NYC might be the first city that comes to mind when you think of meeting women in New York. And that may be the case if you like dating in hard mode. But if you prefer a booming city without the exorbitant costs and long lines to get into a trendy bar, Rochester is where you should go. It's also one of the best places to try out online dating, especially if you check out the top dating sites in Rochester, NY.
With more than 1500 apps saturating the online dating market, finding the best dating sites in Rochester requires time. Dating apps aren't created equally, and people are getting busier every day and don't have time to waste on the wrong dating app. You want to make sure the app you're using won't squeeze your wallet for some lame matches. No one likes to be scammed, especially when it comes to relationships. And we ranked the five best dating apps and sites in Rochester so that you get exactly what you're looking for: as many dates as possible with the right people.
The 5 Best Dating Sites in Rochester Right Now
Whether you're looking for someone to spend the rest of your life with, someone who's only up for a quick and casual arrangement, or something in between, below are the dating apps that have worked for us. Try them out and let us know how it went.
#1 - eHarmony (iOS, Android) is one of the best dating sites in Rochester for relationships
According to eHarmony, 438 Americans get married every day thanks to the app. Their reports also say that 7 out of every 10 users find love within a year of joining eHarmony. These stats are what cement eHarmony as one of the most reliable dating apps if you're in it for the long haul.
eHarmony is one of the most popular dating apps on the planet. It seemingly took a bit of a backseat when Tinder came around, but those who are serious about finding a long-lasting relationship quickly turned back to eHarmony. After all, even if it's an algorithm that helps you pick out your matches, it sure beats swiping all day on people you're just superficially attracted to.
Why we love eHarmony
- Amazing track record of helping users find long-lasting relationships
- The advanced algorithm helps users who need help finding matches
- Lots of users in Rochester
- Easy and convenient to use, even if you’re busy
Why it might not be for you
- The signup process takes a while
- You can’t search for matches
- Not ideal if you’re looking for hookups
#2 - Bumble (iOS, Android): An all-around dating app that the ladies love
Bumble is branded as the most popular dating app among women mostly because it puts control in women's hands. They do this by ensuring you aren't allowed to text any woman on Bumble even after matching with her. She has to do it first or the match will expire within 24 hours. This helps women steer the opening conversation in the direction they like as opposed to receiving a bunch of thirsty messages the minute they match with someone.
Bumble remains one of my favorite app because it's easy to use. It also has a higher female to male ratio (33:67) compared to more popular apps like Tinder (2:8), which means more dates in less time.
Reasons to try Bumble
- Easy to use (you swipe through potential matches)
- More women than men, so there’s less competition
- Women send the first message; ideal if you can never come up with an opening message
Why you might not like Bumble
- You need to wait for her to message you even if you’ve already matched
- Both a relationship and hookup app, so it’s not ideal if you only have one goal
#3 - The top Rochester hookup apps is still AFF (try it free here)
Some people are in it just for the fun and casual flings. If that's you, then AFF is the right app for you. Despite having a large user base - more than 80 million users worldwide - AFF isn't getting the buzz that other dating apps are getting. This is mainly because what happens in AFF stays in AFF. Those who use it are mostly discreet about it, so you won't meet so many people brag they're on AFF.
Something you'll notice when you use AFF is that its users less judgmental and flakey. You don't need to be a gym rat to meet women here. Just a man who looks cute and takes good care of themselves. And if she likes you and agrees to meeting up, she'll set up the date as soon as possible, and maybe on the same day without wasting your time or hers.
Reasons to try AFF
- AFF users actually want to meet up once they find someone compatible
- Everyone here is looking to hook up
- Lots of filters so you can set up your ideal hookup scenario
Why it might not be the best Rochester dating site for you
- It doesn’t have an app, just a site that doesn’t look super modern
- Some users are very forward
#4 - Tinder (iOS, Android) works for finding both relationships and casual flings
You can't live in a city like Rochester and not have Tinder on your phone; the world's leading dating app and the crown jewel of Match group.
Tinder gives you endless dating options if you know how to use it. The app is looks-oriented, more like Instagram. You won't match with the hottest chicks in Rochester - or anywhere in the world - unless your profile is totally on point. But, since it's already loaded with users, you will find Rochester matches here who will be happy to go on a date if you show them some texting skills.
What we liked
- Lots of users in Rochester and nearby cities
- Super easy to use and set up
- Fast-paced and fun
- The premium boosts actually work
What we didn't like
- Too many users will swipe left if your photos aren’t good enough
- Lots of people are on Tinder for attention, so they won’t actually meet up with you
- It’s a mixed app, so some users won’t specify if they want a casual relationship or a serious one
#5 - Zoosk (iOS, Android) is the up-and-comingdating app for young Rochester singles
Zoosk numbers are remarkable. More than 35 million users worldwide and 3 million daily messages between people are solid numbers that should encourage you to give the app a try. Even though it doesn't come for free, it has affordable plans for everyone. It can be a bit confusing at first, especially for those who are used to the simplicity of Tinder, but it's worth every penny you pay.
The great thing about Zoosk is that it's popular among younger singles (18 - 25) who are looking for a relationship. So if you're in that age range and hookups aren't your thing, Zoosk is for you!
Why you should try Zoosk
- It’s becoming a popular dating app for younger singles
- The app is sleek and easy to use
- Lots of responsive users on the app (i.e. not just looking for attention)
Why it might not be for you
- Not yet as popular as Bumble, Tinder, or Hinge
- Most users are quite young, so it’s not for everyone
The Best Dating Sites in Rochester for Long-Term Relationships
Now that we covered the top dating sites in Rochester it's time to categorize them. People have their own preferences, and I've met so many guys who want to be good with women just so they can find the perfect, long-term girlfriend or wife. So, what's next?
In this section, I'll share the best relationship apps to use in Rochester. We tested a bunch of apps and these two were our absolute best:
eHarmony is still the best relationship app in Rochester
I already mentioned how popular eHarmony is among U.S. singles, but it's even more popular as a relationship app. The company makes a bold claim saying you have a 70% chance of meeting your future spouse on eHarmony less than one year from signing up. According to their reports, eHarmony is responsible for 4-5% of U.S. marriages which translates into 262 marriages every single day.
Setting up your eHarmony profile is a bit lengthy. Unlike on Tinder when you only needed a single photo to sign up, eHarmony uses filters and questions to match you with only those you're compatible with. The female to male ratio on eHarmony (48-52) is excellent for a dating app with over 15 million users which increases your odds of finding love pretty fast.
Bumble is another great relationship app
You may have a rough time using Bumble since it was designed as a noise-free app for women who want to meet with guys online without being bombarded by a ton of unwanted messages.
Bumble is the only dating app where women get to text first. You can't text a woman even after you match with her. She has 24 hours to text you or else the match will expire. This female-friendly attitude, plus the many filters the app offers made Bumble a favorite among busy women, especially those looking for something serious.
Personally, I enjoyed Bumble. My conversion rate - I.e., the number of matches turning into dates - is crazy and I barely see fake or spammy profiles on it. Give the app a try and see what it can get you. It's free and has a BFF section where you can socialize and make friends with other locals.
The Best Hookup Sites in Rochester
Now that we covered the best relationship apps in Rochester, it's time for some fun. We know that plenty of the hookup apps/sites out there are nothing but trash. Most of these use men's lust to milk them for money using fake accounts and cam girls.
That's why, before writing this guide, we tested hundreds of hookup apps to come up with our two absolute best not only in Rochester but the whole country. Here they are:
AFF is your best chance of hooking up
Let's face it. It's hard to find hookups without being introduced to a lot of weird people. Luckily, we didn't have this experience on AFF. It's very filtered and the users are discreet and always to the point; no judgment or body shaming, they just want some casual fun.
What we also liked about AFF is that it's very specific. People tend to get down to business fairly quickly compared to the likes of Match and Hinge. Here you won't find plenty of "OMG, how dare you send me an eggplant emoji!" or, "Wow, you're too bold!" If someone likes you, they'll set up a meeting as soon as possible with a little to no chance of flaking.
Tinder has tons of users looking to hook up
Tinder is the best all-around app on the planet where you can get anything you want if you know how to present yourself. What started a decade ago as a hookup app quickly grew to become everybody's dating app. The word "Tinder' became synonymous with online dating. People don't say "I'm on dating apps," they say "I'm on Tinder." The good news? Tinder is loaded with hot women.
The bad news? They're too hot, and picky, to accept average-looking guys. Sure you can get results by being cute or rich, but you won't date the hottest Tinder girls in Rochester without being as equally hot (and super slick too).
The Best Free Dating Sites in Rochester
Should you pay for a dating app?
The quick answer: Yes.
But not all dating apps.
Most legit paid dating apps actually have a host of decent features to help you find your ideal partner. This is why, despite the popularity of many free dating apps in Rochester, there are still lots of people who prefer to pay a premium for an app that actually works.
With free dating apps, for the most part, you get what you pay for. You can find lots of dates with beautiful women, but that usually means you also have to be a good-looking guy that they'll immediately be into. If your profile isn't on point and you're not active on the app, these free dating apps tend to be a waste of time. Keep in mind that you may not have spent money on them, but you did spend your time and energy!
But if you're sure that paid dating apps aren't for you (or you're not sure yet), these are the best dating sites in Rochester to use for free:
- Tinder
- Bumble
- OkCupid
Try them out and see how they work out. You could get lucky, especially since Rochester is a pretty big city. But do manage your expectations when using these apps.
