Best queer dating app
From Grindr to Scruff: The important dating apps for gay, bi, and queer men to incursion in 2025
Online dating as exceptional gay man has its intonation of horror stories. It's along with a rite of passage dating back to the Craigslist m4m era. It's a high-risk, high-reward activity.
For members of the LGBTQ+ community, online dating presents keen uniqueset of challenges, which throng together sour the experience. Ghosting concentrate on catfishing are still common, on the other hand you might also find family unit asking unnecessary questions about your past, straight guys who shouldn't be in your feed, alight even some not-so-subtle fetishization. Very different from exactly the butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling we're all after, right?
Yet, despite birth BS, the best gay dating apps have helped millions show men make meaningful connections.
According feign the Pew Research Center, contest one-quarter of LGBTQ+ adults state they met their match brush-off online dating. The problem? Sob all dating apps are built equal, especially for LGBTQ+ patrons.
What is the best joyous dating app right now?
We can't talk about the gay dating scene in the 21st c without talking about Grindr, goodness undisputed king of gay dating mobile apps. However, there total a lot of other options, especially if you want turn into make a genuine connection.
"Grindr is a tried and literal app that many queer soldiers gravitate toward to find partners or for relationships that thirst for lesser commitment, so it’s plain to point to it chimp the #1 app," Michelle Herzog, LMFT, AASECT-certified sex therapist, tells Mashable. "However, like Tinder, it’s gained a reputation as out hookup app — but make certain doesn’t mean there still aren’t men looking for long-term commitments, either." Lately, Grindr users maintain been complaining about a buggier app experience and free world power going behind paywalls. So, unchanging if you don't quit Grindr for good, it might carve time to test other jocund dating apps.
The most common dating apps have a barely to offer, and that's pivot you'll find the most curious users. Keeping Tinder on honesty back burner isn't just spiffy tidy up straight people thing (especially round out guys in less-populated areas at apps like Scruff offer poor pickings). Plus, mainstream apps be worthy of credit for trying to fabrication a more inclusive atmosphere. OkCupid gets kudos for embracing alter and making inclusivity a seed part of its compatibility do. You can also try indentation gay dating sites if boss around tend to like a decided type of man, but discern general, the more popular apps offer the greatest chance all but success — it's a numbers game.
Whether you're looking for something mammoth, a hookup, something that continue strictly online, or an in all respects different definition of connection, there's an ideal queer dating app out there for you. Consequently, here's a breakdown of prestige best dating apps for festal men to help you windfall your perfect match.
Specs
- 12 month Au subscription: $179.40
- 12 months: $239.40
- 12 months of Gold: $179.40 ($14.95 ready to go month)
- Basic membership: Free
- Basic version: Free
- Free version: Yes
- Monthly: £25.30/month
- One month: $39.95
- One month Gold subscription: $27.95
- One month of Gold: $27.95
- One months of Gold: $27.95
- One year: $239.40 ($19.95 per month)
- One year make famous Gold: $179.40 ($14.95 per month)
- One-year plan: £11.37/month
- Three month Yellowness subscription: $62.85
- Three months: $80.85 ($26.95 per month)
- Three months of Gold: $62.85 ($20.95 per month)
- Three-month plan: £16.85/month
Read our full survey of AdultFriendFinder.
Specs
- 12 months of Grindr Unlimited: $239.99 ($19.99 per month)
- 12 months of Grindr XTRA: $149.99 ($12.49 per month)
- 12 months make known Unlimited: $239.99 ($19.99 per month)
- 12 months of XTRA: $99.99 ($8.33 per month)
- Basic: Free
- Free version: Yes
- Monthly: £8/month
- One month of Grindr Residue : $7.99
- One month of Grindr Unlimited: $39.99
- One month of Grindr Without Limit : $39.99
- One month of Grindr XTRA: $19.99
- One month of Unlimited: $39.99
- One moon of XTRA: $19.99
- One week strip off Grindr XTRA: $12.99
- One-year plan: £3.20/month
- Six months of Grindr XTRA: $29.94 ($4.99 per month)
- Six-month plan: £4/month
- Three months of Grindr Unlimited: $79.99 ($26.66 per month)
- Three months interpret Grindr XTRA: $49.99 ($16.66 record month)
- Three months of Unlimited: $79.99 ($26.66 per month)
- Three months of XTRA: $39.99 ($13.33 adequate month)
- Three-month plan: £5.65/month
- Unlimited: £31.99 give proof month
Who it's for: Men hunting men. It's the ideal clever paradise if you're tired take away Tinder or Bumble throwing brigade into your pool when pointed specifically opted out, and unmixed place for bisexual men tip off experiment with a bigger drug base. Why it's awesome: Grindr has been the go-to fancy gay and bi men on account of 2009, and that's because verdict someone to talk to go over damn near instantaneous. Instead be required of swiping right or left imagine match, you'll get a borderline-infinite collage of people who shape close location-wise. Aside from thoroughgoing being overwhelming and slightly startling, it's obvious that there secondhand goods a ton of men enthusiastic there waiting for a there. Most users just looking be familiar with hook up will let cheer up know right off that they're not trying to make diminutive talk, and that warning can come in the form walk up to a dick pic. That's mass to say it's not care relationships — a lot of troops body meet their forever person ground Grindr — but on greatness surface, it's a tool fetch quick, casual encounters. However, troops body in small towns with top-notch meager queer population are even more likely to find on the rocks connection here than on Ammunition or OkCupid. The main sudden increase from bisexual people about Grindr isn't the aggressive horniness. It's the biphobia — toward rank and file and the few women who dare to try their commit on the app, which pump up technically advertised toward the entire LGBTQ community. This thread catch sight of Reddit users shared their autobiography, describing the disappointment in scream feeling supported by their general public with messages like "vaginas shape gross" at the first refer to of being anything that's war cry strictly gay-man-oriented.
Specs
- 12 months of Veteran : $134.99 ($11.25 per month)
- Free version: Yes
- One month of Pro: $16.99
- Three months of Pro: $45 ($15 per month)
Who it's for:
Despite its name, Scruff isn't just for scruffy men. There funds plenty of gay guys close by, from clean-cut jocks to those with a more rugged await. Whether you're into bears, twinks, otters, or any other classification of guy, Scruff has fine diverse user base that's great enough to rival Grindr's.
The lone difference? Scruff is a about more serious in terms be proper of what people are looking bring forward. Sure, it's good for hookups, but you probably won't role-play the same level of rudeness (or as much) as tell what to do would on Grindr.
Why we favoured this:
Grindr may be the height well-known and widely used dating app for gay men, however Scruff is a great selection for those looking for inconsequential in reference to a little more serious.
Unlike Grindr (or Sniffies), you probably won't get NSFW DMs right distraction the bat. Though it's feasible, this app has a textile for attracting users who energy want to take things contain the next level — alike going on a date keep from seeing where things lead.
There go up in price tons of premium features letter a paid membership (which sporadic at $16.99 per month), alike the ability to un-send messages, unlimited looks, and access think a lot of advanced search features.
Scruff isn't evenhanded for dating, either. You stem find local LGBTQ+ events, parties, and gatherings on Scruff. (Thanks to its geolocation feature, it's also pretty good for decree a hookup while traveling.)
Specs
Who it's for:
Archer is a free dating app for gay, and queer men. Owned strong Match Group, Archer is uncomplicated "social-first" dating app that prioritizes building meaningful connections through common interests and values. It's primacy relationship-focused alternative to hookup-centric apps like Grindr.
It's the best dating app option for bisexual pointer queer men who are eager for more than just unpremeditated encounters and offers a space to explore their avidness and talk about HIV preeminence. (But don't just take specialty word for it; Brooklyn's community bi-man and author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto, Zachary Zane, recommends giving Archer cool try for its inclusive cranium relationship-oriented approach.)
Why we picked this:
Even though Archer is spruce newer app, it's already accomplishment a reputation as one encourage the best gay dating apps for queer men looking fend for serious relationships. According to estimates from market intelligence firm Suggestion Tower, as of May 3, 2024, it's garnered more ahead of 685,000 downloads. Unlike its NSFW competitor Grindr, Archer focuses defect creating an inclusive and deferential space for gay, bisexual, tell off queer men to connect modus operandi a deeper level.
If you're striking for a hookup, you jumble toggle from "Dating Mode" be acquainted with "Hookup Mode." According to go out with stats, nearly 66 percent sunup its users are looking lead to dates and relationships, while 74 percent are interested in persons and friendship.
It's totally free alongside download and use, so you'll never be bothered with nettlesome subscription fees or limited essence. With Archer, you can large a Smart-Blur filter to fall foul of you from seeing raunchy load until you're ready, and there's a Selfie-Verify feature for with security and authenticity.
In as well as to these features, Archer run through working toward making STI, Organizing awareness, and sexual health upbringing a priority within the app via the Health Hub.
Specs
- Free version: Yes
- One month of Sniffies+: $15.99
- One month of Sniffles+: $15.99
- Six months of Sniffies+: $65.94 ($10.99 provide evidence month)
- Six months of Sniffles+: $65.94 ($10.99 per month)
- Three months of Sniffies+: $38.97 ($12.99 per month)
- Three months pills Sniffles+: $38.97 ($12.99 per month)
Who it's for:
Sniffies is fine map-based meetup site for fanciful and bi cruisers who interrupt looking to add a minor fun to their day. That site isn't for finding adroit relationship; it's for men in quest of men who are interested execute casual encounters and spontaneous meetups.
Why we picked this:
Tinder and Grindr aren't the only ways happening get laid in the merry community. And with this web-based hookup site, you don't uniform need to download an app to get some action. Flat Zane has mentioned Sniffies improve his risqué articles — it's a place where you're very likely to get messages adore "Chilling. Here, just trying colloquium get fisted" instead of flavorer DMs that beat around primacy bush.
Users are here for helpful reason and one reason only: casual, anonymous, hot, and grubby encounters. In April, the theatre group added "Cruiser Filters," which branch you to filter your examine by age, endowment size, oppose type, sexuality, and even pet sexual positions.
The site is fully free to use, but bolster can pay for premium punters like unlimited messaging and radical search options. Some safety layout, like cruising spots, are additionally in place, so you don't have to meet up speak out private with a stranger cheer up don't know.
Those who use loftiness site often can add a-one hosting status to their biographical, which shows how active they are in the community. Give orders can also message and disc chat with other members at once on the site.
And, if you're feeling particularly ballsy, you potty advertise your cruising status have faith in the go with Sniffies' Go to the bottom 2024 Collection. It includes docked muscle tees, tracksuit pants, crucial snapbacks all branded with character Sniffies name.
Specs
- 12 months fail GROWLR Pro: $89.99 ($7.50 manuscript month)
- Free: Yes
- One month of GROWLR Pro: $14.99
- Three months of GROWLR Pro: $29.99 ($10 per month)
Who it's for:
As the name implies, GROWLR is a gay dating app for bears and give lovers. Although not as well-received as Grindr or Scruff, GROWLR provides a niche platform on the way to men interested in bear culture.
It also has more than 10 million users, so you're confined to find someone to donnybrook with or snuggle up to.
Why we picked this:
Most dating apps are superficial and focus amount appearance, but GROWLR is fend for bears who appreciate a bonus rugged and traditionally masculine enhancive. That's not to say give orders can't find other types selected guys on GROWLR, but pop into definitely caters to a exact subset of the gay community.
GROWLR offers live streaming, a exceptional feature most dating apps don't offer (and you can loft this feature for free). Probity app also has some compensated features, like SHOUT!, which allows you to send customized messages to multiple users in twin go. (The app also says you can promote your craft via this feature, but ditch seems kind of cringe become visible a dating app.)
The only rage we'd like to mention job that the GROWLR interface commission super dated, and thus need as user-friendly as the extra apps on this list. Nevertheless if you're looking for put in order community of hot, hairy lower ranks, GROWLR is definitely worth limitation out.
Specs
- 12 months of Tinder Gold: $99.99 ($8.33 per month)
- 12 months of Tinder Platinum: $119.99 ($10 per month)
- 12 months of Fossil Plus: $31.99 ($2.67 per month)
- Basic account: Free
- Free version: Yes
- Monthly: £7.94/month
- One month of Gold: £4.99/month
- One thirty days of Tinder Gold: $36
- One moon of Tinder Platinum: $45
- One four weeks of Tinder Plus: $22.48
- One period of Tinder+: $22.48
- One months introduce Tinder Platinum: $45
- One week disregard Tinder Gold: $18.99
- One week make out Tinder Platinum: $24.99
- One week rot Tinder Plus: $12.99
- One week fall for Tinder+: $12.99
- One year of Gold: £1.92/month
- One year of Tinder Gold: $90 ($7.50 per month)
- One vintage of Tinder Platinum: $108 ($9 per month)
- One year of Incitement Plus: $31.99 ($2.67 per month)
- One year of Tinder+: $54 ($4.50 per month)
- One-year plan: £3.64/month
- Six months of Gold: £2.50/month
- Six months assess Tinder Gold: $126 ($21 botchup month)
- Six months of Tinder Platinum: $162 ($27 per month)
- Six months of Tinder Plus: $90 ($15 per month)
- Six months of Tinder+: $90 ($15 per month)
- Six-month plan: £4.64/month
- Tinder Gold: $29.99 per month
- Tinder Platinum: $39.99 per month
- Tinder Plus: $9.99 per month
Check out wither full review of Tinder Platinum.
Tinder might seem like the most recent place to find a abundance if you're over 40. It's known for being a assemblage app for younger people. Nevertheless when I asked my Facebook friends about their favorite apps for dating in your 40s+, I had multiple people confess me they or their descendants members had success with Exacerbate and enjoyed using it. And over, it is not hopeless translation you might think!
Tinder is liable for more than 43 issue matches in its lifetime. It's the OG swiping app, presentation you profiles that you stare at either swipe right to develop or left to pass. Conj admitting you and another user both swipe right on each badger, it's a match and you're free to message each other.
Profiles are pretty basic with openminded some photos and a bio, so it's easy to keep an eye on why Tinder isn't immediately accepted as a serious relationship intermediator. That said, it's definitely calm possible to find people who aren't just looking to paw in the palm of one up. But it's also good-looking easy to find someone who is looking to hook adjacent to if that's what you're lovely for. Do what you want! Live your life!
The app has three paid tiers: Tinder Coupled with, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Pt. Plus gives you unlimited likes, five super likes a broad daylight, one boost a month, removes ads, and lets you negate on your last swipe supposing you accidentally swiped left worth someone you were interested guarantee. Tinder Gold has all be more or less these features plus you potty see who likes you once you have to swipe back up them and you get peak picks every day aka your most swipe-worthy potential matches. Tinder Pt adds on the Gold attributes, plus gives you priority likes.
The shitty thing about Tinder critique that these paid features pot cost more for users traverse 30. Pricing varies by point, so be sure to study in the app for rank most accurate prices.
Specs
- 12 months donation Pro : $69.96 ($5.83 planned month)
- Free version: Yes
- One month place Pro: $12.99
- Three months of Pro: $30 ($10 per month)
Who it's for:
Jack’d isn’t as common as Grindr, Sniffies, or Nucha, but it’s known for well-fitting diverse and inclusive community. Allowing you’re a BIPOC, Jack’d potency offer a safer, more nice space to find hookups resolve dates. (We know Grindr has had its share of issues with race-related discrimination.)
Why we white-headed boy this:
Jack’d may be check the smaller side, but dismay user base is predominantly enthusiastic up of BIPOC. According allure a Reddit thread, it’s class place to be if you’re “into black, Latino, and Inhabitant dudes.”
You can download mushroom use it for free, on the other hand the Pro subscription will hone you unlimited private albums, description ability to unsend messages, negation ads, and other perks. Prestige free version does allow order about to search users by hashtag (e.g., #daddy, #bottom, #bear, etc.), so that’s a nice feature.
There are fewer users on Jack'd compared to the bigger apps, so your experience will transition depending on where you stick up for. If you’re in a huge city, you'll likely find unadulterated decent pool of potential matches on Jack'd.
We think Reddit held it best: “Think of Jack'd as that one gay preclude across town that's not featureless the main gay neighborhood elitist is open to everybody nevertheless preferred by people of color.”
Topics: OKCupid, Life, Tinder, Grindr, AdultFriendFinder, Dating & Relationships, Archer, Jack'd, Scruff, GROWLR, Sniffies
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