Washington's dating scene has always been bustling. Whether it’s the culturally rich city of Seattle or a smaller populated city like Port Townsend, there's always the potential for the right match. So if you're looking for someone to hang out with or date, there's no better time than now, especially with so many people using dating apps in Washington.
The social stigma of going out is waning, as the country continues to open up. The pandemic has stripped a lot from our daily lives, but dating is reemerging after some long, lonely years. People are eager to get back into the game after being sidelined for so long.
If you're one of those people, we don't blame you. Instead, we definitely got some cheat codes you can use to your advantage. Take a look at our list of the best dating apps in Washington State, and you'll have everything you need to put yourself out there again.
Before you read further, let us give you a quick summary of the Washington dating apps that have consistently worked for us:
| Site | Our Experience | Our Rating | Free Trial Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Best For Relationships  | Experience Highlights
| 9 | Try eHarmony |
Best For Casual Fun  | Experience Highlights
| 9 | Try AFF For Free |
Great If You're Handsome  | Tinder Highlights
| 8 | Try Tinder |
There are a ton of singles using dating apps in Washington
In a state with 7.8 million people, dating shouldn’t be that hard, right? We’ll be honest: it’s a bit of a challenge. Only 26.6% of people in Washington are single, and that’s a little lower than the national average. Add to that the fact that the ratio of men to women is at 1:1 and it will start to seem like there aren’t a ton of options out there.
However, this can be outweighed by the fact that Washington is an often-visited state by people from Vancouver, which potentially increases the number of singles in this part of the Northwest, especially Seattle.
This is why it doesn't hurt to download a dating app or two to see what you're working with. No matter where you're at, it helps to do your research on who's single ahead of time. Also, living outside some of the bigger cities can definitely boost your chances of meeting your special someone. Our next section will detail some of the dating apps that will suit your needs and give you a leg up on the competition.
The 5 Best Dating Sites in Washington Right Now
Below are the apps we’ve tried and tested over the years. Wherever you may be in Washington, these are the dating apps that consistently work.
#1 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) is the best dating site in Washington for long-term relationships
eHarmony is among the best when it comes to dating in Washington and may even take the top spot. You’ve probably seen some of their commercials on television or even some ads online. Their widespread marketing works as they have plenty of local users trying to achieve the same thing as you. In addition, their methods and interface make the process easier than ever.
eHarmony brags that 75% of all online marriages begin on their site, so the proof is in the pudding. But, in our experience, we can certainly see why that came to be.
eHarmony truly does feel like they are trying to help you find people. One of their proven strategies is their compatibility quiz. It's a lengthy step, but is geared towards finding you the best local matches possible. Not only does it help you find your options, but it can also weed out people that aren't taking dating as seriously. It's a great investment in your quest for love.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Washington
- 70% of users find their future spouse within a year
- If you’re looking for a long-term relationship, this is the app for you
- When they’re responsible for 75% of all online marriages, they’re crushing the competition
What could use some TLC
- Not ideal for those who aren’t completely serious about dating
- A lengthy startup process can turn some people off
#2 - Hinge (Android; iOS) makes breaking the ice a fun experience
When Hinge popped up on the dating app scene, its marketing campaign was the first thing that caught our eyes. They claimed that it was the dating app meant to be deleted. It was surprising because while that is the main intention of many dating apps, they still try to keep you on the app no matter what, which builds a dating pattern that doesn't really encourage good dating behavior.
On the other hand, Hinge helps guys and gals alike break the ice. They come with prompts of all kinds that can help make a great first impression. After that initial interaction, conversations are much easier to continue and build upon. That tiny difference alone makes it one of the better apps out there.
While the app is still building a larger user base, they are definitely on the rise. We always see meme-worthy responses on social media that don’t need to be taken too seriously. It also gets more people interested in the app and provides a fun, lighthearted dating environment for any Washington city.
Why Hinge is shaking up the dating scene
- Prompts make for easy conversation starters
- Don’t need to match with people to message people
- A lighthearted approach that can make the app more fun
What could use some improvement
- Being a newer app means that it has fewer users
- Maybe not the best option if you live in a smaller town
- Possibility for unwanted messages
#3 - AFF makes hooking up easier for men and women alike (try it free here)
AFF remains the best hookup app in Washington. Their product is unmatched, to the point that not even Tinder can duplicate their results. Tinder doesn't fully lean into the hookup scene and kind of confuses people's motivation when using the app. That is not an issue with AFF.
AFF doesn't beat around the bush. It's right there in the name and isn't very subtle about the community they serve. Which, in this case, is a great thing. The user base keeps coming back and has had plenty of success in their endeavors, no matter who you are.
There are over 60 million active users on the app, and plenty of them are in Washington, so the fun has endless possibilities. If you don't believe us, check out the link below for a free trial.
Why you should try AFF
- Bar none most popular hookup site in Washington
- Possibly a better option than Tinder
- It makes casual fun less complicated
What we don’t like about it
- Only available via their website
- No logistical matchmaking process
- Excessive ads get in the way of user experience
#4 - Tinder (Android; iOS) allows for endless possibilities with its easy interface
Despite what we said about Tinder earlier, it isn’t a bad app. It certainly might not be for everyone, but it serves its function well. Tinder alone is responsible for a lot of the dating apps we see on the market today. Their interface is unmatched when it comes to casual use, and you can rack up matches in an instant. They even give you a lot of swipes per day and don’t have a lot of premium features you absolutely need for a great dating experience.
One of the best things about Tinder is that it is usually the first download when it comes to dating. That means that new users (and fresh singles) are always trickling in, and there are plenty of attractive options available. If you play your cards right, you can have a lot of success on the app, depending on how you approach it.
Our advice: be upfront about what you want and what you’re looking for. Tinder’s larger and inexperienced userbase can spell some confusion about whether or not you’re looking for a relationship. There are a lot of users on the app, and someone ought to bite sooner or later.
Why we like Tinder
- Easy interface makes it easy to get started
- Plenty of users
- Good for casual fun
Why you can skip it
- Good amount of fake profiles
- Hookup stigma and a large user base can have people on different pages
- Attracts a lot of low effort people
#5 - Match (Android; iOS) is one of the best dating options in Washington
Match is a dating service that has stood the test of time. Founded in 1995, the dating website has since transported its success onto mobile devices and developed an app. Longevity is usually a testament to their success.
Since Match has been around for quite a while, its name recognition itself usually attracts a lot of users, so there will be plenty of people to choose from. Even with their success and staying power, it doesn't mean that they don't innovate. Their consistently updated interface includes new features pretty often.
Still, their website is better than their app. Knowing their work ethic, their app will eventually be on par with their website—it's only a matter of time.
The best reasons to use Match
- Popular with older singles
- One of the largest user bases
- There are Match Events where people gather singles together
Why it needs some improvement
- One of the largest user bases comes with a large number of fake profiles
- The app is a little limited compared to the website
- A lot of inactive free users
The Best Dating Apps in Washington for Hookups
If you’re young (or young at heart), carefree, and just looking for some casual fun, some dating apps work better than others. Below are the top apps for hookups that we’ve tried.
There’s no beating around the bush with AFF
The frustrating thing about many dating apps is that you never really know what the users want. This is never a problem with AFF, where all the users on the site are looking for the same thing. While it may need a more modern touch to its site, make no mistake, it’s the hookup site that really works. Give it a shot and you might end up with a little fun between the sheets tonight!
Tinder makes finding hookups a fun game
Once you create an account on Tinder, you can indicate that you’re just there to hook up. From there, it’s just a matter of swiping through users until you find a match. Easy, right? Well, yes, if your photos are attractive and eye-catching. It’s not that easy if your photos and profile are a little on the bland side. If you crack the code when it comes to catching someone’s eye with your photos, finding a hookup on Tinder should be a breeze.
The Best Dating Apps in Washington for Relationships
Not a fan of hookup culture? Or maybe you’re at that point where you’re ready to settle down (or at least be in a long-term relationship). These are the apps that almost always work when it comes to helping singles find a partner who’s here to stay.
eHarmony helps you find your ideal match
Lots of Washington dating apps make this promise, but in our experience, eHarmony is the one that truly delivers. They even have the stats to back it up. For one, 4% of married couples in the US today met on eHarmony. If you’re in a hurry to find the one for you, a year of using eHarmony gives you huge odds of finding your eventual spouse. Give it a try today because the one you’ve been waiting for might be on the app right now.
Hinge makes online dating fun
Tinder might be fun, but it’s incredibly biased towards users with stellar profiles. With Hinge, however, you can make your personality shine through. With plenty of interesting prompts to put on your profile, you can easily attract users who share the same interests as you. Think of Hinge as a social networking site for singles. You could make a couple of friends along the way, but you’re also likely to meet someone you’ll be attracted to!
The Best Free Dating Apps in Washington
Should you pay for a dating app or should you stick to the free ones?
On the one hand, paid dating apps tend to perform better than free ones. These apps often have an advanced algorithm that help users match up with other singles. The choice isn’t just in your hands because these paid dating apps take into account what you’re looking for and what you can offer. So you can just sit back and let the app do most of the matchmaking for you.
On the other hand, free dating apps tend to attract more users. Just consider the following apps that are full of users:
- Tinder
- Bumble
- Plenty of Fish
They’re free and popular, so what’s not to like? Well, for starters, users on these free apps are usually not that serious about actually going on a date with their matches. Many are just on the app for validation or attention. These apps can also sometimes attract scammers who don’t need to shell out money to find victims.
As they say, you get what you pay for. So if you want to test out a dating app, use a free one. But if you’re serious about meeting people, paid ones usually work better.
