10 Best Dating Apps (2019)

The average American spends more than 4.7 hours a day on their smartphone, according to the Washington Times. For me, I’d say that sounds about right (maybe even more if I’m being honest). Whether we’re working, reading, shopping, or dating, we’re probably doing it on our phones or tablets.

That’s why it’s important to have quality apps on your phone, especially for dating. You want to have a good experience and accomplish your goals. Below we’ll take you through seven factors to keep in mind when choosing the right one for you.

One of the most important things to consider when deciding which dating app to download is to look at its audience. If it’s just for finding hookups but you want to find a serious relationship, then you’ll, of course, not want to go with that one.

Sexual orientation, religion, and age are also some of the top qualities and characteristics people don’t want to budge on, and reasonably so. When a dating app has a targeted audience, it can be easier to connect with the exact person you’re interested in. For example, Zoosk is great for younger singles, while eHarmony members tend to lean slightly older. Save yourself some time and effort by picking a dating app that has your preferred user base.

Team Edward or Team Jacob, Team Pineapple Pizza or Team Anti-Pineapple, Team iOS or Team Android — these are some of the most famous matchups in history that have divided the population. When you can’t decide on a dating app, sometimes it simply comes down to what smartphone team you’re on. You should make sure the app is compatible with yours, and if it’s not, well, you have your answer. The good news is most dating apps are iOS and Android friendly, so your options aren’t as limited as you might think.

All of the best dating apps offer a free trial or free membership (or both). You should be allowed to test everything out before being charged — it just makes sense. With these trials and memberships, you’re usually able to create a profile, upload several photos, search through members, receive match notifications, and communicate in a few ways (such as virtual winks and Favorite lists), among others.

Premium memberships offer features like being able to see who viewed your profile or read your message. While these things aren’t totally necessary, if they pique your interest and you have the money to spend, we’ve seen dating apps that start as low as $12.49 a month. I mean, how much do you spend on Starbucks every month? And this is your love life.

A majority of us probably have a Facebook, Google+, or Instagram account (or a combo of the three), so instead of having to repeat yourself on a dating app, check to see if you can sync up one of your existing profiles. Your information and photos can be pulled in a matter of seconds, and you can get to browsing that much sooner. More than likely, the app will also use your social profile to find matches for you based on friends of friends and will have a policy about never posting on your behalf.

Swiping, browsing, filtering, match recommendations — the dating app you go with should have numerous ways to pair you with that special someone (or someones). Take Match, for instance. This app offers unlimited searching, so you can be in the driver’s seat of your own love life. However, when you want Match to take the wheel, you can go to the Reverse Search and Missed Connections sections — as well as check your inbox — for people the app thinks you’ll like. If you’re testing out an app and it seems like it’s matching features are lacking, you might want to think twice before downloading.

Dating apps are fun because you can use them when you’re on your couch, waiting to order coffee, walking your dog, having drinks at a bar, and practically everywhere else on this earth. However, don’t let that cloud your judgment. You don’t want to pick an app just because it looks fun.

You also need to consider if it’s safe and reputable. Some things to look for are SSL encryption, profile verification, Block and Report buttons (for abusive members), and a 24/7 customer support team (even if it’s via email). The dating app doesn’t necessarily have to have all of these components, but the more it has, the less you’ll have to worry.

In addition to reading a dating app’s About page and things like that, don’t forget to also look for reviews from experts, like us, as well as consumers, like yourself, and companies like TrustPilot and Glassdoor. All you have to do is Google the app’s name with the word review after it (e.g., Elite Singles review). Another tip is to go to Google News and search for the app to see what kind of news is surrounding it. Get a feel for what other people are saying out there, and even ask your friends, family members, and coworkers if they’ve used a dating app that you’re thinking about.

Similar to choosing a house, credit card, or career, choosing a dating app is a decision that’s worth taking your time on. A portion of the 5+ hours a day you spend on your phone will go toward dating, so don’t you want the app you choose to be the best one possible? We’ve provided you with all the pertinent information — now the ball is in your court. We know the right choice will come to you!