Online dating may be a minefield, no matter whether you’re looking for a short-term relationship or a long-term partner, prefer to meet someone in a bar rather than them sliding into your DMs, want to find love on the internet, etc. Throw the current global pandemic of coronavirus into the equation, and dating these days hasn’t been simple.

That’s why dating apps are more popular than ever! Whether you’re looking for a serious relationship or just some casual fun, there is an app out there for you.

For the skeptics, dating apps have been empirically shown to be effective. According to research conducted by the Pew Research Center, some 57% of Americans who have ever used a dating site or app report that their own personal experiences with these platforms were very or somewhat positive. It’s only natural that if you’re a millennial, at least half of your friends have met their spouses using them.

We have curated the 20 best dating apps for relationships or friendships that you should try out this year! These apps are easy to use, have great features, and provide a large pool of potential dates.

Best Dating Apps Right Now

What Are Dating Apps?

Dating apps are online services that people use to find and connect with potential romantic or sexual partners. With a simple swipe on a smartphone, users can see photos and read profiles of other users nearby.

Some popular dating apps include Tinder, Bumble, Grindr, Hinge, and Coffee Meets Bagel. Each app has its own unique features and purpose. For example, Tinder is known for being a hookup app, while Bumble is known for being more of a dating app.

How Do Dating Apps Work?

Dating apps work by allowing users to create a profile with some personal information, including photos, interests, and a brief bio. Once the profile is created, users can then browse through profiles of other potential matches within a certain radius. If two users “like” each other, they can then start messaging each other and decide if they want to meet in person.

Dating apps are available on both iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.

Best Dating Apps For Relationships

So, what are the best dating apps for young adults? Here’s my list:

1. Tinder

Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps, with over 30 billion matches made to date. It’s simple to use, and you can connect with people nearby or worldwide. Tinder is great for finding a quick hookup or something more serious like a relationship. iOS – Android

2. Bumble

Bumble is similar to Tinder, but the woman has to make the first move. It’s a great app for women who want to feel empowered and take control of their dating life. iOS – Android

3. Hinge

Hinge is a dating app that’s designed to be deleted because it leads to real relationships. It’s unique in that it only matches you with people who are Facebook friends of friends or friends of friends of friends, so you know they’re not complete strangers. iOS

4. Victoria

Victoria is a community based on experiences. Members may interact with like-minded creatives through inspiring events intended to build meaningful connections. Victoria will guide you through new connections and relationships (both romantic and non-romantic) with a networking or dating component, as well as inviting you to in-person panel discussions at London’s super swanky member’s club Home Grown or DJ sets at Notting Hill hotspot Laylow. iOS

5. OkCupid

OkCupid is a free dating app that’s beloved by many for its inclusivity (it has 12 gender identities and 20 sexual orientations) and its matching algorithm, which is based on questions you answer about yourself. iOS – Android

6. Badoo

We adore Badoo because it focuses on finding out people’s intentions for using the service right from the start. Its new ‘intentions’ feature makes it mandatory for users to explain why they’re using the app, ranging from ‘here to date’ and ‘ready for a relationship’ to ‘open to chatting.’ iOS

7. Tastebuds

Another dating software that uses similar interests is Tastebuds. You may meet your musical soulmate, whether you’re looking for a date or simply need someone to go to gigs with. It pairs two people together based on their preferred music. At least there will be no debates about your first dance song if you’re a Britney-til-you-die or a hardcore drum and bass badass. iOS

8. Thursday

The app that lets you see who’s looking to go on a date that day. The app comes to life every Thursday with individuals in your area who desire to meet up that day. You may communicate with them and, if both of you are interested, get together for a drink that day. iOS – Android

9. Inner Circle

If you’re sick of swiping and getting nowhere, Inner Circle’s highly selective procedure – which allows you to view fuller profiles that include interests, favorite locations, and previously traveled destinations – may be just what the doctor ordered. iOS

10. Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel is a dating app that gives you a limited number of matches each day at noon (so you’re not overwhelmed with choices) and requires you to either like or pass on each one. If you both like each other, you can chat. iOS – Android

11. Kindred

Kindred is a dating app for people who don’t want or can’t have kids from their next relationship. iOS – Android

12. Grindr

Grindr is a gay dating app that was initially designed for hookups but has since evolved into a platform for making friends and building relationships. iOS – Android

13. Happn

With over 100 million members, Happn is the dating app that lets you discover everyone you’ve met due to fate, the individuals’ destiny has destined you to meet. Get a Crush, and most importantly, meet up! Get a Crush, and most importantly, get together!

The app will connect you with individuals who are using it in the exact location regularly, whether it’s that individual you just happened to squat next to at the gym or brush hands reaching for the same cup of coffee at Starbucks. iOS – Android

14. The Sauce

The Sauce is unlike any other dating app in that it does away with photographs and instead allows users to submit videos to assess someone’s personality and read their body language and voice to check whether there’s a genuine connection. iOS

15. Jungle Dating

Jungle Dating celebrates double, triple, and even quadruple dating and allows users to create a group of up to four friends, match with other groups, and organize a group date.

A safe, stress-free, and fun way of dating, this flips the dating landscape on its head, and if a match doesn’t work out, then you can still enjoy a night out with friends or even organize a date with another person from your dating group.

16. MeetMindful

Whether you’re taking it slow or are ready for an all-in kind of love, meaningful connections lead to a more gratifying and healthy existence. MeetMindful connects like-minded individuals who are nearby at your fingertips. Join now to meet your match in a dating community that emphasizes personal growth, mindfulness exercises, healthy living, and spiritual groundings. iOS – Android

17. HILY

Hily is not your average dating site. It’s the most popular method for meeting new people in your neighborhood. This is how you meet people near you using Hily. HILY employs algorithms to aid in the matching process. Icebreaker suggestions are popping up everywhere, so there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to your opening line.

And, did you know that the name is an acronym for ‘Hey, I Like You.’ It’s also based on artificial intelligence. iOS

18. eHarmony

eHarmony is known for its detailed questionnaire, which aims to match users based on compatibility in areas like values, lifestyle, and emotional health. While this means it takes longer to find someone compatible with you, once you do, the quality of your relationship should be much better than if you had just swiped right on someone randomly. iOS – Android

19. Zoosk

Zoosk is one of the oldest dating sites out there, and it’s still going strong. The site has a pretty straightforward pricing system that you can use to upgrade your membership, and they also offer some great features like advanced search filters and the Carousel feature, which is a lot of fun. iOS – Android

20. PlentyOfFish (POF)

POF is one of the most popular free dating sites out there, but there are a few paid features that make it worth considering if you’re looking for love. The upgraded memberships come with some handy perks like seeing who’s interested in you before you message them and setting updates through the app, so you don’t have to exchange phone numbers. iOS – Android

Is Dating App Safe?

Most reputable dating apps are safe to use, but it’s always a good idea to take some common-sense precautions:

• Don’t give out too much personal information (your address, workplace, etc.) until you know someone pretty well.
• Take your time getting to know people online before meeting them in person.
• Meet in a public place for your first date and let a friend or family member know where you’re going.
• Use a separate email address for dating apps, so your personal inbox doesn’t get filled with messages from matches.
• Stick with one app at a time to avoid spreading yourself too thin and making it harder to find quality matches.

Final Thoughts

Liking someone and being liked back are two sides of the same coin. Like anything else in life, finding someone you like and who likes you back necessitates some trial and error.

And that’s okay! Don’t get too discouraged if your first few attempts at online dating don’t work out. The important thing is to keep an open mind and put yourself out there. With a little bit of effort and some patience, you could find yourself in a relationship before you know it.