Yahoo News 13 Dating Apps That Can Help You Find Your Soul Mate
If you've been on any one app long enough (and, uh, who hasn't at this point?), you may have experienced the particularly effed-up déjà vu of seeing someone you've already swiped on reappear in your feed. It's bound to happen-even in the biggest city, there are only so many available people that suit your app parameters and preferences.
Which is why it's a good thing you have options. With each different dating app platform comes, at the very least, a slightly different population of fish in the sea. It's also just generally good for your dating feng shui to try out different apps.
Here are 13 non-Tinder dating apps to add to your rotation. Just maybe not all at once.
1. Bumble
Created by Whitney Wolfe, one of the Tinder co-founders, Bumble's shtick is that (in heterosexual matches), only women can start a conversation within 24 hours of matching with someone. Her match then has 24 hours to respond before the connection is lost.
Hookups or relationships?: Both.
What's great about it: If you're a woman who feels anxious about sending the first message, Bumble eliminates alllll of that fear.
What you might not like: Bumble has been criticized for a lack of diversity among its users.
Available for iPhone and Android
2. OkCupid
More than a dozen years old, OkCupid is a veteran in the online dating space-like, this site existed before dating apps were even conceived of. Users can answer questions and rank how important compatible answers are among potential matches, allowing you to get as specific (or generic) as you want.
Hookups or relationships?: Both.
What's great about it: OkCupid allows you to get super specific and create a dating app space that works for you. Users can choose from a list of genders, sexual preferences, and designate exactly what kind of relationship they're looking for.
What you might not like: While matches exist on the app, anyone can message anyone, regardless of match status. So you may be bombarded with a bunch of random messages.
Available for iPhone and Android
3. Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel capitalizes on the slow dating trend by limiting the number of matches you get each day. Users are given one match every day at noon (a "bagel," get it?) and then they have one day to match or decline.
Hookups or relationships?: Relationships.
What's great about it: By introducing only one match per day, Coffee Meets Bagel forces you to date more intentionally. There's no swiping here.
What you might not like: At the same time, slowing things down this much might make you restless. If you're looking to find a hookup for this weekend, Coffee Meets Bagel probably isn't for you.
Available on iPhone and Android
4. Her
If you dream of a dating app with zero men, congrats! It exists. Her is made especially for women on all stops of the sexuality spectrum, and the app lets users name their gender identity and sexuality and filter users based on sexuality as well. Use Her to meet friends, find hookups, find a wife-whatever. Just don't expect to use it to find men.
Hookups or relationships?: Both.
What's great about it: Her is a dating app for that's well-catered to LGBTQ+ women. Users who aren't looking to date can also use it to find meet-ups and queer-centered events in their local city, which is ideal if you're not totally into app dating.
What you might not like: A lot of the app is blocked off unless you're a premium user, so if you're not willing to pay $10 to 15 per month, you're stuck with the free version.
Available on iPhone and Android
5. Hinge
In a very intentional move to be Not Tinder, Hinge did away with swiping and rebranded as "the relationship app." So this is decidedly not a hookup app. Profiles are based around answers to a few questions generated by the app, and you can get attention by Liking or commenting on various aspects of a person's profile. Like Facebook, but inherently flirty.
Hookups or relationships?: Probably relationships, but Hinge hookups definitely still happen.
What's great about it: Hinge is doing a lot to stay on the cutting edge, including the recent launch of an anti-ghosting feature that's designed to remind a match to continue the conversation (or in other words, a not-so-gentle nudge to remind them you exist).
What you might not like: People just looking for a hookup are better off on a different, less complex app. And if you plan to ghost, date elsewhere.
Available on iPhone and Android
6. Ship
Sick of doing your own swiping and wish an assistant could do it for you? Same, but none of us are rich enough for that (just assuming), and so Ship, a new-ish dating app from the Betches crew, does the next best thing: let your coupled-up friends find matches for you. The app lets single users invite their non-single friends to join, and then all of you are in a group chat where you can discuss intriguing profiles and swipe together.
Hookups or relationships?: Both, depending on how raunchy your friends are.
What's great about it: Ship eliminates your friends hating the next partner you introduce them to, because they've already met them (and helped you choose them) in the app.
What you might not like: If you're super private about your dating life (fair) or you have friends with wildly different taste in partners than yours, maybe keep this option off your phone. Also, this is only available on iPhone-so green-text-bubble-people, you're outta luck.
Available on iPhone
7. Zoe
Made exclusively for queer women, Zoe is a super-simple, Tinder-esque app, just minus the horny dudes and couples hitting you up for threesomes.
Hookups or relationships?: Both
What's great about it: Zoe is gimmick free-it's just good ol' fashioned swiping and messaging.
What you might not like: If you want super detailed profile info, like you get on Hinge or Her, you may not find it here.
Available on iPhone and Android
8. Raya
You've probably heard it whispered about among your minor celeb (or social climber) friends: Raya is an "exclusive" app meant to keep semi-famous people out of the riffraff on dating apps for Normals. That exclusivity basically just means all users are vetted through an application process with a waiting list (unless you're like, Bradley Cooper-oops, too soon?). If you're lucky enough to know someone already on the app, they can refer you to expedite your waiting process. If not, best of luck!
Hookups or relationships?: Hookups (with hot people)
What's great about it: If you love the idea of making out with minor celebs or hate the idea of ever kissing a regular person again, get ye to Raya.
What you might not like: Yeah, Raya is "for celebs," but if you're thinking this is your key to meeting Chris Martin, you might be out luck. Some famouses are on here, but not, like, mega famous Hollywood people. They either don't need apps or are on one we mortals have never heard about.
Available on iPhone and Android
9. Happn
Ever been out in public somewhere, seen a cutie, been so paralyzed with nerves you can't physically walk up and say hello, and then gone home and feverishly tried to find said cutie online? Happn is for you. The deal here is to introduce you to people you've "crossed paths with"-the app is location-based. Every time you pass by another Happn user, their profile shows up on your feed.
Hookups or relationships?: Both.
What's great about it: Happn makes it easier to meet people you may have never noticed, but should have. Also, you probably have a few things in common with someone who frequents the same places as you.
What you might not like: Even though Happn doesn't reveal your address or anything crazy like that, there's sort of a creepiness factor to seeing all the faces you crossed paths with in a day.
Available on iPhone and Android
10. Badoo
Particularly popular for its high international user base, Badoo originally started as a dating-based social networking site that's now pretty strictly a dating app. Available in more than 190 countries, you can find matches based on who's near you, search for partners in other countries, or simply swipe like you would on Tinder.
Hookups or relationships?: Both, but this does make a good tool for facilitating international hookups.
What's great about it: You can match with people from all over the world. So if you've got a big international trip planned, get ahead of the game and meet (cute) tour guides before you even take off. Also, like Hinge, Badoo has an anti-ghosting feature. Boo!
What you might not like: This app has a lot of features. If you're more into straight swipe-based apps that only want to be seen people near you, Badoo may be overwhelming.
Available on iPhone and Android
11. Wingman
Want a matchmaker but can't afford one? Try Wingman instead. This app lets your friends find matches for you. So, they can sign up as a wingman, then create a profile for you (or vice versa).
Hookups or relationships?: Relationships, unless you really want your friends finding your next fuck buddy for you.
What's great about it: If your friends are constantly doing your swiping for you at dinner anyway, Wingman makes it easier (you don't even have to be sitting next to each other IRL for them to be your online matchmaker). Also, what a great test of friendship: If your BFF can't successfully set you up, who can?
What you might not like: This is a fast way to learn how much your friends really know about you, so take that risk for what it is. Control freaks also may not be fans of handing all the power in their love lives over to someone else.
Available on iPhone and Android
12. Feeld
Geared toward "open-minded couples and singles," Feeld is commonly thought of as the threesome app. But actually, its list of gender identities and super-specific sexuality options make this a great app for finding exactly the sort of relationship you're into.
Hookups or relationships? Hookups, or maybe a long-term poly or threesome situation.
What's great about it: This is maybe the best low-key hookup app. Users can designate desires and interests on their profiles to maximize compatibility. So if, say, you're a single person who's toying around with hooking up with a couple, Feeld is for you.
What you might not like: If you're looking for a long-term, monogamous relationship, you're probably better served by another app.
Available on iPhone and Android
13. Once
Created in France, Once is a slow dating app that only shows users one potential match per day. The idea is that people spend wayyyy too much time on dating apps, and everyone should be swiping smarter, not more.
Hookups or relationships?: Relationships.
What's great about it: People who are dying to break the bad habit of mindlessly swiping on the couch will love Once-you literally can't waste time swiping, because there are no swipes to be had.
What you might not like: This definitely isn't for the chronically impatient or for people who are guilty of sending out mass Tinder messages in the hopes of findings a hookup, stat.
Available on iPhone and Android
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