All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Over the past decade, I've tried many— too many—of the best dating sites. Let's be real: Using the apps sucks. A great first date is wonderful, but weeding through the sea of selfies and talking stages to get there can feel excruciating, especially as a busy woman.
Still, a dating app is one of the only tools I have to actually meet people—and if you're reading this, you likely relate. Maybe you're looking for a committed long-term partnership that could turn into marriage down the line, or maybe you desire a casual hook-up, to bring a third into your existing relationship, or simply hope for a new friend.
Perhaps you're seeking someone who shares your religious or political beliefs, who understands your lifestyle as a single parent, or who's excited to travel the world or rot at home with you. Whatever your preferences, the best dating apps can help you find exactly what you want. Curious to try online dating but have no idea where to begin? I did the digging for you—I signed up for over 15 different dating sites; talked to psychologists, therapists, and professional matchmakers; and polled my network of single and settled friends and editors to curate the most worthwhile ones.
Don't lose hope, friend. There's a platform out there for you and me, too. Match is one of the most recognizable online dating sites. You can utilize a whopping 4, characters, in comparison to with Bumble. After setting up a profile, you can include up to 26 photos way more than with competitors and preferences about your potential date. There are screening questions about lifestyle, relationship status, education, and faith, plus icebreaker prompts.
Its various tiered subscriptions and paid bonus options let you add on various features like a handy read receipt, so you can see if someone you liked opened your message. You can like up to 50 profiles per day with its free version, too, which is way more than many competitors. When I signed up for eHarmony, I was impressed by the question compatibility quiz that everyone takes before deciding between free basic membership and a subscription. The survey offered detailed questions that got down to the nitty-gritty of who I am and what I'm looking for, and tackled the nuances of a real-life partnership by presenting scenarios and how I'd react i.
