Dating is hard, especially in an age where we’re faced with AI-generated nonsense, jerks playing around (because it still happens for some reason), and the constant tension of offering curated versions of ourselves to potential partners. like the Hunger Games, and the odds are stacked against us.
Terms like “Boysober” (dubbed “this year’s intellectual fitness craze”) and “benching” have become commonplace in the dating lexicon, and many other people are starting to lose hope. Others say they are absolutely exhausted by the dating app scene, leading to a wave of “app fatigue. “
With an influx of ghost, breadcrumb, and FWB options, it’s easy to see why you might wonder whether or not dating apps are worth it. Our answer is a resounding yes (with an asterisk).
We’ll forget about the elephant in the room and say that human connection can be replaced by browsing through a dating app’s profiles. But we are squandering hope.
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, about 44% of adults say they use dating apps to find a long-term spouse instead of casual hookups or casual hookups. This survey also found that one in 10 adult couples met their current spouse through a dating site. app. So even if you haven’t discovered that magical, dazzling connection yet, statistics show that it’s entirely possible. Some of our own writers and editors have also discovered love through apps.
There are many dating apps, but they are all equivalent when it comes to finding a serious and long-lasting relationship.
Some dating apps are better suited for love affairs or casual hookups (e. g. , Tinder, Grindr, AdultFriendFinder, etc. ), while others have matching algorithms and profile features specially designed for users to find meaningful connections (e. g. , eharmony, OkCupid, Hinge, and Coffee Meets Bagel).
The good news is that we’ve done some studies (and hands-on tests) on which apps are most productive for long-term, committed relationships, and Match Group is rarely the only player in the game. Plus, all of those platforms are available through Google Play and the App Store, so having an Android or iPhone arguably won’t restrict your options. Some outdated dating sites still offer a desktop version.
To locate your partner, here are the dating apps for serious relationships in 2024:
If you’re in a position to say “yes,” then eharmony needs to help you achieve it. Known for her focus on marriage and long-term commitment, she’s the Charlotte York of dating apps: classic and largely straight.
The app arguably has a reputation for its mature user base, but eharmony’s commitment to compatibility appeals to a wider diversity of daters. According to Statista, 7% of users are between the ages of 30 and 44, with a growing presence of young adults during serious relationships.
Unlike swipe-based apps, eharmony prioritizes compatibility through a comprehensive questionnaire to connect you with users with similar values and interests. While not everyone needs to get married, we chose eharmony as the most productive dating app for serious relationships because of its commitment to locating compatible partners and its long history of success.
A spokesperson for the site claims that it has been used by 54 million people and is responsible for 4% of marriages in the United States. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re walking down the aisle for the first year, but it does reduce your chances. Features for singles that are open to exclusivity, getting together as a family, or living together.
Although eharmony is known as a conservative dating site, it has recently expanded its inclusivity and now welcomes users of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The app is so welcoming that the company is suffering with some devoted conservative teams claiming to have abandoned their classic. values. One Million Moms has even started a petition to remove LGBTQ classifieds from eharmony advertising.
Read our harmony review.
Read our full AdultFriendFinder review.
Match is a popular dating site and app for people in their 30s and 40s who are looking for a serious relationship. According to the Match website, 48. 6% of the members are between the ages of 30 and 49, which means that this dating pool is full of adults who are in a position to foster a committed and meaningful relationship.
So, if you’re not in a position to accept the seriousness of eharmony or need a more inclusive dating experience, Match is a smart alternative. It is a platform designed for other people who are in a position to take their love story seriously, but without the immediate expectation of a marriage.
Match (Match Group’s OG app) has a popular dating app for singles looking for long-term relationships. With over 25 years of experience in the dating industry, it’s no surprise that this app comes across as sensible as possible in most of our Dating App Guides.
Despite its age, Match is a platform that refuses to be left behind. Instead, it has evolved into a more modern and complex dating app for people of all ages. Their questionnaire focuses on common interests and other important aspects of lifestyle. such as if you want children or have pets, and decide things like smoking or drinking in order to find a compatible partner.
But even with its popularity and large user base, Match has had a fair percentage of controversy and criticism. In February, Match was embroiled in a class-action lawsuit in which six plaintiffs accused the app of negligence and violation of customer coverage laws. The lawsuit argued that Match Group does its gamification to “turn users into gamers caught up in the pursuit of mental rewards that Match willingly makes elusive. “
Of course, a spokesperson for Match Group denied the allegations and said the lawsuit was “ridiculous and baseless. “And despite these negative rumors, it’s still one of our most sensible picks.
Read our review of the match.
Hinge: The algorithm-based instant gratification app for mature encounters looking to find love.
So, if you need a dating app that’s more intentional, Hinge could be your answer. Think of it as a combination of Tinder and Match, focusing on intensity rather than surface attraction. With detailed profiles and multiple tactics for interacting, Hinge is helping you locate someone who appreciates your true personality.
Other young people getting at least a few dates with the same user before spending the night were the main blind spot for dating sites, until Hinge blew up. The overall appeal would possibly be in the same realm as Tinder, however, Hinge’s unique profile criteria and algorithms based on those criteria set the level of long-term potential. By covering so many bases before the first message, Hinge reduces the chances of meeting someone you’d hate.
The app’s tagline, “designed to be removed,” reflects its commitment to helping users locate authentic connections and potentially find value by leaving the app. Hinge’s actual statistics speak for themselves, with many users reporting wonderful first dates and expressing interest in momentary dates.
By restricting the number of likes per day, Hinge motivates users to be more selective and invest time and effort into potential matches. In addition, the dating intentions and types of citation sections of the app allow users to imply their point of seriousness and interest in unrelated things. monogamy so you can specify what you’re there for from the start.
Despite its exclusive features and successes, Hinge has recently been in the news for what many disgruntled users call an “attractiveness score,” which Hinge CEO Justin McLeod says doesn’t exist.
“We don’t have an attractiveness score,” McLeod said in a video interview with Fortune, adding, “We take a look at who you love and who enjoys you, who passed it on to you and who passed it on to you. “
While we didn’t face any issues with Hinge’s matchmaking algorithm, we suggest mentioning the rumors surrounding it to give a comprehensive overview.
If you’re tired of the gender norms that plague most dating apps, Bumble might be your most productive bet. Bumble flips the script and puts the force back in the hands of women and nonbinary Americans to start the first conversation.
By putting this autonomous organization in the driver’s seat, Bumble creates an area where women and other non-binary people can feel more involved in their dating experience and where unsolicited goosebumps take a back seat.
Bumble presents itself as a refreshing option for the chaotic swiping culture in the world of dating apps. We’ve all met serial thieves, who thoughtlessly like every profile without genuine intentions. Bumble’s unique approach, with its rule that women and non-binary Americans start the conversation, combats this habit well and fosters more meaningful connections.
Plus, the recent addition of “Aperture Shots” provides flexibility for everyone. While some women and non-binary Americans may prefer the original “message first” approach, “Opening Moves” offers activations for those who want a bit of verbal understanding. The exchange began. The app has also expanded its “Dating Intentions” badges to include features like “fun and casual dating,” “non-monogamy ethic,” “marriage,” and “a life partner,” so you know precisely where the other user stands with regard to commitment.
The expiration of the connection after 24 hours encourages timely interaction, a merit for anyone involved in serious relationships. Bumble’s seamless communication features (text, voice, video) also let you know about a connection without having to invest in premium options.
OkCupid is designed for other people who prioritize social justice, equality, and progressive ideals in their pursuit of love and meaningful relationships. With robust profile customization options, users can proudly demonstrate their political affiliations, the reasons they support, and the social issues they face. Passionate about the right on your dating profile.
Young, progressive singles are more likely to believe that politics is rarely just a secondary issue — it’s the foundation of a strong relationship. OkCupid gets it. Its 2017 redesign wasn’t just about the millennial aesthetic (although we’re pretty inspired by the new interface). It also helps you avoid dating other people whose reviews make you cringe. With tons of features for gender identities, sexual orientations, and pronouns, OkCupid is also an inclusive space for other non-binary and queer people to find love and be themselves.
Users can dismiss other people they would argue with on Facebook by answering questions like, “Would you date someone to help you have a gun at home?”or “Should the government require young people to be vaccinated against preventable diseases?”
Starting in 2023, OkCupid will also harness the powers of generative AI for its matchmaking issues.
“OkCupid connects other people to your topics through matching questions on the app,” Michael Kaye, OkCupid’s director of logo marketing and communications, said in a press release. “Early last year, we asked ChatGPT to write down our corresponding questions. for us, and the questions generated through the chatbot were answered approximately four million times. “
Read our full OkCupid review.
If achieving big goals in your career and private life, but browsing through endless profiles makes you feel like, well, “meh,” then EliteSingles offers you a new option for more superficial apps (aka Tinder).
Think of it as the Soho House of dating apps: a place for ambitious and successful people who need genuine relationships. Yes, the club fees are higher, but they also act as a guarantee that you fit in with other people who are serious about finding a partner, not just a casual relationship.
For those who don’t need to compromise when it comes to their partner’s educational values and penchant for success, EliteSingles tries to create an area where they can find a diversity of other people they know early on and value when it comes into your professional life. The fame of the site is that 82% of the members are high school graduates (most are between 33 and 50 years old).
It is the best position for other people who have reached a comfortable career speed and are now looking for a spouse who is on the same level of their lives. The site’s quiz decodes 29 personality characteristics to recommend matches who not only have a source of income compatible with yours, but that you’d bond to based on your communication styles, ideal first dates, and ability to make the first move.
Former users report a full stream of other people living far away from what they’ve indicated in their preferences. This is almost ironic, given that the very purpose of the site is to show you an express organization of daters. In addition, the lowest distance your search can clear is 50 miles, so there’s a built-in wiggle room due to the fact that searching for a faster type of user may require you to expand your physical location horizons. And unfortunately, it’s hard for a dating site to detect lies about your task or your income.
Read our EliteSingles review.
ELLA is just another dating app; It is a social hub and dating platform designed exclusively for queer women and non-binary individuals.
If you’ve ever felt exhausted by classic features or encountered scary predators, ELLA is the welcoming network you’ve been waiting for. It provides an inclusive area where you can be yourself and engage with other queer people who share the same interests.
Apps like Tinder and Bumble are technically meant for *everyone*, but they’ll be doomed if they don’t insert certain male profiles into other people’s feeds who have asked otherwise. Given the ways of life of Grindr and Scruff, the need for a particular online dating area for queer women was transparent, then, SHE.
The founders of the award-winning app are committed to cultivating an area that is “so strange” that frustrated women can delete apps that don’t look like them. As the user base of over four million grows, HER is able to expand its dating pool. the queer women you already know. As the app grows, online users are complaining about the increase in the number of bot accounts. If you come across a profile that turns out to be strangely weird, you should be cautious.
Still, HER is still a popular dating app for queer women, through queer women. Users can get artistic by creating profiles with categories such as personal food tastes (such as veganism), astrological signs, and a “What does this mean?”Proficiency in the categories of sex, gender, and pronouns to provide a more complete identity.
Classic textual bio is where you can show your sense of humor or describe the type of quotes you’re looking for. Joining specialized teams like “newcomers” or “travelers” can introduce you to other people on the app for similar reasons. The app also has a social media component that allows you to see occasions happening in the queer community, either locally or online, so you can make connections beyond romance. In addition to networking with other people, you can also upload them as friends if you’re the type who likes to start things off platonically and see where they go. To explain your intentions about something serious (and find out where others might be lying), fill out the “To Investigate” form.
Plenty of Fish (POF) is an active online dating platform that hosts a varied group of singles for love, meaningful relationships, and much more. While it’s not designed exclusively for serious relationships, its gigantic user base offers a sea of odds (see what we’ve done there) for other people willing to expand their net a little further in the pursuit of their ideal catch.
POF has made waves in online dating, not just because of its original name. With a proven track record of successful matches, POF has attracted an unwavering following and has a platform for many singles looking for love. (A close friend of Mine discovered her husband on POF, and their adventure from first message to “yes” is a testament to the possibility of authentic connections discovered on the platform. )
What sets POF apart from other dating apps is its large user base, which means you have a wide pool of potential matches to explore. This diversity opens up endless possibilities, making sure to locate who matches your personal tastes and dating goals.
Once you’re connected with who’s catching your eye, chat and messaging features simplify the initiation of a verbal exchange and create an authentic bond. Think flirtatious jokes, meaningful messages, and endless possibilities to get to know yourself better.
And if you love fishing (like fishing in real life), POF recently partnered with Busch Light to give its users a Fish Pic badge to show their love of the outdoors; they call it the “Reel Love” campaign. In a POF survey of 12,000 U. S. -based members, the U. S. In the U. S. , other people are 25% more likely to send messages with a fish in their profile picture (the more you know).
“Like our fans, we have a passion for the wonderful outdoors and we can’t deny that the most productive way to enjoy the spring fishing season is to have a rod in one hand and a cool, comfortable Busch Light in the other,” Krystyn Stowe. , Chief Marketing Officer, Busch Family
Are you frustrated with dating apps designed for a much younger demographic?SilverSingles, widely regarded as one of the online dating sites for mature singles, is here to get you into a fulfilling relationship.
SilverSingles understands the exclusive desires of mature adults. Focusing on compatibility and shared values, this dating app is designed for you to find a potential spouse who is on a similar level in your lives, ensuring a higher chance of forming a meaningful connection in the long run.
Dating over the age of 50 means that, most likely, this is your moment or your third attempt at love. When the user bases of Match or EHarmony still make up too many people who are never married and have no children, SilverSingles is here to let you know that having the highlights of your golden years again doesn’t have to be scary.
EliteSingles’ sister site, SilverSingles, uses the same intense compatibility formula as EliteSingles, incorporating the five popular characteristics of constant personality to assess five degrees of your being: openness to sexual experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Instead of overwhelming users with an endless sea of profiles, SilverSingles features a curated variety of five hand-picked matches based on the day, saving time and energy. Just be sure to pay attention to the locations of potential matches (just like its sister site, SilverSingles has a habit of ignoring location radius preferences). ).
Coffee Meets Bagel is designed for singles who are looking for a more organized and unadvertised experience. Instead of overwhelming you with a bunch of options, Coffee Meets Bagel offers a limited number of highly compatible combinations, or “bagels,” on a daily basis. It’s like having a private assistant up to date.
Each day, the WBC brings you seven of its most productive bagels, selected based on your responses to prompts, how you slipped into yesterday’s batch, and those who have already shown interest in you. This slow and steady technique is ideal for rusty, introverted, or singles who don’t feel like scrolling through every spare minute.
You are encouraged to start working with parties that disappear in seven days. That’s less tense than Bumble’s 24-hour time frame, but it still deletes a list of other people who don’t care enough to respond or schedule a meeting. Like some other apps, CMB may not show your profile to other users unless you have a transparent picture, automatically filtering out the entire segment of faceless profiles located on other apps.
Another notable feature of CMB is the activity report on the back of everyone’s profile. Although it is only available to premium users, it will demonstrate a user’s statistics, such as how active they are and how long it takes them to respond.
Tinder, the iconic dating app that ignited the swipe-up culture, is the go-to platform for casual hookups, fun hookups, and hookups. While you may not find someone to settle down with, Tinder is rarely a bad position if you don’t have brains. Dating or taking things slow at first. Plus, with the app’s new “Relationship Goals” feature, it’s less difficult to see whether or not a potential user would be interested in something in the long run.
Let’s get this out of the way. If you think of dating apps, you think of Tinder. This app pioneered the now-ubiquitous swipe feature, revolutionizing the world of online dating and displaying 1. 6 billion swipes per day. Which as a niche hookup app has become a companion that max of us have used at least once. While receiving a series of photos, swipe right if you like what you see and swipe left if you don’t. When he shows interest, he matches.
Sure, you might not find someone looking to settle down for a while, but if you don’t think about dating or slowing things down at first, Tinder is rarely a bad position to be. Plus, with the “Relationship Goals” feature. , it is less difficult to determine, at a glance at a person’s profile, whether or not they would be interested in something long-term or if they are simply looking for a casual relationship.
At Mashable, we’re passionate about helping you find genuine hookups, and that’s why we put each and every dating app on the cutting board (metaphorically, of course). We’ve tested dozens of dating sites and apps, and we’ve updated our recommendations. Here’s how we make sure only the most productive ones make it to our list:
Ease of use: We create genuine profiles, search for matches, and navigate the interface just like you would. There is no theoretical verification here! We need to see how simple your next match is.
Compatibility and matching: We analyze matching algorithms to make sure they link you to other people who click.
Safety & Security: We take the protection of our readers seriously, especially when it comes to dating. These apps have gone through a rigorous review of their security measures to earn a spot on our list. We test profile verification processes, privacy settings, and mechanisms. to report suspicious activity.
Success Stories & Reviews: We read reviews from real users and good luck stories to see which apps help other people find love.
Value for money: We know that appointment subscriptions can increase. That’s why we conscientiously compared the price of the app with its features and benefits. Is it worth your investment? We’ll tell you directly.
Leah Stodart is a senior grocery shopping journalist founded at Mashable in Philadelphia, where she covers a generation of household must-haves like vacuums and TVs, as well as the sustainable industry and travel. Her growing experience in those categories comes in handy when she makes recommendations on how to spend her money shopping for groceries on holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.
Leah graduated from Penn State University in 2016 with a double major in Sociology and Media Studies. When she’s not writing about buying groceries (or buying groceries online for herself), she’s almost watching a horror movie, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” or “The Office. “”You can follow her on X to @notleah or email her at [email protected].
Bethany Allard is a Los Angeles-based business reporter for Mashable who covers good looks, tech, dating, sex and relationships, and hearing aids. This means that she does her hair a lot, browses a lot of dating apps, and turns around a lot. of other headphones. In addition to testing and gathering the most productive products, he also covers deals for Mashable, paying special obsessive attention to Apple’s deals and pricing. This wisdom comes in handy when covering grocery shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday. which he’s been doing for 3 years at Mashable.
She graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English literature. You can follow her on X @betallard and contact her by email at [email protected]. In her free time, find her playing with her Switch, spending time with her cat Mila, or cooking anything new in her kitchen.
Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer, copywriter, search engine optimizer, and content strategist. In addition to writing for Mashable, Tabitha is also the founding editor of DO YOU ENDO, an online magazine written through other people with endometriosis, for other people with endometriosis. She holds a master’s degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism from the New School of Social Research and is a graduate of the Sextech School. You can locate more of his paintings in online publications, adding National Geographic, Insider, Kinkly, and others.