The Top 30 Best Dating Apps of 2019

Man using his smartphone to try out a dating app

Looking for dating apps for long-term relationships? Or want something fun and flirty? Prefer paid apps? Or want to start with a free dating app? Our review of 2019’s best dating apps in the UK will help you find the app (or apps!) best suited to your needs, no matter what style of dating you prefer. 2019 is the year of dating apps – and these are the best of the best.

In the Millennial and Gen X mindset there often comes the ‘power of indecision’. There are so many choices nowadays that people feel paralysed about which choice to make because, well, what if it’s wrong! We research ‘the best…’ before committing to anything nowadays, which is why picking a dating app can be such a tricky situation. Should you go for a new dating app? A really popular one? A paid or a free dating app? Phew, there’s so much to think about.

Before we get into our top picks for online dating apps in 2019, let’s all take a calming breath. Remember, you aren’t committing to anything by picking a dating app. You can try it out, see how you feel, and think about keeping it later. Also, you can have more than one dating app downloaded! Yes, if you like to mix it up and have a bit of variety then most people aren’t exclusive to their apps, so feel free. Now we’re all feeling a bit more decisive and confident about our love life, let’s take a look at some of the best dating apps currently on the market!

The Best Free and Social Dating Apps

1.Tinder
One of the best-known dating apps around. Tinder allows users to ‘swipe right’ on images of users if they’re interested in them and ‘swipe left’ if they’re not. It uses a minimal interface and bases its matches on location to the user.

2. Hinge
Hinge hinges on (sorry) the fact that you have a Facebook account. Simply put, this dating app finds matches for you that already exist in your wider social network. So, anyone you chat to won’t be a stranger in the strictest sense. A good feature for women who might feel apprehensive about joining a dating app for the first time.

3. Bumble
Another dating app designed with women in mind. Bumble is one of the more popular dating apps among women due to its feature that only allows women to message first. A good choice for anybody looking to make the first move!

4. Coffee Meets Bagel
Like punctuality? Then Coffee Meets Bagel might be the dating app for you. Every day at 12pm you’re sent ‘bagels’ — potential matches — and encouraged to start chatting with one of their personalised ice-breakers. Recommended as a good dating app for those who don’t want to be left on ‘read’.

5. Hily
Hily is a relatively new dating app and uses technology to match users better. Using swiping functions, likes, messages and the ability to create stories, the intelligent app learns more about you, giving you better match suggestions in the future.

6. Clover
Clover mixes and matches some interesting app features to create something unique. A pinch of traditional swiping, mixed with instant chat options, and top it all off with social mixers with no dating pressure and you’re got Clover.

7. Facebook Dating
So far Facebook’s much-awaited dating app aptly called ‘Dating’ has been very hush-hush. In 2018, they invited Wired in to discuss some of the features. Unsurprisingly, it relies on users having a Facebook account and instead of just swiping you’ll be prompted to discuss something about the users’ profile — a picture, an event their attending etc.

The Best Gay and Lesbian Dating Apps

8. Her
Her is one of the most popular lesbian dating apps on the market. It has the ‘swiping’ feature that lets you accept or decline prospective partners, hence it being referred to as the ‘lesbian tinder’. After you’ve swiped ‘yes’, you can send hearts before finally matching.

9. Chappy
Chappy, a merger of the word ‘choice’ and ‘happy’, gives gay men the option of filtering for short and long-term relationships in one simple app. If you’re looking for Mr Right or Mr Right Now, Chappy has you covered offering a safe, inclusive space to chat with other matches — giving the user a positive experience from a gay dating app.

10. Grindr
Gay men looking for a dating app like Tinder need to look no further. Grindr is a dating app that alerts you when other members are nearby. It’s also a dating app with a social reputation as being very popular in the gay community for its high success rate.

11. Scruff
Scruff is very GBTQI+ male inclusive and is an alternative to the standard gay hookup apps on the market. With lots of fun features like a ‘Woof’ button that lets users know you find them attractive, Scruff has something for every gay man looking for an online relationship.

The Best Religious Dating Apps

12. Christian Mingle
Christian Mingle is a religious dating app aimed at relationship-ready single Christians who are seeking a match who shares their values. Like the Christian Mingle site, the dating app prioritizes God-centered relationships and lets singles filter by factors such as denomination.

13. Jdate
Interested in Jewish dating? Then odds are you’ve heard of Jdate, a Jewish matchmaking site that turned 20 in 2018. The site pre-dates the rise of dating apps, but in recent years they’ve joined the smartphone revolution and now you can seek marriage-minded Jewish singles in the Jdate app.

The Best Niche and Quirky Dating Apps

14. Hater
Tired of all the lovey-dovey cutesy dating apps? Then Hater might be just up your alley. It’s a simple idea really, instead of listing all the things you love on your dating profile and engaging in a passionate conversation with someone who shares your joy, just talk about things you hate. Hater will ask your opinion on various topics and you’ll be matched with someone who hates all the same things are you!

15. Muddy Matches
Look out your window – do you see fields and forests? Then Muddy Matches might be for you, aimed at the countryside loving market it’s a nice app for those living outside the concrete jungle. Expect farmers, entrepreneurs, and everyone who just loves the great outdoors.

16. Bristlr

No, this isn’t an app for Bristolians, Bristlr is actually an app for those who like a hairy man. Beard lovers unite, there’s finally a niche app to cater to your specific needs. Open to all sexual orientations and genders, Bristlr is a fun little app if you’re looking for that special someone BUT that special someone has to come with a moustache at the very least.

17.Tastebuds
If music, not food, is the key to your heart then Tastebuds might be the app to find your special someone. It also mixes in some social network elements like Clover so that you can chat in a low-pressure environment. If you’re looking for friends there’s also a ‘concert buddy’ option.

18. Quiz Date Live
If you’re looking to gamify your dating life then Quiz Date Live might be the dating app you’re looking for. Similar to popular reality dating shows mixed with a classic quiz format, Quiz Date Live invites featured daters who have applied to be on a live stream to other daters.

19. Do I Date
Feeling honest? Then you’ll love Do I Date – one of the newest dating apps on the scene. Centred around transparency, it gives users the ability to rate and even write reviews about dates or potential dates. It gives you a great opener for a second date when you leave an excellent review after meeting someone.

20. Pickable
Following off Bumble’s lead, Pickable empowers women by giving them ultimate control of their dating apps. Pickable allows women to be totally anonymous on the app, they can browse prospective partners and only allow themselves to reveal themselves to when they want.

21. Wingman
Tired of doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to dating? Then Wingman might be the perfect app for you, get a friend to sign up and they write your profile, make the introductions – everything! Get out of your comfort zone and let someone else take the reigns on your dating life for a change.

The Best Exclusive and Members-Only Dating Apps

22. Raya
A relatively new trend in dating apps are ones that are private or members-only. Raya only allows members who meet specific requirements i.e. having a creative industry job or being an influencer on social media. After that, you’ll be vetted by the current users before being ushered onto this exclusive mobile dating app.

23. The League
The League is another elite dating app that requires you to provide information about yourself in order to be approved and gain access. The information isn’t anything too precious that you wouldn’t part with on any other online dating website; it includes your LinkedIn account, job title and your educational background

The Best Dating Apps for Long-term Relationships

24. Match.com
Probably one of the most well-known dating apps is Match.com. Promising users a chance at real, long-term success, its app isn’t too different from its desktop site. Upload your profile, get matches and meet people — simple.

25. eHarmony
eHarmony is another serious dating site that prefers to connect its users based on personality. With its focus on marriage, it’s a solid choice for those in their 20s or early 30s who want to upgrade to a paid dating app.

26. DatingDirect
DatingDirect gives you the opportunity to be as picky or as broad as you like with your dating experience. Answer a compatibility question and then search based on whatever criteria you see fit! It also allows you to sign up and specify exactly what you’re looking for, be it marriage, friendship, or just simple dating.

27. OkCupid
OkCupid is well known for its personality test and savvy data understanding when it comes to dating. On its online dating app it allows users the freedom to express themselves, it’s very LGBTQI+ friendly with 13 different sexual orientations and 22 gender identities.

28. POF
POF (Plenty of Fish) has been around since 2003 so are experts in the dating game. They focus on long-term relationships more than some of the new dating app players. Signing up includes a lengthy ‘chemistry’ test designed to help POF give you more qualified matches.

29. Zoosk
Rather than using a matchmaking personality test, Zoosk pulls data from your social accounts, allowing for a more efficient sign-up process. Zoosk also has a large number of members, giving new users even more opportunity to match with lots of different types of people.

30. EliteSingles

EliteSingles is one of the best apps for people looking for serious, long-lasting relationships with professional singles. While appearances matter, most people know that you need more to create a relationship. The membership of the EliteSingles app is from 30-50, so with the benefit of age comes wisdom to know that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Not a social media butterfly? No worries. EliteSingles doesn’t need any of your social network information to get you started. All you need is an email address and a password to sign up.

Signing up for a dating website can be work for some people. Creating a profile, taking some nice pictures, and then you have to start searching for that perfect person. With EliteSingles we do the heavy lifting for you, we send you 3-7 matches per day so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy dating.

But how do you pick the dating app that’s right for you? If you search for dating apps you might see some articles asking ‘eHarmony vs. Match?’ this is because both of these websites serve similar members. Both websites have a huge amount of users. EliteSingles US has 173,000+ new members per month, all highly educated, professional singles looking for long-lasting love.

We cater to lesbian and gay dating, childfree dating, Christian dating, you name it and we probably have some members who are looking for love. The thing that unites all EliteSingles members? They all have a genuine desire to find that special someone to spend the rest of their lives with.

So, what are you waiting for? A real successful relationship is just a download away! Try the EliteSingles dating app free today.