These days, you can use an app for just about anything. You can see what the weather is like in California, order food from your phone, or even tell your smart speaker to turn on the lights in your house. And now? Now, you can also use apps to help you and your partner maintain a healthy—and happy—relationship.
Whether you’re in a brand-new relationship or celebrating a milestone anniversary with the person you love, these apps will help you keep up with all the things that are important to you as a couple: having little arguments without getting angry at one another, remembering to be romantic with each other, and even communicating better when there’s a problem.
Here are some of our favorite apps for couples:
Best Apps For Relationships
For all their downsides (of which there are plenty), dating apps have made it way easier to meet new people. Just a few years ago, couples who met online were sheepish about proclaiming their humble internet beginnings, but now it’s become the norm. In fact, a 2020 report from the Pew Research Center found that three out of every 10 Americans have used a dating app or site, and nearly 40% of online daters are in a committed relationship with someone they’ve met on the internet. If you’re ready to get back in the ol’ dating saddle and hoping to make a real-deal connection with someone, experts shared the best dating apps to try in 2022.
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According to Kimberly Hill, international dating and relationship coach, dating apps are still a “fantastic” way to meet potential romantic partners today, and there are three reasons why. For one, you can meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet through your social circle. Two, you can move at a pace you’re comfortable with before meeting up in person. Three, you’ll end up with more dates, which ups your chances of finding someone you connect with.
“Finding the right person is a unique journey for everyone,” Hill says. “While we can get introduced to new people through our existing social circles and workplaces, dating apps extend this even further. By using dating apps, you’re going to meet and match with more people, helping in your search for finding that special someone.”
With that, here are the best 2022 dating apps for anyone who’s looking to fall in love.
Best For Local Options: Tinder
Tinder is the best dating app for meeting locals
Tinder
Pros: Easy setup and use, free version available, find matches based on location, several subscription tiers to choose from
Cons: Limited features on free version, heavily appearance-based swiping
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock since 2012, you’re probably familiar with Tinder. Tinder is a dating app that gives you a ton of options local to you. If you like someone, you can swipe right to indicate your interest. Once a match is made, you can start messaging back and forth. “It’s simple, easy to use, and doesn’t filter based on height, education, race, or religion,” Hill says.
Plus, so many people use Tinder. It’s been downloaded over 430 million times since it was first launched, and more people equals more potential dates. The app is completely free to use, but there are also three additional subscription tiers to choose from: Tinder Plus at $4.99 for a one month subscription, Tinder Gold at $14.99, and Tinder Platinum at $19.99.
Best For Building Chemistry: Hinge
Hinge is the best dating app for building chemistry
Hinge
Pros: Free version available, easy conversations starters, in-app “date from home” feature, video prompts for virtual dates, “most compatible” feature
Cons: Only 10 profile “likes” per day with the free version, Hinge Preferred paid monthly is on the pricier side
Hinge is the dating app that was “designed to be deleted.” In the Hinge app, daters are given prompts to answer, so you can get a good idea of what their personality is like. These prompts are also great conversation starters once a match is made, since you have more information to go off of than you do on an app like Tinder.
“It recently updated its software to include voice prompts, which allow users to be creative in explaining what a great first date would look like, or making you laugh with a funny joke,” she says. “Building chemistry is important, and hearing someone’s voice can do just that.” Like Tinder, the free version of the app lets you connect with people just fine, but Hinge also offers a premium version for $29.99 for one month, $19.99 per month when you sign up for three, or $14.99 a month for six — their best deal. Hinge Preferred comes with extra perks the free version doesn’t have, like unlimited likes and profile priority.
Best For Lesbian & LGBTQ+ Daters: HER
HER is the best dating app for LGBTQ+ singles
HER
Pros: Free version available, geared toward deeper connections, much easier to find LGBTQ+ singles than other apps
Cons: Some users complain that getting matches is difficult without a subscription, people who are attracted to cis men too will need to use multiple apps
HER is the most popular queer dating app with eight million users, and was made by and for lesbian and queer women. It’s part dating app, part social network. You can view profiles, send likes, make matches, and send messages. You can also use the app to make new friends or talk about issues that are important to you. HER also hosts parties and events in 15 cities including Los Angeles, New York, and London so users can meet people in person. You can download and use the app for free, or take advantage of the nice (but not necessary) additional features and filters of HER Premium for $14.99 for one month, $59.99 for six, or $89.99 for 12.
Best For Women To Make The First Move: Bumble
Bumble is the best dating app for women who want to make the first move
Bumble
Pros: Women won’t get messages from people they’re uninterested in, free version available, there’s a friendship version and business version of the app as well
Cons: Matches expire in 24 hours, not great for women uncomfortable with messaging first
Bumble is the dating app where women (in a heterosexual match) make the first move once a match is made. They have 24 hours to send a message or else the match will expire. As of January 2021, Bumble has over 42 million active monthly users, so it’s a great alternative to Tinder in terms of the size of the dating pool. It’s ideal for anyone who’s confident and has no problem taking the lead.
“Women are given the responsibility to reach out first, which is a refreshing change for most men,” Hill says. “Just make sure you’re not someone who [only] checks the app once in a while or you’ll miss out on possible great matches.”
If you’re looking to make new friends around your area, Bumble has a BFF option available as well. “I personally meet one of my closest friends on Bumble, so it was absolutely worth it,” Hill says. If anything, you can bond over your dating app experiences.
Aside from the free version, you can opt to subscribe to Bumble Boost for $18.99 for one month, $39.99 for three, or $59.99 for six; or Bumble Premium for $29.99 for one month, or $59.99 for three, or $99.99 for six. It’s spendy, but the upgraded accounts do offer a ton of additional features and perks, like unlimited swiping and extra time on your matches.
Best For Compatibility: Match
Match is the best dating app for compatibility
Match
Pros: Successful algorithm for finding compatible matches, free version available, in-app video chats, access to dating experts
Cons: Expensive premium version
Match has been around since 1995, so it’s kind of the OG when it comes to dating apps. Users are asked to answer a number of questions about themselves and their preferences. The Match algorithm will then present you with people who might be a good match based on your responses.
If you’re dating to find a serious relationship, Match is definitely worth trying due to its lengthy vetting process. “It works by showing you people who are also looking for the same likes and personality traits, but this comes with a cost,” Hill says. A standard three-month plan will cost about $31.99 per month, and you have the ability to see and respond to messages, see who’s viewed and liked you, stand out with a Super Like, attend Match Events, and more.
Best For Black Daters: BLK
BLK is the best dating app for Black daters
BLK
Pros: Affordable premium subscription, free version available, large user base
Cons: Some complaints of spam profiles and design issues
BLK, which first launched in 2017, is part of the Match Group that includes Tinder, Hinge, and OK Cupid. It’s currently the biggest dating app for Black singles with nearly six million downloads, and its mission is to “bring Black people together to spark meaningful connections.” Using the app is simple enough. All you have to do is scroll through a personalized list of profiles, and slide right to give the person a “Yeah” or left to give them a “Nah.” If you make a match, you can start messaging right away. If you want to upgrade to a premium membership, you’ll get access to features like rewinding on profiles to get a second look and sending five “Really Likes” per day. While there is a free version, the paid subscriptions start at a comparably lower price than other dating apps at just $9.99 per month.
Best For Meeting IRL: Thursday
Thursday is the best dating app for meeting in person
Thursday
Pros: Meet people in person, free version available, dates are consistently held on Thursdays only
Cons: Only available in London and NYC, app is only open for limited hours
If you’re feeling dating app burnout, Thursday might be the platform for you. Every Thursday, the app will present you with options of daters who are available to go out later that day. It’s all in an effort to reduce small talk and increase the amount of dates that actually happen. You can download and use the app for free or pay a $14.99 monthly fee for the VIP membership.
Sameera Sullivan, matchmaker and dating expert, says Thursday is a good solution for daters who haven’t previously had success with other forms of online dating. “I get a lot of clients complaining about an inability to connect with anyone, and usually it boils down to dating app burnout,” Sullivan says. “Currently, this app is only available in a few cities, but the developers are aiming to expand it.” If you live in London or NYC, this is an app you should definitely try out.
Best For Parents: Stir
Stir is the best dating app for parents
Stir
Pros: Easily match with other single parents, free version available
Cons: Paid versions can be pricey
Stir is a dating app from the Match Group that was created for single parents. You start by creating a profile that allows you to showcase a bit of your personality. The app asks you a series of questions like “At social event, you tend to…”, “It’s Sunday morning and I’m…”, or “Your guilty go-to pleasure is…” It then asks more personal questions related to dating with kids such as, “When will you introduce your partner to your kids?” and whether you’d be open to having kids with a new partner.
Like other Match group dating apps, Stir is easy to use. You’re presented with some options where you can tap the heart icon to “like” someone or click “X” to move on to the next. Once you make a match, you can start messaging. The app also has premium features not available on the free version, including profile boosts and the ability to see who likes you so you can make instant matches. Pricing varies from a Standard subscription for $39.99 a month to a six-month Premium subscription for $119.99. Since the app is new, you won’t get the same amount of people as you would on other apps. But it’s definitely worth giving a shot if you’re looking for singles who are in the same boat as you.
Best AI: HILY
HILY has the best dating app AI
HILY
Pros: Connect across the globe or locally, AI helps find compatible matches
Cons: Some complaints of a complicated interface, can be confusing to cancel subscription
HILY is another Tinder-like dating app where you can scroll through profiles of daters near you. In addition to photos, you can include fun, short videos to showcase more of your personality. It also offers ice breakers to help get the conversation going, and a compatibility test to see if you and someone you’re interested in would be a good match. “HILY is the future of dating apps because they use AI to find you the most compatible partners,” Sullivan says. “The app uses information about your preferences and in-app activity to suggest dates. Also, it comes with video calling and streaming features to complete your e-date!” When you download the app, you’ll start off with their seven-day free trial, then the plans start at $29.99 per month.
Best For Latinx Daters: Chispa
Chispa is a dating app for Latinx singles
Chispa
Pros: Easily meet other Latinx daters, free version available, affordable paid plans
Cons: Small user base, some reports of crashes and bugs
Chispa, another dating app that’s part of the Match Group, is the largest dating app for Latinx singles. It was created to be a community where singles can “find meaningful connections with people who share similar likes and interests.” The app will present you with a series of profiles of people local to you. All you have to do is slide right or click on the heart icon to “like” someone, or slide left if you’re not interested. You can use the app for free, but there is also a subscription option starting at $9.99 per month.
Best For Double Dates: Fourplay
Fourplay is a dating app for double dates
Fourplay
Pros: Less pressure with double dating, free to use
Cons: Only available in NYC
First dates are supposed to be a fun way to see if you click with the person you’re out with. However, they can get a little awkward if the chemistry’s not there. That’s where Fourplay comes in. Fourplay is a dating app where singles can go on double dates with their other single friends. You can create unlimited “dating teams,” and all four people have to give a thumbs up in order to make a match. Once everyone’s on board, you can then decide on where you want to meet up on the app. Fourplay is ideal for someone with a single friend or two who are also looking to have fun and meet people.
best dating apps for young adults
If you’re having trouble finding the right match for you, why not turn to online dating? Any stigma online dating had in the past is gone, with dozens of apps to choose from and thousands of couples crediting their love to these apps.
In this article we’ll show you the best free dating apps for young adults (anyone 18 to 25), along with some advice for using them. If you’re older, check out our list of dating sites for mature singles instead. You can even connect with potential mates on Twitter!
A Warning on Age Restrictions
Before we continue, it’s important to note that due to laws in the U.S. and elsewhere, there are legal issues with under-18s using dating apps. Therefore, none of the apps below allow users under 18 years old to join, but of course, these measures aren’t foolproof.
While using any dating apps, we advise you to take caution with regards to age. Don’t take anyone’s age at face value, and be careful of predators looking to take advantage of apps aimed at younger people. We’ll share some safety tips after we discuss the apps.
To be clear: We don’t condone anyone under 18 using these apps.
- OKCupid
For an all-around free dating app, OKCupid is the gold standard. The site uses powerful algorithms to find you the right matches.
OKCupid asks you to answer a large amount of personality questions when you sign up. As you do, you also select the answers you’d find acceptable in a partner. These questions range from the serious, like the importance of religion in your life, to the silly, like what crime you’d most likely be thrown in jail for.
By browsing others’ public answers, you can get a good idea of whether they’re a good fit for you. Messaging on OKCupid is free for everyone. This is great because you don’t have to pay to talk to someone you like, but it opens the door for unsolicited creepy messages.
The DoubleTake features offers a Tinder-like swiping interface for easy match evaluation, while Discovery highlights matches from variety of criteria. You can upgrade to the paid A-List plan to see who liked you, add more search filters, and more.
Overall, OKCupid is a good fit for people who want to try standard online dating without paying. It’s also less focused on hookups than some other options. Check out how OKCupid compares to some other dating apps if you’re interested.
Download: OKCupid for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
- Tinder
You can’t have a discussion about dating apps for young adults with talking about Tinder. The app arguably popularized the dating app scene (succeeding past website-only dating services) and is still going strong.
Its interface is simple: swipe right if you like someone, and swipe left if you’re not interested. If two people swipe right on each other, they have the opportunity to exchange messages. But you can’t send messages to anyone without matching first—we’ve covered what to do after you match on Tinder previously.
That’s really all there is to it. The vast majority of Tinder users are under 35, so it’s a great choice for younger people. However, Tinder is heavily geared towards hookup culture. While it’s not impossible to find a long-term partner on Tinder, those looking for a serious relationship should keep that in mind.
Since Tinder matches you locally, there’s less chance that you’ll get matched with people hundreds of miles away like in other apps. The free version of Tinder limits the number of right swipes you get; upgrade to Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold to unlock more features.
Download: Tinder for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
- PlentyOfFish
PlentyOfFish (POF) is another well-known free dating site. Its sheer size makes it a good option for finding a match, though sorting through all the noise can be a bit tough.
POF offers several ways to connect. Like OKCupid, it’s free to message anyone. You can also use the Nearby tab to look through other mobile users who are near you.
Of course, the service also brings you matches based on a chemistry test. Meanwhile, the Meet Me section brings the familiar Tinder-like interface of swiping on profiles.
An upgraded POF membership offers extended profiles, priority in Meet Me, username search, and more. A minor drawback is that PlentyOfFish’s interface is pretty dated and a bit cluttered, especially on the web. But it’s certainly worth a try.
Download: PlentyofFish for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
- Bumble
If you like the idea of Tinder but want to shake it up a bit, Bumble is for you. This app uses the same swiping gestures and simple profiles as Tinder, but with one crucial difference: women always make the first move.
Once two people swipe-right on each other, the woman can choose whether or not to start a conversation. If she doesn’t do so within 24 hours, the match disappears. In a same-sex match, either person can initiate the conversation.
To help combat abuse, Bumble has a photo verification feature. This asks you to upload a selfie in a specific pose, which a real person reviews. Doing so adds a check mark to your account, letting others know you’re a legitimate profile.
Bumble offers a paid Bumble Boost service, which adds additional features.
Download: Bumble for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
- Coffee Meets Bagel
If you find the onslaught of matches in other apps overwhelming, Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is for you. The app takes a curated approach: at noon each day, the app sends you a handful of matches (“bagels”). Thus, instead of swiping through tons of people’s profiles, you can check out a few and see if you’re interested in them.
Men receive pre-selected matches, while women only receive bagels that have expressed interest. Once you match, you’ll be able to start a conversation. CMB even provides some starter questions to ease you in.
Upgrading to CMB’s premium plan adds information about how often your matches respond to chats, read receipts, plus more features.
Download: Coffee Meets Bagel for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)
Advice for Online Dating Safely
Now that you have five great dating apps to choose from, let’s review some important points about dating safely online.
Meet Up Safely
Online dating is a great option to meet someone new. You just need to be very careful and need to know how to use it wisely and safely.
— Hiro (@10seasonsimage) August 31, 2012
After you connect and chat in an app for a while, you’ll eventually want to meet your potential match in person. This is great, but it’s important to take care when doing so.
You should always meet in a public place, like a restaurant or coffee shop. Having lots of other people around reduces the chance of your date threatening you or something similar.
It’s also wise to drive yourself to the date (don’t let them pick you up). Let some friends or family know where you’re going and how long you expect to be, just in case something happens. You should also avoid drinking alcohol the first few times you meet to avoid that layer of complication.
Avoid Common Scams
Unfortunately, the free nature of many dating apps opens them widely to scams. Always be on the lookout for signs that a profile is looking to rip you off:
Their photos are edited or stolen
They jump all over the place in conversation
They ask you to chat on another app or via email right away
They send strange links for you to click on
They start asking for personal details
They request money
Don’t trust anyone on a dating app right away, especially if they ask for money. Check out more tips on protecting your dating profile from scammers.
Protect Your Profile
Aside from avoiding scams, you should also take steps to protect your privacy while using dating apps. Don’t use the same profile picture you have set everywhere, which makes it easy to find you online. Avoid linking to your social media accounts, and be careful what photos you include.
Will Online Dating Find Your Match?
Online dating sounds like a magic bullet, but it’s not easy. It’s a tough balance of expressing yourself, chatting with matches, and avoiding the potential dangers that come along with dating apps. Don’t be afraid to block people if they get creepy, and remember that building connections takes time.
No matter which dating app you use, make sure you don’t make these major online dating mistakes.
Conclusion
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