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The best dating apps: Find your match for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and if you're wanting to find the perfect partner to take on a fun and romantic date, it's time to hit up the best dating apps.
Written by Allison Murray, Staff Writer and  Lena Borrelli, Contributing Writer
Reviewed by Nina Raemont
Hinge | Best dating app overall
Hinge screenshots of the app
Hinge
Best dating app overall
View now View at Google Play
Bumble | Best dating app for women
Screenshots of the Bumble app on an iPhone
Bumble
Best dating app for women
View now View at Bumble
eHarmony | Best dating app for serious daters
Screenshots of eHarmony app on a smartphone
eHarmony
Best dating app for serious daters
View now View at eHarmony
Match | Best dating app for marriage
Three screenshots of the Match app on three smartphone screens
Match
Best dating app for marriage
View now View at Match
Tinder | Best dating app for casual dating
Screenshot of a match on Tinder on a smartphone
Tinder
Best dating app for casual dating
View now View at Tinder

Our entire lives are online: from how we work, to how we get the news, to how we spend our free time, and even how we shop. So, it's no surprise that dating has also turned to the online world. In fact, three in 10 adults say they have used an online dating app to meet someone. 

Also: The best flower delivery services

However, the Internet can be both a blessing and a curse, with so many spammers and scams running rampant today. That exciting feeling of finding love can all too quickly plummet to crushing disappointment when you realize that the dating site (and your budding love) is not, in fact, legitimate. 

These are the best dating apps to help you find that perfect match you have been seeking, no matter what you are looking for. Our top pick is Hinge, but we also included other apps depending on what your end goal for your love life is.

The best dating apps of 2024

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Simple sign-up
  • Free option
  • Personalized dating advice
Cons
  • Smaller membership pool than other services
  • Limited free features
  • No background checks
More Details

Hinge features: Compatible with Android and iOS | Free, $33/mo, and $50/mo plans | Boost feature to promote your profile

Hinge dubs itself as "the dating app designed to be deleted." It is a great choice for those who are searching for love quickly and without the drawn-out, complicated processes of other dating apps. You will not be given matches for anyone other than those who are a match based on recorded responses about things like religion, height, and politics. You can start a conversation based on a particular portion of someone's profile, making it super easy to find relatable and interesting things to converse about. 

Hinge does offer a free membership option as well as two tiers of paid membership: Hinge+ and HingeX. Both paid tiers give you the ability to see exactly who is visiting and liking your profile as well as to fine-tune your preferences and settings to narrow your search for the perfect partner.

And if you want to get more eyes on your profile without committing to a long-term membership fee, you can purchase a Boost--for about $10, you can promote your profile for one hour, which might be a great way to get a new profile noticed or get fresh matches if your inbox is a bit empty. And for $20, you can purchase a Super Boost, which promotes your profile for a full 24 hours. You can also purchase a 3-pack of Roses for $10, which are enhanced Likes, to send to potential matches in order to stand out from the crowd. 

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Proactive approach for women
  • Easy setup
  • Blocking feature for unwanted messages
Cons
  • Men cannot initiate conversations
  • 24-hour time limit on matches
  • Limited search features
More Details

Bumble features: Android and iOS | Free, $17/mo, and $40/mo | Real-life events you can attend

Bumble boasts female empowerment by letting the women take the lead. Women have the power to initiate and maintain conversations, while men only have the chance to respond. It helps to rule out the Internet's creepy crawlers who start the conversation with brash and inappropriate pickup lines. 

It works, too -- Bumble is used by millions of people to find love and even friendship. You will have to pay to access advanced features, but there is a free plan available to get you started. Matches work on a 24-hour cycle, so you have one day to start a chat or respond to a conversation. 

Choose from Date, BFF, or Bizz to get started with unlimited swipes and chats to help you find that perfect match. You can also link your social media and Spotify accounts to help friends you already have or make new ones based on your interests.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Tons of positive testimonials
  • Deep focus on compatibility
  • Tends to attract more serious singles
Cons
  • Can get pricey
  • Lengthy sign-up process
  • Must upgrade for best features
More Details

eHarmony features: iOS and Android | Scoring system for matches | Free or premium plans (pay every 6-, 12-, or 24-months) | Fun games to break the ice

eHarmony is one of the mainstays in the dating world, and the company claims that more than 2 million members have found their match on the platform. It helps to take the guesswork out of dating by using a proprietary Compatibility Matching System to pair couples based on unique preferences and characteristics. 

Your responses reveal your own Personality Profile, which includes a complimentary report about your unique character, relationship preferences, and communication styles. Armed with this perspective, it could be much easier for you to find love when you are more acutely aware of what you need. Once you find a match, you can use an Icebreaker test to get the conversation going, or you can simply send a smile. Either way, dating is made secure with the help of secure, in-app Video Dates. 

All in all, this is a dating app that is best for people that are actively looking for a serious, long-term relationship.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Background checks
  • Built-in guarantee
Cons
  • Extremely limited trial
  • Many inactive users
  • Billing process isn't made clear to users
More Details

Match features: Android and iOS | Video chats | Free, Standard, or Premium plans | Utilizes a background check service

Match is a free service that offers daily matches. Once you find someone that sparks your interest, you can jump on a video chat, available in-app, or opt for a milder approach with Match's helpful conversation starters that help arm you with topics should the conversational well run dry during your date. It is your choice of how you want to mingle, whether it is via virtual or in-person events or simply messaging on the platform before an in-person date. 

If you need help, Match has dating experts available to boost confidence and equip you with all the tools you need to enjoy your next date.

Match offers two paid plans, Standard and Premium, with a three-day free trial. Plans range from $45.99/mo to $50.71/mo, or you could pay every 3-, 6-, or 12-months. 

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Free version
  • Great for casual encounters
  • Photo verification for security
Cons
  • Very short trial
  • Needs to be used almost every day
  • Limited number of swipes
More Details

Tinder features: Android and iOS | Photo Verification | Free or $25/mo | Passport feature if you're traveling | One Super Like per day

You may find forever love on the platform, but Tinder is an app best designed for more casual connections. The newer Millennial dating app offers casual daters to find like-minded matches, but that does not mean there are no opportunities for serious relationships. As the app says, "You can be here for a long time, and a good time, too." 

Free to use, you can designate your sexual orientation to narrow the dating pool and then wait for viewers, which you can easily track under the Likes You feature. However, there are three paid premium plans that offer more features like no ads, messaging before matching, unlimited Rewinds, and more. 

Matches are secured by Tinder's Photo Verification, a much-needed additional security measure. Plus, if you are a bit nervous about meeting your match, opt for Noonlight, which allows you to bring someone along with all your dates. Swipe right or left, but either way, Tinder can help you find a whole variety of matches, no matter what type of relationship you may be seeking.

What is the best dating app?

Hinge is easy to use and even easier to get started. Plus, it is affordable for those on a budget, offering several different plans to meet your individual needs. However, there are several other dating apps that may be a better fit for you. It simply depends on what you are looking for in a dating app. 

To help you compare, here is a breakdown of the best dating apps today.

Dating app

Compatibility

Cost

Free Trial

Bumble

Android, iOS

Free-$50/mo

14 days

eHarmony

Android, iOS

Free-$40/mo.

-

Hinge

Android, iOS

Free-$70/mo.

-

Match

Android, iOS

Free-$51/mo.

3 days

Tinder

Android, iOS

Free-$25/mo

3 days

Which is the right dating app for you?

It can be confusing to sort between all of the different dating apps, so we offer our expert recommendations to help.

Choose this dating app...

If you...

Hinge

Want an affordable app based on efficiency. It gives you matches based on the responses most important to you.

Bumble

Are a woman ready to make the first move. You can also choose to match with new friends or network with potential business partners. 

eHarmony

Are looking for a serious relationship. It uses a scoring system for matches based on unique preferences and characteristics. 

Match

Want a long-term relationship. It also utilizes a background check service for added security. 

Tinder

Are seeking a casual relationship more than love. There is even a "Passport" feature if you are traveling and looking for someone to meet abroad.

How did we choose these dating apps?

We considered a number of factors in our expert research that can all help you find the best dating app for your needs.

  • Features: Whether it's swipe right or simply a click, it is important to consider what kind of features you need in an app to make your dating journey successful.
  • Membership Diversity: Characteristics like age, gender, and race are all priorities for users. By ensuring the site you choose has the right kind of matches for you, you have a better chance of finding a match that much sooner. 
  • Cost: Price is always important, as many users are on a budget. While most dating apps are free, many also offer the option to upgrade to a paid plan in order to access unlimited or bonus features. 
  • Sign-up process: The sign-up process can vary significantly from app to app. Some may require a simple sign-up that includes basic information, while others, like eHarmony, may require a lengthy questionnaire before you can begin exploring matches.

What is a dating app?

A dating app is a mobile service that allows users to find love -- temporary or permanent -- as long as they have an Internet connection. Because it is an app, it is available online or via your mobile device, allowing you to complete set up and find a match that much sooner. 

Do dating apps work?

Your success on a dating app all depends on you, the match you are seeking, and the app you choose. eharmony, a mainstay among the best dating apps, says it has helped match over two million people find love. 

Are there alternative dating apps worth considering?

There is no shortage of dating apps available on the app stores. Below are some more dating apps that cater to tastes based on specific preferences and lifestyles.

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