Tired of casual dates? Try the best dating apps for serious relationships in 2024
Overview
Best for most people
Match
Jump to Details
Best Tinder alternative
Hinge
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Best dating app for women
Bumble
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Table of Contents
Gone are the days when people balked if you said you met your partner online. Dating apps have irrevocably changed how we date — much like how social media networks changed the way we interact with each other on the whole. With so many apps to choose from, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be difficult to discern which ones to invest in — especially if you’re looking for that special someone.
According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. Younger people and LGBTQ people are even more likely to have met their significant others online: one in five adults under 30, and nearly one in four LGBTQ adults.
The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So if that’s you, you’re certainly not alone.Â
If you’re online, however, you’re surely aware of the discourse around dating app culture these days. People are burnt out on dating apps, some opting for IRL events instead. Still, it’s undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your own home, a dating app is the way to do it. If you’re, for example, introverted or have a difficult time approaching someone in-person, an app does have its uses.
What is the #1 best dating app?It’s difficult to quantify which dating app is the best, considering users have an array of experiences on them. Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups.Â
That being said, if you’re looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you’re looking for on your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one’s ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel are also known for leading to more “serious” connections.
Depending on what you’re seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, which is for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you’re in a space meant just for you.
Which dating site is best for serious relationships?Mashable has done the research to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are all available both for Android and Apple users, so whatever phone you have won’t determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We’ve also included some “niche” options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.
Which dating app has the highest success rate?Any dating app — even Tinder, which is known for hookups — boasts success stories, mainly marriages and long-term relationships. It’s difficult to quantify which app has the highest success rate because there are many variables, such as how long it has been around and how many users it has.Â
Know that any app on the below list can lead to success, and that success doesn’t have one definition. Reflect on what success in dating looks like for you: Meeting exciting new people? An exclusive partner? Marriage?Â
Dating in 2024 requires tenacity and consistency, and it may not be easy to find love online, but it’s possible. If you’re ready for it, here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:
Match
Best for most people
Read our full 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. It’s also slightly less expensive than eharmony, making it more accessible to try out for a month or two.
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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Read our full 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 one of the best dating apps 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. While we haven’t independently verified these numbers, we can say that eharmony has built up a reputation for being the dating site to go on if you want the white-picket-fence fantasy in the very near future. We just wish it didn’t cost so much — and that you could message users without having to pay those high prices. But if you’re investing in something serious, this site might be worth it for you.
Although eharmony’s reputation also involves being known as a more traditional (i.e. 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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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 inclusivity
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 full 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 might offer the type of dating environment you’ve been waiting for.
Think of it as the Soho House of dating apps without the cost or waitlist of Raya. As a warning, this site can show profiles from outside your search radius, and definitely has a smaller user base than other sites on this list, but it can be worth checking out if finding someone career-oriented is a top priority for you when dating.
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, 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 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.
One caveat to this is that Plenty of Fish won’t strictly stick to your distance preferences when showing matches, so you might find yourself in a situation where the person you’re really connecting with isn’t exactly close by. If that’s a deal breaker for you, you may want to try out another app.
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.
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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
Read our full review of Tinder.
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
Both Bumble and Hinge have campaigns about success stories. Both apps are known for being more relationship-focused as opposed to hookup-focused. The difference will come down to which one you prefer using.
Bumble is where women looking for men “make the first move” (send the first message). In 2024, however, Bumble launched Opening Moves, a way for men to technically message first. Straight women can set an Opening Move or prompt for men to respond to. Bumble also introduced prompts in recent years to make profiles more than photos and personality traits.
Hinge, meanwhile, is known for its prompts, encouraging users to ask questions or launch conversations with them. Hinge also recently introduced Your Turn Limits, a cap on how many unanswered messages you can have in your queue. If you have eight people to respond to, Hinge now limits your ability to match with someone new (you either have to respond or unmatch). This hints at a “quality over quantity” approach to dating.
The best dating app for long-term relationships is the one you want to use. If you’re committed to using dating apps to find love (as opposed to going out to bars, asking friends of friends, etc.), figure out which app you find the most fun to be on — whether that’s because of the people you see or its user experience.
Ultimately, we have to go on dates to find a partner. You can find dates on the apps — but only if you use them. And not using them just to swipe or say “hey,” but to engage in conversation and try to get to know someone. The apps above encourage such conversation. Do some experimentation — you can use many of these for free — and find the one best for you.
Around 16 percent of married Americans have used an online dating service, according to 2022 data from the Pew Research Center. So while the majority met their partners another way (according to this research), some Americans have met their spouses online.Â
Again, the best app is the one you want to use and you enjoy the userbase. If you need a little more data, The Knot Real Weddings Study found that 35 percent of the married couples surveyed who met on apps met on Hinge. (The study received responses from over 9,000 U.S. couples married in 2023.) Twenty-five percent of such couples met on Tinder, and 20 percent on Bumble.Â
Associate Editor, Features
Anna Iovine is associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on X @annaroseiovine.
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.
