How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Hinge has the strongest free experience for people seeking a relationship, with profile prompts and a daily like limit that encourages slower choices.
- Bumble suits women who want to start the conversation, and it also offers modes for friends and professional networking.
- Tinder remains the largest pool for casual dating and for people in smaller cities, where a smaller app may show few profiles.
- Match and eharmony suit people who want guided matching and are willing to pay for a longer, more structured process.
- Dating app prices vary by age, location, and plan length, so check the price inside the app before you pay, and never share money with a match.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Tinder | Largest pool and casual dating | See website | Yes |
 Bumble | Women starting the conversation | See website | Yes |
 Hinge | Relationship focused dating | See website | Yes |
 Match | Structured dating for adults | See website | Yes |
 eharmony | Compatibility based matching | See website | Yes |
 OkCupid | Detailed profiles and questions | See website | Yes |
 Coffee Meets Bagel | Curated daily matches | See website | Yes |
 Feeld | Open minded and alternative dating | See website | Yes |
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The best dating apps
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Tinder is still the app to try first when you want the most profiles to choose from. Setup takes minutes, with photos, a short bio, and basic filters for age and distance. That speed helps in smaller cities, where a niche app may show only a handful of active users, and it helps travelers who want to meet people in a new place quickly.
The free experience is limited by design. Swipe limits, ads, and paid features such as seeing who liked you push regular users toward Plus, Gold, or Platinum. Prices inside the app vary by age, location, and plan length, so do not rely on a single price quoted online. Tinder suits casual dating and broad exploration best. If you want slow, profile led matching, Hinge or eharmony will feel less rushed.
Safety note: meet in public places, tell a friend where you are going, and never send money to someone you met on an app, no matter how convincing the story sounds.
What we like- Largest user base in many areas
- Fast setup
- Many paid tiers for extra likes and visibility
Watch out for- Free swipes are limited
- Quality varies widely by location
- Paid prices vary by age and location
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Bumble changes one rule, and that rule changes the feel of the app. In heterosexual matches, women send the first message, which can reduce unwanted opening messages and give the conversation a clearer start. Matches have a time limit for that first message, so Bumble suits people who check the app regularly and prefer to move from match to chat without a long delay.
Beyond dating, Bumble includes BFF for friendship and Bizz for professional networking, which makes it useful for someone new to a city. The free plan covers matching and messaging, while Boost and Premium add features such as seeing who liked you, unlimited swipes, and travel mode. Check the price in the app, since it varies by plan length and location. Bumble is a strong pick for women, and for anyone who prefers a calmer inbox.
What we like- Women send the first message in heterosexual matches
- BFF and Bizz modes
- Clear profile verification tools
Watch out for- Matches expire if no message is sent
- Free filters are limited
- Paid tiers are needed for full features
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Hinge is designed to be deleted, in its own marketing phrase, and the design backs that goal in useful ways. Profiles use photos plus written prompts, so a like can respond to a specific answer, a photo, or a detail, rather than only to a face. That structure gives a conversation a natural opening, and it helps people who want to judge compatibility before meeting.
The free plan is unusually usable. It includes a daily like limit, basic filters, and the ability to see who liked you one profile at a time. Paid tiers add unlimited likes, advanced filters, and priority placement, but many users will not need them at first. Hinge suits people seeking a relationship, people who like reading profiles, and people who want fewer, more thoughtful matches each day.
What we like- Profile prompts invite real conversation
- Daily like limit encourages care
- Free users can see who liked them one at a time
Watch out for- Smaller pool than Tinder in some areas
- Paid Hinge+ and HingeX are expensive
- Daily like limit can frustrate heavy users
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Match is the veteran of this list, and that history shows in its user base. Many users are older than the typical Tinder or Hinge user, and many are looking for a committed relationship rather than casual dating. Profiles tend to be longer, search filters are detailed, and the site also runs events in some cities, which can suit people who prefer meeting in a group setting.
The free account is limited, since you cannot read every message without paying, so Match only makes sense if you are willing to subscribe for at least a short period. Prices vary by plan length, with longer plans costing less per month, and the exact price should be checked at signup. Match suits adults who want a structured process, a larger pool of relationship minded users, and a brand with decades of history.
What we like- Long history and large adult user base
- Detailed profiles
- Events and guided search tools
Watch out for- Free account cannot read all messages
- Paid price is high
- Interface feels older than newer apps
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
eharmony takes the opposite approach from Tinder. Instead of endless swiping, you complete a long questionnaire about values, lifestyle, and relationship goals, and the service presents matches based on compatibility. That process suits people who are tired of browsing and want a smaller set of suggested partners, even if it means less control over search.
The questionnaire is also the main barrier. It takes real time, and some users will find it too rigid or too long. The free account is limited, and full messaging requires a paid plan, with prices varying by plan length. eharmony suits people who know what they want in a long term partner, who are willing to invest time at signup, and who prefer guided matching over open browsing.
What we like- Long compatibility questionnaire
- Matches based on stated values
- Strong focus on long term relationships
Watch out for- Signup questionnaire takes time
- Less control over browsing
- Paid plans are expensive
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
OkCupid sits between casual swiping and guided matching. Profiles can include many questions about politics, lifestyle, pets, religion, and daily habits, and match percentages show how closely your answers align. That depth helps people who care about values and lifestyle fit, and it gives a conversation more to work with than photos alone.
The app is also known for inclusive options for gender identity and sexual orientation, which matters for users who feel boxed in by simpler apps. Free use covers matching and messaging, while paid tiers add features such as seeing who liked you and advanced filters. OkCupid suits curious daters, people in larger cities, and anyone who wants a profile that says more than a few photos and a line of text.
What we like- Many profile questions
- Inclusive gender and orientation options
- Free messaging after matching
Watch out for- Interface can feel busy
- Paid features needed for full visibility
- User base varies by city
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Coffee Meets Bagel is built for people who feel tired of endless swiping. Each day at noon, the app presents a small set of curated matches, called bagels, based on your preferences and activity. You can like or pass, and a match opens a chat. That slower pace suits busy professionals, people who want quality over volume, and anyone who checks dating apps once a day rather than all day.
The limit is volume. A small daily set means fewer chances, and in smaller cities the pool can feel thin. Paid features, including beans for extra likes and boosts, add cost, and the price should be checked in the app. Coffee Meets Bagel suits relationship minded users who prefer a calm daily routine to a fast swiping session.
What we like- Small daily set of curated matches
- Less swiping fatigue
- Women receive matches chosen for them
Watch out for- Small daily pool can feel slow
- Fewer users than the leaders
- Paid beans add cost for extra features
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Feeld serves a different community from the apps above. It is built for open minded dating, ethical non monogamy, kink aware users, couples, and people exploring alternative relationship styles. Profiles include desires, interests, and relationship structures in clear terms, which helps people find compatible partners without awkward guesswork.
Privacy controls matter here, since many users do not want their dating activity visible to colleagues or family. Feeld offers options to hide from social contacts and to control who sees a profile. The free plan covers basic matching, while the Majestic paid tier adds features such as seeing who liked you and incognito browsing. Feeld is not a general dating app, and it should not be judged as one. For its intended community, it is the most thoughtful option on this list.
What we like- Inclusive options for couples and solo users
- Clear interest and desire filters
- Strong privacy controls
Watch out for- Smaller mainstream pool
- Not suited to conventional dating goals
- Paid Majestic tier needed for full features
How we chose
We compared apps on user base, matching style, free features, paid tiers, inclusivity, and safety tools, using vendor pages, store listings, and public reviews. A large pool scored well for casual and small city dating, while profile depth and guided matching scored well for relationship seekers.
We also kept pricing honest. Dating apps use dynamic pricing that varies by age, location, and plan length, so a single quoted price can mislead readers in another city or age group. That is why starting prices here say See website, with a clear instruction to check the price inside the app before paying. Free features are described in plain terms, so you can judge what you get without paying.
Dating safely and spending wisely
Dating apps can help you meet people, but they also reward time spent swiping. A few habits protect your time, your money, and your safety.
Safety first
Meet in a public place for early dates, arrange your own transport, and tell a trusted friend where you are going and when you expect to be back. Do not share your home address, workplace details, or financial information with a new match. If someone asks for money, gift cards, or help with a sudden emergency, stop contact and report the profile. That request is a common scam pattern, even when the story feels personal.
Spend only when a limit blocks you
Start free on one or two apps for two weeks. Pay only when a specific limit blocks real progress, such as a daily like limit on Hinge or a message limit on Match. Set a monthly budget, check the renewal date, and cancel a plan that no longer leads to conversations or dates. A paid tier improves visibility, but it cannot fix a weak profile, unclear photos, or a pool that is too small in your city.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dating app overall?
Hinge is the best overall pick for people seeking a relationship, because its free plan is usable and its profiles invite conversation. Tinder is better for the largest pool and casual dating. Bumble is better for women who want to start the conversation. The best app depends on your goal, your city, and how much time you want to spend.
Which dating app is best for women?
Bumble is the best pick for many women, because women send the first message in heterosexual matches, which can reduce unwanted messages. Hinge also works well, since profile prompts and a daily like limit encourage more thoughtful contact. Use block and report tools freely, and leave any conversation that feels pressuring.
Are dating apps free?
Most dating apps have a free tier for matching and messaging, but paid tiers add likes, filters, visibility, and message features. Match and eharmony free accounts are more limited, since full messaging requires payment. Check the free limits and the price inside the app before you subscribe, since prices vary by age, location, and plan length.
How do I stay safe on a dating app?
Meet in public, use your own transport, tell a friend your plans, and keep personal and financial details private until you know someone well. Report and block anyone who pressures you, asks for money, or refuses a video call before meeting. Trust a bad feeling and end contact early, even if you have invested time in a conversation.
How many dating apps should I use at once?
One or two is enough for most people. Two apps can cover different pools, for example Hinge for relationships and Tinder for volume, without turning dating into a full time job. More than two usually splits attention, duplicates conversations, and makes it harder to follow up well with the matches that matter.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://tinder.com/
- https://bumble.com/
- https://hinge.co/
- https://www.match.com/
- https://www.eharmony.com/
- https://www.okcupid.com/
- https://coffeemeetsbagel.com/
- https://feeld.co/
- https://getarranged.io/blog/dating-app-costs-compared
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.