Whether you’re in Cleveland for the arts or for the beaches, there’s no way you haven’t noticed just how many beautiful women are in our city. Seeing them is one thing, but actually walking up to them and talking to them is another. Walking up to strangers post-pandemic has also become less common. This is why dating apps are a great equalizer. You can meet so many singles without all the hassle. But the question is: which ones are the best dating apps and sites in Cleveland?
Our team of experts has tested over 150 dating apps so you don’t have to. We’ve narrowed it down to nine of the best dating apps to use in our city. So, whether you’re in Tremont, Broadway, or anywhere else in Cleveland, you’re guaranteed to love one of these apps!
#1 - Bumble is one of the best Cleveland dating sites for women (Android; iOS)
Bumble has changed the online dating game for women as it makes them message their matches first. If they don’t do so within 24 hours, the match disappears. This is a great way for women to take control of their dating life so they aren’t overwhelmed with messages.
Bumble is also great for men as they can just sit back and relax instead of worrying about the best pick-up line they can use. Bumble also has two additional modes: Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF which can help you network within your industry or make new friends.
Why Bumble is a great dating app in Cleveland
- The 24-hour time limit encourages women to actually message their matches
- Bumble is super easy to use
- You can include what you’re looking for in a partner in your bio to avoid miscommunication
What we don’t like about it
- Users must use the app regularly so their matches don’t expire
- The app is free and no verification is required, leading to fake profiles
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) can't be beaten for long-term relationships
eHarmony is extremely popular here and has an amazing track record of helping Cleveland locals find long-term partners by using matching algorithms. This app does the best job of matching you up with compatible potential mates that we've seen.
You don't have to scroll for hours. The app does all of the tough work for you. Of course, you might not make a perfect connection outside of the algorithms. Usually, it works like magic. The toughest part is answering all the questions. It's important because this is how they match you with other single people. You can build chemistry before you even meet.
If you're serious about finding long-term partners this is the site for you.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Cleveland
- The best success rate out there for long-term relationships
- 70% of users find their future spouse within a year
- Makes it pretty easy to form connections
What we don’t like about it
- It definitely takes more time than most to get started
- Not super popular with those 18-22
#3 - Loosid encourages sobriety (Android; iOS)
Loosid is one of the best Cleveland dating sites for people looking to stay sober. Most people meet for drinks on the first date. But if you’re trying to stay sober, you likely don’t want to be in that environment. Similarly, explaining why to a stranger could be awkward. To avoid this, Loosid was created!
Everyone on the app is also looking to stay sober, so you will have a common goal. No more awkward conversations about why you can’t go for drinks! Loosid also has sober dating guides and a list of nearby treatment centers if any user needs to reach out for help.
Why we like Loosid
- Loosid is one of the best dating sites in Cleveland for sober dating, finding friends, and even finding support
- It will be easier to relate to people on the app
- Sober group events are offered, which is a great way to meet people
What we don’t like about it
- The dating pool is still small as Loosid is quite new
- There are many empty profiles as users don’t need to completely fill them out
#4 - AFF is the easiest way to find a casual thing
AFF should be your first choice when you're not looking for a relationship but still want some fun in the bedroom. We've tried a lot of different apps for this (most are awful) and only a couple have proven to work over and over. Tinder is great if you're under 25 but once you get beyond that AFF has shown the best results out of any dating site in Cleveland we've tried, especially for guys.
One of the things we've really liked about this app is that they do a really good job of helping you find EXACTLY what you're looking for. Everyone on this site is looking for the same thing so you can save a LOT of time that you would waste on other sites. If you're 25+ and want to take someone home this is your app.
Why you should try AFF
- They have a massive number of users on their app (over 50 million)
- We’ve seen guys have the best success using it, especially those who aren’t super good looking and didn’t do well on Tinder
- It’s very straightforward and easy to use
What we don’t like about it
- Many users can only access via web app
- The app is a little dated and not as polished as some others
- Sometimes people are a little TOO upfront with what they want
#5 - Tinder is one of the best Cleveland dating sites for young people (Android; iOS)
Tinder has quickly become one of the most well-known dating apps, especially among the younger crowd. This is likely because Tinder is so easy to use. It almost makes dating feel like a game. You simply need to swipe right on matches you like and left if you don’t. This has led to many people using Tinder to find casual flings.
If you are looking for a casual fling, Tinder is perfect! Most users are in their 20s and 30s and they just want a bit of fun. If you want something long-term, however, exploring other dating apps may be a better option.
Why Tinder is great
- There are over 50 million active users
- Tinder is very user friendly
- Most people on the app are in their 20s and 30s
What we don’t like about it
- Tinder is very appearance-based as most people are just looking for casual flings
- Matches on Tinder are less likely to actually meet up in-person
#6 - Zoosk is among the best dating sites in Cleveland (Android; iOS)
Zoosk is becoming increasingly more popular, particularly as an alternative to Tinder. While Tinder helps you find flings, Zoosk helps you find something more long-lasting.
Zoosk functions similarly to Tinder as you swipe through profiles to like, but you can also search for matches. Profiles are also more detailed, so you can get to know someone better rather than matching with people solely based on their appearance. As Zoosk has over 40 million users worldwide, it’s a great alternative to Tinder.
Why Zoosk is quickly becoming one of the best dating sites in Cleveland
- The dating pool is huge with over 40 million users
- Search criteria are detailed so finding a match is easy
- It’s easy to get the conversation started as users can put a question for you to answer on their profile
- Verification is pretty strict
What we don’t like about it
- You will not receive match recommendations
- The free version of Zoosk is limited
#7 - Luxy is for rich and successful singles (Android; iOS)
Luxy is among the best dating sites in Cleveland for well-off, well-educated, and affluent singles. Most dating apps are flooded with profiles, so finding someone you’re compatible with can be tough. Luxy makes it easier as membership is quite exclusive.
New users must be voted in by members of the opposite sex to ensure you’re a good fit. Approval tends to be based on appearance and wealth. If you do get approved, you’ll be in good company as 60% of users make more than $200,000 a year. Sugar babies aren’t allowed on the app, so Luxy is a great place to actually get to know other wealthy people.
Why Luxy is a great dating app
- Sugar babies are not allowed on Luxy
- Existing members get to choose whether or not new members should be accepted
- Profiles are detailed so getting to know someone is easy
- They verify every user
What we don’t like about it
- Membership is quite pricey
- The dating pool is quite small because of how exclusive Luxy is
#8 - Hinge will get the conversation going (Android; iOS)
Hinge is one of the best dating apps for getting to know someone. Most dating apps are either appearance-based or personality-based, Hinge is the perfect mix of both. You can add up to six photos along with answers to conversation prompts. This app gives you no excuse to not let your personality show!
To match with someone, you have to like or comment on a specific picture or conversation prompt. This ensures users are actually looking through profiles and not just blindly swiping left or right.
Why we recommend Hinge
- One of the best dating sites in Cleveland for the 20s and 30s crowd
- You receive a new match recommendation every day
- Hinge is available for free with optional paid features
- You can call or video chat with your matches on Hinge
What we don’t like about it
- You only receive ten likes a day with the free version
- People who don’t like reading profiles may not enjoy Hinge
#9 - Coffee Meets Bagel gives you a fun way to find matches (Android; iOS)
Coffee Meets Bagel is a dating app that is beneficial to both men and women. Women like to be selective, and men like to have a selection, so Coffee Meets Bagel caters to both ways of dating. Women receive a daily list of men that liked them, and they can choose whether to match or not.
It’s also easy to get to know someone on Coffee Meets Bagel, thanks to the level of detail included in profiles. Users must answer three conversation prompts about who they are, what they like, and their favorite types of dates.
Why Coffee Meets Bagel is one of the best Cleveland dating apps
- There are more women than men on the app
- It’s easy to get to know someone as profiles are detailed
- You have to plan a date within 7 days so people will take more initiative
What we don’t like about it
- Free features are limited
- You only receive five likes a day
#10 - Hily humanizes online dating (Android; iOS)
Hily, which stands for Hey, I Like You, is an app that makes only dating more human as users can video chat. This helps you put a face to the names you’re seeing in your inbox, and allows you to minimize the chance that you’re talking to a catfish.
Although video chatting with strangers may seem awkward at first, it’s easier and quicker than constant back and forth messaging that usually leads nowhere. Also, Hily provides users with ice breakers and conversation prompts to avoid awkward silences. All video chatting is done through the app so you can keep your contact info safe.
Why Hily is an awesome dating app in Cleveland
- All users are verified
- Use video prompts and ice breakers to get conversations started
- Fun features like compatibility checks
What we don’t like about it
- Free features are limited
- Matches aren’t based on distance so they can be far away
The Best Dating Sites in Cleveland for Long-Term Relationships
If you know what you’re looking for in a partner, choosing the right dating app or site can be much easier. So, if you’re looking for a long-term relationship, here are two apps you may want to try:
eHarmony is the best place to find love online
Even if you’ve never used a dating app or site before, you’ve probably heard of eHarmony. It’s one of the oldest dating sites on the market as it’s been around since 2000. Since its inception, eHarmony has helped over 600,000 people in the United States alone get married, so the chances that you’ll find love on it are high.
The site’s success is largely due to the detailed questionnaire that all users complete when signing up. It asks you about your interests, lifestyle, and preferences in a partner so the site’s algorithm can match you with people you may actually be compatible with. Not only does this make starting a conversation much easier, but it also saves you plenty of time as you won’t need to worry about endless swiping to find matches.
Hinge is the app designed to be deleted
Hinge’s creators want users to delete their app because it means they found what they were looking for. It’s a great app for finding long-term relationships because profiles aren’t based solely on looks. Instead, users answer three conversation prompts and upload six pictures. Then to match with someone, you must like or comment on a specific picture or prompt, encouraging users to actually look through other people’s profiles.
The Best Hookup Sites in Cleveland
If you’re not ready to settle down just yet, don’t worry, there are still plenty of dating apps out there for you. Here are two of the best Cleveland hookup sites:
AFF is one of the best Cleveland hookup sites
Another dating site that’s been on the market for ages is AFF. This site is quite the opposite of eHarmony because it helps people find hookups rather than love. As AFF clearly advertises itself as a hookup site, you won’t need to have any awkward conversations about what you’re looking for with your matches.
You must pay to use AFF, but purchasing a membership is a great investment. It gives you access to high-quality matches and fun features like erotic stories, adult chatrooms, and live webcam shows. You can even try AFF for free first before purchasing a membership to ensure you’re happy with the site’s features.
OkCupid is becoming a popular hookup app
Although OkCupid isn’t marketed as a hookup app, it’s what most people use it for nowadays. We think it’s actually become the best free hookup site in Cleveland because matches are a good mix of appearance and compatibility. Since not everyone is on the app for a hookup, just be clear about what you’re looking for to avoid miscommunications when finding the perfect casual fling.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Cleveland
When looking for the best dating app for you, choosing between paid and free ones is another decision you’ll have to make. While you may initially lean towards free dating apps, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.
Free dating apps and sites don’t offer the same results that paid ones do and we’re speaking from experience. Users on paid dating sites tend to put more effort into their profiles and want to actually meet up with you so you can avoid having stagnant matches sitting in your inbox.
If you’re not ready to pay for a membership right off the bat, take advantage of a free trial or use a free app first. This is a low-pressure way to enter the online dating world, allowing you to discover what type of features you enjoy.
Here are three of the best free dating sites in Cleveland you can try:
- Tinder
- Bumble
- OkCupid
Each of these apps is free to use with the option to pay for additional features so you get the best of both worlds.
