The 10 best dating apps for men who know what they want

Read our full review of Match. 

Who it's for:

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.

Why we picked this:

Okay, we'll level with you — 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.

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 AdultFriendFinder.

Read our full review of eharmony.

Who it's for:

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 users who are ready to settle down, build a life with someone special, and maybe even start a family.

The majority of users are established professionals between the ages of 35 and 54, so if you're out of your 20s and ready to get serious, eharmony is a great place to start. It's also a better fit for men who identify as conservative or value religion in their dating preferences.

Why we picked this:

Eharmony has a serious track record; a spokesperson for the site says it's been used by 54 million people and is responsible for 4 percent of U.S. marriages. This is why we chose it as the best dating app for men looking for marriage. While that doesn't guarantee you'll be walking down the aisle within the year, it does mean you'll be swimming in a pool of 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 now covers a whopping 32 dimensions of compatibility (up from 29). Instead of blatantly asking if you get mad easily or are emotionally stable, eharmony may ask how you handle apologizing after a fight or if a certain action would piss you off. And yes, they still ask about your hobbies and interests, but now it feels less like a job interview and more like a friendly chat.

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 fact, the company's commitment to diversity and inclusivity has even sparked a bit of controversy, with some conservative groups petitioning to stop the brand's LGBTQ-friendly advertising.

Read our full review of Tinder Premium.

Who it's for:

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.

Why we picked this:

Despite our love/hate relationship with Tinder, it's a tried-and-true option for casual hookups. (We'd be surprised if you haven't already downloaded it at least once.) Tinder pioneered the now-ubiquitous swiping function, revolutionizing the world of online dating and boasting 1.6 billion swipes per day, a stat that dwarfs other dating apps.

Tinder may require more swiping and looking, but unlike more niche apps, you can find active Tinder users all over the world. One good thing about Tinder's rashness? Putting "Just looking to hook up" on your Tinder profile is an innocuous move. On an app where so many people are looking for so many different things, most people actually appreciate the heads-up in case they're looking for a different type of relationship.

Who it's for:

Grindr is the leading dating app for gay, bisexual, trans, and queer men. If you're looking to make meaningful connections within the LGBTQ+ community, Grindr offers a welcoming space to connect, chat, and explore potential relationships.

Why we picked this:

Going into it, you probably know what's coming on 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. 

That's not to say it's not for relationships. One of my good friends met his current boyfriend on Grindr, and nearly 85 percent of users say that they've fallen in love on the app. The Grindr for Equality campaign also pushes the app past being a simple hookup facilitator by advocating for sexual health and the safety of LGBTQ+ people in unsafe countries.

The main complaint from bisexual people about Grindr isn't that it's aggressively horny or overwhelming men. It's biphobia. This thread of Reddit users have 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 or anything that's not strictly gay.

Read our full review of Bumble Premium.

Who it's for:

Bumble is the ultimate dating app for shy guys who appreciate the power of a confident woman or non-binary individuals taking the lead. In a refreshing twist on traditional dating dynamics, Bumble empowers women and non-binary individuals to make the first move, creating a more balanced dating experience.

Why we picked this:

Bumble flips the script on traditional dating apps by empowering women and non-binary users to make the first move. With its new "Opening Moves" feature, women can now set the tone for conversations by choosing a question (or creating their own) for their matches to respond to.

This not only creates a more respectful and inclusive environment but also offers a huge advantage for guys who are tired of always having to initiate conversations. If someone swipes right on you and sends the first message, you know they're genuinely interested. (Don't worry, in same-sex matches, either party can start things off.)

Bumble also recently expanded its Dating Intentions badges, offering more options and flexibility so you can find exactly what you're looking for — casual dates, a life partner, ethical non-monogamy, or something else entirely.

Paid users can also filter by tons of profile traits, such as height, exercise habits, education, star sign, politics, romantic goals, and more.

Read our full review of OkCupid.

Who it's for:

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.

OkCupid is a dating app for those who value substance and refuse to settle for surface-level connections. So, if you're passionate about women's issues, gender equality, and social justice, OkCupid could be your wing person.

Why we picked this:

OkCupid allows users to express their values and filter out potential matches that don't align with their deal-breakers on important issues. With thought-provoking questions like "Would you date someone who keeps a gun in the house?" or "Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?" users can take their stance and avoid engaging with incompatible partners.

While politics play a significant role, OKC understands that there's more to romance than just political alignment. The platform features in-depth user bios, but the profile-building process is neither lengthy nor tedious. The questions are thoughtfully designed to explore your dating style without being overly sentimental.

What sets OkCupid apart is its 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, ensuring you find potential matches with genuine compatibility.

Who it's for:

Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is like the younger, more laid-back version of EliteSingles, perfect for guys who want a slower-paced, more curated dating experience.

Instead of bombarding you with countless profiles, CMB delivers a select few "Bagels" each day – potential matches handpicked based on your preferences and interests. It's like having a personal matchmaker who understands your taste and knows how to find you a compatible partner.

Why we picked this:

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.

Instead of the endless swiping of other apps, CMB gives you a limited number of matches (bagels) each day – curated by the app's algorithm based on your interests and preferences. This makes it easier to focus on the people who are actually a good fit for you, and it also eliminates the pressure of having to swipe through hundreds of profiles every day.

CMB encourages users to get the ball rolling by only giving them seven days to message a match. This is less pressure than Bumble's 24-hour time limit, but it still eliminates a list of matches who don't care enough to respond or plan a meet-up. Plus, not being bombarded with available hotties 24/7 gives users time to contemplate whether they genuinely want to get to know someone or if they're just bored.

Read our full EliteSingles review.

Who it's for:

EliteSingles is a dating app for ambitious, intelligent men who are looking for a partner who shares their passion for knowledge and drive for success. If you're a professional who values stimulating conversation, intellectual compatibility, and shared career goals, EliteSingles attempts to offer more specificity where eharmony and Match leave off.

EliteSingles caters to those who understand that a meaningful connection goes beyond just physical attraction. It's about finding someone who challenges you intellectually, supports your ambitions, and shares your vision for the future.

Why we picked this:

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.