Dating can be challenging, especially in the digital age. With so many options and platforms available, how do you find the one that suits your needs and preferences? Whether you are looking for a serious relationship, a casual hookup, or something in between, there is a dating app or website for you. In this article, we will review some of the best dating apps and websites for finding your match, based on expert reviews, user insights, and features.
How We Chose the Best Dating Apps and Websites
We chose the best dating apps and websites based on the following criteria:
- Popularity: We looked at how many users and downloads each app or website has, as well as their ratings and reviews on various platforms.
- Features: We considered what features each app or website offers, such as matching algorithms, communication tools, security measures, and special functions.
- Cost: We compared the prices and plans of each app or website, as well as the availability of free or trial versions.
- Niche: We evaluated how well each app or website caters to specific groups or interests, such as age, ethnicity, religion, or lifestyle.
The Best Dating Apps and Websites for Finding Your Match
Here are our top picks for the best dating apps and websites for finding your match, along with their pros and cons, and a brief summary of what they offer.
eHarmony - Best for Serious Relationships
- Monthly subscription cost: $59.95
- Free version available
- Pros:
- Compatible matches based on a comprehensive personality test
- High success rate for long-term relationships and marriages
- Video dating feature to connect with matches virtually
- Cons:
- Expensive compared to other apps and websites
- Limited control over who you see and contact
- Lengthy and detailed sign-up process
eHarmony is one of the most popular and trusted dating apps and websites for finding serious and lasting relationships. It uses a 32-dimension compatibility quiz to assess your personality, values, and preferences, and then matches you with compatible users based on a scientific algorithm. You can also use the video dating feature to chat with your matches face-to-face, without leaving the app. eHarmony claims to be responsible for over 2 million marriages in the U.S. alone, making it the Editors’ Choice pick for finding true love1.
Tinder - Best for Casual Dating
- Monthly subscription cost: $19.99
- Free version available
- Pros:
- Large and diverse user base
- Easy and fun to use
- Variety of features and modes to suit different needs and preferences
- Cons:
- Based mostly on appearance and location
- Potential for fake profiles and scams
- Can be superficial and shallow
Tinder is the most popular and widely used dating app in the world, with over 50 million users and 26 million matches per day2. It is known for its simple and addictive swipe mechanism, where you can like or pass on potential matches based on their photos and bios. If you both like each other, you can start a conversation and see where it goes. Tinder also offers various features and modes to enhance your experience, such as Boost, Super Like, Passport, and Tinder Plus and Gold. Tinder is ideal for casual dating, hookups, and fun, but it can also lead to serious relationships if you are lucky.
Coffee Meets Bagel - Best for Quality Matches
- Monthly subscription cost: $34.99
- Free version available
- Pros:
- Curated and quality matches based on your preferences and behavior
- Encourages meaningful and authentic connections
- In-app video chat and icebreaker games to spark conversations
- Cons:
- Limited number of matches per day
- Requires Facebook account to sign up
- Can be slow and frustrating for some users
Coffee Meets Bagel is a dating app that aims to provide you with quality matches over quantity. It sends you a limited number of curated and compatible matches, or “bagels”, every day at noon, based on your preferences and behavior. You can then like or pass on your bagels, and if you both like each other, you can start a conversation within a 7-day window. You can also use the in-app video chat and icebreaker games to get to know your matches better. Coffee Meets Bagel is designed for busy and discerning singles who are looking for meaningful and authentic connections3.