When it comes to online dating, options are proliferating at a dizzying speed. Every day, there seems to be a new dating app or even a Chrome extension to help singles (or polyamorous couples) find love (or sex) digitally. Each has its gimmick: Bumble lets women makes the first move, Happn shows people in your vicinity, and the Tab Chrome extension shows you a new match each time you open a new tab in your browser. It's hard to keep track of them all, let alone test them out.

1. List Of All Dating Apps
2. Dating App List
3. Top 5 Best Free Dating Apps
4. Best 5 Dating Apps India

But, I've done my best. I started online dating during college, when a friend told me she met her girlfriend on OkCupid. Two friends and I joined together as a joke, sharing laughs over the ridiculous people the site matched us with, but the joke was on us: We not only entered into relationships through the site but also branched out and made new friends outside of school. To this day, I have two good friends I first met through common interests on OkCupid (and a few exes, though those relationships were clearly shorter-lasting). I had so much success with OkCupid that it took months of listening to my roommate's Tinder date stories for me to expand my online dating repertoire. Then, another friend met her boyfriend on Coffee Meets Bagel, so I gave that one a shot too. And I had to try Hinge after it matched my coworker with a former Bachelorette contestant. Before I knew it, dating apps took up half my phone's screen.

Here are my feelings about each of the apps I've tried in order of how much I'd recommend them to someone looking for love, not just a hookup.

5: Tinder

I Tried 5 Dating Apps So You Don't Have To. By Suzannah Weiss. When it comes to online dating, options are proliferating at a dizzying speed. Every day, there seems to be a new. The Best Dating Apps for 2021. Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, a serious relationship, or even a marriage, we've tested all the major competitors so you don't have to waste time you. Or if you’re a big traveler who’s constantly trying to navigate the international dating scene and wants some extra help? If you’re looking for the best dating sites for finding international love, here is a list of the top 5: OkCupid OKC is one of the most popular dating apps out there. Online dating can be stressful, time-consuming, and downright awful. Thankfully, the top dating apps allow you to streamline the process. Here are the best.

How it works:

On the off chance that you haven't heard, Tinder users swipe right or left to indicate 'hot' or 'not' (yes, it sounds superficial, but that's what happens when you're working with hundreds of photos and almost no text). Then, the app notifies its users of mutual right swipes. Though a lot of apps do this now, Tinder popularized the system of opening a messaging line between two people only after they've indicated interest in each other, saving both parties the time and hassle of messaging someone unlikely to respond.

My take:

There's no getting around it: I think Tinder is a hookup app. There are a few exceptional couples that met on Tinder, but if you're looking for something meaningful and long-lasting, the return on investment is higher elsewhere. I've only met one person in real life through Tinder, and the rest of my conversations died out or descended into one-sided sexting very quickly. Some matches introduced themselves with elaborate sexual fantasies I couldn't even follow. And when one responded to my innocent 'Hey!' With 'How about a blow job?' I knew it was time to take my energy elsewhere, though not before explaining that if he's going to bring up sex that soon, he should at least not be selfish about it. Needless to say, Tinder is not for the faint of heart.

4: Hinge

How it works:

Hinge is different from Tinder in that everyone it shows you is a friend of a friend — or at least a Facebook friend of a Facebook friend. These connections create automatic conversation starters, increase the chances that you'll have something in common with a match, and provide quality control so you don't end up associating with creepers none of your friends would dare befriend themselves. Matches are also timed, so you have 24 hours to start a conversation or the match will expire. As an added bonus, Hinge exposes cheaters based on its users' Facebook relationship statuses. Hinge also recently introduced Story Cards, a series of swipeable questions to answer based on your interests and experiences and the ability for users to list what type of relationship they're looking for.

My take:

I can't tell if there was some announcement I missed calling on the bros of the world to congregate on Hinge or if my friends just happen to be friends with lots of bros. Either way, nearly all the photos I see on Hinge set off my bro-rometer. Sports caps and beer-pong tables aside, I also find Hinge less likely to produce mutual 'yes' swipes than Tinder, Coffee Meets Bagel, or OkCupid Quick Match, maybe because people are less likely to check it. Or perhaps I need to accept that the bros of Hinge are just not that into me. (I try to be open-minded about them.)

3: Happn

How it works:

I'm new to this one, but the concept is cool — and sort of creepy. This app shows you exactly when and where you've crossed paths with other users. Forget about OkCupid telling you how many miles away someone is: Happn will tell you where on a map they appeared near you and at precisely what time. You can then mark people who have crossed your path with a heart, which functions like a right swipe on Tinder, or a charm, a more overt way of indicating interest.

My take:

My data is limited, but the one conversation I've started on Happn so far turned out to be with someone visiting from Europe, which suggests Happn users aren't exactly seeking lasting love. Another issue that strikes me is that the location gimmick only works if you use it in real time as you're walking around. Otherwise, by the time you scroll through the people who have crossed your path and initiate a conversation, they probably won't be near you anymore. It could, however, help you identify your neighbors.

2. Coffee Meets Bagel

How it works:

Each day, Coffee Meets Bagel's app or website shows you a 'bagel' — a person who meets your criteria for age, gender, and location — with a bit of information including profession, alma mater, and mutual Facebook friends. Then, like Tinder and Hinge, the app lets you know if you and your bagel like each other and opens a line between you for several days.

My take:

In contrast to most other apps, which contain infinite options, Coffee Meets Bagel gives you one match per day, forcing both participants to deeply consider their compatibility. Perhaps that's why the app is virtually free of creepers: Its users take dating seriously enough to emphasize quality over quantity, so they're usually in it for an actual date. These dates do occur, but a word to the wise: The line that opens between matches closes after a few days, so you need to take the conversation seriously enough to determine if you'd like to exchange numbers within that time span. Coffee Meets Bagel isn't for halfhearted online daters.

1: OkCupid

How it works:

OkCupid is your classic dating site. Its profiles contain a series of prompts like 'six things I could never do without' and 'the most private thing I'm willing to admit,' it assigns each set of users 'match' and 'enemy' percentages, and anyone can message anyone as long as they don't say anything inappropriate enough to be blocked or reported. To provide the best of both worlds, OkCupid also has a 'Quick Match' feature that lets users star each other and get notified of mutual 'like's as they would on Tinder.

My take:

Maybe it's just because I've been using it for so long, but I'm ever true to OkCupid. The site's profile questions force users to reflect on who they are and what they're looking for, giving viewers a far more complete picture of them than the other apps on this list. While they were designed as just that — apps — OkCupid was first a website, so its interface lends itself to longer and more informative profiles and messages. And rather than simply deciding whether others on the site are hot or not, OkCupid users answer tons of survey questions, which are fun to answer in their own right and also form the basis of match and enemy scores.

When all you have to go on is looks, as is the case with Tinder, Hinge, Happn, and (to a lesser extent) Coffee Meets Bagel, the weeding-out process starts with the messages, which can take up a lot of time. OkCupid profiles even include whether each person is looking for a relationship or just a hookup, which Hinge now does as well, so people who aren't on the same page don't have to waste time with each other. So, basically, I'm biased toward OkCupid. But there are also dozens of apps I haven't tried yet, so I'll reserve the 'best dating app' award for another article.

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Images: Pexels;Tinder; Hinge; Happn; Coffee Meets Bagel; OKCupid

Hoping to dip your feet back into the dating world after a prolonged period of practicing social distancing? If matching with a potential new partner in the'before times' was complicated—adding a global pandemic to the mix has made it even trickier to find that spark or connection. During this new normal, flirting with potential paramours over an online dating app might be the best way to get to know someone.

But the truth is, online dating can feel overwhelming. It’s not just having to make judgements based off a couple of photos and one-line bios, or the awkwardness of sending direct messages (or DMs) to strangers only to be ghosted. The sheer number of apps and users can make simply swiping seem like a daunting task.

In fact, the online dating audience is expected to grow to 37.5 million users by 2023, according to data from Statista. And by 2040, eHarmony predicts that 70 percent of couples will have started their relationships online. It's possible to make that dating world feel manageable, though—you just have to find the right app. For example, there are niche platforms specifically for those who love farming, bacon, or even beard-stroking (yes, seriously).

So if you’re looking to make a broader connection with, say, someone over 50, newly dating after divorce, hoping for a virtual video date, or are searching for a relationship, these online dating apps (some, even free) cover all the bases.

1. Match

Apple, Android

Match is the most popular online dating app in 17 states according to PCMag’s survey of 2,000 people. As one of the OG dating services (it’s moved from website-only to a website and app), Match has a specific appeal to those between 45 and 65 looking for a serious relationship; additional research by SurveyMonkey found that 58 percent of adults 45-54 years old use Match, more than double the percent who use Tinder. You can download it for free, although that will restrict you to browsing; if you want to actually message potential partners, subscriptions start at $21.99 a month.

2. OurTime

Apple, Android

Dating apps aren’t just for millenials; 20 percent of internet users between the ages of 55 to 64 have used a dating app or service, according to a poll from technology and research company Morning Consult. OurTime turns the idea of hookup culture on its head; instead, it encourages users to search for pen pals, friends, dates, long-term relationshipsand marriage partners. The free-to-download app lets you send emails, flirt, and match with potential partners, and a premium subscription ($38 per month) allows for additional features like the ability to see who has liked your profile.

3. Bumble

Apple, Android

Bumble set itself apart from all the other dating services crowding the app store by requiring women to make the first move once a match is made. You also only get 24 hours to send a message, unless you invest in a Boost membership, which starts at $10.99 for a week. Women love the app because it cuts down on the number of unsolicited messages, and men love it—in fact, 58 percent of the respondents who preferred Bumble in PCMag’s survey were guys—because it takes some of the pressure off initiating. Plus, once you find somebody you're interested in, you have the option of going on a video date in-app.

4. Tinder

List Of All Dating Apps

Apple, Android

Tinder may have brought on'hookup culture,' but it’s still one of the top dating apps in the U.S. It has about 8 million users, the most of any other dating app surveyed by Statista. That means you have a pretty solid chance of eventually matching with someone who piques your interest—even if it takes a lot of left-swiping to get there. The app is free, but you can access premium features like Tinder Plus starting around $9.99 a month.

5. Plenty of Fish

Apple, Android

Another one of the original dating websites-turned-apps with an eye towards finding a relationship, POF had 90 million users in its heydey. It’s still popular (Statista ranked it as number two), and the app claims you’re 2.7 times more likely to enter a conversation in your first 24 hours than on other apps. In polling its female users, the app found that 44 percent were single mothers—and that they find a partner 10 percent faster than the average user. Download and swipe for free, and upgrade to add more photos or show up first to potential partners starting at $19.99.

6. Hinge

Apple, Android

After filling in the app’s questionnaire and prompts (think standard icebreakers like:“my biggest pet peeve is…” and“my go-to karaoke song is…”), Hinge will start matching you with users who share common interests. The algorithm also serves you with your“Most Compatible” matches—who you’re eight times more likely to go out with, they say. And not only does the app show you how many people have liked you, it also tells you what they liked about you, making it easy to start a conversation.

7. OKCupid

Apple, Android

OKCupid’s algorithm uses a series of questions to determine what“percentage” you’ll match with any of its five million users. That compatibility-driven focus is especially appealing to women, who made up 58 percent of the respondents who preferred this app in PCMag’s poll. It’s also super inclusive, offering 12 gender identities and 20 sexual orientations so you can define yourself however you want and match with exactly who you’re looking for.

8. Zoosk

Dating App List

Apple, Android

Originally a Facebook app, Zoosk is now one of the largest dating sites out there, with over 30 million downloads since its launch in 2007. Today, it has over a million active users, according to Statista—and 500,000 of those are paying members, which means more than half of the users are seriously committed to find a match. Instead of forcing you to fill out a lengthy questionnaire, the app’s algorithm notes who you’re interacting with to better serve up potential matches.

9. eHarmony

Apple, Android

At this point, eHarmony is a household name. It’s Match’s biggest competitor, and it’s two largest age groups are 30- to 44-year-olds and 55- to 64-year-olds. The sign-up process—which includes a very detailed, 150-question questionnaire—is a journey, but the brand once claimed to be responsible for creating 4% of marriages in the U.S. Plus, premium subscription members have the option to go on a video date before meeting in person.

10. Coffee Meets Bagel

Apple, Android

Everyday at noon, Coffee Meets Bagel will curate and send you quality matches—or'bagels' as they call them—selected by its algorithm. With no swiping involved and a limited daily selection, this app is designed not to overwhelm. Plus, the in-depth profiles and'ice-breaker' questions encourage meaningful conversation, making this app perfect for those looking to start serious relationships.

11. Hily

Apple, Android

With more than 14 million users, Hily stands for'Hey, I like you!' The app uses AI to continuously improve matchmaking, and has features like Hily stories to help you better capture who you are. The app is free, with an optional subscription for an ad-free and incognito-mode experience.

12. BLK

Apple, Android

If you're looking for fellow Black singles who share your interests, BLK is a dating app that specializes in finding that connection in their community of users. With over 4 million downloads, the free app lets you match and chat with potential partners. Or, upgrade to a premium membership ($10 per month) for an ad-free experience, a boosted profile, unlimited number of likes, and the ability to'rewind' by giving somebody a second chance.

13. Happn

Apple, Android

Got a crush on that cute neighbor but don't know his or her name? Regularly make eye contact with someone while walking your dog but haven't initiated conversation? Happn is a dating app that can help make those seemingly lost connections a reality. By using the location on your phone, you can match with people also on the app who are nearby. With over 100 million users worldwide, chances are you might just find your neighborhood crush.

14. HER

Top 5 Best Free Dating Apps

Apple, Android

Created by queer women, this LGBTQ+ dating app (and social platform) is for women and nonbinary people who want to find love in a safe space. For their 6 million users, HER provides in-app communities and hosted events to help encourage those sparks to fly.

Best 5 Dating Apps India

15. Inner Circle

Apple, Android

If you're serious about finding your other half and want to avoid the swiping into the void, Inner Circle requires all users to accept'The Date Better Pledge' that details a commitment to be'respectful, reliable, and inclusive.' The app provides detailed profiles, unique filters, and conversation prompts—so you can avoid the dreaded one-liner'hey' messages.