Yes, there’s a free version of Match—but you can’t initiate messaging or reply to anyone except Premium subscribers, so it’s probably only worthwhile if you pay. The idea that paying members are more serious about dating isn’t necessarily true anymore, given all the great free dating apps that exist nowadays, though. As Dineen says, “You may just be paying to hook up with someone.” Still, the service boasts more than 25 years in the online dating game, so success stories abound (including a wedding in which this writer was a bridesmaid, for what it’s worth).
Best for: Music fans who want a partner to go to shows with
If you’re a person who swoons over a carefully curated playlist, this might be one of the best dating apps for you. With music lovers in mind, Tastebuds allows you to match with people based on musical interests and exchange songs with them. Bonding over your mutual love of K-pop or metal concerts might just be the spark that ignites a lifelong connection.
Best for: People who dream of DMing with Charlie Puth
Known as “Tinder for famous people,” Raya is a membership-only app with a pretty intense waiting list and application process. The app doesn’t have any free features; if you’re accepted, it costs about $20 per month. Whether or not you’ll find love is anyone’s guess, but there’s a chance you’ll spot someone semi-famous if you swipe long enough.
Best for: Those seeking compatible taste in everything
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An online dating mainstay since 2003(!), OkCupid’s evolved a little since being acquired by Match Group. There’s a swipeable app now, and users can only see messages sent by people they’ve actually matched with. OkCupid established itself on its data-based matching formula, which means you can answer a lot of granular questions about your interests, beliefs, and life goals—all on the free version. The company shares fascinating human-nature insights pulled from questionnaire data on their blog, too.
Best for: Those who crave in-depth dating profiles
This app is designed to create “meaningful connections” among users. So, instead of unlimited swiping, the app releases a batch of “fresh bagels” every day at noon. In theory, the limited number of options encourages more discernment than a traditional app, and user-created icebreaker conversation prompts—think “If you could get one hour of your life back, which would it be?” or “Describe your personality in three emojis”—are meant to push you beyond “Hey, how are you?”
Best for: LGBTQ singles seeking an alternative to Grindr
Hornet is an app that centers queer people looking to date other queer people. The interface is pretty intuitive, letting you browse and match easily, and as an added bonus, you can send profiles to friends (whether they’re on the app or not), which allows you to play matchmaker and discuss profiles with your group chat before you match.
Best for: People who want their friends to play matchmaker
Source: SELF
