Looking to reintroduce yourself to the dating scene after a long time of social isolation? If finding a prospective new companion in the “before times” was difficult, adding a worldwide epidemic to the mix has made finding that spark or connection even more difficult. Flirting with possible paramours on an online dating app may be the greatest method to get to know someone in this new normal.
However, the truth is that internet dating can be intimidating. It’s not only having to make snap decisions based on a few photographs and one-line profiles, or the awkwardness of sending strangers direct messages (or DMs) only to have them ignored. Because of the large number of apps and users, merely swiping can appear to be a difficult chore.
According to Statista, the online dating audience is predicted to increase to 37.5 million members by 2023. According to eHarmony, 70% of couples will have started their relationships online by 2040. It is, however, feasible to make the dating world feel more manageable—all you need to do is pick the perfect app. There are specialist platforms for folks who enjoy farming, bacon, or even beard-stroking, for example (yes, seriously).
These online dating apps (some even free) cover all the basics if you’re wanting to build a larger connection with, say, someone over 50, newly dating after divorce, hoping for a virtual video date, or looking for a partnership.
1. Match
According to a survey of 2,000 people conducted by PCMag, Match is the most popular online dating app in 17 states. Match has a specific appeal to those between 45 and 65 looking for a serious relationship as one of the original dating services (it’s moved from a website-only to a website and app); additional research by SurveyMonkey found that 58 percent of adults 45-54 years old use Match, more than double the percent who use Tinder. You can get it for free, but you’ll only be able to browse; memberships start at $21.99 per month if you want to actually message possible partners.
2. OurTime
According to a poll conducted by technology and research firm Morning Consult, 20% of internet users aged 55 to 64 had used a dating app or service. Instead of encouraging users to look for meetups, OurTime encourages them to look for pen pals, friends, dates, long-term relationships, and marriage partners. You may exchange emails, flirt, and match with possible mates for free, but a premium subscription ($38 per month) unlocks additional capabilities like seeing who has liked your profile.
3. Bumble
Bumble stands apart from the slew of other dating apps in the app store by asking women to initiate contact when a match is struck. Unless you purchase a Boost membership, which starts at $10.99 for a week, you only have 24 hours to send a message. Men love it because it takes some of the weight off initiating, and women love it because it reduces the quantity of unsolicited messages. In fact, 58 percent of the respondents who favoured Bumble in PCMag’s survey were men. You also have the option of going on a video date in-app if you’ve found someone you like.
4. Tinder
Tinder may have spawned “meetup culture,” but it remains one of the most popular dating apps in the United States. It has about 8 million users, making it the most popular dating app according to Statista. That implies you have a good chance of matching with someone who piques your interest eventually, even if it takes a lot of left-swiping to get there. The software is free, but premium features such as Tinder Plus cost roughly $9.99 each month.
5. Plenty of Fish
POF was another of the first dating websites-turned-apps with the goal of finding a relationship, with 90 million users at its peak. It’s still popular (Statista ranked it second), and according to the app, you’re 2.7 times more likely to start a conversation in your first 24 hours than you are on other apps. The app discovered that 44 percent of its female users are single mothers, and that they find a spouse 10 percent faster than the typical user. Start with a free download and swipe, then upgrade to add more photographs or appear first to possible mates for $19.99.