Dating apps can become your favorite wingman/woman. It's a common yet legit excuse not to go out and meet people — you're too tired after working all day. Singletons in their 30s may take their dating apps more seriously in terms of looking for a relationship because as much as they want to be out meeting people, often, work/life. The Best Dating Apps For Men Ages 18 To 25. Tinder is the most popular dating app in the US. You probably have a buddy who met his girlfriend on it. If she's 18 to 25 and single, she's more than likely on Tinder – just over half of Tinder users are under 29.
Even if you're the kind of person who loves the thrill of the hunt, the seemingly never-ending dating carousel can start to feel like a bit of a drag. Bad dates can be extremely demoralizing, especially if you're having the same kind of negative experience over and over again. You start to lose faith in humanity when it feels like people are disappointing you on a loop. But this might just mean that your current dating strategy isn't serving you! If that's the case, then you're going to want to try one of the nine best dating apps for your 30s.
After a seven-year relationship unexpectedly ended in my mid-30s, I knew that I had no choice but to get on dating apps, despite never having used them before. Luckily, I had friends with plenty of experience in the online dating world to direct me to the best dating apps for your 30s. I was fairly certain that Tinder wasn't right for me—it just felt like the kind of thing you use to have fun in your 20s—and most of my pals agreed. That's certainly not to say that you can't find lasting love on Tinder, it's just that most people don't use it to find something long-term and serious, so you might as well skip it (unless some temporary fun is what you're looking for, of course!).
Anecdotal evidence shows that if you're willing to pay for an app, then you're more likely to match with others who are also serious about finding love. However, that doesn't mean you have to shell out money to find your future partner. The best dating apps for your 30s give you the option to pay, but don't force it. This way, you can bop around and see what's right for you without committing to a monthly payment.
Scroll on to see the 9 best dating apps for your 30s:
Hinge
Hinge's motto is 'Designed to be deleted.' The app and its users are goal-oriented: the said goal being finding a meaningful relationship. Hinge is one of the best dating apps for your 30s because you really get a sense that the other users are looking for a true connection. It's not as oversaturated with users as more popular apps like Bumble and Tinder, so for the most part it all feels quite purposeful and earnest. The fact that there are fewer users does mean that you run out of swipes faster than on other apps, but that means also you waste less time scrolling.
If you want to expedite the process, you can sign up for one, three, or six months of Preferred Membership, starting at $19.99 for one month. I met my current partner on Hinge and am quick to recommend it to those looking for the real deal. What can I say, it worked!
Bumble
I've definitely spent a fair amount of time on Bumble and for the most part, found that the people who are on it are serious about finding relationships. There are a lot of people using this app, which is great because you never run out of potential lovers to check out. That said, because of the sheer volume of users, a ton of time can be spent swiping away with little to no success, so it's definitely something to do while watching a chill show in the background.
In my opinion, Bumble has cuter prompt questions than Hinge, and you can up the ante by signing up for Bumble Boost for $14.99 a month or Bumble Premium for $32.99 a month. Each come with their own perks and benefits.
HER
HER is one of the best dating apps for your 30s for LGBTQ+ women and queer folks. I found it to be a safe and inclusive space to connect with queer women and find out about LGBTQ+ events. It can be tricky to navigate traditional dating apps as a queer person, and HER makes negotiating all of that much simpler.
Dating Women In Their 30s
It feels like a very grown-up app—the people on it are serious about dating and it has a fun, sweet, yet no-nonsense vibe. The app's motto is 'Find your person,' so it's a good place to start for anyone looking to go beyond the hookup world. It also has a paid subscription starting at $14.99 a month that comes with additional features.
Match
Match is one of the OG dating sites from the mid-aughts that made the switch to an app-style platform but retained its subscriber-only model. Rates begin at $17.99 a month and go up depending on which features you prefer. The benefit of this price model is that the people who are on the app are serious about finding someone. No one is shelling out money who doesn't actually want to get meaningful results, you know?
It's one of the best sites for single professionals, so there are lots of high-quality matches to be found (their words, not mine—you cannot ascribe a monetary value to a human!) You don't need to worry about wasting your time with people who are dabbling more casual scenarios because everyone on the app is on a mission to find love!
Lox Club
Best Dating App For Over 30s
Lox Club is a relatively new members-only dating app primarily for Jewish people, though anyone can apply. They state that 'The Lox Club is like a deli; it's culturally Jewish, but you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy it.' I am not Jewish and I was accepted back when I was single and mingling. It's primarily based in the states, but it is available everywhere, so members can see compatible matches from cities all over the world—perfect if you're looking for a way to get an EU passport. (Wink, wink!)
The app specifically recruits non-douchey, funny, down-to-earth, ambitious people who are looking for something real. Compared to other apps it's a pretty small pool of members to pick from, but we're talking quality over quantity here.
OK Cupid
Similar to Harmony,(but much more affordable) OK Cupid matches users based on an extensive questionnaire and a math-based matching system that links you up with compatible potential dates. It's a fairly successful and decently accurate system if you're willing to be really honest about what you're looking for and who you are interested in. Dracut hookup website. Dating ads near mobridge.
This dating site is insanely popular! Like Match, OK Cupid started out as a website that turned into an app, making it much more convenient. It also has a premium membership option starting at $39.99 a month if you want to really ramp it up and take advantage of even more features.
Raya
For reasons we needn't get into here, I was blacklisted from Raya a few years back and wasn't able to take advantage of this exclusive dating app while I could. Luckily, I have plenty of friends who have found long-term relationships on the members-only app and lived to tell the tale.
Raya used to be a secret dating app for celebrities, but now most people can get on it (present company excluded) if they have a friend pass and are selected by a mysterious committee. If you're not put off by the slightly status-y vibe or the monthly fee, ($7.99) then you'll be able to check out some seriously cool people all over the world.
Ship
Unlike most dating apps, Ship requires the cooperation of your friends—they're the ones doing the swiping for you! My friend Jessie and I made profiles for each other last year and had a blast sending each other potential matches. You set up your profile, get matched to other users that your friends like, and then get to chatting!
I found it to be an incredibly refreshing and fun take on the traditional dating app. Dating girls number sun valley idaho. It felt much less arduous—and since it's still pretty small scale compared to other apps, there's less wading through mud, if you know that I mean. By the time I got to my mid-late 30s, I knew it was time to recruit some pals to weigh in on my questionable dating habits, and this free app made it easy and fun.
Coffee Meets Bagel
One of the reasons that Coffee Meets Bagel is one of the best dating apps for your 30s is that users fill out an extensive profile that potential matches can see immediately. It completely eliminates the need for small talk, one of the most dreaded parts of online dating.
Coffee Meets Bagel pushes back against the notion that dating apps are for hookups, and actively combats ambiguity or confusion that can sometimes surround online dating. If you're on Coffee Meets Bagel, then you're looking for something serious.
When looked upon with the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia, the dating we did in our 20s was the stuff of romantic comedies, especially when compared with what it's like a decade later. While it's actually easier to date in your 30s in the sense that you know yourself better, by the time you reach a certain age you're just, well, SATC's Charlotte said it best: 'I've been dating since I was 15. I'm exhausted. Where is he?' Sheer exhaustion is the reason going to bars is a no-go most nights—especially given the inevitable epic hangovers and a lack of single girlfriends with whom to wing-woman—but luckily, this is the digital age, so we can meet lots of men without ever leaving our Netflix accounts unattended. Here, 12 apps to try if you find yourself single—and ready to mingle—in your 30s (plus, how to take a perfect selfie for your profile).
Homepage Image: Adam Katz Sinding
Coffee Meets Bagel
In a recent study, analytics company Applause ranked apps based on their user reviews, and this one came in third, which is promising. While the app once sent daters only one match per day, which was helpful for those who feel the 'shopping' element is a little icky, it recently switched things up so that men receive 21 matches per day whereas women receive just five. Before you delete it based on this inequity, know that the well-intentioned people at Coffee Meets Bagel made these changes based on user feedback—apparently, men like quantity and women like quality. Shocking!
Even if you're the kind of person who loves the thrill of the hunt, the seemingly never-ending dating carousel can start to feel like a bit of a drag. Bad dates can be extremely demoralizing, especially if you're having the same kind of negative experience over and over again. You start to lose faith in humanity when it feels like people are disappointing you on a loop. But this might just mean that your current dating strategy isn't serving you! If that's the case, then you're going to want to try one of the nine best dating apps for your 30s.
After a seven-year relationship unexpectedly ended in my mid-30s, I knew that I had no choice but to get on dating apps, despite never having used them before. Luckily, I had friends with plenty of experience in the online dating world to direct me to the best dating apps for your 30s. I was fairly certain that Tinder wasn't right for me—it just felt like the kind of thing you use to have fun in your 20s—and most of my pals agreed. That's certainly not to say that you can't find lasting love on Tinder, it's just that most people don't use it to find something long-term and serious, so you might as well skip it (unless some temporary fun is what you're looking for, of course!).
Anecdotal evidence shows that if you're willing to pay for an app, then you're more likely to match with others who are also serious about finding love. However, that doesn't mean you have to shell out money to find your future partner. The best dating apps for your 30s give you the option to pay, but don't force it. This way, you can bop around and see what's right for you without committing to a monthly payment.
Scroll on to see the 9 best dating apps for your 30s:
Hinge
Hinge's motto is 'Designed to be deleted.' The app and its users are goal-oriented: the said goal being finding a meaningful relationship. Hinge is one of the best dating apps for your 30s because you really get a sense that the other users are looking for a true connection. It's not as oversaturated with users as more popular apps like Bumble and Tinder, so for the most part it all feels quite purposeful and earnest. The fact that there are fewer users does mean that you run out of swipes faster than on other apps, but that means also you waste less time scrolling.
If you want to expedite the process, you can sign up for one, three, or six months of Preferred Membership, starting at $19.99 for one month. I met my current partner on Hinge and am quick to recommend it to those looking for the real deal. What can I say, it worked!
Bumble
I've definitely spent a fair amount of time on Bumble and for the most part, found that the people who are on it are serious about finding relationships. There are a lot of people using this app, which is great because you never run out of potential lovers to check out. That said, because of the sheer volume of users, a ton of time can be spent swiping away with little to no success, so it's definitely something to do while watching a chill show in the background.
In my opinion, Bumble has cuter prompt questions than Hinge, and you can up the ante by signing up for Bumble Boost for $14.99 a month or Bumble Premium for $32.99 a month. Each come with their own perks and benefits.
HER
HER is one of the best dating apps for your 30s for LGBTQ+ women and queer folks. I found it to be a safe and inclusive space to connect with queer women and find out about LGBTQ+ events. It can be tricky to navigate traditional dating apps as a queer person, and HER makes negotiating all of that much simpler.
Dating Women In Their 30s
It feels like a very grown-up app—the people on it are serious about dating and it has a fun, sweet, yet no-nonsense vibe. The app's motto is 'Find your person,' so it's a good place to start for anyone looking to go beyond the hookup world. It also has a paid subscription starting at $14.99 a month that comes with additional features.
Match
Match is one of the OG dating sites from the mid-aughts that made the switch to an app-style platform but retained its subscriber-only model. Rates begin at $17.99 a month and go up depending on which features you prefer. The benefit of this price model is that the people who are on the app are serious about finding someone. No one is shelling out money who doesn't actually want to get meaningful results, you know?
It's one of the best sites for single professionals, so there are lots of high-quality matches to be found (their words, not mine—you cannot ascribe a monetary value to a human!) You don't need to worry about wasting your time with people who are dabbling more casual scenarios because everyone on the app is on a mission to find love!
Lox Club
Best Dating App For Over 30s
Lox Club is a relatively new members-only dating app primarily for Jewish people, though anyone can apply. They state that 'The Lox Club is like a deli; it's culturally Jewish, but you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy it.' I am not Jewish and I was accepted back when I was single and mingling. It's primarily based in the states, but it is available everywhere, so members can see compatible matches from cities all over the world—perfect if you're looking for a way to get an EU passport. (Wink, wink!)
The app specifically recruits non-douchey, funny, down-to-earth, ambitious people who are looking for something real. Compared to other apps it's a pretty small pool of members to pick from, but we're talking quality over quantity here.
OK Cupid
Similar to Harmony,(but much more affordable) OK Cupid matches users based on an extensive questionnaire and a math-based matching system that links you up with compatible potential dates. It's a fairly successful and decently accurate system if you're willing to be really honest about what you're looking for and who you are interested in. Dracut hookup website. Dating ads near mobridge.
This dating site is insanely popular! Like Match, OK Cupid started out as a website that turned into an app, making it much more convenient. It also has a premium membership option starting at $39.99 a month if you want to really ramp it up and take advantage of even more features.
Raya
For reasons we needn't get into here, I was blacklisted from Raya a few years back and wasn't able to take advantage of this exclusive dating app while I could. Luckily, I have plenty of friends who have found long-term relationships on the members-only app and lived to tell the tale.
Raya used to be a secret dating app for celebrities, but now most people can get on it (present company excluded) if they have a friend pass and are selected by a mysterious committee. If you're not put off by the slightly status-y vibe or the monthly fee, ($7.99) then you'll be able to check out some seriously cool people all over the world.
Ship
Unlike most dating apps, Ship requires the cooperation of your friends—they're the ones doing the swiping for you! My friend Jessie and I made profiles for each other last year and had a blast sending each other potential matches. You set up your profile, get matched to other users that your friends like, and then get to chatting!
I found it to be an incredibly refreshing and fun take on the traditional dating app. Dating girls number sun valley idaho. It felt much less arduous—and since it's still pretty small scale compared to other apps, there's less wading through mud, if you know that I mean. By the time I got to my mid-late 30s, I knew it was time to recruit some pals to weigh in on my questionable dating habits, and this free app made it easy and fun.
Coffee Meets Bagel
One of the reasons that Coffee Meets Bagel is one of the best dating apps for your 30s is that users fill out an extensive profile that potential matches can see immediately. It completely eliminates the need for small talk, one of the most dreaded parts of online dating.
Coffee Meets Bagel pushes back against the notion that dating apps are for hookups, and actively combats ambiguity or confusion that can sometimes surround online dating. If you're on Coffee Meets Bagel, then you're looking for something serious.
When looked upon with the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia, the dating we did in our 20s was the stuff of romantic comedies, especially when compared with what it's like a decade later. While it's actually easier to date in your 30s in the sense that you know yourself better, by the time you reach a certain age you're just, well, SATC's Charlotte said it best: 'I've been dating since I was 15. I'm exhausted. Where is he?' Sheer exhaustion is the reason going to bars is a no-go most nights—especially given the inevitable epic hangovers and a lack of single girlfriends with whom to wing-woman—but luckily, this is the digital age, so we can meet lots of men without ever leaving our Netflix accounts unattended. Here, 12 apps to try if you find yourself single—and ready to mingle—in your 30s (plus, how to take a perfect selfie for your profile).
Homepage Image: Adam Katz Sinding
Coffee Meets Bagel
In a recent study, analytics company Applause ranked apps based on their user reviews, and this one came in third, which is promising. While the app once sent daters only one match per day, which was helpful for those who feel the 'shopping' element is a little icky, it recently switched things up so that men receive 21 matches per day whereas women receive just five. Before you delete it based on this inequity, know that the well-intentioned people at Coffee Meets Bagel made these changes based on user feedback—apparently, men like quantity and women like quality. Shocking!
If you don't want to lose the serendipitous aspect of real-life dating, you should probably sign up for Happn. This app promises to match you to people with whom you've crossed paths in the non-virtual world, somehow making things feel a little more organic. If you, like us, live in a sprawling city like Los Angeles, you know how important convenient geography can be in terms of making a relationship last.
Sparkology requires that men be graduates of top-tier universities in order to join, which feels a bit gross considering it doesn't have the same standards for women. Men are also subjected to a points system, which is purported to help ladies know which ones are serious (a feature we can definitely get behind). In order to join, technically you must be invited by a current member or the Sparkology team, but if you click on the 'Join' button, you're asked to link your Facebook profile for evaluation.
We don't think anyone should be ashamed to be 'caught' online dating; however, some of us may not so much appreciate our colleagues or future colleagues knowing what's up in our romantic lives, so the fact that The League hides your profile from LinkedIn and Facebook contacts is a big plus in our book. Another thing we like about The League? The platform kicks people off if they're not actively dating: No looky-loos allowed. The League has recently shifted its strategy somewhat to become events-focused, as it's hoping to transition into something akin to a members-only club like The Soho House rather than just a dating app. The League is only available in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, and its waiting list is allegedly 100,000 people long. Good luck!
Most of the women we know who frequent dating apps at present are on Bumble and report good experiences—it ranked fourth on that aforementioned list based on user reviews. This app is known for tasking women with the first move (once a match has been made)—which is great if you'd like to reduce the number of obscene things total strangers feel justified in using as pickup lines on some apps. On another note, Bumble's just announced the launch of BumbleBizz this fall, which is basically swipe-based networking. We're intrigued.
If you're one of the 'old people' who has gotten on board with Snapchat in a big way, you might want to try Lively, the newest app on the market. We have a feeling its demo will skew 20s, so if you're looking for a slightly younger man, this could be the perfect platform for you. Your Lively profile will pull videos and images from various apps on your phone and edit them together to tell a complete story about you. The app comes to us from the creators of dating website Zoosk.
If you think your life is a rom-com, or should be, Tindog might be the app for you. It matches your dog with another dog, which is definitely the perfect setup for a meet-cute if ever we've heard one. Something to consider before joining, however, is how hard it is to be rejected in online dating. Now imagine how hard it will be for you when your beloved, perfect pet is rejected, as happened here. We just don't want you to get hurt..
If you're into astrology, Align is pretty fun, and it'll save you the trouble of finding out your signs are incompatible down the line. We don't know how serious the contenders are on this platform—we don't use it as, to be honest, we barely even know our own sign—but if nothing else it will provide a welcome distraction from the tedium of scouring the digital universe to find your cosmic match.
OkCupid has a patented Compatibility Matching System, which uses complicated algorithms to pick your matches. Given that all we've been doing thus far to pick our men is saying, 'He's hot,' we can't help but think this would be an improvement. Though you can choose to select less commitment-focused options in terms of your dating goals, OkCupid tends to feel more adult and therefore more serious in nature than other apps. This can be a good thing if you're looking for someone who will step off the dating carousel with you at long last. It was also ranked number one by Applause in terms of user reviews.
According to Time Magazine, 82% of Match users were over the age of 30 as of 2014. This has likely changed somewhat given that in the same year, Match redid its mobile app to include features more akin to Tinder than OG Match. Still, Match tends to draw a more serious crowd than many other apps, in part because elements of the platform require payment.
Some of us have personal feelings about this one—which we won't share because, diplomacy—but suffice it to say that you will definitely meet a specific type of person on this platform. Raya is exclusive and basically requires that you have a cool job, know cool people and have a lot of those cool people following you on Instagram. If that sounds like your kind of filtration system, we say go for it. Just be warned in advance that it's unlikely that the attractive celebrity with whom you're matched will be dating only you anytime in the near future.
We recently added Canada to our list of countries worth moving to. Maple Match hilariously promises to enable your move north by partnering you with a Canadian. We're pretty sure this app is a joke—you can only join the wait list for now—but we're hoping someone invents it for real, stat.
By our 30s, ideally we've broken bad habits and patterns and are now only dating people who would make appropriate partners. If you, however, laughed out loud at that statement (we did), you might want to consider signing up for Wingman. This app leaves the fate of your dating life in the hands of your friends, who are the sole deciders when it comes to who you will or will not go out with. We're guessing the results of such an experiment would be vastly different than anything we've experienced while steering our own ship, and we're so down to find out.
