You have to swipe right to match with people, and then you have 24 hours to make the first move and start the chat, so you do have to check the app frequently, or else matches will expire. Men then have 24 hours to respond. You can search the app with filters, choosing who you’re interested in (men, women, or everyone), age range, and distance. You can also set advanced filters, looking for a specific height, astrology sign, educational background, and more.
Best for LGBTQ Dating: HER
- HER is the largest free dating app for lesbian and queer women
- The app shares LGBTQ+ news and local events taking place, offering safe spaces
- People complain that some couples are looking for threesomes on the app
- If you don’t pay, you have to wait hours for more swipes
HER is the world’s biggest free dating app for queer women, offering the ability to match, as well as providing news on local meet-ups in safe spaces. The app works as a community and tries to be welcoming and supportive.
Much like Tinder, HER is all about the swiping. A swipe left means you’re not interested in the person, while a swipe right (or an emoji heart) means that you’d like to get to know the individual. Then, that person can decide if the feeling is mutual and send you a message.
While it is free, there are also three types of premium subscription memberships. A premium, one-month membership starts at about $15, for six months it’s around $60 and for one year it’s roughly $90.
Best for Jewish Dating: JSwipe
Why We Chose It: JSwipe is a great option for Jewish people to swipe and meet, no matter where they’re based.
- Ability to meet Jewish singles easily
- App’s layout makes it difficult to see where people are based or swiping from
JSwipe is a great option if you’re Jewish or want to date Jewish men or women. Launched in 2014 over Passover by founder David Yarus, who also worked for Birthright Israel and Hillel at the time, the Brooklyn-based app was later acquired by its competitor, JDate.
On JSwipe, you enter a short bio, your education, and your age. You’re also asked to fill out whether or not you keep kosher and your denomination. Then, you can begin swiping. Your profile page links with your Facebook page, so it will show you what interests you share with matches based on what you previously liked on Facebook.
JSwipe offers a free version, as well as a first-class membership, where you can go to exclusive events and get perks like free drinks and merch. The exclusive version also allows you to see who liked your profile, boost your profile for more matches, swipe
A one-month membership is about $25, three months costs around $45, and a six-month membership is roughly $60. Much like Tinder, it shows you who’s swiping around you based on location, but you can also set the mile radius much larger and see singles all over the world.
Best for Casual Dating: Tinder
Why We Chose It: You can’t ignore the original dating app, Tinder, which sparked the swipe. It’s ideal for hook-ups or long-term dating.
- Perfect for dipping your toe into the world of online dating
- Easy to navigate, especially for dating app beginners
- One of the most casual options geared more towards hook-ups
- Emphasizes the endless options you encounter while swiping