFF is looking to have a good time without strings attached, but you’ll find better matches that actually pay to get their freak on. No one’s here for a romantic date, a long-term relationship, or anything more than a casual fling.
By using their extensive search filters, you can easily find a partner who’s into the same things you are. You can even mention what you’re into in your profile, which also makes for some great icebreakers. As with all dating apps in Madison, AFF isn’t giving you a guarantee that you’ll hook up. But it does increase your odds by a mile!
Tinder for the win
Tinder is virtually synonymous with hookup culture, so it just makes sense that you should have Tinder ready to go when you’re on the prowl in Madison. Here’s a tip that’s a little outside of the box: If you’re out on the town and bar hopping, set your distance to only a mile; you can see by all of the active profiles where the hotties are hanging out (swipe if you’re feeling lucky, or just casually cross paths with them at the bar like some divine kismet).
Just make sure you keep your profile up to snuff. Ditch the mirror selfies and low-res cropped photos. Women will swipe right on you if your photos catch their eye, so make sure you work on that before expecting a lot from Tinder!
The Best Dating Sites in Madison for Serious Relationships
Looking for love that lasts? We got you. Take a look at why eHarmony and Zoosk are the best dating sites/apps in Madison for finding relationships.
Why does eHarmony just make sense?
Considering Madison has a large demographic that’s within the regular dating range (18 - 45), eHarmony is the top choice in Madison for finding a partner. By dishing out only quality matches, eHarmony will work for you if you’re patient and take the time to honestly fill out the questionnaire. Don’t be afraid to let eHarmony know what you really want in a partner. It will pay off once you start matching up with women you actually want to get to know.
Why is Zoosk a great choice for paid members?
Madison is a college town with a younger demographic. Zoosk is an app geared towards a younger demographic. Are you catching a pattern here? Pro tip: Use the free trial to figure out the app, then go with a paid membership to really start matching with cuties who are looking for a night on the town.
The Best Free Dating Apps in Madison
By now, you’ve probably figured out that online dating is very much “you get what you pay for”. With better features, greater chances of success, and a larger selection of partners to choose from, paid subscriptions just make sense when it comes to getting the most of your time and effort.
On the other hand, free dating apps tend to attract more singles, especially those who are either on a budget or are unwilling to pay for a dating app. Below are the free Madison dating apps that we recommend that we didn’t have time to cover in this article:
- Hily
- Coffee Meets Bagel
- Bumble
Give these apps a try and you might just find someone today!
