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Best Dating Apps for 2026

Swipe into the best dating apps chosen by experts for love, fun, and real matches.

Swipe into the best dating apps chosen by experts for love, fun, and real matches.

Emma Wilson

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•

Editor:

•Updated:

In need of a dating app? Our experts have researched numerous options and have narrowed down a list of the top 10 best dating apps for 2026. Below are our in-depth reviews that will take you through the membership options, user information, and success stories of each online dating app, all of which are 100% free to try.

Disclosure: When you sign up through links, we often earn referral fees from partners. See our and .
Match

Best for a Large Dating Pool

Match has been at this since 1995, so its dating pool is deep enough that you'll still have new profiles next month.

Visit Site »Our Review »
OurTime

Best for Daters Over 50

OurTime puts singles over 50 in an app of their own, without the noise of a general-audience dating pool.

Visit Site »Our Review »
eharmony

Best for Marriage-Minded

eharmony is behind 4% of U.S. marriages, thanks to a questionnaire that sorts for compatibility before you ever swipe.

Visit Site »Our Review »
1.

Match.com

MatchMatch.com

Available on: iOS, Android

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  • Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
  • Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
  • About the App: Match is built for browsing rather than swiping. You can search by location, age, and interest, then take your time reading profiles before reaching out. The app is free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
  • Browse Free:View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
App Cost
All Singles
55%45%
14.6 Million
Free Download
User Base
All Singles
Gender Ratio
55% /45%
Popularity
14.6 Million
Visit Site »
2.

OurTime

OurTimeOurTime

Available on: iOS, Android

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  • Relationships: Dating and Relationships
  • Match System: Search by age as well as zip, gender, more
  • About the App: Made just for single seniors, OurTime is one of the most well-known niche dating apps. It’s a fun and straightforward app with simple swiping features. Once two people swipe right on each other, they can communicate. For more match options, visit the ConnectMe and I’m Interested pages.
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
App Cost
Mature Singles (50+)
48%52%
1.4 Million
Free Download
User Base
Mature Singles (50+)
Gender Ratio
48% /52%
Popularity
1.4 Million
Visit Site »
3.

eharmony

eharmonyeharmony

Available on: iOS, Android

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  • Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
  • Match System: Get daily match suggestions
  • About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It’s absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
App Cost
Straight Singles
48%52%
4.1 Million
Free Download
User Base
Straight Singles
Gender Ratio
48% /52%
Popularity
4.1 Million
Visit Site »
4.

Dating.com

Dating.comDating.com

Available on: iOS, Android

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  • Relationships: New friends, dates, relationships
  • Match System: Sort profiles by ZIP code, appearance, more
  • About the App: The Dating.com app integrates online messaging, voicemail, and video chat into one easy-to-use interface. The dashboard is packed with profiles that highlight a person’s lifestyle and values. The app has seen over 10 million downloads and is rapidly growing its foothold worldwide.
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
App Cost
All Singles
67%33%
2.3 Million
Free Download
User Base
All Singles
Gender Ratio
67% /33%
Popularity
2.3 Million
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5.

Hily

HilyHily

Available on: iOS, Android

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  • Relationships: Friends, Dates, Relationships
  • Match System: Swiping, compatibility matching, search filters
  • About the App: Hily is a dynamic dating app made for making real connections real fast. The app takes swiping to another level with personality profiles, verification badges, proactive moderation, and icebreaker messages suggestions. Since 2017, Hily has seen over 43 million downloads worldwide, and over 70% of its current membership is under 30. Chatting with matches is free, so it doesn’t take much to get your flirt on.
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
App Cost
All Singles
62%38%
900,000
Free Download
User Base
All Singles
Gender Ratio
62% /38%
Popularity
900,000
Visit Site »
6.

NaughtyCharm

NaughtyCharmNaughtyCharm

Available on: iOS, Android

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  • Relationships: Casual Encounters
  • Match System: Sort profiles by ZIP code, appearance, more
  • About the App: On NaughtyCharm, everyone is interested in finding sexual encounters with no strings attached. Within a couple of minutes, you can get a profile up for $0. Free membership includes unlimited photos, browsing, and reading chats. NaughtyCharm also has an anti-fraud system to ensure your personal information stays private while you flirt online.
  • Browse Free:View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
App Cost
All Singles
60%40%
12.1 Million
Free Download
User Base
All Singles
Gender Ratio
60% /40%
Popularity
12.1 Million
Visit Site »

Review Summary

If you're having trouble deciding which dating app of 2026 is the best for you, don't worry. We've created a summary table that you can quickly scan for the most important pieces of information -- including popularity and gender ratio. We've tested every aspect of these apps, so give our reviews some thought before making your final choice!

Here are 2026's best dating apps:

Rank#Dating AppMonthly VisitorsGender RatioExpert Rating
1Match.com14.6 Million*M: 55%*F: 45%*
2OurTime1.4 Million*M: 48%*F: 52%*
3eharmony4.1 Million*M: 48%*F: 52%*
4Dating.com2.3 Million*M: 67%*F: 33%*
5Hily900,000*M: 62%*F: 38%*
6NaughtyCharm12.1 Million*M: 60%*F: 40%*

About The Author

Emma Wilson
Emma WilsonEditor-in-Chief

Emma Wilson is the Editor-in-Chief at thecandiddate.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being 'boy crazy,' but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. Emma brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to thecandiddate.com.

•See Emma’s full bio»

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