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
- Grindr remains the largest app for gay, bi, trans, and queer men, with location-based matching and a huge user base.
- HER is the leading app built for queer women, nonbinary, and trans users, with community features beyond dating.
- Taimi and Lex suit users who want identity-inclusive spaces, with broader gender and orientation options.
- Safety features matter more than match counts: meet in public, verify profiles, use in-app reporting and blocking, and share plans with a friend.
- Most apps are free to join with paid tiers for unlimited likes, filters, and travel features.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Grindr | Gay, bi, trans, and queer men | Free | Yes |
 HER | Queer women and nonbinary users | Free | Yes |
 Taimi | Inclusive LGBTQ dating | Free | Yes |
 Scruff | Gay and bi men community | Free | Yes |
 Lex | Queer text-based dating | Free | Yes |
 Hinge | Relationship-focused dating | Free | Yes |
 Tinder | Largest dating pool | Free | Yes |
 Bumble | Women-first matching | Free | Yes |
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The best queer dating apps
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Grindr is the largest dating and social app for gay, bi, trans, and queer men, using a location-based grid that shows nearby users and lets people chat quickly. Its scale is the main draw: in most cities, Grindr has more queer men online than any rival, which means faster matches and more choice. Filters cover age, body type, position, and relationship goals, and travel features let users connect before a trip.
The trade-offs are focus and verification. Grindr leans toward casual connections, so users seeking long-term relationships may need patience and clear profiles. Some profiles lack verification, and the free tier shows ads. Even so, Grindr suits queer men who want the largest nearby pool and fast, location-based matching, with safety habits such as public first meetings and profile checks.
What we like- Largest user base for queer men
- Location-based grid
- Fast matching nearby
Watch out for- Hookup focus may not suit daters
- Some profiles lack verification
- Ads on free tier
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
HER is the leading dating and community app for queer women, nonbinary, and trans users, with profiles, likes, community groups, and events alongside dating. Its identity-inclusive design lets users state pronouns, orientations, and relationship goals clearly, which helps people find compatible matches without awkward explanations. Community features cover local events and interest groups, not only one-to-one dating.
The limits are scale and coverage. HER's user base is smaller than Grindr, and some smaller cities have thin coverage, so matches may take longer. Full filters need a premium plan. Even so, HER suits queer women, nonbinary, and trans users who want a community-focused app built for them rather than adapted from a mainstream platform.
What we like- Built for queer women, nonbinary, and trans users
- Community events and groups
- Identity-inclusive profiles
Watch out for- Smaller user base than Grindr
- Some cities have thin coverage
- Premium needed for full filters
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Taimi is an LGBTQ dating and social app with broad gender and orientation options, verification tools, and video and livestream features alongside matching. It suits users across the LGBTQ spectrum who want one inclusive space rather than a niche app, and its safety tools include profile verification, blocking, and reporting. Video profiles and livestreams help users gauge personality before meeting.
The trade-offs are scale and polish. Taimi's user base is smaller than Tinder or Grindr, premium plans add full filters and features, and the interface packs in many features that can feel busy. Even so, Taimi suits LGBTQ users who want an inclusive app with verification and video features in one place.
What we like- Broad gender and orientation options
- Verification and safety tools
- Video and livestream features
Watch out for- Smaller base than Tinder or Grindr
- Premium needed for full features
- Interface is busy
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Scruff is a dating and social app for gay, bi, trans, and queer men, with a global user base and a community feel that covers dating, friendship, events, and travel. Its travel features let users connect in destination cities before a trip, and event listings help users find local LGBTQ gatherings. The app has a loyal following among men who want community as well as dating.
The limits are focus and polish. Scruff leans toward casual and social connections, some features need a premium plan, and the interface feels dated in places. Even so, Scruff suits gay and bi men who want a global community app with travel and event features alongside dating.
What we like- Strong community for gay and bi men
- Travel and event features
- Global user base
Watch out for- Hookup and social focus
- Some features need premium
- Interface is dated in places
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Lex is a queer dating and community app built around text-based personal ads rather than photo-first swiping, inspired by old newspaper personals. Users post about who they are and what they want, and others reply to the words rather than the photos, which suits people who value personality and writing over looks-first matching. The community is creative, personal, and distinctly queer in tone.
The trade-offs are scale and format. Lex has a smaller user base than mainstream apps, the text format is not for everyone, and coverage is best in larger cities. Even so, Lex suits queer users who want a slower, words-first way to meet people and who enjoy the personal ad format.
What we like- Text-first, photo-optional approach
- Queer community focus
- Creative and personal ads
Watch out for- Smaller user base
- Text format is not for everyone
- Coverage is best in larger cities
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Hinge is a mainstream dating app designed for relationships, with prompt-based profiles that let users answer questions, share photos with captions, and like specific prompts rather than swiping on photos alone. Its LGBTQ options cover a range of orientations and gender identities, and it suits queer users who want a relationship-focused app with a large general pool. The design encourages conversation from the first like.
The limits are focus and pool. Hinge is not queer-specific, so the queer pool is smaller than Grindr or HER in many cities, and unlimited likes need a premium plan. Even so, Hinge suits queer users who want a relationship-focused app and are happy to filter a mainstream pool for compatible matches.
What we like- Designed for relationships
- Prompt-based profiles
- Good LGBTQ options
Watch out for- Not queer-specific
- Smaller queer pool than Grindr or HER
- Premium needed for unlimited likes
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Tinder has the largest dating user base in the world, with simple swiping, LGBTQ orientation and gender options, and Passport travel features for connecting in other cities. Its scale means queer users in most cities will find matches, and the interface is fast and familiar. Tinder suits users who want the biggest pool and are comfortable filtering for compatible matches.
The trade-offs are focus and cost. Tinder is not queer-specific and carries a hookup reputation that may not suit relationship seekers, and full features such as unlimited likes and Passport need paid tiers. Even so, Tinder suits queer users who prioritize pool size and speed over a niche community feel.
What we like- Largest dating user base overall
- Simple swiping
- LGBTQ options and Passport travel
Watch out for- Not queer-specific
- Hookup reputation
- Premium needed for full features
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Bumble is a dating app where women send the first message in heterosexual matches, while same-sex matches let either person message first, which changes the dynamic for queer users too. Its verification, blocking, and reporting tools are strong, and Bumble also offers friend-finding and networking modes. The design suits users who want more control over who contacts them.
The limits are pool and pace. The queer pool is smaller than Grindr or HER, the 24-hour reply window can pressure users, and full features need a premium plan. Even so, Bumble suits queer users who want verification, safety tools, and a women-first approach to first contact.
What we like- Women send the first message in matches
- Good safety and verification tools
- Dating plus friends and networking
Watch out for- Queer pool is smaller than niche apps
- 24-hour reply window pressures users
- Premium needed for full features
How we chose
We compared queer dating apps on user base, identity options, safety features, community tools, and pricing, favoring apps with real LGBTQ user bases and verification, reporting, and blocking tools. We excluded apps without LGBTQ options and apps with poor safety records. Prices mix free tiers and paid subscriptions, so we wrote See website where a vendor does not publish a clear starting price, and most apps here are free to join.
Buying guide
Start by deciding who you want to meet and what kind of connection you want, since niche apps such as Grindr and HER serve specific communities better than mainstream pools. Next, check coverage in your city, since even a great app is useless without local users. Try the free tier for two weeks before paying, and judge match quality rather than match count.
Then put safety first. Meet in public places, verify profiles before meeting, use in-app reporting and blocking for bad behavior, and tell a friend where you are going and when you expect to be back. Be careful with location sharing and photos, since queer users face different risks in different places, and use the app's privacy settings to control who sees your profile and location.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best queer dating app?
Grindr leads for queer men by user base, while HER leads for queer women, nonbinary, and trans users. Taimi suits users who want one inclusive app, and Lex suits users who prefer text-first, photo-optional dating.
Are queer dating apps safe?
They can be, with care. Meet in public, verify profiles, use reporting and blocking, share plans with a friend, and control location and photo privacy. Risks vary by place, so adjust caution to your local context.
Do I need to pay for a queer dating app?
No for basic use, since most apps are free to join and match. Paid tiers add unlimited likes, advanced filters, and travel features, but they are optional for most users.
Which app is best for queer women?
HER is built for queer women, nonbinary, and trans users, with community groups and events alongside dating. Taimi and Lex also serve queer women with inclusive options.
Can I use mainstream apps for queer dating?
Yes. Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble all offer LGBTQ options and large pools, but niche apps such as Grindr and HER usually give a larger queer pool and a more tailored experience.
Sources we checked (0)
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.