Tired of casual dates? Try the best dating apps for serious relationships
Overview
Best paid dating app
Match
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Best Tinder alternative
Hinge
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Best dating app for women
Bumble
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Table of Contents
The best dating apps for serious relationships can help you find the love of your life, but we won’t lie to you: Dating is rough, and dating apps don’t always make it any easier. Today, we’re dealing with AI-generated BS, fuckbois looking to play games (because this is still happening for some reason), and the constant pressure to present curated versions of ourselves to potential partners. It can feel like the Hunger Games, and the odds have been stacked against us.
Terms like “Boysober” (dubbed “this year’s hottest mental health craze”) and “benching” have become common in the dating lexicon, and many people are beginning to lose hope. Others say they’re burnt out from the dating app scene altogether, leading to a wave of “app fatigue.”
So, are dating apps worth it?With an influx of ghosting, breadcrumbing, and FWB arrangements, you might question whether dating apps are still worth it in 2024. Our answer is a resounding yes (with an asterisk).
We’re not going to ignore the elephant in the room and say that human connection can be replaced by swiping through profiles on a dating app. But we’re not giving up hope just yet.
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, nearly 44 percent of adults say they use dating apps to find a long-term partner rather than just casual dating or hookups. This survey also found that one in 10 partnered adults met their current partner through a dating app. So, even if you’ve yet to find that magical, swoon-worthy connection, the statistics show that it’s definitely possible to find true love through online dating. Some of our own writers and editors have even found lasting love on these apps.
There are so many dating apps, but not all of them are created equal when it comes to finding a serious, committed relationship.
Some free dating apps are better suited for casual flings or hookups (e.g., Tinder, Grindr, etc.), while others have matching algorithms and profile features specifically designed to help users find meaningful connections (e.g., eharmony, OkCupid, Hinge, and Coffee Meets Bagel).
The good news is that we’ve done the research (and hands-on testing) to figure out which apps work best for long-term relationships, and Match Group isn’t the only player in the game. Plus, all of these platforms are available via Google Play and the App Store, so having an Android or iPhone won’t limit your options. Some of the old-school dating sites still maintain a desktop version as well.
To find your match, here are the best dating apps for serious relationships in 2024:
Our Pick
Read our review of eharmony.
Who it’s for: If you’re ready to say “I do,” then eharmony, one of the best dating sites for marriage-minded singles, could be your ideal matchmaker. Known for its focus on compatibility and long-term commitment, eharmony appeals to traditional and largely heterosexual online daters — it’s basically the Charlotte York of dating apps.
Why we picked this: Unlike swipe-based apps, eharmony prioritizes compatibility by using a comprehensive questionnaire to match you with users with similar values and interests. While not everyone wants to tie the knot, we chose eharmony as the best dating app for serious relationships because of its commitment to finding compatible partners and its long history of success stories.
A spokesperson for the site says it’s been used by 54 million people and is responsible for 4 percent of U.S. marriages. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be strolling down the aisle within the first year, but it narrows your options to singles open to being exclusive, meeting the family, or moving in together.
Although eharmony is known as a conservative dating site, it recently expanded its inclusivity and now welcomes users of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The app has become so welcoming that the company is in hot water with some conservative religious groups who claim it has abandoned its traditional values. One Million Moms even started a petition to have LGBTQ+ commercials removed from eharmony’s advertising.
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Match
Best paid dating app
Read our review of Match.
Who it’s for: Match is a popular dating site and app for people in their 30s and 40s looking for a serious relationship. According to the Match website, 48.6 percent of members are between the ages of 30 and 49, which means this dating pool is filled with adults who are ready for a committed, meaningful relationship.
So, if you’re not quite ready for the seriousness of eharmony or want a more inclusive dating experience, Match is a good alternative. It’s a platform designed for people who are ready to take their dating journey seriously but without the immediate expectation of marriage.
Why we picked this: Match (the OG app of Match Group) has become a popular dating app for singles looking for long-term relationships. With 25+ years of experience in the dating industry, it’s no surprise this app comes out on top in most of our dating app guides.
Match refuses to be left behind, constantly evolving its platform to stay current for all ages. Its questionnaire focuses on shared interests and important lifestyle factors like whether you want children or have pets and dealbreakers such as smoking or drinking, all so you can find a compatible partner.
In June 2024, Match partnered with relationship and dating expert Jay Shetty (now Match’s Relationship Advisor) to tackle “disillusionment” in the dating world. The app now offers features like the “Date Differently Challenge,” which is basically an in-depth quiz that helps users figure out what their main dating obstacle is and how to overcome it. A new “Core Values” section also gives members a chance to highlight their top three values to help them find their perfect match. Examples include friendship, humor, ambition, and optimism.
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Hinge
Best Tinder alternative
Who it’s for:Hinge is an algorithm-oriented dating app where instant gratification meets genuine connection. If you’re craving a dating app experience that feels more intentional, Hinge could be your answer.
Think of it as a blend of Tinder and Match, focusing on depth rather than surface-level attraction. With detailed profiles and multiple ways to interact, Hinge helps you find someone who appreciates the real you.
Why we picked this: Young people looking to at least go on a few dates with the same person before staying the night was a major blind spot for dating sites — until Hinge blew up. The general appeal might be in the same realm as Tinder, but Hinge’s unique profile criteria and algorithms based on those criteria set the scene for long-term potential. By covering so many bases before the first message, Hinge lowers the chance of meeting someone you’d hate.
The app’s motto, “designed to be deleted,” reflects its commitment to helping users find genuine connections and potentially find someone worth leaving the app for. Hinge’s real-world statistics speak for themselves, with many users reporting great first dates and expressing interest in second dates.
On June 6, 2024, Hinge released its second annual LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E. report, which highlights the growing trend of “slowmance” among queer daters, who are prioritizing emotional intimacy and building trust over rushing into romance. The report also provides insights into communication styles, first-date preferences, and the importance of humor in attracting potential matches.
With features such as daily like limits and sections for dating intentions and relationship types, Hinge empowers users to be more selective, whether they’re seeking a casual fling or a long-term partner.
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Bumble
Best dating app for women
Who it’s for: If you’re fed up with the dated gender norms that plague most dating apps, Bumble may be your best bet. Bumble flips the script, putting the power in the hands of women and non-binary individuals to initiate the first conversation.
By giving the reins to this empowered group, Bumble creates a space where women and non-binary folks can feel more in control of their dating experience and where unsolicited creepiness takes a back seat.
Why we picked this: Bumble stands out as a refreshing alternative to the chaotic swiping culture in the world of dating apps. We’ve all encountered serial swipers, mindlessly liking every profile without genuine intentions. Bumble’s unique approach, with its rule that women and non-binary individuals must initiate the conversation, effectively combats this behavior and encourages more meaningful connections.
Plus, the recent addition of “Opening Moves” offers flexibility for everyone. While some women and non-binary individuals might prefer the original “message first” approach, “Opening Moves” provides prompts for those who need a little help starting the conversation. The app has also expanded its “Dating Intentions” badges to include options like “fun, casual dates,” “ethical non-monogamy,” “marriage,” and “a life partner,” so you know exactly where the other person stands as far as commitment goes.
The 24-hour match expiration encourages timely interaction, a plus for anyone focused on serious relationships. Bumble’s free communication features (text, voice, video) also let you get to know a match without investing in premium options.
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OkCupid
Best dating app for liberals
Read our full review of OkCupid.
Who it’s for: OkCupid is designed for individuals who prioritize social justice, equality, and progressive ideals in their search for love and meaningful connections. With robust profile customization options, users can proudly display their political affiliations, causes they support, and social issues they’re passionate about right on their dating profile.
Why we picked this: Young, progressive singles are more likely to believe that politics aren’t just a side topic – they’re the foundation of a strong relationship. OkCupid gets it. Their 2017 redesign wasn’t just about millennial aesthetics (though we’re pretty impressed with the new interface). It also helps you dodge dates with people whose views make you cringe. With tons of options for gender identities, sexual orientations, and pronouns, OkCupid’s also an inclusive space for non-binary and queer folks to find love and be themselves.
Users can weed out people they’d fight with on Facebook by answering inquiries like “Would you date someone who keeps a gun in the house?” or “Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?”
As of 2023, OkCupid is also tapping into the powers of generative AI to improve its matchmaking questions.
“OkCupid matches people on what matters to them through in-app matching questions,” Michael Kaye, Director of Brand Marketing and Communications at OkCupid, said in a press release. “At the beginning of last year, we decided to have ChatGPT write our matching questions for us, and the chatbot-generated questions have been answered almost 4 million times.”
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Read our review of EliteSingles.
Who it’s for: If you’re crushing big goals in your career and personal life but swiping through endless profiles leaves you feeling, well, “meh,” then EliteSingles offers a fresh alternative to the more superficial apps (aka Tinder).
Think of it as the Soho House of dating apps — a place for ambitious, successful individuals who want real connections. Yes, the membership fee is higher, but it also acts as a filter to ensure you match with people who are serious about finding a partner, not just a casual hookup.
Why we picked this: For those unwilling to budge when it comes to their partner’s educational values and passion for success, EliteSingles attempts to create a space where you can find a range of people who you know off the bat share similar values when it comes to your professional life. The site’s claim to fame is that 82 percent of members are college grads (most between 33 and 50).
This is the place for folks who have hit a comfortable stride professionally and are now pursuing a partner who’s at the same point in their life. The site’s questionnaire decodes 29 personality traits to suggest matches who not only have an income compatible with yours but with whom you’d mesh based on communication styles, ideal first dates, and whether you’re one to make the first move.
Past users report a feed full of people living far away than they indicated in their preferences. It’s borderline ironic, considering the whole conceit of the site is about showing you a specific pool of daters. Plus, the lowest distance you can filter your search to is 50 miles away, so there’s built-in leeway for the reality that looking for a more specific type of person may require you to expand your physical location horizons some. And unfortunately, it’s hard for any dating website to catch anyone lying about their job or income.
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HER
Best dating app for queer women
Who it’s for: HER isn’t just another dating app; it’s a social hub and dating platform crafted exclusively for lesbians, bisexual women, queer women, and non-binary individuals within the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
If you’ve ever felt drained by mainstream options or encountered creepy predators, HER is the welcoming community you’ve been waiting for. It provides an inclusive space where you can be your truest self and connect with other LGBTQIA2S+ people who share similar interests.
Why we picked this: Apps like Tinder and Bumble are technically for *everyone,* but they’ll be damned if they don’t sneak some male profiles into feeds belonging to people who requested otherwise. Given the existence of Grindr and Scruff, the need for an online dating arena specifically for queer women was clear — thus, HER. Even among the best dating platforms for women, HER is a standout.
The founders of the award-winning app are committed to cultivating a space that’s “so ragingly queer” that frustrated women can delete apps that don’t feel like home. As the user base of over 4 million grows, HER could widen your dating pool beyond the queer women you already know. As the app grows, users online have complained that there does seem to be an increase in bot accounts, so if you do come across a profile that seems suspiciously sparse, you’ll want to remain wary.
Still, HER remains a popular dating app for queer women, by queer women. Users can get creative in profile building with categories such as diet preferences (like veganism), star signs, and a “What does this mean?” field in the sex, gender, and pronoun categories to supply a more well-rounded understanding of identity.Â
The traditional text bio is where you can flex your sense of humor or describe what kind of relationship you’re seeking. Joining niche groups like “newly out” or “travelers” can introduce you to people using the app for similar reasons. The app also has a social media component for you to check out events going on in the queer community, either local to you or online, so you can make connections beyond romance. In addition to matching with people, you can also add them as friends if you’re the type that likes to start things platonically and see where they go. To clarify your intentions about something serious (and know where others may lie), fill out the “Looking For” section.
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Who it’s for: Plenty of Fish (POF) is an active online dating platform home to a diverse pool of singles searching for love, meaningful connections, and more. While it may not be tailored exclusively for serious relationships, its large user base provides a sea of possibilities (see what we did there) for individuals willing to cast their net a bit wider in the quest for their ideal catch.
Why we picked this: POF has made a splash in online dating, not just because of its quirky name. With a proven track record of successful matches, POF has garnered a loyal following and has become a platform for many singles looking for love. (A close friend of mine found her husband on POF, and their journey from first message to “I do” is a testament to the potential for genuine connections found on the platform.)
What sets POF apart from other dating apps is its massive user base, which means you have an extensive pool of potential matches to explore. This diversity opens up endless possibilities, ensuring you can find someone who aligns with your dating preferences and relationship goals.
Once you connect with someone who catches your eye, the chat and messaging features make it easy to spark a conversation and build a real connection. Think flirtatious banter, meaningful messages, and endless possibilities to get to know someone deeper.
And if you’re into fishing (like actual fishing), POF recently partnered with Busch Light to offer its users a Fish Pic badge to show their love for the good old outdoors — they’re calling it the “Reel Love” campaign. According to a POF survey of 12,000 U.S.-based members, people are 25 percent more likely to message someone with a fish in their profile photo (the more you know).
“Just like our fans, we’re passionate about the great outdoors, and there’s no denying that the best way to enjoy spring fishing season is with a rod in one hand and a cold, smooth Busch Light in the other,” Krystyn Stowe, Head of Marketing Busch Family & Natural Family at Anheuser-Busch said in a press release. “It’s all for the love of fish lovers! We hope to see our fans out by the lake soon with their perfect catch.”Â
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Who it’s for: Feeling frustrated with dating apps designed for a much younger demographic? Not only is SilverSingles one of the best dating sites for finding serious relationships (an app version is also available), but it’s also designed specifically for mature singles looking for love. This platform is here to swipe you right into a fulfilling relationship.
SilverSingles understands mature adults’ unique needs and desires. Focusing on compatibility and shared values, this dating app is designed to help you find a potential partner who’s at a similar stage in life, ensuring a higher likelihood of sparking a long-term, meaningful connection.
Why we picked this: Dating over 50 means that, more than likely, this is your second or third attempt at love. When match or eharmony’s user bases still pose too much of a never-married, no-kids crowd, SilverSingles is here to let you know that putting yourself back out there during your golden years doesn’t have to be scary.Â
A sister site to EliteSingles, SilverSingles uses the same intense compatibility system that EliteSingles does, bringing in the popular big five personality traits to assess five levels of your being: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Rather than overwhelming users with an endless sea of profiles, SilverSingles presents a curated selection of five handpicked matches per day, saving time and energy. Just be sure to pay attention to the locations of potential matches, though (like its sister site, SilverSingles has a habit of ignoring location radius preferences).Â
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Who it’s for: Coffee Meets Bagel is designed for singles who appreciate a more curated and personalized experience. Instead of overwhelming you with hundreds of options, Coffee Meets Bagel delivers a limited number of highly compatible matches, or “bagels,” daily. It’s kind of like having a personal assistant but for dating.
Why we picked this: Every day, CMB offers seven of its best matches (bagels) for you, chosen by your answers to prompts, how you swiped on yesterday’s batch, and who have already expressed interest in you. This slow and steady approach is great for singles who are rusty, introverted, or don’t feel like scrolling every free minute.
You’re encouraged to get the ball rolling with matches disappearing in seven days. It’s less pressure than Bumble’s 24-hour time limit but still eliminates a list of people who don’t care enough to respond or plan a meet-up. Like a few other apps, CMB won’t show your profile to other users unless you have a clear picture, automatically filtering the whole section of faceless profiles you’ll find on other apps.Â
Another standout feature of CMB is the activity report at the bottom of everyone’s profile. Though only available to premium users, it’ll show a user’s stats, like how often they’re active and how long it takes them to reply.
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Tinder
Best dating app for casual dating
Who it’s for: We know, we know—Tinder is a hookup app. But for what it’s worth, one of our own editors found his partner on Tinder. If you want to match with as many people as possible as you search for your next relationship, Tinder’s user base is unmatched.
Tinder, the iconic dating app that ignited swipe culture, is the go-to platform for casual dating, fun encounters, and hookups. While you may not find someone looking to settle down, Tinder isn’t a bad place to be if you don’t mind dating around or taking things slowly at first. Plus, with the app’s new “Relationship Goals” feature, it’s easier to see whether or not a potential match would be interested in something long-term.
Why we picked this: Let’s just get this one out of the way. If you’re thinking of dating apps, you’re thinking of Tinder. This app pioneered the now-ubiquitous swiping function, revolutionizing the world of online dating and boasting 1.6 billion swipes per day. What started out as a niche hookup app has turned into a wingman that most of us have used at least once. As you’re served a series of photos, swipe right if you like what you see and left if you don’t. When you both indicate interest, it’s a match.
Sure, you may not find someone looking to settle down for a while, but if you don’t mind dating around or taking things slow at first, Tinder isn’t a bad place to be. Plus, with the “Relationship Goals” feature, it’s easier to suss out from a quick glance at someone’s profile whether or not they’d be interested in something long-term or if they’re just looking for a casual relationship.
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Our approach for testing dating apps goes beyond reading app descriptions, Reddit complaints, and user reviews. We believe that the best way to judge a dating app is to actually use it. That’s why our reviews, written by our Sex & Relationships team, are based on real-world experiences. We share our honest opinions, the pros and cons, and an overall assessment of each platform, so you can make an informed decision about where to find your perfect match.
We’ve been swiping, matching, and messaging on many of these apps, like eharmony, Match, OkCupid, and Elite Singles, for years, so we know firsthand what works and what doesn’t. We also looked into each app’s usability, cost, safety and privacy measures, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer to this one depends upon your dating goals. If you’re looking for serious relationships, our top pick right now is eharmony, the app designed to help you find a partner and get married. The best part is that it doesn’t ask you to swipe through an endless sea of candidates but instead uses a compatibility quiz to find your matches. If your interests don’t lie in marriage but instead in casual sex, you can try our recommendations of the best apps for hookups. After all, Grindr users can be genuine too, albeit in a hornier way.
We can’t state with any certainty which app has the highest success, especially since the apps make wildly different claims about their success rates. In creating this guide, we consulted the limited data that is available to bring you the most reliable dating apps, but when it comes to dating apps, a lot of evidence is anecdotal. However, when it comes to marriage, eharmony is the clear winner. Our top pick in this list, eharmony claims to be responsible for 4 percent of U.S. marriages.
Other studies and surveys find similar results, but keep in mind that these studies usually have a small sample size. As always, when you try a new dating app, your mileage may vary.
Eharmony claims to be responsible for 4 percent of U.S. marriages, which is a great statistic. Unfortunately, it’s also tough to verify. While using these apps won’t automatically put you on a path to marriage, it will better your odds, especially if you do a bit of trial and error with the different apps we’ve recommended.
There are a ton of great dating apps that fit different kinds of use cases. Overall, we believe that Hinge is the best dating app for most people, as it has a large user base and a track record of creating successful relationships. We also recommend Match and eharmony, the latter of which is our top pick for serious relationships, in particular. For more casual fun, Tinder and Grindr are the top hookup apps.
Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers essential home tech like vacuums and TVs as well as sustainable swaps and travel. Her ever-growing experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.
Leah graduated from Penn State University in 2016 with dual degrees in Sociology and Media Studies. When she’s not writing about shopping (or shopping online for herself), she’s almost definitely watching a horror movie, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” or “The Office.” You can follow her on X at @notleah or email her at [email protected].
Bethany Allard is a Los Angeles-based shopping reporter at Mashable covering beauty tech, dating, sex and relationships, and headphones. That basically means she puts her hair through a lot, scrolls through a lot of dating apps, and rotates through a lot of different headphones. In addition to testing out and rounding up the best products, she also covers deals for Mashable, paying an especially obsessive amount of attention to Apple deals and prices. That knowledge comes in handy when she’s covering shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, which she’s now done for three years at Mashable.
She graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Journalism and English Literature. You can follow her on X @betallard and reach her by email at [email protected]. In her free time, you’ll find her playing her Switch, hanging with her cat Mila, or cooking something new in her kitchen.
Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer, editor, SEO & content strategist. Aside from writing for Mashable, Tabitha is also the founding editor-in-chief of DO YOU ENDO — a digital magazine by individuals with endometriosis, for individuals with endometriosis. She has a Master’s degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism from The New School of Social Research and is a grad of Sextech School. You can find more of her work in various online pubs, including National Geographic, Insider, Kinkly, and others.
