Match.com has one key advantage over all others (except, for Tinder): a huge database and lots of people registered, which is of utmost importance for dating apps, hence the recommendation. The app itself is not executed very well and comes up with confusing error messages way too often. The service itself, however, is definitely full of choices and it allows you to discover people nearby, view their photos, and "wink" for free. There are various premium tiers for those who want to get more dates faster.


Coffee Meets Bagel offers a different approach to matching. Instead of letting you browse through hundreds of potential partners looking for ones that grab your attention, CMB selects them for you. Every day around noon you receive the picks that the app's algorithm (the one that does the "handpicking") decided are the best match for you. That number varies, usually around 15-20 matches a day, but sometimes it could be as little as 4-5, which can be disappointing. However, if you tend to spend too much time swiping on dating apps, this is a good alternative.


eHarmony is a very detailed matching service that is better suited for those who are looking for a long-term thing. You get to fill in a questionnaire that delves deep in your personality to find a very precise match. It's a stark difference from Tinder and the likes, and a breath of fresh air for those looking for more substance.


Another hugely popular service with years of history, Plenty of Fish has evolved in ways similar to Tinder, using a swipe-based matching system and allowing you to see people that are near you. To improve your matches, POF uses the so-called Relationship Chemistry Predictor that factors in different personality traits, from self-confidence to easygoingness, based on the answers you gave on their test.


Online dating isn’t always the best experience for ladies, which is precisely the problem Bumble seeks to rectify. When two users match on the service, only the woman is allowed to make the first contact, a feature aiming to reduce potential abuse. Both parties have a 24-hour window to message the other, after which the match is considered unsuccessful. For obvious reasons, however, the first restriction doesn’t apply to same-sex matches, which the app also offers. In-app purchases allow users to extend the time limit by another day and also buy back expired connections.