What Are The 12 Best Dating Apps of 2022?
Dating has become hard because of what's going on around the world. There's no denying it.
The good news is that there are now a plethora of apps available to help you date online. However, while some of them are excellent, others are merely adequate – and a complete waste of your time and money.
I'll walk you through the best dating apps to ensure you sign up for the app that best suits your current needs and desires. I've tried all of the dating apps, and I'm going to look at who they're for, how they work, and what their costs, benefits, and drawbacks are.
Let's get started.
1. The best dating apps of 2022
• eHarmony
eHarmony caters to singles looking for long-term relationships. With millions of members worldwide and an extremely precise matchmaking method, it's easy to see why eHarmony has been so successful. In fact, according to statistics, 542 people marry each day as a result of eHarmony! However, the majority of members are between the ages of 25 and 34, so if you're older than that, you might want to try another site.
It has been in operation for over two decades and claims to use scientific research to pair up compatible users. Signing up for eHarmony takes some time, but that's because it's geared toward serious dates who, it's assumed, are willing to invest time and energy into finding a life partner. When you first sign up, you'll be asked to take a personality test, which includes a series of questions, many of which begin with the phrase "what would you do if...?"
If you're still using a free account, you can search for users and send them "winks" once your account is up and running. You will, however, need to upgrade your account if you want to send and receive messages. eHarmony requires a lot of patience, which is why it's only appropriate for those looking for a soul mate.
• Bumble
Bumble is a dating app similar to Tinder that matches men and women who are looking for casual or serious relationships. However, there is a catch: If a guy and a girl match, girls must message first (anyone can message first if it's a same-sex connection). Bumble also has two features: one for dating and one for friends (BFF feature).
To create a profile, Bumble requires information such as your age, location, height, weight, hair colour, and so on. Then all you have to do is add a few photos and a bumble bio and start swiping. If you like someone who likes you back, you have a connection and can begin chatting. Because Bumble is based on an algorithm, creating a good dating profile requires effort. The higher up the queue you are, the more popular it is (i.e., the more "likes" you have). As a result, you'll be more visible.
It is relatively simple to succeed on Bumble because there are only two simple keys to success: Good photos (photos of your dog or kitten always work well) and a brief but amusing bio. Once you've connected and begun chatting with someone, keep it cool, normal, and – if possible – funny. Banter is always effective.
• Hinge
Hinge is a free dating app that works similarly to Tinder with a few exceptions. The only dating app that is "designed to be deleted" is Hinge. It's aimed at singles looking for a serious relationship. As a result, there are very few fake profiles and millions of genuine, active users.
The signup process is refreshingly simple, and no questionnaires or tests are required. Instead, Hinge wants the bare minimum from you right now – your basic information and six photos (these are all mandatory). There is no bio, Instead, you can choose from a series of questions, such as "where do you want to travel to?" Your responses are then displayed on your account, and other users can choose to interact with them if they so desire.
My best advice is to be creative with your Hinge responses. There's no point in giving one-word answers to the questions when another Hinge member has nothing but your photos and answers to go on to judge your personality.
• Tinder
Tinder is the most popular dating app for hookups and dating. It's a free dating app with a larger user base than most other dating apps. There are paid features like Tinder boost and Tinder gold, but many people find that they can have moderate success without upgrading their account.
Tinder's premise was quite novel when it was first introduced. Users only need to create a quick account with at least one photo, their location, and gender, and – if they want – a couple of lines in their Tinder bio. Then they can start "swiping." They swipe right if they like the look of someone. They swipe left if they don't. If two people like each other, they're a match and can start talking.
Tinder makes it very simple to get results. When I first joined, the matches flooded in, but they eventually dwindled as the algorithm made things more difficult. However, I made sure to include my best photos and a killer one-liner in my Tinder bio, and then I "boosted" myself several times and upgraded to Tinder Gold to see who liked me. I then got a few more matches and made sure to send out witty first messages.
• HER
HER is geared toward lesbians, bisexual women, and queer women. Messages are free to send, but users must link at least one of their social media accounts. It's a fun, open, and tolerant dating app that's gaining popularity.
The sign-up process is quick, but you must connect your Facebook or Instagram accounts. You can include a few photos as well as 'text items' (not so much a bio, and your location adjusts whenever you move). HER, like many other dating apps these days, lacks a search function. Instead, the app functions similarly to Tinder, with you only being able to send messages to your matches or be added as a friend. There is, however, a Feed feature that allows you to comment on posts from people you haven't yet matched with.
As a guy, I wasn’t able to use HER. However, I've looked into the app and spoken with a few friends who have used it. The general consensus is that HER is useful for "checking throughout the day" and that "getting a few matches" is relatively simple. Their users prefer to send a few short messages before meeting up as soon as possible.
• Elite Singles
Elite Singles caters to career-minded, highly educated singles who are looking for partners who are equally ambitious and intelligent. The majority of users who sign up have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the majority of users are looking for a long-term relationship or even marriage. You must take a personality test as part of the signup process. It should take you about 20 minutes to complete this task. The test was created by experienced psychologists, and while it takes time to complete, the goal is to save you time in the long run by improving your matches.
After you've answered the questions and completed your profile, you can start getting to know each other by swapping 5 questions, sending "winks," and composing your message from scratch. Despite the difficulty of a site like Elite Singles, it's very easy to get a few dates. This is due to the fact that there is no endless swiping (such as on Tinder). Instead, everyone who has paid for a membership here is looking for serious dates.
Furthermore, the matchmaking feature is very sophisticated and, more often than not, pairs you up with people who are highly compatible with you. Before leaving Elite Singles, the quickest way to success is to use the automated 5 introductory questions. Once you've established a rapport with someone, it's time to plan a date – preferably in a nice restaurant.
• OkCupid
OkCupid is a dating app that is both old and new. It's been updated several times over the years. It's ideal for anyone who identifies as LGBT, and it's especially geared toward more open-minded, non-judgmental people looking for anything, whether it's friends, an OkCupid hookup, or a polygamous relationship. Begin by providing the standard information, but there is also a questionnaire that you must complete.
Once you're up and running, you can look for members in two ways: You can use the search function or a feature called Double Take, which works similarly to Tinder's "swipe" function. If you see someone you like, you can send them a message instead of waiting for them to contact you. OkCupidthen sends them an email informing them that "someone" has sent them a message, and they can only see your message if they "like" you back.
They certainly made our lives more difficult by restricting the way we sent and received messages on OkCupid. They claim to have changed their policy in order to protect users from abusive, repetitive messages from other users in whom they are not interested. That being said, while it's more difficult than ever to strike up a conversation with someone you like, it's still possible to do well on OkCupid. My advice is to only message people you're genuinely interested in, and to keep your messages lighthearted, flirtatious, and fun.
• Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish (POF), one of the oldest online dating apps, is an old favourite for singles looking for a free dating app. It is free to send and receive messages, and its straightforward concept appeals to those looking for a stress-free dating experience. As simple as the POF concept is, the sign-up process is time-consuming because you must answer a slew of questions. Your responses are fed into POF's algorithm, which will help you find better potential matches.
After completing the questionnaire, you must write a few lines about yourself (a few lines are required), upload a few photos, and create a catchy headline. Because of the way POF's search function works, a strong main image and an attention-grabbing POF headline are essential. If you like the look of someone's main photo and headline, you can go to their profile and message them.
POF has a few aspects that I enjoy. One advantage is how simple it is to refine your search based on location, age, and other factors. Second, I like how diverse the users are. Some are looking for a little fun, while others are looking for something more serious, but so many are open to at least a conversation. There's no reason you can't succeed here if your photos are good and your profile is positive, fun, and friendly.
• Match.com
Match.com is a dating app for people looking for a long-term relationship. Signing up is free, but sending messages requires an upgrade. It's one of the most popular matchmaking sites, with over 8 million paying members worldwide. The sign-up process is fairly quick, and there is a profile builder feature that expedites the process. Before you can proceed, you must upload a profile picture and fill out a personal information form.
Once you're up and running, you can look for potential dates by using the Matches tab, which displays suggested profiles, or by using the search function. If you like someone's appearance, simply click "Like," and they'll receive a notification. If they are a premium member, they will be able to see your profile and you will be able to start chatting with them. Match.com is the best dating app for finding a long-term partner. For starters, it receives more traffic than most other dating apps. Two, millions of people pay to use it, indicating that they are all serious about dating. Three, the user interface is one of the most user-friendly I've seen.
To make my profile as appealing as possible, I added a couple of lines in the About Me section. And when I sent opening messages, I tailored them to the person to whom I was writing. It is possible to succeed on this dating app if you are polite, respectful, and humorous. However, most users want to establish a rapport before agreeing to meet you, so you'll need to be patient as well. This isn't a hookup app, so take your time.
• Zoosk
Zoosk is a dating site that has been around for well over a decade, but it was recently redesigned to look and feel better than ever. Zoosk caters to singles of all types who are looking for a long-term or short-term relationship. It sits in the middle of dating apps like POF and OkCupid, with a relaxed look and vibe. Signing up takes less than 5 minutes, and you don't even need to upload a photo. Only a few personal details and a valid email address are required.
You can use the search function to browse for free, and you can also send smiles and hearts. However, in order to send messages and use the chatroom, you must upgrade your account. You can use the Carousel feature, which suggests profiles to you. You'll receive an email every time someone expresses interest in you. It is extremely simple to connect with someone else in this manner (unlike Tinder where you could be swiping forever).
I got a few matches and had a few conversations, but I discovered that the best way to succeed on Zoosk is to include a storey in your profile (this is a cool feature that will get you noticed by more people). You should also take the time to fill out as many categories as possible so that people can see who you're interested in.
• CoffeeMeetsBagel
CoffeeMeetsBagel, one of the lesser-known dating apps, has relatively low traffic. While it has its limitations, it's a cute alternative to the more "brash" dating apps and can serve as a secondary dating app to help you find a few more dates. CoffeeMeetsBagel differs from most other dating sites and apps in that it does not have a search function. Instead, it presents you with a limited number of curated matches each day. Then you have 24 hours to decide whether to swipe left or right. You can begin messaging if you swipe right and the other person does the same.
CoffeeMeetsBagel should not be your first choice for a dating app. It's a better idea to go in and out of it as needed. This is because its user base is small, and the dating app only aims to connect you with compatible people in your area.
As a result, I didn't get many matches. However, because of the way it works, you won't spend your entire day swiping. Each day, you are instead presented with a selection of carefully curated matches. When you've gone through all of them, it's time to send messages or switch to another app.
Happn
Happn is a geo-location-based dating app that has 50 million active users worldwide. It's similar to Tinder, but with a twist: it tries to match you with someone you've already met. The sign-up process is simple and can be completed by connecting your Facebook account. You must provide some personal information, such as your date of birth, but you are not required to write a bio.
You have the option of swiping left or right on other members. You'll notice that until you upgrade your account, the information you can see on a person's profile is limited. You'll also notice that everyone who is put in front of you lives nearby. This is due to the fact that the happn dating app displays matches based on proximity as well as the preferences you've set.
I found Happn to be a very useful dating app that made it simple to set up dates with singles in my area. It's much easier to strike up an initial conversation because it's geo-location based and attempts to pair you up with someone you've possibly met before (perhaps you went to the same gig one time). Furthermore, because your matches are nearby, it's much easier to match, chat, and meet up on the same night.