In this article, we talk about the 21 best dating apps of 2023. If you want to see the top apps in this selection, check out 5 Best Dating Apps of 2023.
The online dating industry has seen significant growth in recent years and continues to evolve with new technologies and trends. Some of the current and emerging trends in online dating include mobile dating, video dating, virtual events and experiences, niche dating, and greater inclusivity and diversity.
For example, Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH)’s dating app, Hinge, is introducing a new premium subscription option that could cost up to $60 per month, betting that its rapidly expanding user base of Gen-Z individuals will view it as a valuable investment. The new offering aims to provide its “highly motivated daters” with improved features to increase their visibility. With this subscription, the profiles that users “like” will be seen more quickly by other users, and the app will provide better recommendations of profiles that Hinge believes the user will be most interested in. Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) is also exploring the possibility of offering a premium version of Tinder that would cost around $500 a month and is gauging user interest by allowing them to join a waitlist in case the version becomes available. Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) is optimistic that users of its other dating apps, such as Tinder and Hinge, will be willing to pay for premium features, following the success of its exclusive dating app, The League. The League allows subscribers to pay close to $1,000 for a week of its most advanced features. This has given Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) confidence in testing user interest for a version of Tinder that would be priced at around $500 per month.
However, JPMorgan’s estimate suggests that a small percentage of The League’s users pay for a subscription. According to the estimate, more than 11 million people are paying for Tinder in some form and about 15% of its subscribers are paying for its highest priced subscription tier which costs approximately $30 per month. If even 1% of Tinder’s highest paying subscribers were to convert to the new ultra-premium tier, it could potentially result in an incremental annual revenue of around $100 million.
Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) recently announced its first quarter revenue projections and they fell short of expectations. The revenue is expected to be between $790 million to $800 million, which is lower than the estimated $816 million. As a result of the missed revenue estimate, Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) plans to decrease its global workforce by 8% in order to reduce costs.
In addition to Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH), some popular dating stocks to watch include Bumble Inc. (NASDAQ:BMBL), Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND), and Spark Networks SE (NASDAQ:LOV).
Our Methodology
We delved deep into the dating industry and selected the top consensus picks for the best dating apps of 2023 from sources like PCMag, CNET, and Reddit. The apps are ranked according to their general popularity among users.
Source: AdobeStock
Best Dating Apps of 2023
21. Feeld
Feeld is a sex-positive dating app for iOS and Android that enables people who have an interest in alternative relationship styles and sexual preferences to communicate with each other based on their location. Feeld aims to enhance the human experience of sexuality and relationships.
20. Christian Mingle, JSwipe, & Muzz
Christian Mingle, JSwipe, & Muzz are dating apps for religiously inclined individuals. Christian Mingle is a dating app designed specifically for Christians who are looking for love and companionship. The platform provides an opportunity for Christian singles to connect with each other based on shared faith and values. Similarly, JSwipe is an online dating application targeted at Jewish singles, and Muzz is a Muslim dating app that promotes marriage rather than casual dating.
19. The League
The League is a social and dating app that was introduced in 2015 and can be used on both iOS and Android devices globally in multiple cities. In 2022, it was bought by Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH) for an undisclosed amount. Individuals link their LinkedIn and Facebook accounts and then set their preferences for potential matches. These preferences include factors such as gender, age, height, proximity, educational background, religion, and ethnicity.
In addition to Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH), investors can monitor stocks like Bumble Inc. (NASDAQ:BMBL), Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND), and Spark Networks SE (NASDAQ:LOV) to benefit from the lucrative dating industry.
18. Lex
Lex is a free social and community app designed to provide a welcoming, fair, and easily accessible platform for LGBTQ+ individuals. With Lex, you can meet new friends, chat with potential partners, and locate LGBTQ+ events in your area. Lex follows a text-based format that is reminiscent of traditional newspaper personal ads, allowing users to post a description of themselves and what they are seeking. The app places minimal emphasis on photos, focusing instead on fostering casual connections with others.
17. Clover
Clover is a dating app that can be accessed through either a Facebook account or email address. It can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices. Individuals can choose to enable or disable their GPS location and view other users’ profiles without being detected. Communication on the app includes the ability to like each other, exchange text and multimedia messages, send gifts, request dates with the “On Demand Dating” option, or create chat groups or group events using the “Mixers” feature. The app also allows users to dislike others, which removes them from future search results.
16. Badoo
Badoo is a social network that primarily focuses on dating, created by Russian business person Andrey Andreev in 2006. It operates in 190 countries and offers support in 47 languages, making it the most widely used dating network globally. The app can be used on iOS, Android, and the web. Badoo operates on a freemium model, allowing users to utilize its core services without any charges. Badoo boasts over 370 million users and places a strong emphasis on verifying the authenticity of its users to avoid “catfish” scams. Verification is achieved through uploading photos, linking to social media accounts, and phone verification.
15. SwoonMe
The SwoonMe app replaces photos with avatars by converting the uploaded picture into a cartoon representation of the user. On the app, one searches for a potential partner by listening to short audio recordings. If the sound appeals to users, they can further communicate through audio messages and eventually reveal their real photo.
14. Happn
Happn is a dating app that utilizes users’ location to show profiles of other users they’ve come across. You can like or dislike users, and if two people like each other, they can chat. The app also has paid features, such as the ability to send a “Say Hi” notification to a profile and see who has liked you.
13. Kippo
Kippo aims to draw in online gamers seeking social interaction. With the app, users can personalize their profile by showcasing their interests and unique qualities. The app then matches profiles with other users based on shared preferences for games.
12. Snack
Snack is a dating app that combines features of TikTok with a dating platform. Instead of text-based profiles, users create short videos to showcase themselves. The app allows users to browse through these videos to find potential matches and favorite ones they are interested in. If two users both like each other’s videos, they can send direct messages to each other. Snack primarily targets a younger audience under 30.
11. BLK
BLK is a dating and lifestyle app designed for individuals who identify as Black and who shape their communities. The app has a simple setup process, including photo verification, making it easy to use. It provides a straightforward approach to matching, helping singles search for meaningful connections and friendships.
10. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish (POF) is a free dating app with a large user base, boasting over 70 million members worldwide. It allows users to easily message other users without many barriers, and offers suggestions for improving messages. The app also has a live streaming feature, allowing users to stream to their dates or the entire POF community.
Plenty of Fish is owned by Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCH), and its competitors are owned and managed by firms like Bumble Inc. (NASDAQ:BMBL), Grindr Inc. (NYSE:GRND), and Spark Networks SE (NASDAQ:LOV).
9. Her
Her is a dating and social networking app geared towards lesbian, bisexual, and queer individuals. Users can sign up using their Facebook or Instagram accounts and view a stream of activities from other verified Her users, both locally and globally. The app allows users to like photos of others and if both parties show interest, it connects them for chatting. In addition to facilitating romantic connections, Her also offers social features, news and information about LGBTQ issues, events, questions, and more.
8. Grindr
Grindr is a dating app designed for gay and bisexual men to connect with like-minded individuals in their vicinity. Setting up a profile is quick and straightforward, requiring a profile picture, username, and a few basic questions. Users also select a “Tribe” that represents their type. With this minimal setup, users can immediately start finding other users and chatting with them. The app has a strong focus on casual hookups, matching users with profiles in close proximity to their location.
7. Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel is a dating and social networking service based in San Francisco. It operates differently from many popular dating apps, with a focus on quality over quantity. Every day at noon, the app sends men a curated list of potential matches based on their profile and preferences. Women, in turn, receive matches who have shown interest in them and have the option to reciprocate the interest. If both parties are mutually attracted, the app facilitates a 7-day chat window with an icebreaker.
6. eHarmony
eHarmony is a Los Angeles-based online dating app established in 2000. It is one of the pioneers of online dating, being the first to use an algorithmic system for matchmaking. After creating an account, users complete a “Relationship Questionnaire” to generate a personality profile. This profile is then used to match users with other individuals that eHarmony believes they will have a connection with. The app presents a daily selection of compatible matches and gives users the option to connect if there is mutual interest.
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Disclosure: None. 21 Best Dating Apps of 2023 is originally published on Insider Monkey.