Love – beautiful and intoxicating, heartbreaking and soul-crushing, often all at the same time. Why do we choose to put ourselves through this emotional storm? Does love make our life meaningful? Or is it an escape from our loneliness and suffering? Or a trick of biology to make us procreate? Is it all we need? Do we need it at all?
“Love makes us whole again.” Quotes Plato exploring the idea that we love in order to become complete. In his book “The Symposium,” he wrote about a dinner party at which Aristophanes (a comic Playwright) entertains the guests with a story.
A story about how humans had four arms, four legs, and two faces. Once, they angered the gods, and Zeus sliced them into two. Since then, humans have been missing the rest-half of themselves, and love is nothing but the longing to find that other half.
However, this process of longing and searching is now at our fingertips, thanks to the Internet and the world of “Best Dating Apps.”
“In the age of the Internet, love is a whole new game to play.
Swipe left, swipe right, who knows, what might you find today.”
However, there is more to it than just swiping. These dating apps might even help you find a relationship that can turn into a marriage down the line or a casual dinner date with someone you vibe. Whatever your longing is, the best dating apps can help you find your perfect match.
Table of Contents
In the ocean of love, dating apps are the tools to swim around and look for the perfect fish for ourselves. Let us dive straight into this ocean of best dating apps, starting with the Table of Love.
1. Table of Best Dating Apps 2024
| Bumble | Best app for bold women |
| Tinder | Best dating app for casual chat and hookups |
| OkCupid | Great for those on a budget |
| eHarmony | Perfect for marriage seekers |
| Hinge | Best dating app for relationship seekers |
| Coffee Meets Bagel | Best dating app for conversations |
| Happn | Preferable for local dating |
| Her | Best for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women |
| Plenty of Fish | Best dating app for conversations |
| Match | Great for someone with money to spend |
2. How do these Best Dating Sites work?
Forget the endless swiping nights at the bar. These platforms cater to our fast-paced, internet-fueled world.
Think of it like a virtual matchmaker, but way cooler and probably less judgmental. Signing up involves creating a profile and diving into a personality quiz that spills the beans on what makes your heart skip a beat (or two). From education and hobbies to values and future goals, these best dating sites use this info to find your perfect match, like a dating superhero with a secret algorithm.
3. Can we really fall in Love with someone online?
Studies show couples who meet online might actually be more compatible. Online profiles go beyond physical attraction, diving into values, goals, and that quirky cat obsession you just have to share. It’s like a compatibility test on steroids, weeding out the duds before you even grab a coffee.
Sure, some might scoff at the idea of finding love through an app. However, 3 out of 10 Americans have given it a shot, and 12% have found lasting love this way. These Best Dating apps encourage thoughtful profiles and attract folks ready to settle down and also the ones looking for a fling. So ditch the doubts and embrace the algorithm of love — who knows how it might surprise you?
4. List of Best Dating Apps for 2024
1. Bumble: Best app for bold women
Bumble empowers women to make the first move, weeding out passive matches and creating a space for more intentional connections.
- Monthly subscription cost: $40
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Allows women more control
- Offers Bumble BFF, making it easier to meet friends
- Allows users to specify their interests and dating goals
Cons:
- Matches expire in one day
- Only the woman can make the first move, making it harder for those more shy
2. Tinder: One of the best dating apps for casual chat and hookups
A juggernaut in the dating app world, Tinder is known for its casual swiping interface and can be a good option for finding casual encounters.
- Monthly subscription cost: $10
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Matches don’t expire
- You can add your interests and add your Spotify to your profile
Cons:
- You need to pay to unlock your top potential matches
- It’s not as easy to show your personality
3. OkCupid: Great for those on a budget
Completely free to use, OkCupid offers a wide range of features and a diverse user base, making it a budget-friendly option for finding potential matches.
- Monthly subscription cost: $16
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Queer-friendly and inclusive
- Fun personality quizzes
Cons:
- Must answer a lot of questions
- Some users complain of fake profiles
4. eHarmony: Perfect for marriage seekers
Known for its compatibility matching system and focus on serious relationships, eHarmony is one of the best dating apps and a great choice for those looking for a lifelong partner.
- Monthly subscription cost: $36 for Premium Extra
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Very thorough matching process
- High success rate overall
Cons:
- The free version is very limited
- Membership is pricey
5. Hinge: Best dating app for relationship seekers
With a reputation for promoting quality connections, Hinge prides itself on being “designed to be deleted,” – implying users eventually find a lasting relationship and no longer need the app.
- Monthly subscription cost: $30
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Prompts allow your profile to show your personality
- Good for those not totally sure what they want
- You can see who liked your profile
Cons:
- A limited number of likes you have per day
- You have to pay extra for your top potential matches
- You have to add three prompts
6. Coffee Meets Bagel: One of the best dating apps for conversations-
CMB focuses on quality matches and sends users a curated daily selection, enabling more meaningful conversations.
- Monthly subscription cost: $35
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Counteract the endless swiping of dating apps
- Help users find a long-term match.
Cons:
- Eliminates endless swiping
- Match compatibility isn’t as good as other platforms.
7. Happn: Best dating app for local dating-
Happn shows you profiles of people you’ve physically crossed paths with, making it a good option for sparking connections based on proximity.
- Monthly subscription cost: $20
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Can create a profile from Facebook
- Can share songs and playlists
- Connects you with people you frequent the same places as
Cons:
- Limited information on matches
- Limited users outside of large cities
8. Her: Best dating app for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women-
Specifically designed for LGBTQ+ women, “Her” provides a safe and inclusive space for forming connections. Hence, this app has the potential to be on the list of the best dating apps in 2024.
- Monthly subscription cost: $15
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Allows users to identify themselves with pride pins and self-describe or skip a label.
- Works to remove fake profiles and people from the app.
- Users can search for potential matches based on location.
Cons:
- Cis Men (cisgender) are not encouraged to use the app.
- Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the current period ends.
- The app is for users 18 years of age and older.
9. Plenty of Fish: Best dating app for conversations-
Plenty of Fish is the ultimate free-for-all, attracting a vast user base with a casual, “come-as-you-are” vibe. Think of it as a giant online mixer – perfect if you’re open to exploring various connections and letting sparks fly organically.
- Monthly subscription cost: $20
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Free messaging and profile photos
- Prompts for quality messages
- Large dating pool
Cons:
- Can’t link outside accounts
- Limited dating algorithms
- Lack of social media integration
10. Match: Great for someone with money to spend-
Known for its focus on professionals seeking serious relationships, Match offers a more refined experience. Consider it the online version of a high-end matchmaking service minus the hefty price tag.
- Monthly subscription cost: $20
- Download from: Android, iOS
- Free version available
Pros:
- Personalized match recommendations
- Excellent filtering tool
- Features that specifically target longer relationships
Cons:
- No guarantee of finding the right match
- Low number of registered female members
- Canceling a subscription or turning off the auto-renewal of a premium membership can be difficult
5. Benefits of Best Dating Apps
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue.
Forget cheesy lines, there’s a better way for you.
Aren’t we all tired of these same old cliché pickup lines? Here’s why online dating crushes traditional methods:
- Wider Net: Online dating connects you with a vast pool of compatible singles.
- X-Ray Vision (Almost): Profiles reveal values, hobbies, and even their stance on pineapple on pizza.
- Time = Love: Dating apps save time by focusing on those seeking serious connections.
- Love on Demand: Browse profiles and connect 24/7 from anywhere (because love waits for no one).
6. What to Look for and How to Choose the Best Dating Apps?
Online dating puts the power of love in your pocket (literally). But with countless apps out there, how do you find “the one”? Here’s a cheat sheet:
Remember, the best dating app is the one that brings you closer to finding your perfect match. So, explore, experiment, and have fun on your digital journey to love!
Conclusion
The sad reality of the Internet is that it has made us Lonely. No matter what Application we use or for what purpose (ship,) all we want to be is a little less lonely. And how do we do that? — Real human connections. A connection to share the misery, fear, love, and joy, not through online comments but through human contact.
Maybe Plato was wrong to say we seek love to be whole again. Maybe we do it to feel a little less alone, and these best dating apps are mere tools to form that human connection.
However, up to what extent should we integrate our lives with this digitally falling-in-love approach? — Remains a puzzle.
After all, the future of online relationships will be shaped by our ability to balance the convenience of the digital world with the depth of human connection.
