The best dating apps in 2026

The full ranking

1. 1 H

   Our top pick

   Hinge

   Best for: Daters in their 20s and 30s who want a relationship, not endless swiping

   Very goodout of 10 Score 8.4 out of 10, Very good

   Hinge profiles are built from photos and short prompts, and you start a chat by reacting to one of them. That makes first messages easier and conversations less generic than on swipe apps.

   • Free version is genuinely usable
   • Prompts make starting a conversation easy
   • Strong relationship focus for an app

   • Only 8 free likes a day
   • Prices vary by age and location
   • Fewer users over 50
   From about $17/mo · Useful free version Full review Visit Hinge
2. 2 B

   Bumble

   Best for: Women who want more control over who contacts them

   Very goodout of 10 Score 8.3 out of 10, Very good

   Bumble is a large swipe app with more safety features than most, including optional ID verification. Women no longer have to message first, but Opening Moves keeps first chats low-pressure.

   • ID verification and a verified-only filter
   • Free version includes messaging and video calls
   • Large user base in most cities

   • Paid plans are confusing and vary a lot
   • Still a swipe app, so many casual users
   • Fewer users over 50
   From about $9/mo · Useful free version Full review Visit Bumble
3. 3 T

   Tinder

   Best for: Younger daters who want the largest pool

   Very goodout of 10 Score 8.2 out of 10, Very good

   Tinder has more users than any other dating app, which means more matches but also more people who aren't looking for what you are.

   • Largest member base anywhere
   • Generous free version
   • Quick to set up

   • Many casual users and inactive profiles
   • Upsells everywhere
   • Skews young
   From about $6/mo · Useful free version Full review Visit Tinder
4. 4 H

   HER

   Best for: Lesbian, bi and queer women and non-binary people

   Goodout of 10 Score 7.9 out of 10, Good

   HER is part dating app, part community, built for queer women and non-binary people. The free version covers dating and community well.

   • Built for queer women and non-binary people
   • Community features beyond dating
   • Cheap Premium

   • Smaller pool outside cities
   • Needs a Facebook or Instagram account
   • App only
   From about $8/mo · Useful free version Full review Visit HER
5. 5 M

   Match

   Best for: Adults 30+ who want a committed relationship

   Goodout of 10 Score 7.7 out of 10, Good

   Match has been running since 1995, and most of its active members pay, so people on it tend to be looking for something real. It costs more than the apps, especially if you pay month to month.

   • Members are mostly 30+ and relationship-minded
   • Big member base in most US cities
   • Longer plans cut the price by more than half

   • You can't do much without paying
   • Month-to-month price is high
   • Add-ons like Private Mode cost extra
   From $19.99/mo Full review Visit Match
6. 6 O

   OurTime

   Best for: People over 50 on a budget

   Goodout of 10 Score 7.3 out of 10, Good

   OurTime is Match Group's site for people over 50, and it's one of the cheapest paid options anywhere. It's simple, with fewer features than Match.

   • Very low price
   • Large over-50 member base
   • Simple to use

   • Can't read messages without paying
   • Basic matching
   • Prices change with promotions
   From about $6/mo Full review Visit OurTime
7. 7 C

   Coffee Meets Bagel

   Best for: Busy professionals who want fewer, better matches

   Goodout of 10 Score 7.3 out of 10, Good

   CMB sends you a handful of matches each day, and chats expire after a week, which pushes people to actually meet.

   • Strong verification
   • Less swiping, more intent
   • Useful free version

   • Smaller member base
   • App only
   • Expiring chats can feel rushed
   From about $15/mo · Useful free version Full review Visit Coffee Meets Bagel
8. 8 E

   eharmony

   Best for: People looking for a long-term partner who want matches chosen for them

   Goodout of 10 Score 7.2 out of 10, Good

   eharmony asks you a long set of questions, then sends you matches instead of making you swipe. It suits people who want marriage and don't mind a slower pace.

   • Matching does the searching for you
   • Members are there for long-term relationships
   • Compatibility breakdowns give you things to talk about

   • No month-to-month option
   • One of the more expensive sites
   • Free version is very limited
   From $35.90/mo Full review Visit eharmony
9. 9 B

   BlackPeopleMeet

   Best for: Black singles who want an affordable site

   Fairout of 10 Score 6.9 out of 10, Fair

   BlackPeopleMeet is an affordable, established site for Black singles, run by the same group as Match.

   • Low price
   • Focused community
   • Private calling with ConnectMe

   • Can't message for free
   • Dated design
   • Smaller in rural areas
   From about $12/mo Full review Visit BlackPeopleMeet
10. 10 P

    Plenty of Fish

    Best for: Budget daters who want to message for free

    Fairout of 10 Score 6.8 out of 10, Fair

    POF is one of the few sites where free members can message anyone. The trade-off is a mixed crowd and weaker safety features.

    • Free messaging
    • Large member base
    • Cheap paid plans

    • More fake and inactive profiles than paid sites
    • Thin safety tools
    • Past data breaches
    From about $11/mo · Useful free version Full review Visit Plenty of Fish
11. 11 Z

    Zoosk

    Best for: Budget daters who want a big general site

    Fairout of 10 Score 6.8 out of 10, Fair

    Zoosk's parent company, Spark Networks, entered insolvency proceedings in 2026, and Spark closed its EliteSingles site that April. Zoosk is running, but check its status before buying a long plan.

    Zoosk is a large general site with video-selfie verification and fair prices. Its owner's financial trouble is the main reason for caution.

    • Photo verification
    • Cheaper than Match
    • Easy to use

    • Parent company in insolvency
    • Free messaging is very limited
    • Coins add hidden costs
    From about $12/mo Full review Visit Zoosk
12. 12 S

    SilverSingles

    Best for: People over 50 who want compatibility matching

    Fairout of 10 Score 6.6 out of 10, Fair

    SilverSingles' parent company, Spark Networks, entered insolvency proceedings in 2026. Check the site is still taking members, and avoid long plans until its future is clearer.

    SilverSingles matches people over 50 using a personality test, so it suits people who don't want to scroll. Its parent company's insolvency adds risk.

    • Compatibility matching
    • Over-50 focus
    • Profiles checked by staff

    • Almost nothing works for free
    • Parent company in insolvency
    • Prices unclear
    From about $14/mo Full review Visit SilverSingles
13. 13 C

    Christian Mingle

    Best for: Christians who want a partner who shares their faith

    Fairout of 10 Score 6.6 out of 10, Fair

    Christian Mingle's parent company, Spark Networks, is in insolvency proceedings in Germany and the US in 2026 and is trying to sell its brands. Avoid long plans until the sale is settled.

    Christian Mingle is the largest faith-based dating site in the US. It works, but it's pricey and its owner is in financial trouble.

    • Biggest Christian member base
    • Faith is part of every profile
    • Simple site and app

    • Can't message for free
    • Owner in insolvency
    • Privacy group Mozilla flagged its data sharing
    From $24.99/mo Full review Visit Christian Mingle
14. 14 J

    Jdate

    Best for: Jewish singles who want to date within the faith

    Fairout of 10 Score 6.2 out of 10, Fair

    Jdate's parent company, Spark Networks, is in insolvency proceedings in 2026. Check before paying for a long plan.

    Jdate has been the go-to Jewish dating site since 1997. It's expensive, and its owner's insolvency makes its future uncertain.

    • Largest Jewish-focused member base
    • Observance level on profiles
    • Long track record

    • No messaging for free
    • High prices
    • Owner in insolvency
    From about $30/mo Full review Visit Jdate