7 Best American Dating Sites (Feb. 2024)

In 1960, only 28% of American adults were unmarried. Today, 45.2% of Americans reported being unmarried to the U.S. Census Bureau. Some of these adults are living with committed partners without tying the knot, and some are divorcees and widowers, but the majority (63%) are never-married singles.

In the last few decades, being single has become an American staple — like apple pie and reality TV shows — and online dating has become an essential part of the pursuit of happiness.

American dating sites and apps have given a new generation of singles the freedom to follow their hearts and find dates who share similar values, interests, lifestyles, and relationship goals. Here are our top picks for American singles seeking their very own First Lady or First Man.

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America the beautiful is full of promise and opportunity, but this sweet land of liberty can be awfully lonely if you don’t have someone special by your side. Thankfully, many dating sites have begun filling that gap. By letting freedom ring, these tried-and-true platforms can lead to first dates, relationships, and engagement rings.

1. Match

★★★★★

Match.com 4.9/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.9/5.0

Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say: “Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
All Singles*	49%* 51%*	39.7 Million*	Try Match FREE

Match is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and it doesn’t get much more American than that. The Match Group was one of the first companies to explore the new frontier of online dating in 1993, and it launched a groundbreaking dating site in 1995.

As the longest-running dating platform, Match continues to set a high bar for its competitors. Every year, over 200,000 people get in a relationship after meeting on the site or app, and the matchmaking algorithm is responsible for inspiring more first dates and marriages than any other dating service.

Our dating experts consider Match an online dating pioneer, and American singles should consider it their resident dating guru.

2. EliteSingles

★★★★★

EliteSingles.com 4.7/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.7/5.0

Relationships: Serious Relationships

Match System: Search, Receive Partner Suggestions

Our Experts Say: “EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
All Singles*	44%* 56%*	2 Million*	Browse Profiles Free

The EliteSingles dating network spans from sea to shining sea, and its members include some of the best and the brightest singles in the U.S.

Over 85% of EliteSingles members have earned a college degree, and many have gone on to have successful careers in finance, medicine, law, engineering, and other professional fields. Plus, over 90% of members are over 30 years old and seeking a relationship.

If you’re looking for a partner for your life, then EliteSingles should be on your radar. Its smart matching system will take your dating preferences into account and deliver elite singles profiles that meet your standards.

3. Tinder

As Americans, we pride ourselves on being pioneers, innovators, and dreamers, and Tinder was borne of that entrepreneurial spirit. In 2012, Tinder changed the face of online dating by introducing a mutual-matching system that empowered singles to choose who showed up in their inboxes. Tinder made the user’s choices matter, and its swiping has become the standard operating procedure for most dating platforms today.

Thanks to its daring and insight, Tinder has become one of the most successful dating apps in the world, and it is responsible for creating over 43 billion matches in the U.S and abroad.

Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold membership plans offer added perks to singles in a flirtatious mood.

It’s free to download Tinder, and you can swipe on profiles and message your matches without paying anything too. However, if you want to swipe outside your location radius, send unlimited likes, have access to more Super Likes, and get other exclusive features, you’ll have to upgrade your account to Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold.

“I’ve been using Tinder of 1.5 years, and over time accrued about 2,000 matches,” said TyBoyMakesNoise in a review. “After awhile, I quit ‘trying’ and just swiped for fun and ended up striking up a convo with a woman who is now my girlfriend, and she’s amazing.”

4. Bumble

A former Tinder Co-Founder named Whitney Wolfe Herd took issue with how some men seemed to use swiping to harass single women, and she decided to do something about it. She left Tinder, slapping it with a sexual harassment lawsuit on her way out, and founded Bumble as the female-friendly solution to online dating.

Bumble has followed through on the mantra “the future is female” and put women first in the online matching process. Once a woman matches with a man on Bumble, she has 24 hours to send the first message — otherwise, the chat disappears. Men cannot send a message to a woman until she messages him first.

Bumble promotes equality, respect, and kindness with its unique approach to online dating.

Since 2014, Bumble has marketed itself as the world’s foremost feminist dating app, and its progressive values have appealed to young Americans who want to change sexist dating norms and carry gender relations forward into the 21st century.

“I think that this is a natural progression of online dating,” said Drake Johnson in a review. “It takes the mechanics of Tinder, alters the incentives, and overall improves the experience.”

Let’s talk dollars and cents. I know it can seem pricey, but online dating doesn’t have to cost all that much. I personally have never paid for a dating site or app, and I’ve gone out with dozens of guys and met three boyfriends online. Free dating sites can help Americans save their hard-earned cash and still meet dateworthy people in town.

As long as you’re willing to put in the time and effort to vet the people you meet online, you’ll be able to build relationships with a lot of genuine people on the following free dating platforms.

5. Zoosk

★★★★★

Zoosk 4.7/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.7/5.0

Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System: Search and get match recommendations

Our Experts Say: “Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
All Singles*	48%* 52%*	28.9 Million*	Start Zoosk for FREE

Zoosk is a cost-effective dating site and app that began in 2007 as a thought experiment in Silicon Valley. Tech entrepreneurs Alex Mehr and Shayan Zadeh wanted to reimagine online dating as a more socially engaging experience, so they developed a platform where singles had plenty of options to connect.

From the moment you sign up, Zoosk offers a variety of communication options, including virtual gifts, smiles, likes, instant messages, and standard greetings. Most of these chat tools are completely free, but you can use Zoosk Coins or sign up to a monthly subscription to get access to every feature and boost your visibility.

Free Zoosk members also benefit from its behavioral matchmaking system, which pays attention to how users behave (which profiles they like and view) to determine personal compatibility.

6. OkCupid

Four Harvard math majors decided to calculate a love formula in 2004, and OkCupid was the solution they came up with. It’s been the solution for budget-conscious singles, too. From the outset, this data-driven dating site has been completely free to use. It’s free to join, free to match, and free to message anyone you like.

OkCupid uses a combination of profile information, personality quiz answers, and liking history to determine how well two people will hit things off. Its algorithm is famously accurate and has led to countless romantic connections.

OkCupid operates under the motto “Dating deserves better,” and it upgrades the online dating experience for single Americans.

Every year, OkCupid creates over 91 million matches and facilitates about 2.6 million dates. Its free members have the run of the dating site and app, and they can message their mutual matches for as long as they like without paying anything.

OkCupid’s team is nerdy, curious, and always crunching the numbers to improve the online dating experience. These dating experts have conducted analyses to determine what you should say in a first message and how race relations impact dating in the U.S.

7. Coffee Meets Bagel

Three single women launched Coffee Meets Bagel in 2012 to revolutionize online dating by slowing down the matching process. Instead of throwing singles into a virtually bottomless dating pool, the CMB app provides a curated list of profiles and limits the number of likes and matches a user can have per day.

It’s free to download Coffee Meets  Bagel, and the app doesn’t charge for its matching and messaging services. To date, CMB has made over 50 million matches globally.

Coffee Meets Bagel is the passion project of three entrepreneuring women, and it has over 21 million users in the U.S.

In 2015, “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban offered the CMB founders $30 million for the entire company (the biggest offer ever on the show), but they declined because they wanted to remain true to the essence of Coffee Meets Bagel, which is to put users first.

“We care about safety and quality,” said CMB Co-Founder Dawoon Kang. “That was the genesis of Coffee Meets Bagel.”

Online dating has a lot to offer the LGBTQ+ community. Not only is it private, but it can also save you from wondering “Is that person gay?” or “Is that cutie single?” It’s safe to say everyone on a gay dating site is available and interested in a same-sex romance, and that takes a lot of the guesswork out of meeting new people.

Many gay couples — as many as 65% in one survey — started their relationship on a gay-friendly dating site or app like the ones listed below.

8. HER

HER welcomes lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans womxn who want to make friends and find dates in the LGBTQ+ community. This free dating app supports an all-womxn network, and it looks out for its members.

Over 4 million womxn have created profiles on HER, and each one has been verified as authentic. The platform has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to fake accounts, inactive users, and men posing as women. “We want to encourage love, open minds, and comfort,” according to the Community Guidelines.

HER is a social dating app where you can browse local queer events and send messages to queer womxn.

HER is a dating app made by lesbians for lesbians. A lesbian womxn named Robyn Exton is at the helm of this bold dating company, and she has always maintained that a female-friendly atmosphere should be the top priority for her team. You can read more about her founding story here.

9. Grindr

Just like HER is an all-ladies app, Grindr supports an all-dudes dating space. The app was designed to introduce local single guys to one another, and it works like a charm. As soon as you open the Grindr app, you’ll have access to hotties who are in the same ZIP code or city. Grindr uses real-time location data to make sure your date prospects are always close by.

With Grindr in your pocket, you never have to spend a Saturday night alone. A few minutes of swiping and chatting could lead to a meetup or a hookup if you play your cards right.

Grindr sees over 3.8 million daily active users and has a user base of over 27 million profiles.

Grindr has over 27 million users worldwide, but the heart of its user base is definitely in the U.S. That’s where it first launched, and many gay Americans have used it to spice up their love lives.

“It just seems like there are always more guys close by who are looking to strictly hook up, and that’s all I really want from an app like this,” said horny_young69 in a five-star review of Grindr.

10. MenNation

★★★★★

4.0 4/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

×

4.0/5.0

Relationships: Daters & Hookups

Match System: Search by age, zip code, more

Our Experts Say: “MenNation is a well-established gay dating and hookup brand, having been founded in 1996. It's totally free to join, view profiles, receive matches, and flirt...”

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Singles & Couples*	95%* 5%*	780,000*	Start for Free

Since its launch in the mid-1990s, MenNation has garnered the reputation as the world’s largest gay hookup site, and there’s no telling who you’ll meet here.

Single men and gay couples have created accounts out of curiosity and outright horniness, and they’ve discovered a highly arousing atmosphere. Men can browse profiles anonymously and send messages to anyone who strikes their fancy. MenNation encourages no-strings-attached sex, so don’t feel any pressure to turn a flirtatious convo into a big thing.

MenNation has over 68,000 daily active users, and it is constantly growing its membership base to include the sexiest American men from coast to coast.

11. LesbianPersonals.com

★★★★★

LesbianPersonals 4/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

×

4.0/5.0

Relationships: Hookups Only

Match System: Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say: “LesbianPersonals provides a fun, quick, and easy experience for gay and bisexual women looking for sex online. Join for free, and you'll be able to search and communicate immediately...”

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Singles & Couples*	10%* 90%*	500,000*	View Profiles Free

LesbianPersonals was created by the same team that launched MenNation, but this hookup site is geared specifically toward lesbian women and couples.

The LesbianPersonals website encourages Americans to “find love, lust, and more” in a female-friendly and judgment-free zone. Lesbians can let their hair down and explore their sexuality without restraint here, and it’s also a great place for couples in an open relationship to find hot dates and arrange threesomes or orgies.

LesbianPersonals allows women to exchange photos and send video messages to spark interest and turn up the heat in an online chat, and its private chats often lead to steamy IRL encounters.

In 2018, about 21% of U.S. adults in their 40s reported being single. The 35-49 age group was the most likely to be coupled up, according to a General Social Survey. That’s good news for the American nuclear family, but it’s not so great for singles in their 40s seeking a fresh start in the dating scene.

Fortunately, many senior-friendly dating sites have helped the 40+ crowd find mature dates and recover from a breakup, divorce, separation, and other difficult situations.

12. SilverSingles

★★★★★

SilverSingles 4.6/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.6/5.0

Relationships: Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System: Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion

Our Experts Say: “SilverSingles is a fast-growing, easy-to-use niche dating site exclusively for active daters over the age of 50...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*	41%* 59%*	800,000*	Sign up for FREE

SilverSingles is a premium dating site designed by the same company that launched EliteSingles. These online dating experts saw an opportunity to cater to a niche audience and connect seniors with date prospects who shared similar life experiences and goals.

In their own words, “Our vision is to maintain the industry’s highest standards. We are as committed to our members, and the most important part of our work is, and always will be, bringing people together.”

We recommend using SilverSingles to meet adults who are entering their golden years and looking for companionship. You can set an age requirement in your dating preferences to ensure only age-appropriate dates appear in your inbox.

13. OurTime.com

★★★★★

OurTime.com 4.6/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.6/5.0

Relationships: Dates and Relationships

Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more

Our Experts Say: “OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*	48%* 52%*	8.9 Million*	Over 50? Try It FREE

OurTime lets seniors know it’s never too late to fall in love. This American dating site and app is always working overtime to introduce singles to that perfect match.

The OurTime dating site is straightforward and includes advanced search filters, match suggestions, an events calendar, and, of course, live communication tools. Only premium members can send unlimited messages on the platform, but free members have limited access to their incoming messages, and that could be enough to spark a connection.

Over the years, OurTime has collected many testimonials from people who say they met their soul mates here. “I hope everyone on here has the same faith in finding a soul mate as I did,” said an OurTime user from Kansas. “Love is there and still living.”

14. SeniorMatch

Since 2003, SeniorMatch has been one of the leading senior dating sites around. The site has over 1 million members, and fosters over 1.6 million conversations each month.

In an effort to grow its reach, SeniorMatch recently launched a dating app that replicates the features of its time-tested dating site, and that has given seniors the ability to stay in touch with their date prospects no matter where they go.

SeniorMatch has led to more than 36,600 success stories between singles of a certain age.

According to internal statistics, 71% of SeniorMatch’s members live in the U.S. and nearly 65% of its members are between 55 and 65 years old. Singles should note that SeniorMatch does not allow anyone under 45 to join the dating network, and the moderators will remove underage dating profiles and fake accounts permanently.

African-Americans are the largest minority group in the U.S., but they still make up only 13.4% of the overall population, so it can be difficult for black singles to find one another, particularly in majority-white communities.

A lot of mainstream American dating sites have membership bases that reflect the general population, meaning black singles are few and far between. However, the following black dating sites have made an effort to cater to singles of color and give people the chance to diversify their date prospects.

15. BlackPeopleMeet

★★★★★

BlackPeopleMeet 4.1/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.1/5.0

Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates

Match System: Search by location, age, more

Our Experts Say: “BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Black Singles*	47%* 53%*	5.7 Million*	FREE Trial for New Users

In 2002, BlackPeopleMeet made headlines by launching one of the first black dating sites in the U.S. and Canada. Now it boasts having the largest network of black singles in North America.

Tens of thousands of black and biracial people have taken a chance on BlackPeopleMeet and picked up dates via this fun-loving platform.

“I really enjoyed being on this site for the short time I’ve been on here,” said a Georgian single in a testimonial. “I met this beautiful lady on here recently, and we have hit it off great. She is very special.”

16. BLK

The BLK app is sleek, simple, and successful. And, best of all, it’s made for African-American singles. If you want to date within the black community, then BLK has your back and can offer an endless list of potential matches.

BLK has a 4.2-star rating on Google Play and a 4.4-star rating on the App Store, and many users call it out for offering the best online dating experience for black people of all ages.

BLK offers an upstanding dating community for black professionals seeking dates.

BLK maintains a safe and supportive place for black singles and their admirers to mingle. You won’t run into many creeps here because the team is committed to removing any troublemakers or unsavory characters.

“If you’re honest, kind, and respectful to others, you’ll always be welcome,” the BLK team says in its community guidelines. “We’re not asking you to comb your hair to one side or even speak in full sentences; but please keep it classy and appropriate for public consumption.”

Christians often want to date and marry fellow Christians because it’s important to their family traditions and values. Couples who share similar belief systems don’t have to argue about how frequently to attend church, how to raise children, and other potentially contentious issues. Christian singles are on the same biblical page in life, and that makes a long-term relationship easier to sustain.

17. ChristianMingle

★★★★★

ChristianMingle 4.5/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.5/5.0

Relationships: Dates and Serious Relationships

Match System: Search by gender, age, education, more

Our Experts Say: “ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Christian Singles*	44%* 56%*	3.5 Million*	Try Now for $19.99/Month

ChristianMingle is the most popular Christian dating site in the U.S., and it has been introducing singles and redeeming relationships since 2001.

If you’re Christian and want to date within the faith, ChristianMingle can provide you with a fulfilling, God-centric dating experience. Everyone on this dating site is, by definition, willing to date a Christian, and that makes it easy to break the ice and connect with someone special.

“We met on ChristianMingle and got to know each other through messaging,” said Julie and Jesse, a happily married couple. “When we first met for dinner, it was like we had known each other forever.”

18. ChristianCafe

ChristianCafe distinguishes itself as one of the few Christian-owned and Christian-run dating sites available to God-fearing singles. Since 1999, the site has led to over 25,000 marriages, and it has more than 3,000 testimonials shared from former members around the world.

“God answered my prayer through the ChristianCafe app,” said Ruth from Florida. “ChristianCafe was so helpful, and I really appreciated it.”

ChristianCafe offers heartfelt fellowship with its Christian dating forums and private messaging.

Christians can enjoy a 10-day free trial on ChristianCafe to see what the dating platform is all about. During the free membership, you can chat with anyone online and build relationships one message at a time. You are under no obligation to upgrade to a paid membership after the free trial period ends, but many users choose to stick around and put their faith in ChristianCafe.

ChristianCafe is a trustworthy place to build connections within the Christian faith, and it’s definitely worth signing up for a free membership. You can read our full review of ChristainCafe here.

Some singles enter the online dating scene just for fun. I’ve gotten messages from plenty of people saying they want to play the field and see where things go, and they’re not looking for a commitment right now. Relationship-seekers don’t have time for that wishy-washy nonsense. Serious daters know exactly where they want their chats and matches to go (hint: it’s down the aisle), and they’re not satisfied by casual, short-term dating.

Fortunately, these quality-driven dating apps focus on building relationships and have a good track record when it comes to inspiring marriages.

19. eharmony

★★★★★

eharmony 4.8/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.8/5.0

Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships

Match System: Personality test suggests matches

Our Experts Say: “Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
All Singles*	48%* 52%*	4.1 Million*	View Profiles FREE

In 2000, a Christian theologian and clinical psychologist founded eharmony because he wanted to strengthen the institution of marriage by ensuring the right people got together.

The dating site created a unique matchmaking system where singles took an in-depth questionnaire and receive match suggestions based on what the results said about their temperament, values, hobbies, and relationship goals. Today the Compatibility Quiz is responsible for more than 2 million relationships in the U.S.

The eharmony compatibility ratings are based on proven psychological principles and can bring relationship-minded singles one step closer to their happily ever afters.

20. Hinge

I know for a fact that Hinge can lead to long-term relationships because that’s where I met my current boyfriend. The dating app appealed to me because it requires users to send more than just a generic like — you have to comment or like something specific on someone else’s profile to create a match.

Hinge’s dating profiles includes six photos (with captions and tags) and three personal prompts, so you should have plenty to say to your online crush. It’s easy to get to know someone by seeing how they answer prompts like “What’s your favorite Disney movie?” or “What are your dating dealbreakers?”

Hinge is a quality-driven app where relationships blossom through conversation.

Hinge is one of the few dating apps that actually asks for feedback from singles after a first date. According to its internal stats, 72% of Hinge users who went on a first date said they would go out with that person again.

“Anyone who knows us would tell you our silliness matches one another,” said Chelsea and Evan, a San Francisco couple who met on Hinge and now live together. “We both feel that brushing our teeth is more fun when we dance in front of the mirror at the same time.”

Look, the white-picket-fence life isn’t for everyone, and there’s no shame in admitting you just want to get laid. In a survey of sexually active adults, the average American reported having had sex more than 138 times a year. If you want to get up to that level, you can always solicit sex on a hookup site or app.

21. BeNaughty

★★★★★

BeNaughty 4.2/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.2/5.0

Relationships: Hookups, Chats

Match System: Search by encounter, location, and more

Our Experts Say: “BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
All Singles*	48%* 52%*	13.3 Million*	Browse Profiles Free

BeNaughty is a great place for singles and couples collecting notches on their bedposts. The hookup site has millions of members, and it features the most active and attractive users right up front.

You can search for matches by age, gender, location, body type, and ethnicity on BeNaughty, or you can roll the dice and swipe through profiles in the Like Gallery. Every time you strike up a mutual match, you’ll get a notification and an invitation to start a conversation.

BeNaughty also has a mass messaging feature for thirsty singles in a hurry to find a playmate. The site even suggests prewritten icebreakers in case you don’t know what to say to your online crushes.

22. Adult Friend Finder

★★★★★

AFF.com 4.2/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

×

4.2/5.0

Relationships: Hookups Only

Match System: Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say: “Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun...”

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
All Singles*	65%* 35%*	25.5 Million*	3 Months @ $19.95/Mo

Adult Friend Finder is a sex-positive site where someone is always online and feeling horny. The dating forums and live chat rooms are full of sexually active people in the U.S. and abroad.

With over 97 million signups, the AFF community has declared itself the world’s largest sex and swinger community, and it is open 24/7 for singles and couples of all sexual orientations. As long as you’re over 18, you can come here to send flirty messages, read erotic stories, and have a sexual awakening.

The AFF site gives people the chance to satisfy their desires and meet local lovers who share similar kinks and fetishes.

23. FriendFinder-X

★★★★★

FriendFinder-X 3.4/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

×

3.4/5.0

Relationships: Hookups Only

Match System: Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say: “A hookup site specializing in casual encounters, secret affairs, live chats, and member videos, FriendFinder-X skips the awkward "dating" stage of a relationship and fast-forwards straight to the sex...”

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Singles & Couples*	64%* 36%*	1.2 Million*	Browse Members Free

Finally, FriendFinder-X keeps things interesting by inviting singles to unleash their wild sides and solicit sex from strangers. The hookup site’s tagline is “where good girls do bad things,” and that pretty much sums up what it has to offer you.

This anonymous hookup site is completely free to join, and it has date options for singles, couples, and groups seeking local hotties. There’s no pressure to meet anyone offline, but many people are willing to take things to the next level and enjoy a romp in the sheets with the right person (or people).

Yep, plenty of free dating sites let singles chill and chat for as long as they like — and cost a grand total of $0. Totally free dating sites are popular among singles who are on a tight budget and don’t want to invest too much time and money into dating. You’ll be surrounded by date prospects, but some free sites sacrifice quality for quantity, so you may have to vet potential dates more carefully.

Free dating sites and apps can help singles meet one another, but they’re usually not as fast and reliable as paid services.

OkCupid is a totally free dating site where anyone can join and mingle under their first name. However, we have seen users complain about fake or inactive accounts, and the site doesn’t conduct background checks or have many authentication systems in place to keep the phonies at bay.

It’s forever free to chat on the OkCupid website and app, and many people have found relationships here, but singles should be prepared to run into a few rejects before you find a winner.

The most legit dating sites are the ones that screen incoming users, promote science-based matching, and have proven success stories. Want us to name names? Match.com is the original legit dating site, and it has decades of experience to back its matchmaking services.

Another good one is eharmony, which has been around since 2000 and creates a new love connection every 14 minutes. The eharmony site uses psychology to bring compatible couples together. This dating site (and its companion app) has stood the test of time, and it offers legit help to singles who are serious about making a genuine connection.

No, dating sites are definitely not for losers. They’re for singles who know what they want and are tired of wasting time trying to meet someone IRL. Many famously attractive and successful celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, and Andy Cohen, have gone online looking for dates.

Singer-songwriter Adele said she has tried eharmony, while actress Lindsay Lohan said she created a dating profile on Tinder. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg met his husband on the dating app Hinge.

“I could just tell by the chatting that he was somebody special and that I wanted to meet him.” — Mayor Pete Buttigieg

A nationally representative 2017 survey found that meeting online is one of the most popular ways for singles to get in relationships. About 40% of American couples said they met their partners online. It’s become incredibly common to hear Tinder love stories, and some experts say that online dating is strengthening marriages by helping singles meet the right person.

Yes, Bumble is a values-driven dating app that encourages relationships based on mutual respect. Its moniker as the feminist dating app has been the primary selling point to singles. The Bumble philosophy appeals to serious daters who are sick of swiping and pickup culture, and it deters chauvinists, bullies, and creeps.

Bumble fosters a relationship-driven space where singles can get to know each other.

A recent Bumble survey found that 85% of users say they’re looking for marriage or a relationship on the app, and less than 4% of men and 1% of women said they wanted a hookup.

Bumble has seen a lot of cute success stories from couples who met and fell in love on the app. “My two friends met their significant others on Bumble and are madly in love,” said ThisChickThinks on Reddit. “Seems like their relationships are leading to marriage.”

Singledom is on the rise in the United States, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As Americans become more educated and more liberated, they can choose to go beyond the typical nuclear family and seek happiness on their terms. That could mean getting a divorce instead of staying in a loveless marriage. Or it could mean waiting longer to get married and making sure to pick the right person.

Online dating has become an important ally and resource for singles seeking their own dating destinies. Today’s singles are no longer restricted to only dating people in their classes, social circles, and offices — they can cross borders and societal barriers to find that perfect match. The American dating sites and apps on this list can empower single men and women to reach their romantic potential and find the relationship they deserve.

“It seems single people don’t scare so easily anymore,” said psychologist and author Bella DePaulo. “In unprecedented numbers, they are going ahead and living their single lives, which are often healthier and more fulfilling than those of their couples counterparts.”