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Online dating has become normalized and as commonplace as social media. Pratik Gupta//Unsplash

KEY POINTS

  • Tinder may be widely used, but it's not the only reliable online dating app 
  • HER is an online dating app for lesbian, bisexual, or queer women
  • eHarmony is ideal for those seeking long-term relationships

Dating has gone digital. Especially with the pandemic reshaping the way people go about their days, it only seemed natural that meeting people and potential partners switched online. Perhaps the biggest and most popular dating site to date is Tinder, but it's not the only one.

Take a look at some of the best dating app alternatives to replace Tinder in 2022:

OkCupid

OkCupid is the best alternative to Tinder if you are looking for a free dating site. Some of its users have met their ideal match and even their lifelong partners through this app. What makes it a good alternative to Tinder is its comprehensive profile. It goes more in-depth than other dating apps, with a series of questions similar to a personality test.

This helps the app show the match/enemy percentage you have with another profile so that you can gauge your compatibility with them.

Tinder and OkCupid are owned by the same company. Recent changes to OkCupid show similarities with Tinder, making it perfect if you are switching from the latter. You can now swipe on a profile and message those you match. If you send a message to someone you do not match, it will not show up in the recipient's inbox. The company did this to lower the number of fake profiles so that you can match a real person and get started on your online dating journey.

Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel dating app
Coffee Meets Bagel dating app may be the best alternative to Tinder in 2022 Coffee Meets Bagel

One of the best features of Coffee Meets Bagel is its curated daily matches, called "bagel." These daily matches are sent at noon – a perfect time to plan your conversations for the rest of the day. The app even suggests ice-breakers for first messages, making this Tinder alternative perfect for those who need help breaking the silence.

While going on dating apps is now the norm, it can still be intimidating for some. CMB sends out gentle reminders to message people you've matched. It's that additional push to encourage you to take a step forward.

Her

This app is one of the best dating apps to replace Tinder if you are a lesbian, bisexual or queer woman looking for a safe dating app and high-quality relationship. Though most apps are LGBTQ-inclusive, having a dating app dedicated to your demographic can help make the search for a potential partner less awkward. Tinder, in particular, only has about 0.01% of female users who identify as part of the LGBTQ community, making it challenging to match with someone with whom you can build a lasting relationship.

HER comes with a free trial to check if it is the best dating app for you. If you reach the cap on your swiping, you can consider upgrading to a premium membership, which offers cool features. But you're not losing anything significant by sticking with the free membership.

Clover

Clover dating app
Clover is perfect for fun, casual dating Clover

Clover is the ideal alternative to Tinder, specifically if you want to go on a date but find the pool of potential matches in other apps skewing older. Clover aims for a balance of compatibility-based and swiping-based apps. They have some of the best features of Tinder and other alternatives.

Though it's a more casual dating app and perfect for users below 35, it provides a numeric match prediction based on your profile's compatibility with another, taking into consideration your interests. Clover also has a wide range of users, so there's a good potential match for you on this app.

The app has a free option, and the paid membership is also more affordable compared to other dating apps in 2022.

eHarmony

eHarmony online dating app
Find your match at eHarmony, an alternative to Tinder eHarmony

If you're looking for a serious long-term commitment, eHarmony has a proven history of resulting in happy marriages. It's one of the pioneers in the concept of online dating. eHarmony matches couples using 29 dimensions of compatibility and interests, determined through a relationship questionnaire and personality test. You can also use an icebreaker test to start the conversation with your potential match.

It's free to review the profiles of prospective matches, but you need to pay for a subscription to unlock the full features of eHarmony. Their in-app Video Dates also guarantee that you are talking to a real person, making dating more secure.

Happn

Happn online dating app
Happn connects you with potential matches in your general location Happn

Ever wondered if you have missed your match by not being in the right place at the right time? Happn hinges on this by connecting you with potential missed connections who have been in your area recently. There is a basic, free version of the app, but you can get a premium subscription for more features.

The idea of matching with people who have been in your general area brings back the romantic aspect of meet-cutes – while minimizing the possibility of scammers on the app. It requires a Facebook account to sign up, and breaking the ice is easier with the location as your common denominator.

Happn also allows voice messages if you're not into messaging, perfect for catch-ups at random times of the day even when you are busy. You can also send Spotify song links in-app – perfect if your love language is making playlists. With this concept, Happn can be a good Tinder dating app alternative if you are pretty active or adventurous and like going to different places regularly.