Stop swiping, start dating: 10 dating apps for men who know what they want

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Read our full review of Tinder Premium.

On the other side of the spectrum, we have Tinder — the OG swiping app and undisputed champion of casual hookups. Whether you're seeking a one-night stand, a friends-with-benefits situation, or just some casual fun, Tinder is the place to find it.

With its infamous swipe-and-match interface, you can quickly browse through what seems like an endless stream of potential partners (most of whom are just looking for a good time). It's the perfect app for guys who know exactly what they want and aren't afraid to go for it.

Love it or hate it, Tinder works for casual hookups. (We'd be surprised if you haven't already downloaded it at least once.) Tinder invented swiping, and they're still the biggest player with billions of swipes daily. While you might have to swipe a lot, you'll find active users everywhere. And on Tinder, it's totally cool to be upfront about just wanting a hookup. Most people appreciate the honesty.

In July 2024, Tinder rolled out an AI-powered Photo Selector that analyzes your pics and helps you pick the best ones for your profile. Just snap a selfie, give Tinder access to your camera roll, and boom — the app will tell you which photos are most likely to score you a match. But this convenience comes at a cost.

To work its magic, the Photo Selector needs access to your photos and facial recognition data. While Tinder says they delete this data after you've used the tool and don't store your camera roll pics, it does raise some privacy concerns. Is a potentially higher match rate worth the potential privacy trade-off? That's up to you to decide.

Apparently, Tinder execs created this tool after realizing that a lot of users, especially straight dudes, have trouble picking the right pics. Their research showed that 52 percent of young singles struggle with photo selection, and those under 25 spend an average of 33 minutes on this task. We know that straight single women tend to be more attracted to profiles with at least four images that showcase a man's personality, and having more than one face pic increases a guy's chances of matching by 71 percent. So, fellas, take note!

Read our full review of Match. 

Match is the dating app for guys who are ready to commit and willing to invest to make a meaningful connection. With a quarter of users under 30 and nearly half between 30 and 49, there's a diverse range of potential partners to connect with.

And don't let its 25+ years of experience fool you — it's evolved with a modern and innovative interface and features that leave behind any notion of its 90s roots.

Match isn't free, but if you're serious about finding a real connection (and not just another swipe-and-ghost situation), it might be worth spending a little to find the one.

Match has a well-populated and balanced user base, with a near-even split between men and women. And because it has a large user base, you're more likely to find what you're looking for, i.e., single parents can find other users who have kids. There's a pretty stacked feed of people to match with, even if you're looking for love in a less-populated area. 

The dating platform has recently cracked down on fake profiles, requiring three photos for verification (though you can add up to 26 to your profile). This shows they're serious about creating a safer and more authentic dating environment. In fact, Match Group, the company behind Match, removes an average of 44 spam accounts every minute across its portfolio of dating apps.

While the free version of Match is limited, upgrading to a paid membership can get you additional features like the ability to explore unlimited profiles, see who likes you, and send unlimited introductions.

Read our full review of eharmony.

eharmony is the best dating app for the grown-ass man who knows what he wants: real, lasting love. It's not for the casual dater or the guy who's just looking for a fling. This app is for men who are ready to settle down, build a life with someone, maybe even start a family. Think established professionals, mostly 35 to 54 years old. If you're past your 20s and serious about finding a partner, eharmony is a solid starting point. It also tends to be a better fit for men who are more conservative or value religion in their dating preferences.

eharmony has a serious track record. They claim to be responsible for 4 percent of U.S. marriages — that's huge. That's why we've named it the best dating app for men looking for marriage. Doesn't mean you'll be saying "I do" tomorrow, but it does mean you'll be connecting with singles who are open to commitment, whether that's exclusivity, meeting the family, or moving in together.

What was once a doozy of a sign-up process is now short, sweet, and free of the corny, religious questions that used to scare off younger folks. The revamped questionnaire covers 32 (up from 29) dimensions of compatibility. Instead of asking directly if you're emotionally stable, they might ask how you handle apologies or what ticks you off. They still ask about hobbies and interests, but it feels more like a conversation than an interrogation.

While it was once known for its more conservative approach to matchmaking, the platform has made a few changes in recent years to become more inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. In October 2024, eharmony partnered with GLAAD, the world's largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization, to better understand the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ daters and learn more about how dating apps influence coming out and identity disclosure in the digital age. We're keeping an eye on the app to see if it becomes a good option for LGBTQ+ singles in 2025.

Don't let the name fool you, SilverSingles isn't just for guys who are ready for retirement (though it's a great option if you are!). It's actually designed for any man over 50 who's looking for a genuine connection. Whether you're hoping to find a serious relationship, a casual dating partner, or even just a new friend, SilverSingles is a great option.

So, even if you’re not a “silver fox,” this dating app is worth considering.

SilverSingles is the best dating site for men over 50 who are looking for a genuine connection. This platform prioritizes compatibility, using a detailed personality quiz (similar to the one used by EliteSingles) to match you with potential partners who share your values and interests.

Instead of swiping through endless photos, SilverSingles encourages you to really get to know someone. Sure, setting up a profile might take a bit longer than on those swipe-happy apps, but the matches tend to be more promising — and less likely to ghost you.

The registration process is straightforward, with free and paid membership options. However, we’ve noticed that SilverSingles isn’t quite as LGBTQ-friendly as other dating apps. While you can set your preferences for same-sex matches, you can't receive matches from both genders at the same time. Hopefully, they'll update this in the future.

Grindr is the app for gay, bi, trans, and queer men. Hookups, dates, friends, something serious — whatever you're looking for, Grindr connects you with other guys in the LGBTQ+ community. It's great for exploring the local scene, especially when you're traveling. Bottom line: If you're a guy into guys, Grindr's where it's at. It's a place to be yourself and find what you're looking for (no matter what that might be).

You know what you're getting with Grindr: some serious adulation, a few pushy messages, and dick pics. But finding and meeting up with men on Tinder or OkCupid isn't always easy, especially if you're in a small town with a meager queer community. Whether it's your first time with a guy and you want someone experienced, or you're the experienced guy, it's nice to have Grindr in your back pocket. 

And it's not just for hookups. Plenty of couples meet on Grindr. One survey even found that over half of Grindr users believe they can find love on the app. Grindr for Equality also advocates for sexual health and LGBTQ+ safety. Speaking of safety, Grindr's also working to make the app safer by cracking down on underage users. They're using AI, a dedicated moderation team, and partnerships with organizations like Thorn to help keep minors off the platform.

They've been adding travel features to help you find gay-friendly spots and meet locals (and maybe score a date) when you're on the road. "Roam" lets you set your location anywhere in the world for an hour, so you can scope out the scene before you even get there. Of course, new features sometimes mean new bugs and paywalls.

Bisexual men have also reported mixed experiences on the app, including biphobia. This thread of Reddit users has experienced it in some way, describing the disappointment they feel from not being supported by their LGBTQ+ community and getting messages like "vaginas are gross" at the first mention of being bisexual.

Read our full review of OkCupid.

Are you tired of getting caught in the trap of going on a date with someone who looks like a goddess but turns out to be a total dud when it comes to what really matters? OkCupid is here to weed them out. This app is for left-wing guys who value substance and refuse to settle. If you're passionate about social justice, you'll find plenty of like-minded people on OkCupid.

But it's not just about debating the latest headlines or planning your next protest. OkCupid is also a great place to find someone who's down for a casual fling (or maybe even something more).

OkCupid goes beyond surface-level swiping by letting you connect with potential partners based on what really matters to you. Want to make sure you're on the same page about the important stuff? OkCupid lets you express your values and filter out potential matches with different dealbreakers. Whether it's gun control, vaccinations, or social justice, you can take a stance and find someone who sees eye-to-eye. Of course, you're more likely to find a match if you're on the liberal end of the political spectrum, so conservatives might have better luck elsewhere.

While politics play a significant role, OKC understands that there's more to romance than just political alignment. They make it easy to showcase your personality with in-depth profiles that are fun to create. The questions are thoughtfully designed to explore your dating style without being overly sentimental. And the best part? The free version is actually functional. You can do pretty much everything you need to without shelling out for a premium subscription.

What sets OkCupid apart is its matching algorithm, which calculates the percentage of compatibility based on shared answers to these questions. This algorithm has been refined and perfected since OkCupid's launch in 2004, helping you find matches with genuine compatibility.

Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is like the younger, more laid-back cousin of EliteSingles. It's perfect for guys who are tired of the endless swiping game and want a more curated dating experience.

Instead of bombarding you with a ton of profiles, CMB delivers a select few "Bagels" each day – potential matches chosen just for you based on your preferences and interests. It's kind of like having a wingman who actually knows what he's doing.

Tons of active users is usually a plus. It is nice to know that your options are virtually limitless, but having 20 new messages every time you sign on can be jarring. This happens on eharmony and Tinder alike — people want connection, and they want it now. CMB's unhurried approach is great for men who are out of practice, introverted, or don't feel like scrolling whenever they have a free minute. It's also a great app for young professionals looking for a serious partner.

And CMB knows how to keep things moving. They give you seven days to message a match, which is just enough time to make a connection without the pressure of a 24-hour deadline (looking at you, Bumble). Plus, it weeds out those matches who aren't really serious about dating.

Read our full EliteSingles review.

EliteSingles is a dating app for ambitious, intelligent men who are looking for a partner who's just as driven and successful as they are. If you're a professional who values stimulating conversation, intellectual compatibility, and shared career goals, EliteSingles attempts to offer more specificity than eharmony and Match.

EliteSingles is about finding someone who challenges you intellectually, supports your ambitions, and shares your vision for the future. It's about finding a partner who's not just a pretty face, but a true equal.

EliteSingles offers a targeted approach to finding compatible matches. The app considers factors such as education level, career trajectory, and professional goals to ensure that the matches you encounter have a similar outlook on life. With EliteSingles, you can elevate your dating experience by connecting with individuals who share your dedication to personal and professional success.

Rather than being thrown into an endless pool of profiles, EliteSingles attempts to match you through the Five Factor Personality Test. Via 29 algorithms, the site will try to find singles to complement your attachment style, selfishness, and more stuff that you should try to be honest about.

Plus, you can take comfort knowing you won’t deal with fake or scam accounts, as EliteSingles manually verifies all accounts with an upscale fraud detection system. However, though you can technically filter potential matches by profession (for example, a teacher looking to date another teacher), it’s difficult for any dating site to track down every person lying about their job or how much money they make.