Best dating apps of 2023 tested reviewed mindbodygreen


We Tested The Best Dating Apps Of 2023 (So You Don t Have To)
Online dating coach Perri Schneider says this also makes the app great for people who are new to the online dating scene, as there's less pressure around starting a conversation.
We Tested The Best Dating Apps Of 2023 (So You Don't Have To)
Julie Nguyen is a relationship coach, Enneagram educator, and former matchmaker based in New York. She has a degree in Communication and Public Relations from Purdue University.
Expert review by
Sexologist & Dating Coach
Myisha Battle, M.S., is a certified clinical sexologist and sex and dating coach, educator, and speaker. She has a master's in Psychology from The New School in New York City.
December 12, 2023
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.
Dating in 2023 is wild. Instead of meeting your soulmate at a coffee shop, you swipe through dating profiles and hope that a shared hobby or favorite song is enough to build a connection with a stranger.
But while online dating is not for the faint of heart, it's not a hopeless endeavor either. A 2023 report from Pew Research found that at least 79% of people using dating apps have experienced excitement about the people they've seen on the apps.
What's more, 440 million people are expected to use dating apps by 2027—and app developers are keeping up. From dating apps that practically schedule your first date for you (First Round's On Me) to private apps popular with celebs (Raya), we've been blessed—and maybe cursed—with every dating app your heart could desire.
The hardest part is finding the right app for you, but thanks to our vetted guide, you can skip that part. We've downloaded, swiped, and matched with strangers on dozens of apps to create a curated guide to the best dating apps.
The best dating apps of 2023:

  
Best for serious relationships:eHarmony, Hinge
  
Best for over 50+ & seniors:Match
  
Best for hookups:Feeld, Tinder
  
Best free dating site:OkCupid, Bumble
  
Best LGBTQ+:Grindr, Her
  
Best for working professionals:The League
  
Best religious dating apps:Christian Mingle

Why we write about dating apps
We know what it's like to swipe for love—at least six of our editors have long-term relationships from using dating apps. Plus, we're think deep connections are key to our longevity.
Comparing the best dating apps
App
Main age demo
Known for
App Store Rating
eHarmony
30-49 years old
Long-term commitments & compatibility scores
4.0/5.0
Match
30-49 years old
Detailed profiles & fast-growing user base of seniors
3.8/5.0
Feeld
18-30 years old
 
Kink-based hookups
4.4/5.0
OkCupid
30-49 years old
 
Great free app with loads of features
4.3/5.0
Bumble
18-30 years old
Women always start the chat
4.3/5.0
Hinge
18-30 years old
Created for relationships & offers limited likes
4.5/5.0
Tinder
18-30 years old
 
O.G. swipe-based app for hookups
3.8/5.0
Her
18-30 years old
Community-based app for queer connections
4.4/5.0
Grindr
18-30 years old
Location-based app for anonymous meet ups
4.6/5.0
The League
30-49 years old
Exclusive app for working professionals
 
4.1/5.0
Christian Mingle
30-49 years old
Faith-based app
3.6/5.0
eHarmony
Image by mbg creative
Known for: Serious relationships | Main age demographic: 30+ | Available on: IOS, Android | App rating: 4.0/5/0
eHarmony is one of the OG dating apps, and still insists that online connections are about more than an instant physical attraction. Instead the app pushes you to create an in-depth profile by forcing you to fill out a hefty questionnaire, complete with poll questions and an image selection game that vaguely reminds us of a Rorschach Inkblot Test.
The details
These in-depth profiles are key to making eHarmony' one of the best dating sites for serious relationships, per marriage therapist Omar Ruiz, LMFT. "The profile list is limited since it's for [the people] who don't want to deal with the ups and downs of dating app culture and want to settle down," he says.
Still we have to admit there's a benefit to in-depth profiles (and not just because a dating expert says so). Even though your eHarmony profile takes at least 25 minutes to fill out, it ensures everyone swiping on the app is putting in the same amount of time and effort to meet "the one."
We'll also be the first to say eHarmony isn't cheap—because you do need a paid profile to make the most of this app—but we like to think of it as another way to filter out those who aren't serious (and not willing to put their money where their mouth is).
The app skews towards a 30+ demographic, so it may not be the best dating app for young adults. However dating experts think it's a great option for those who live in more remote locations due to the dating site's reputation.
Pros & cons

  
Compatibility scores for every potential match
  
Ability to see who viewed your profile & vice versa
  
Most users focused on long-term matches


  
Many people still don't have detailed profiles
  
Profile takes a long time to set up
  
Almost no capability with free membership

Setting up your profile
Expect to take at least 25 minutes to set up your profile on eHarmony. It requires you to complete an 80-question compatibility quiz, including queries about your personality type and communication style.
Matching process
The app's main screen scrolls vertically through potential matches. You'll then "heart" profiles that you're into. Unlike other apps, swiping left reveals your level of compatibility with another member (rather than rejecting them).
We also love that you don't have to say "no" to a profile if you're not feeling an instant connection. You can simply scroll past the profile or return to it at a later time if you want. Hey, it's not always love at first swipe!
Cost
eHarmony premium

  
6 months: $359 ($59.84 per month)
  
One year: $388 ($32.25 per month)
  
2 years: $699 ($29.13 per month)

Save 20% with code: MBG20
Hinge
Image by mbg creative
Known for: Serious relationships | Available: IOS, Android | Main age demographic: 18 to 30 years old | App rating: 4.5/5.0
Three dating apps seem to dominate conversion for young adults: Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. Now a mainstream app for those in their 20s to 30s, Hinge was original the o.g. relationship-focused app that was "designed to be deleted."
The details
In reality, Hinge has moved away from that less-inclusive tag-line to be a place where you can seek something casual or a life partner (both actual selections on the app). You can also share your relationship type–monogamous vs non-monogamous—to ensure you're aligned with a partner before you meet.
We think Hinge stands above its counterparts because it really leans into showing off your personality alongside photos. The app has built-in conversation prompts that help share your interests and facilitate conversion with your matches. (No more basic "how are you" messages here.)
Online dating coach Perri Schneider says this also makes the app great for people who are new to the online dating scene, as there's less pressure around starting a conversation.
Pros & cons

  
Limited likes to encourage thoughtful matches
  
Fresh interface with videos & prompts on profiles
  
Allows you to share dating intentions & relationship type
  
Last active status to find other active users


  
Must sort through matches in order
  
Best matches hidden behind paywall
  
Recently removed audio feature

Setting up your profile
Creating a unique profile on Hinge doesn't take long—simply add your basic information, select your favorite photos, and answer at least three prompts. You can spend less than 5 minutes creating a profile, though we suggest taking a bit long if you're trying to attract a serious match.
We were big fans of Hinge's audio and video features, which allowed you to showcase even more of your personality. While the brand recently removed these additions, we think they're likely to come back in the brand's premium subscriptions. Luckily, the optional photo prompts are still around to add some voice to your profile.
Matching process
Hinge comes with limited swipes (unless you pay for a premium account), but this feature is a good thing. A smaller number of likes will motivate you to slow down and see each profile as a person, instead of another face in a sea of faces. We're over mindless swiping!
Another feature that we can't get enough of? The option to "Show Last Active" status, which shows other potential matches whether you're currently active or were online that day. This helps weed out inactive users, so you're not sending your "like" to a graveyard of other interested profiles. A
nd no, your current matches will not see your status—a great safety feature that takes off the pressure to respond to a match right away instead of creating a thoughtful reply.
When you do decide to go on a date, be sure to let Hinge know about your interactions. As the app learns more about your preferences, it will adjust your algorithm to recommend better matches. The only downside? A few of these top matches may be located it the "Standouts" section of the app, which requires you to send a rose to match.
You only receive one rose per week with an option to pay for additional roses (starting at $3.33 per rose). These curated profiles may occasionally enter the regular batch of potential matches or "Discover" section after you delete them from the stand-out section, but it's rare.
Despite Hinge putting some of its most eligible matches beyond a paywall, our testers still raved about the quality of their matches; most offered a level of maturity that she hadn't seen on apps previously. They also called out the apps flexibility, which allows you to select alternative location settings without paying (though this led to a negative interaction with a scammer abroad).