Not too long ago, social media was the go-to spot online for meeting a potential partner or finding a hookup for the night. Before that, you probably had a few friends who met their significant other the old-fashioned way: at a bar, coffee shop, or bookstore (all the meet-cutes we’ve seen in romantic movies).
Fast forward to 2023, factor in the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our dating landscape has evolved — we’ve got a mix of in-person and online dating options to choose from. Social media (think: Facebook dating, shooting your shot on Instagram, and sliding into DMs) is out, and dating apps are (back) in.
Are dating apps worth it?
If you’re on the fence about getting on the apps or are wondering if it’s even worth signing up, here’s why recommend giving them a shot.
Dating apps give you the rare opportunity to connect with hundreds of people you wouldn’t have known otherwise while also allowing you to explore your sexuality and find out what you want in a partner.
Statista predicts that the online dating audience will grow to 53.3 million by 2025, a leap from 44.2 million users in 2020. This pre-pandemic prediction came before the COVID-era dating app sign-ups surge. And, according to a 2023 report from the Pew Research Center, one in every 10 partnered adults (married and committed couples) discovered their current partner through a dating site or app. That’s a lot of swiping right.
Sure, online dating can still be a bit of a slog — but that’s basically the case for dating in general. It takes time and effort, even if you’re using the best dating site or app possible. Even so, apps are a great way to keep you meeting new people and helping you find the connection you’re looking for.
Which dating apps actually work?
With so many dating apps out there, it’s easy to feel confused or overwhelmed by the options. While Match Group (Tinder, Match, Archer, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and The League, among others) continues to dominate the market, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one brand when looking for the best dating app.
First Round’s On Me (FROME), for example, is a newer dating app that’s gained popularity for its date invitation feature. Choose a drink, date, time, and venue; the app will send a personalized invitation to your potential match. Once a date is confirmed, it’s locked into both users’ calendars, and the in-app chat feature is activated 12 hours before the date.
Other apps, like Feeld and Pure, cater to people open to ethical non-monogamy relationships or threesomes. There really is something for everyone out there.
The best dating apps of 2023
Finding the best dating app is purely subjective. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down some of the best dating apps of 2023 based on hands-on testing, customer reviews, overall functionality, availability (all are available on the App Store or Google Play), and user-friendliness: