Top 10 Dating Apps for Relationship

Life has changed a lot in the last couple of years because of technological advancements. It changed everything, and dating was no exception. Now, you can find someone to date by just scrolling on your smartphone.

Dating apps have become a normal part of our life with more than 366 million people using them in 2022 and the research says that by 2027 it's going to be closer to 440 million users. And today, we will look into some of the best dating apps for long-term relationships.

So obviously, there is something there. Maybe even your future spouse is there waiting just for you. Statistically speaking, there is a higher chance that you will meet someone who will be more compatible with you on online dating apps than in real life.

How to Use Dating Apps to Find a Serious Relationship

There is special someone for every one of us. However, let's not ignore that about a third of online dating app users don't get any matches. But don’t worry, it's not because of looks.

It's mostly due to a lack of information about that person, and a few more things that we don't think are important. For people just getting into online dating, you need to find the best dating apps to find a relationship. We are going to try and explain how to properly use a serious dating app.

• Finding the right dating app: First of all, you will need to download one of the best dating apps for serious relationships that you can find later in the article.
• Creating a clear bio: When you download one of the best dating apps for real relationships, you need to craft a clear bio that states exactly who you are and what your interests are both in life and in a partner. Having some high-quality photos that represent you and your lifestyle is also advisable.
• Define what you're looking for: Next thing is to define what you are looking for in a partner, which is done by selecting specific traits you are looking for in your profile settings.
• Opening line: Once you start to receive matches, it's time for the next step, which is texting, you need a good opening line. It's best to search for it on google if you are not that good with words. Just don't use common things like “Hey” because you will most likely not receive an answer.
• Be direct: These are the best online dating apps for serious relationships, which means that if a person loses interest in you, they can just go and chat with someone else. So it's important to be direct and ask the questions that matter. After all, by doing so you save both your and their time.

10 Best Dating Apps for Serious Relationships

There was research conducted in 2017 that has been cited in MIT Review, this research says that people who meet online are far more likely to be compatible with each other and have a greater chance for a healthy marriage than ones who met offline and decided to get together.

Especially in the era we are living in where due to the recent pandemic, there was no option for face-to-face meetings, so best relationship dating apps have become extremely popular. So people have concluded that it's better to be on a dating app than risk getting sick outside.

Aside from the benefits we just talked about, there are a few more worth mentioning, like how you can talk to multiple people at once and decide who is the best match for you. Or of course, the ability to filter your dating pool which results in you seeing only what you are interested in.

In the list below, you will discover some of the best free dating apps for relationships.

1. Fantasy Match (FNTSY)

The Fantasy dating app is made for literally everyone. Its mission is to create a dating culture that is more open and based on communication and sincerity for people that are poly or non monogamous.

This is the app for both singles and those who are in an open relationship. It's reported that around 40% of all Fantasy users are in a relationship. It's mainly made for those venturing beyond monogamy.

Fantasy is also special because of the deck and card system they have, and it's something that you rarely see. But what are cards and decks? Cards are part of the deck, but the deck is a little more complicated. You can see decks as your invitation to explore a certain facet of your sexuality.

For example, if you are a poly couple interested in the third person, you should swipe through the Threesome deck. Fantasy might just be the best couple's dating app.
Pros

• More personalized matches
• Safe environment
• Unique experience

Cons

• Limited user base
• Difficulty in verifying the authenticity

Price of subscription: The premium membership subscription starts at $5.49 per week, and in-app content prices start at $9.99.

2. Match

The match is a senior in online dating; as the company was founded in 1995, it’s one of the oldest online dating apps.

Their user base is about 80% of people who went to or are currently in college, which is a staggering amount of academics.

Match recently partnered with Garbo, which will greatly improve the app's security. Garbo is a background check service that helps users to screen their dates before going on a date with them.

They also have a lot of add-on features like Reply for Free, Private Mode, Email Read Notification, and the most interesting matchPhone. MatchPhone is a feature that allows users to call and text their matches without revealing their number, and that is done using a Match-generated number.

These features and the fact Match is one of the first dating apps that are still in the business put Match on our list of the best dating apps for serious relationships.
Pros

• Easy set-up
• The right to cancel a subscription
• The option to attend in-person events

Cons

• Profiles with limited information
• The software can be buggy

Price of subscription: Free to use, with subscriptions that start at $19 a month.

3. Tinder

Tinder dates back to 2012, and quickly it has risen to the top of every online dating app list. Although Tinder has a reputation as being a hookup app it's still a dating app, and some long-term relationships and even marriages were started on Tinder.

A few years back, Tinder had a system that determines who is showing up in your cards to swipe. They abandoned that system in 2019 because it defeated the purpose of an online dating app. When they abandoned that system they become a normal dating app that shows everyone in your area.

Although there are a few things that need to be done for someone to show up in someone's cards. First of all, you need to be in the area of set miles or kilometers. Also, you need to have at least one thing in common.

Some of the key benefits of Tinder are available to you only after you buy a subscription but we are going to go over them anyway.

There is a Super like which shows the opposing party that you are interested in them before they swipe, also there is a rewind which is used if you accidentally passed someone you like. And lastly, there is a lightning bolt that gives you 30 minutes on top of the cards on everyone in your area.
Pros

• Large user base
• Easy to use and navigate
• Geolocation feature

Cons

• Risk of catfishing
• Limited communication features with a free version

Price of subscription: Free to download and use, paid subscriptions to start at $7.99/$24.99/$29.99 per month depending on what type you choose.

4. Hinge

Hinge was founded in 2012, around the time that Tinder was created. It wasn't as popular as Tinder back in the day. Hinge can be called one of the more serious relationship apps.

The former Chief Product Officer at Hinge once stated that he wanted you to use this app as least as possible. But why? He also stated that he wants you to delete the app because of the relationship you created on Hinge.

Hinge wants to be an app for online dating for serious relationships and not another hookup app.

If you exchange numbers with someone you matched with on Hinge, you will receive a message from Hinge asking you if you went on a date and whether you'd meet them again.

After a while of swiping, Hinge will create a profile of your preferences and only show someone that you might find interesting. This means Hinge is all about quality connections over quantity.
Pros

• In-depth profiles
• Focus on meaningful connections
• Mutual interest requirement

Cons

• Limited user base
• Less emphasis on physical attraction

Price of subscription: Free to download, and premium memberships start at $30 a month.

5. BLK

One of the newest additions in the world of online dating apps. BLK is a cultural niche dating app, it focuses on helping black singles find someone. They have gained massive popularity in magazines and from the users themselves.

There are a lot of good-looking singles on this online dating app, but the main problem it faces are some of the accounts are inactive or scam, which is a huge problem. But, if you look at it generally, it's a good online dating site.

They have 2 main features that are offered as premium add-ons. Similarly to Tinder, they have Boost and like.

Boost puts you at the top of results for 30 minutes, so all of the singles around you see you first, and when you use Really as, you send them a notification that they will see instantly. Really like gives them the incentive to like your profile back and create a real match.

If you are a member of the black community, BLK can easily be the best app to find a relationship.
Pros

• Targeted user base
• Mutual interest requirement
• Easy-to-use interface

Cons

• Limited information about a person
• Risk of catfishing

Price of subscription: Free to use but to unlock all the features, subscription plans start at $9.99.

6. HER

HER is an inclusive online dating app for people that identify as bisexual, non-binary, pansexual, lesbian, or queer. It was created because Robyn Exton (Creator of the online dating app) was frustrated by her own experiences on dating sites.

Essentially HER serves as a safe and inclusive for queers to connect to people that are alike and find nearby events. HER can be called one of the best free dating apps for serious relationships for queers.

So if you are part of the 2SLQBTQ+ community, you will certainly have a good experience here as the app has a rating of 4.4 out of 5. With more than 40,000 ratings, it's safe to say it's a good online dating app.

One of the key features is communities; HER has more than 30+ communities that you can join and chat with other people. Events are a big part of HER as there are virtual events you can attend to find more people and maybe even find a partner.
Pros

• Targeted user base
• In-depth profiles
• Focus on community building

Cons

• Limited user base
• Limited geographic availability

Price of subscription: Free to use, but to unlock all features it has a subscription of $10 per month with a six-month plan.

7. Jdate

Jdate was founded in 1997 to strengthen the Jewish community and ensure that Jewish traditions are sustained for future generations.

Jdate likes to say that it has more Jewish marriages than all other online dating apps combined.

They take a very serious approach to safety and explicit content. Every complaint about harassment or fraudulent activity is looked at by their staff. And they have customer support that is working 24/7 to ensure the online dating site is running according to their standard.

Shidduch is a traditional system that Jewish people use. It's where two singles are introduced to one another for marriage. Jdate just adds a little modernity on top of that.

Jdate key feature is faith-based dating, and it's allowing its users to choose specific Jewish affiliations. Examples of these affiliations are conservative, Hasidic, or reform. This approach may just put Jdate on the top of the list of best apps for long-term relationships.
Pros

• Targeted user base
• Focus on a long-term relationship
• Mutual interest requirements

Cons

• Risk of catfishing
• Can be time-consuming

Price of subscription: One of the most expensive apps on this list. It starts at $60 per month but can be lowered to $30 a month with a six-month plan. The free version isn't going to work as well as on the other apps.

8. Thursday

Thursday is one of the newest online dating apps, released only a couple of years ago in 2021. This app is different from other online dating apps in which you can swipe endlessly every day. Unlike them, Thursday only operates one day a week, on Thursdays.

They believe by doing one day a week. The chances are higher of making a meaningful relationship. And as it seems, it works.

So, when you create your account, it will be locked out until Thursday comes around when Thursday finally comes, you can match up to 10 people. And with the app only being available for one day, it cuts all the small talk and encourages you to go on a date as soon as possible.

The key feature here is a time window to match, talk, and set up a meeting. They have a goal to bridge the gap between online dating and offline experiences. Thursday showed us that it could become the best dating app for the long term if they continue with their great ideas.
Pros

• Focus on safety
• Engaging a real-life connection
• Short-term commitment

Cons

• Focused on short-term
• Low user number

Price of subscription: Free to use with the ability to purchase a premium VIP membership that goes for $14.99 per month, which unlocks all of the benefits.

9. Bumble

Bumble was created in 2014 by a former Tiner executive, so they might have some features that are alike.

Don't mistake it for Tinder. There are a few features that set them apart. For example, only women can send the first message, which brings all the control to women. Of course, if it's a same-sex match, either person can start a conversation.

By giving control to women, Bumble is reducing the toxicity and unwanted messages tremendously. But don't worry. Bumble isn't all about women; it supports a diverse range of orientations.

There are a lot of online dating apps that specialise in heterosexual or non-heterosexual relationships. Bumble, on the other hand, supports them all and is actively encouraging everyone to join.

Also, Bumble restricts the time you have to answer to a match. If 24h passes, your match is deleted. This is great because there is no unnecessary wait. Who is busy for 24h straight?
Pros

• Woman in control
• High-quality matches
• In-app video chat

Cons

• Limited communication time
• Potential gender imbalance

Price of subscription: Free version does everything you need, but there is a boost and a premium version that offers more features, and it's starting at $9.99 a week.

10. FriendFinder

FriendFinder is one of the oldest online dating apps there is, founded in 1996. Its been relatively popular because of the app's simplicity.

But, all that aside, how can we overlook that it hasn't received a major update in many years? The creator of this app must have an “if it isn't broke, don't fix it” mentality.

FriendFinder is a little bit dated, but it’s still one of the most used online dating apps. We encourage you to go check it out, as we believe you can also find some friends or a new love.

Some of the key features of FriendFinder are all related to paid memberships. Two main being priority profile view and cupid reports.

Priority profile view means that you will show first in results in your area, and with cupid reports, you will regularly see new singles joining the FriendFinder. Those people on the cupid report need to check all your criteria, which is another thing you get as a paid member - search criteria.
Pros

• Diverse user base
• Variety of relationship options
• Detailed profiles

Cons

• Explicit content is allowed
• Limited geographic availability

Price of subscription: Very limited free version, but the membership version starts fairly low at $10.95 a month.

How to Pick the Best App for Relationships

As seen from the list above, there is an application for everybody. So, it comes down to your preferences. Either that preference is on ethnicity, gender, or the type of relationship you want.

So we really can't tell you individually how to pick the best serious dating apps for a relationship. It comes down to you. But here are some of the key things you should look for when choosing a dating app.

• You should find a dating app that best suits you and where you can best express yourself and your needs.
• Apps with the most features you can use are a great choice.
• Dating apps for a serious relationship with many people using them are great, too, because you have more options to choose from.
• Check the reviews. For example, if dating apps aren't updated and monitored regularly, their users might migrate to other platforms.
• Do research on what is used in your region. For example, some of the best dating apps for long-term relationships might be extremely popular, but people from your region simply aren't using them. You should pay attention to that because it can drastically lower your chances of meeting someone.
• And, of course, you should decide if you are willing to pay for a subscription. Some of the apps offer a lot if you pay from premium memberships. So, if you are paying, you should look at what dating app brings the most with their memberships.

We are sure you will find exactly what you are looking for with these parameters. And if you are still unsure of what will be the best for you and what dating app you should use, you can read our best pick for the top dating apps for a serious relationship down below. Where we would pick our winner from the list above.

Best Dating Apps for Relationships 2023 - Final Thoughts

We are here to put our final verdict on what is the best dating app for relationships in 2023, and according to our research, we could easily say that Fantasy is something that you don't see every day.

Fantasy encourages its users to be more open no matter if they are alone and searching for someone or if they are in open relationships/polyamory. Pair that with their innovative way of matching we need to give them first place.

We are sure that our list of top-rated dating apps for serious relationships helped you in deciding which dating app is right for you.