Online Dating

 

The Best Dating Apps

So, you want to find that special someone. Or maybe you just want some casual dating without getting too serious. Sure, you can still meet people in bars, gyms, and laundromats, but today most people are looking on the internet, with dating apps. That’s where everybody is, so that’s where you need to be as well.

Okay, the first question is, “Which one should I use?”. That’s why we’re here, to see what’s out there. You might want to try several to see what works for you. So let’s take a look at the most popular dating apps.

 tinder

Tinder is where the action is. That is, the action of swiping right or left for yea or nay, after looking at a photo and reading a very short profile. This is basically a lust at first sight situation that tells you next to nothing about the person. You can’t contact one another unless you both swipe right. The app is superficial, but simple to use, and has a very large user base. “With 30 billion matches to date, Tinder is the top dating app, making it the place to be to meet new people.”

 bumble

Bumble works a lot like Tinder but stands out among the rest by putting women in the driver’s seat. If two people like each other, then it’s up to her to make the first contact and start the conversation. From their website: “On Bumble, women make the first move. We’re levelling the playing field and changing the dynamics of dating. We believe relationships should begin with respect and equality.“

 okcupid

“OkCupid is the only dating app that matches you on what matters to you. You deserve to find who you’re looking for.” OkCupid uses the like or not like interface, but also lets you create an extensive profile, which it uses to show more likely matches, so you’re not just choosing a pretty face.

 Hinge

Hinge starts you off by having you create an extensive profile, from which others can comment on various parts of your profile. This starts the conversation instead of looking for matches. This way you don’t have to worry about coming up with a clever icebreaker. Hinge says that they are serious about giving you results. Their slogan: “The Dating App Designed to be Deleted.”

 match

Match has the usual yes or no swiping, but also let’s you answer a lot of questions which it uses to show you good matches. You’re not likely to have much luck using Match without the paid subscription, but in their words: “Match.com has led to more dates, relationships and marriages than any other site.”

 CoffeeMeetsBagel

Coffee Meets Bagel works a little differently. Based on user profiles, men receive potential matches once per day. The ones you like become potential matches for the women to look at. If he likes you and you like him, then there’s a match, with a 7-day window to initiate a conversation. “Share the true you and get to know your matches with profiles that dig deep.”

 Grindr

“The world’s leading social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people.” Grindr is based more on photos than on the minimal profiles. Generally, users are mostly looking for a one-night hookup.

 eharmony

eharmony is one of the oldest online dating services. It uses an in-depth profile questionnaire to make likely matches. Then you can connect if a match is mutual. “This isn’t destiny, it’s deliberate. That’s why every 14 minutes, someone finds love on eharmony.”

 Facebook

Facebook Dating is available only through the mobile Facebook app. “You can send likes and messages to people you’re interested in, then once someone likes you back, you’ll match and can start chatting.” The service keeps your dating account separate from you main Facebook account, so that your followers don’t know that you are using Facebook Dating.

 HER

Her is aimed at the lesbian, bisexual, and queer woman community. You select from photos, and then mutual “likes” can start a conversation.

 happn

Happn matches you with people in your area who have done some of the same things and visited the same events or places you have. If two people who’s paths have crossed like each other’s profile, then they can connect. From their website: “Walking down the street, sitting at a bar or on a night out, we’ve all experienced it: you make eye contact with someone who catches your attention, but you don’t dare go up to them. Now with happn, you can find the people you’ve crossed paths with and make your own luck!”

 Plenty of Fish

Plenty of Fish has one of the largest user bases in the world (“Approximately 3 million members logged in daily.”). You start with a short profile then hope to match with a real person instead of a bot. Due to sheer numbers, though, you can find plenty of real people.

Conclusion

Try several of these apps to find one that works best for you. If you are finding too many fake profiles, time to change. Also worth noting is that all of these apps let you join for free, but most aren’t very useful without upgrading to a paid subscription. The only exception is Facebook Dating, which is totally free. There’s no time like the present to put yourself out there, so here’s wishing you good luck and happy hunting.