MashBlur

Online dating is officially mainstream. "We met on Tinder" is the new "we met at a bar." Countless children have been born whose parents met on Match.com. According to a survey conducted by popular wedding planning site The Knot, online dating is the most popular way that currently engaged couples met, up 5% in just two years.


With so many options, it can be hard to know where to find the best crop of potential mates. Each of the dating apps out there has features that will matter differently to you depending on your lifestyle, what you want, and what's most important to you.
Whether you're looking for something super specific or have tried every app on the market, this handy guide breaks down what the deal is with each of these online dating experiences and who it's best suited for. Good luck out there!





Why it's awesome:
Let's just get this one out of the way. If you're thinking of dating apps, you're thinking of Tinder. They pioneered the now-ubiquitous swiping function, revolutionizing the world of online dating. What started out as strictly a hookup app has turned into one of the biggest matchmakers in the world.  Get it here: iTunes | Google Play



Who it's for:
Those wary of being catfished. Why it's awesome: Zoosk makes sure that its users are who they say they are by requiring a video selfie as verification. That doesn't mean you can't include that selfie you took that time with the insanely good lighting, but it does mean you're less likely to be scammed. That's the idea, anyway.
Get it here: Zoosk.com



Who it's for:
Picky people looking for something super specific. Why it's awesome: Instead of picking from an endless pool of profiles, Elite Singles lets you pick out exactly what you're looking for. There are separate pools based on location, religion, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. You can even break it down by profession if, for example, you only want to date teachers.
Get it here: EliteSingles.com



Who it's for:
People who trust experience over gimmicks.  Why it's awesome: As one of the first online dating sites launched in 1995, Match has decades of data to back up their their algorithms. Match loves to brag about their success stories on social media, providing you endless inspiration when your dating life looks grim.
Get it here: Match.com



Who it's for:
Marriage-minded people ready to settle down. Why it's awesome: eharmony uses a comprehensive relationship questionnaire to match you with people based on your long-term compatibility. Their explicit goal is to "create more
meaningful connections that lead to fulfilling marriages," so if that's your goal as well this is the site for you. Get 30% off a 6-month membership at eharmony.com with code EHLOVE or 15% off 12-month membership at eharmony.com with code HARMONY12.
Get it here: eharmony.com



Who it's for:
Bold ladies who like to make the first move. Why it's awesome: In an attempt to correct one of the common complaints of dating apps — that women get spammed with tons of creepy messages — women are required to message first with Bumble. It also takes the pressure off of dudes who feel like they need to start the conversation every time. (Obviously with same-sex matches, either party can start things off.) Matches expire after 24 hours so you can't agonize over that opening line for too long.
Get it here: iTunes | Google Play



Who it's for:
Aspiring matchmakers or coupled up folks who missed the boat on dating apps and want to see what all the fuss is about. Why it's awesome: You're signed up for the app by a wingman (or wingwoman) who gets to find matches for you. It's essentially the online equivalent of "have you met my friend?" The genius of Wingman is that it takes the work out of online dating for you, and lets your non-single friends take a crack at it. This opens up a whole new market that dating apps have been missing.
Get it here: iTunes | Google Play



Who it's for:
Misanthropes looking for someone to complain to/with. Why it's awesome: Hater is a hilarious concept that might actually work. The app simply matches you with people who hate the same things as you. In the words of Mashblur Cassie Murdoch, it "lets you drop that idealized, perky version of yourself you’ve been putting in all your profiles and lets you show off your inner crank instead."
Get it here: Have a download link sent to your phone via Haterdater.com



Who it's for:
Men seeking men. Why it's awesome: Grindr has been the go-to dating app for gay and bi men since 2009. After launching Into, a new LGBTQ publication, they're also the creators of one of the most interesting digital magazines on the internet, according to Mashblur MJ Franklin. Now you really can say you're just on Grindr for the articles.
Get it here: iTunes | Google Play

 

Who it's for:
Trekkies, Potterheads, Whovians, gamers, cosplayers, and shippers of all fandoms. Why it's awesome: Those whose dating lives have to make room for their D&D schedules and would rather talk about Westeros politics than Trump's tweets might not have as much luck on mainstream apps like Tinder. Cuddli lets you geek out without shame. Users choose icons based on their passions, giving you the perfect icebreaker.
Get it here: iTunes | Google Play



Who it's for:
Career-motivated singles looking for an equally ambitious partner. Why it's awesome: The exclusive app screens based on educational and professional history in order to ensure that their dating pool is full of "intelligent, educated and ambitious" singles. To keep your work life separate from your dating life (and ensure your privacy), The League keeps your LinkedIn Connections and Facebook friends out of your queue. While it's been slammed as elitist, The League CEO Amanda Bradford claims it's actually a way for "alpha females" to find someone who celebrates and supports their drive.
Get it here: iTunes | Google Play