Meeting potential partners the good ol’ fashioned way is becoming less and less common. Between busy work lives, personal lives, and not to mention a global pandemic, more people are turning to online dating to connect with potential love interests. As we head into the new year, there are plenty of dating apps and websites out there for finding true love digitally, but which ones are best?
A decade ago, app dating was just gaining traction in the mainstream. Today users have the option of exploring a variety of different dating apps geared toward different interests and expectations. Whether you’re new to the online dating scene or not, this can seem quite overwhelming at times.
Three-in-ten U.S. adults say they’ve used a dating site or app, according to a recent Pew Research poll. Additionally, around one-in-ten U.S. adults say they have found long-term commitment or even marriage through a dating app.
Despite the notion that virtual dating is for casual flings, one study finds couples who meet through smartphone dating apps are actually more likely to stay together. Researchers from the University of Geneva found that online daters have stronger longterm relationship goals than their peers who hook up in more traditional ways, such as at the office or meeting at a bar.
So what’s the best way to connect with someone who catches your interest on a dating app? According to one survey of singles, a little bit of humor can go a long way. A recent survey of 2,000 young adults finds that 60% are more likely to respond to a message if it’s funny or clever. Moreover, two-thirds of individuals say that being goofy is the new sexy. Among topics that are of most interest to potential dates: what one likes to do for fun (79%), where they are from (79%), their hobbies (78%), and their favorite shows to binge-watch (76%).
If you’re thinking of turning to online dating as you think about love in 2023, StudyFinds is here to help you find the best dating apps. For our findings, we visited 10 of the leading expert websites to see which dating apps were rated the highest. Our list is ranked based on the most-recommended apps across these sites.
The List: Best Dating Apps, According To Experts
1. Hinge
Many consider the dating app Hinge to be a fantastic option for those looking for anything from casual dating to more serious relationships. Hinge is particularly well-reviewed by young people and for those looking to have quality conversations.
“Hinge has designed the app to make user profiles more engaging (and helpful) than on apps like Tinder. You have the option of displaying a lot of useful information that could be deal breakers: Your political leanings, your religion, your alcohol consumption frequency or even your interest level in having children someday,” CNet explains. “The prompts provided by Hinge make it easy to create more engaging profiles.”
Many consider Hinge the best overall dating app due to its expansive network of users and its ability to dig below the surface of physical appearance.
“As a free dating app, Hinge only allows for ten matches a day, so that people can’t become serial swipers, but does offer paid membership where this number disappears,” GQ writes. “If you’re looking for people who are interested in – and subscribe to – being a great all-rounder, this is the one for you.”
2. Tinder
This list wouldn’t be complete without the original fire-starter. Tinder was launched in 2012, and 10 years later, it’s still boasting major success with a reported 75 million active users per month worldwide.
“Tinder’s breadth means you can find whatever you’re looking for, and the options are incredibly varied,” GQ writes. “You can upgrade to various premium, paid subscription options to increase the number of ways you can flirt with people – and at what speed – but the standard option is an incredibly solid way to learn the basics of online dating.”
Premium subscriptions even allow Tinder users to browse residents in different locations, offering the perfect opportunity to meet new matches before traveling to a destination.
“It’s simple, easy to use, and doesn’t filter based on height, education, race, or religion,” Bustle writes
3. Bumble
Bumble shook up the world of online dating by putting the power in the hands of women with its app designed by women.
“The world of dating is filled with tiresome tropes like ‘you’ve got to wait 72 hours before you send them a message’ or rather, in heterosexual relationships, ‘only the man can propose!’ Bumble sets out to dismantle those archaic traditions and seeks out forward thinking individuals as the crux of its user base,” Glamour writes.
Users particularly like this dating app for its large user base, active conversations, and disappearing matches when a spark goes out.
“Men get a better idea of which women actually want to talk, women get less creepy messages, and everyone gets some incentive to get the convo going as matches expire after 24 hours” Mashable writes.
4. Match
Not all online daters are looking to meet up at a crowded dive bar at 10 p.m. — that’s where Match comes in. The website, which has been popular since the 1990s, attracts a more diverse range of daters, including those who may be further along in their lives and looking for a meaningful connection. The app focuses on commitment and chemistry while featuring in-depth profiles.
“While some dating sites can be a minefield of ads, notifications and messy layouts, Match’s interface is very user-friendly. A bit like Tinder, Match will show you one profile at a time, and you can decide whether to match or skip them,” Glamour Magazine writes. “But unlike Tinder, you’ll be given more information on the potential match as a person, so you’re not just judging their hotness.”
Match is also considered one of the best dating apps for marriage-oriented daters.
“Match is an old standby for a reason. Because users must pay for membership, it means that the people who join are focused on commitment. It has remained popular, especially with people who are looking for serious relationships,” Brides writes in its review.
5. Thursday
Thursday is a dating app for people who are over dating apps. Most online dating apps take several hours of combing through potential candidates and conversations before successfully scheduling an in-person date. Thursday cuts through the annoying noise of most online dating apps with a simple concept: the app only functions on Thursdays. Within 24 hours users who are interested in each other must commit to meeting up that day (Thursday!), or wait another week to continue chatting online.
“The founders of Thursday believe that the world is spending far too much time on dating apps and created an alternative that invites users to match, flirt and date all on one day,” Elle Magazine writes.
Unfortunately the app is only available in London and New York for the time being, but it made the majority of top lists due to its novelty and positive feedback.
Sources
You might also be interested in:
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
Hello.. Do you have information regarding other online dating app like DateMyAge? Is this app credible and can be trusted? Thank you in advance.
Thank you so very much for sharing this information. It was very helpful as I dip my toes into dating again.
🖕
so nice
All bots or scammers .
I’ve been at this for way to long. It’s very frustrating not only dealing with scammers which are a plague on society the dating sites are dishonest. They all use Bots to tempt and deceive you so you join and spend money. The key word here is MONEY! If you think their primary goal is to help you find a mate, they did their job! You figure it out.
Yep brother.