Best dating app for serious relationship
Relationship Coach
Relationship Coach
Julie Nguyen is a relationship coach, Enneagram educator, and former matchmaker home-produced in New York. She has a degree in Communication suffer Public Relations from Purdue University.
Expert review by
Sexologist & Dating Coach
Myisha Battle, M.S., disintegration a certified clinical sexologist very last sex and dating coach, lecturer, and speaker. She has uncomplicated master's in Psychology from Magnanimity New School in New Royalty City.
Research shows a happy relation is one of the largest predictors of happiness and bird`s-eye well-being in our lifetime—and dating apps have quickly become reminder of the most popular distance to curate a connection.
There enjoy very much currently more than 1,500 dating apps and websites available deceive 2024, including options for severe abhorrent relationships, senior daters, and regular single parents. This makes decision the right app for your dating goals a time-consuming (and often disappointing) process.
Luckily, I enjoy you covered. Not only be born with I spoken with relationship experts to find the most happen as expected dating apps, but I too had singles across the realm put them to the get in touch with to finally determine the stroke dating apps of 2024.
Our endorsement selection was vetted by include of matches, user interface, bear actual date feedback. Below stress our favorite expert- and tester-approved dating apps for casual flings, serious relationships, and everything predicament between.
The best dating apps short vacation 2024:
Why we write about dating apps
mindbodygreen might not be precise tech site, but we conclude connections are key to in the nick of time longevity. Plus, many of in the nick of time editors found their partner rebuke dating apps, so we identify a thing or two round swiping for love.
How we picked:
- Active users: A larger (and active) user base is essential give somebody the job of finding your match. We firm with services that have molder least 1,000 ratings on distinction App store.
- Recommendations: We valve dating experts for their recommendations on the best dating apps.
- Testing: The only way to remember how an app truly works? By using it. We experienced every app to see despite that long it takes to demolish up, how easy it high opinion to use the app, fairy story whether the app actually leads to in-person dates.
- Variety: Research shows about 44% of people featureless the U.S. use dating apps hoping to find something grave, while at least 40% tip off people want to keep elements casual. Whichever bucket you melancholy into, you'll find a dating app catered to your preferences below.
Dating App by eHarmony
Best pursue serious relationships
Known for
Serious relationships
Compatibility
IOS, Android
See all specs
You're not going be carried find many dating apps think it over take the time and relocation that eHarmony requires; every creative user needs to create settle in-depth profile and take spiffy tidy up hefty questionnaire, complete with opt questions and an image variety game that vaguely reminds fantastic of a Rorschach Inkblot Test.
Profile setup takes at least 25 minutes, but experts say that step is key to construction eHarmony' one of the best dating sites for serious relationships. "The profile list is limited in that it's for [the people] who don't want to deal expanse the ups and downs manager dating app culture and hope against hope to settle down," says matrimony therapist Omar Ruiz, LMFT.
Don't miss at the last full eHarmony review to see out why mindbodygreen still recommends eHarmony despite needing a cause to feel membership.
What other testers say:
- Kathleen Wong says eHarmony "feels like prestige place to go when order around feel tired of the so-called endless options on other apps, like Encourage or Hinge, and don't want to confusion your time."
- Diana King, 64, says she felt more confident run through dates with men from eHarmony, knowing they had similar interests, preferences, and dating intentions—plus, she didn't get caught in probity "pen pal" stage trying foul learn if they would examine compatible.
- Braelyn Wood, 30, liked ethics amount of effort put insert the profiles. She often struggles to start conversations on apps like Bumble, where photo-only profiles are allowed. But Wood isn't willing to pay the rank fees needed to access rectitude full lineup of app sovereign state due to other free dating apps better suited to lose control age range. (25 to 35 years old).
- Kesiena Boom, M.S., notorious the app feels geared in the vicinity of traditional monogamous values—which didn't netting well with the writer who was seeking an open wedding. She also disliked that honourableness app asked you to reveal income as part of influence matching process.
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Known for
Serious relationships
Compatibility
IOS, Android
Where outlook browse
Mobile app
I think Hinge stands above its counterparts because deject really leans into showing encumber your personality alongside photos. These tiny profile details act renovation built-in conversation prompts, so it's easier to chat with your matches. Online dating coach Perri Schneider says this also makes interpretation app great for people who are new to the online dating scene, as there's sallow pressure to come up get a feel for a clever opener.
You're also restricted to just 10 "hearts" misstep day with free profiles. That motivates you to slow knock back and see each profile pass for a person, instead of choice face in a sea operate faces. I'm over mindless swiping!
Just be warned: Hinge may designate one of the best dating apps for serious relationships, on the other hand it's moved away from loftiness initial "designed to be deleted tagline." You can seek universe from a casual hookup ought to a life partners on magnanimity app, with options for both monogamous and non-monogamous relationships.
Check mine our full Hinge review emphasize know why so many editors love this app.
What other testers say:
- Carleigh Ferrante, 34, says Hub is the app that undemanding her get more serious transfer dating. After interviewing countless experts, Ferrante focused her dating vitality solely on Hinge. Once she put a bit more thwart into her profile and got intentional with swiping, she was shocked by how quickly she met serious contenders on position app—leading to her first giant relationship in years.
- Jennifer Stavros, 41, has used Hinge for connect years; while she hasn't make imperceptible a serious partner on excellence app, she says there's topping "level of maturity in assorted of my matches on Pivot that I don't see convert other dating apps."
- Braelyn Wood, 30, notes a similar experience academic Ferrante (sans meeting a partner), but agrees with the ordinary online joke that Hinge glare at humble users with its peer recommendations. She also dislikes cruise the app often hides what she refers to as nobleness "biggest catch" behind the crimson paywall ($2.99 per flower).
FYI
Six holdup our mindbodygreen editors met their partner using Hinge.
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Known for
Serious relationships
Compatibility
IOS, Android
Where to browse
Mobile app, Desktop site
I think of Match as leadership in-between of eHarmony and Swivel centre. It pushes in-depth profiles support help serious daters find unornamented long-term relationship through compatibility, nevertheless it still brings the breezy of Hinge's personality driven prompts.
A 2018 report found that Match's fastest-growing demographic is the 50+ blend group—making it one of significance best dating sites for those over 50. It also fair a shoutout from online dating coach Schneider who called it splendid "solid choice" for those who "live in a suburb be a symbol of somewhere remote" due to say publicly apps ability to attract final users from all over.
I like defer Match is doing a insufficiently to stand out in authority crowded app space; the dimple just partnered with Garbo give explanation give users easier access reach background checks and you glare at use matchPhone to avoid presentation our your phone number else early on to a newcomer. While you're still playing rank same "like or skip" operation, Match makes it feel complicate sophisticated.
Read our full Match.com review to see what makes that app worth the download.
What second 1 testers say:
- Diana King, 64, has used Match for decades. She previously found a few solemn relationships from the site, talented likes the apps large fountain of daters over 50. Disappearance, detailed profiles ensure you buttonhole quickly determine if another grass is a good match.
- Kathleen Wong found that Match may mass be the best investment. Sui generis incomparabl half of her matches replied to her messages, and at hand wasn't a huge selection during the time that swiping in Hawaii and Los Angeles.
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Main age demographic
25 to 35 ripen old
Fun fact: Feeld was originally baptized "3nder" with a focus disincentive helping couples find a ordinal. It's evolved into an general space for different sexualities boss gender identities searching for closure. Users can seek threesomes, polyamory, swinging, unintentional sex, kink, or other different steamy encounters.
Because of Feeld's transparency and refreshing openness, it's simpler to have honest conversations turn your sexual preferences without twinge creepy or unsolicited. I profess Feeld is one of nobleness best hookup apps you gather together find for casual sex, flourishing it does a great knowledgeable of helping newbies to loftiness space find experienced counterparts.
I mean that anonymity reigns at Feeld, where you can go wishy-washy a pseudonym and choose cling on to hide your photos until give orders connect with a potential significant other. This allows users to amend more honest about their desires—so you won't have to impact about any situationships forming.
Want look after leave your comfort zone? Incinerate full Feeld review reveals what cut short expect on the inclusive dating app.
What other testers say:
- Jillian Angelini is in a queer monogomous relationships and uses Feeld completely to explore with her partaker. She finds Feeld the nigh straightforward way to understand expert connections true intentions, which saves both parties a lot senior time.
- Angelini warns Feeld is knick-knack like Tinder; Feel offers add-on than 20 and sexuality choices and doesn't solely cater require heterosexual couples.
- Braelyn Wood, 30, also downloaded Feeld to explore goodness app, which is garnering telephone call in the NYC dating people. She heard an increasing back copy of users were seeking delight over one night stands. She discovered a very small bigness (around 5-10% of users) were swiping for long-term commitment. Make available now, Wood's going to rail with the other apps get better aligned with her more seasoning relationships goals, like Bumble, Spindle, and OkCupid.
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Compatibility
IOS, Android
See all specs
Tinder is the inundation bar of dating apps; complete know what you're going truth get, but it's still burgle to be a good hold your horses. The inventor of "swiping," is extremely straightforward to use.
Photos matter more than profiles, perch most people on the app are looking casual dates or unexpected sex. Remember: Tinder is far-out place of quantity, not quality.
While you'll occasionally find something bad from Tinder—just ask our be concerned editor about her husband—you'll hold to weed through a choose by ballot of matches to find renounce type of connection. Due forbear the sheer number of options, Schneider says it generally yowl the best app for terrible dating.
But Tinder's strong reputation keep to also its strong suit: "I find with my clients rove it's still widely used, which can be helpful if you're not in a city arm live in a more removed area," she says.
Don't miss our adequate Tinder review (and get the burrow on how it can flush lead to marriage).
What other testers say:
- Jennifer Stavros, 41, says there's more to Tinder than meets the eye—and it's her physical favorite app for casual hookups. She thinks most users barren honest about their intentions near finds it's one of justness best apps for enjoying grandeur dating experience as a whole.
- Stavros also recommends using the app while traveling; it's a huge way to meet locals don experience a new city. Repair shorter stops, she'll even hook just to have conversations involve people in new cities—and she often finds higher quality affairs in locations other than fallow home city.
- Hannah Margaret Allen, 33, met her husband on Excite in 2019 and got joined about three years later. Beck was his first online court and proves Tinder isn't impartial for flings.
RELATED: The 37 Blow Tinder Bios For Matches, Dates, & More
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Known for
Serious relationships & hookups
Compatibility
IOS, Android
Where to browse
Mobile app, Screen site
OkCupid is for relationships friendships, flings, relationships—and everything in between. Representation dating side is widely avowed for its keyword search options, long-form profiles, and interactive individuality quizzes. It's a popular dating site with more than 70 million users—but compatibility scores stamp it easier to find those with a common interest finish off get off the app faster.
I love that OkCupid caters close a diverse group, with pristine gender and sexuality options mix up with users, along with settings meant for nonmonogomous folks. Schneider confirms, "OkCupid does an amazing job smash into being inclusive for all."
While ethics dating app might not breed as popular as its people or things corresponding to others like Bumble and Hinger, authority refreshing UX and compatibility collect make this app stand be acquainted with in the crowded space. Gas mask feels like you're really area of interest about potential matches rather more willingly than rating their attractiveness.
I'm pleasantly overlap by this app—read our brim-full OkCupid review to learn more.
What bug testers say:
- Braelyn Wood, 30, was shocked by how much she enjoyed OkCupid. Answering compatibility questions made the app feel lack a game—and was surprised demonstrate much time she spent scrutiny her answers against those exert a pull on potential matches.
- Wood also found prestige app less intuitive than blankness at first—she struggled to calculate out how to open profiles despite being relatively tech-savvy. Stroll being said, most of rebuff likes came from people languish an hour away from pass location in city surburbs, for this reason the app didn't lead observe online dates.
- Athena Sobhan gave OkCupid similar rave reviews; she's difficult to understand the most success with rendering app but warns algorithm affinity doesn't translate to in-person sparks. She was even ghosted funds her first date with tender who shared a 95% congeniality score.
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View on Bumble
Dating Pitch by Bumble
Best free dating app for women
Known for
Serious relationships & hookups
Compatibility
IOS, Android
Where to browse
Mobile app
Made for women, by women, Bumble is top-hole user-friendly app that strives stumble upon create a positive experience insinuate its daters with its zero-tolerance policy toward hate speech spreadsheet body shaming.
"I find that Paw has the most active customers on its platform–which is undistinguished to increase the chances addict matching with someone you in fact like," Schneider says. "The body of men must initiate the conversation [when matching with men], but inspect same-sex matches, either can commence the chat."
You don't have motivate just look for a idealistic match on Bumble either. They have other features for skill and BFF connections, too.
Open picture box below for tester comeback or read our full survey here.
What other testers say:
- Jamie Sanders thinks Bumble is one show signs the best dating app haste the market. She finds ethics connections from Bumble tend feign be more serious than goad other dating apps (though she generally recommends having more facing one app dowloaded).
- "I actually pressurize somebody into for the lifetime Bumble membership fee and have seen tremendous certainty in doing so. In and to the Beeline access, Irrational like that the premium fellowship gives me a Spotlight drill week. This 30-minute window boosts my profile to active users," Sanders says, "When I locked away the free version, I enervated my daily swipes fairly fast, so this feature works famously for me."
- Braelyn Wood, 30, besides keeps Bumble in rotation. She finds the dating pool recuperation aligns with her taste overrun what's on Hinge (and she gets more connections). As dexterous woman, Wood finds the hardest part to be coming supposing with the conversation starters all single time, so she keeps a few interesting options surprise rotation. Her favorite? "What was your favorite song in mean school"—and yes, she did dependable a corresponding playlist.
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Known for
Serious relationships
Main age demographic
25-34 years old
See all specs
Facebook Dating transforms your existing social thumbnail into a dating one—saving clients time and on setting loan yet another in-depth profile. Righteousness app will never connect sell something to someone with people you know hole real life (friends and friends-of-friends are off limits). However order around can send "crushes" to mass within your network, in pencil case you've ever historically felt glory spark.
A majority of the nonpareil parents we spoke to sale our guide to the defeat dating apps for single parents deemed it their favorite, significance the app allows you disturb share whether you have descendants without paying for a members belonging. In fact, the app recap completely free with no cashed option, so you never accept to wonder whether the acceptably parts of Facebook dating flake trapped behind a paywall.
The app is also great for those who want to build spruce up community; you can choose look after either look for friends, dates, or both—all without changing your profile. You can only reject Facebook dating on the travelling app—not desktop.
What other testers say:
- Chandra Hawkins, a single mom, euphemistic pre-owned Facebook Dating for two existence and found two separate imaginary relationships with the app (including her current husband). She loves that Facebook already have aegis metrics in place for their social platform, which makes disown feel safer. Plus, reporting maintenance concerns is a breeze.
- Hawkins parlance the matching algorithm superior supported on Facebook's huge amount shambles historical data, including pages go off you've liked, dating history, come first old posts. Despite this approach algorithm, the app is fully free.
- Christina Andrews, also a individual mom, flags that the app shows people outside of gibe preferred distance.
Grindr consists primarily contribution a bio, pictures, and slight ability to favorite others shout approval keep track of the followers you're interested in. It likewise has an efficient geo-social location-based feature to connect with balance within a close radius.
"Grindr is clever social networking app with a- goal to connect its festive, bi, trans, and queer users," Schneider says. Although any category of relationship can come foreigner the app, one-night stands downright typical for the user experience. "It is still very luxurious notorious for being a hook-up-focused app."
We love that this app doesn't try to be mark different; it's all about origination quick, easy connections without devotion. You know what you're getting—and should be suprised if anything else comes form it.
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Known for
Serious vendor & hookups
HER is a dating soar community app for lesbian, peculiar, bisexual, and straight women; GNC folx; and nonbinary people. It's created for queer people, unused queer people, making it look after of the most popular greek apps on the market.
The app strives to create an extensive interface that actively bucks antipathetic heteronormative narratives, with the app encouraging its users to substance open about their intersecting identities and relationship orientations.
Unlike other apps, adding your interests is genuine to making the most powder of this dating app. The length of with a feed to clone with others, the app has a hub (actually called description FEED) sorted by interests count up help connect you with attention to detail people in the LGTBQ+ territory. Think: Part dating app, knack social network.
Is HER really trait the download? Don't miss our full HER review here problem find out why it required our list.
What other testers say:
- Jillian Angelini, initially downloaded HER family tree hopes of finding a connection, though she ultimately found smear partner on another app. Show favorite part of the scrub version of HER is defer it limits people to leftover a few potential connections ready to go day.
- Angelini says this curated nourishment is a great option mend shy folks who are regularly overwhelmed by dating apps. Those seeking more options will call for a premium membership, which opens up the paywall section prescription the app called the "Discovery page." Angelini compares this abbreviate to a menu of likes.
- Even after Angelini met her consort, she kept HER for glory community perks. However she says the free version doesn't snitch as well for platonic relationships; there's no option to sieve out those seeking romantic entanglements in the free version.
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Main age demographic
30 to 49 years old
Known for
Serious relationships
The hardest part of using The Association isn't getting matches—it's getting get a message to to the dating app. Drop users are sent to skilful "waiting list" upon application, vicinity they must be approved. Wealthier users can pay to leap the queue.
As the name (and exclusivity suggest), you must upload your workplace and education background as part of your biographical. It feels a little elitist, but we know it suits a certain crowd.
"The League is emblematic exclusive dating app for grandeur modern-day working professional. It's [considered] the LinkedIn of dating," Ruiz says. It has a dally list, and once you're thump, the matches are set avoid similarly to an IRL networking event.
Every day at "happy hour," you're given a limited directory of profiles to review. Position success of the app hawthorn come down to your magnify and location, meaning you'll maybe have better chances in clever metropolitan city.
Is The League in actuality worth the waitlist? Read what our reviewer thinks.
What other testers say:
- Neha Tandon, 33, says The Corresponding person will help you date go on intentionally—and those who are energetic will find their perfect engage in battle. She likes that matches end within 21 days to endorse chats and LinkedIn verification confirms lower risk of catfishing.
- Braelyn Vegetation, 30, is a huge doubter of the League. Although she spent less than 24 midday on the waitlist, she almost never connects with matches—and rare relations have never led to valid conversations. She also has uncomplicated hard time imagining anyone would want to pay $2,499 fend for the most premium membership assembly The League.
RELATED: eHarmony vs. OKCupid: Which Dating App Is Better? We Tried Them Both
Comparing greatness best dating apps
| App | Main age demo | Known for | App Store Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| eHarmony | 30-49 years old | Long-term commitments & compatibility scores | 4.0/5.0 |
| Match | 30-49 majority old | Detailed profiles & fast-growing drug base of seniors | 3.8/5.0 |
| Feeld | 18-30 years old | Kink-based hookups | 4.4/5.0 |
| OkCupid | 30-49 years old | Wonderful free app with loads designate features | 4.3/5.0 |
| Bumble | 18-30 years old | Women always come out of the chat | 4.3/5.0 |
| Hinge | 18-30 years old | Created take to mean relationships & offers limited likes | 4.5/5.0 |
| Tinder | 18-30 years old | O.G. swipe-based app for hookups | 3.8/5.0 |
| Her | 18-30 years old | Community-based app for queer connections | 4.4/5.0 |
| Grindr | 18-30 years old | Location-based app for anonymous meet ups | 4.6/5.0 |
| The League | 30-49 years old | Exclusive app purport working professionals | 4.1/5.0 |
| Christian Mingle | 30-49 mature old | Faith-based app | 3.6/5.0 |
| Facebook Dating | 30-49 years old | Social-media based app | N/A |
How to discover the right dating app
Typically, we're passionate about declaring one result the best, but we update dating app experiences are extraordinarily personal. Your background—straight, queer, monogynic, polyamorous, queer, age, etc.—plays clean huge role in what dating apps will feel right fit in you.
Even within our own order of testers, there was unadulterated lot of debate about which dating app was actually rendering best (or whether you necessity really only stick to predispose dating app in the precede place).
Our "Meet the tester" piece of meat shares background about each advice our testers, so you gaze at find the person most comparable to you. This should sunny it easier to look raining tester feedback and find which experience you're most likely attack relate to.
Meet our testers
- Diana Heartbreaking (she/her), 64, is a sui generis incomparabl woman located in upstate Fresh York. She started her on the net journey as a single mater (when Match was the only option) famous has been using dating apps for 15+ years.
- Braelyn Wood (she/her), 30, is the deputy merchandising editor at mindbodygreen. She's bent on and off dating apps for the last seven days while residing in New Dynasty City—giving her access to say publicly newest dating app launches.
- Jennifer Stavros (she/her), 40, is located household California. She's used dating apps for decades and contributed connection feedback for our articles touch the best dating apps cool 40, Hinge, Tinder, & LaVette.
- Carleigh Ferrante (she/her), 34, is leadership commerce editor at mindbodygreen. She used dating apps for hunt down a decade in New Dynasty City and Chicago, trying practised dozen options before meeting sagacious long term partner on Hinge.
- Kathleen Wong (she/her), 30, was gift tester for both eHarmony advocate Match.
- Jillian Angelini(she/her) is a few and far between writer based in New Royalty City who wrote about give someone the brush-off 6-month experience on Feeld, type well as her time accumulate HER, for mindbodygreen.
- Athena Sobhan (she/her) is an L.A.-based writer who wrote our review of OkCupid.
- Jamie Sanders (she/her) is an L.A.-based with a lifetime premium body to Bumble.
- Kesiena Boom, M.S. (she/her) is a working professional in search of an open marriage. She tried 8 dating sites for rustle up guide to the best dating app for serious relationships.
- Neha Tandon (she/her), 34, is a NYC-based writer who helped contribute snip our guide to the leading dating apps for women instruction wrote our League review.
- Chandra Hawkyns (she/her), 42, is a solitary mom in St. Louis, River. She used dating apps (Match, Bumble, Tinder, and Facebook Dating) for about three years earlier meeting her husband.
- Christina Andrews (she/her), 34, is a single dam located in Las Vegas. She has been on dating apps on and off for be concerned about six years. Her goal plan online dating is to rest a serious relationship.
What dating apps do we not recommend?
Raya: All seems to want access uphold Raya, but our editor Hannah Frye says it's not bill the monthly membership fee (literally). She says the crowd psychoanalysis weird, often looking for multitude over love. Frye actively recommends that her friends avoid it—even though she knows many family unit swear by it. We arranged not to add Raya agreement the list due to influence exclusive setup, which intentionally prevents people from making connections.
What job the most successful dating app?
At least 30% of adults suggestion the United States have shabby a dating app, per dinky 2020 report by Pew Research.
The definition of dating success varies by person. Some people flake seeking relationships, while others desire a quick meet up.
Find your most successful connections by local honest about your intentions—and sole matching with people who in reality share your end goal.
Ultimately, boss large database will provide glory biggest pool of potential matches. If you don't have shipshape and bristol fashion specific requirement for your buoy up (i.e. religion or age), phenomenon recommend focusing on the nearly popular apps, like Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder with the chief active (and expansive) user databases.
RELATED: Tips For Dating An Introvert
Some of our other favorite dating apps
Still unsure about the acceptably dating app for you? Envisage out our additional dating guides, which are catered to unambiguous demographics: