10 Best Gay Dating Apps to Use in 2023

Are you looking for love in the new year? Do you want to find someone who shares your identity, preferences, and goals? If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you know how hard it can be to meet compatible partners in the traditional dating scene. That’s why you need to try the best gay dating apps in 2023.

In this article, we will review the 10 best gay dating apps to use in 2023. We will cover their features, pros, and cons, as well as some tips and tricks to make the most of them. Whether you’re looking for a casual fling, a serious relationship, or a new buddy, these apps will help you find your perfect match. Let’s get started!

Best Gay Dating Apps

There are many gay dating apps and sites available online, but not all of them are equally suitable for your needs. Depending on what you are looking for, whether it is a hookup, a relationship, or something in between, you might want to try different platforms. Here are some of the best gay dating apps and sites of 2023.

OkCupid

OkCupid is one of the most popular and inclusive dating apps in the world. It allows you to choose from 22 different genders and 13 sexual orientations, as well as specify your pronouns and preferences. You can also answer fun and insightful questions to find your best matches based on compatibility.

OkCupid has a large and diverse user base, with over 50 million registered users from different countries and backgrounds. You can browse profiles, send messages, and join various communities for free. If you want more features, you can upgrade to a premium subscription that gives you access to advanced filters, unlimited likes, and more.

Features

• Create a profile and find matches based on your preferences.
• Answer questions about yourself to help potential matches learn more about you.
• Upload up to 10 photos on your profile. Like, SuperLike, message, or pass on each person.
• Browse over 5,000 questions to identify people who are interested in the same topics you are.
• Add a Pro-choice badge to your profile to signal your support for reproductive rights.

HER

HER is the largest and most loved dating app for gay and queer women. It was created by and for queer women who understand the challenges and opportunities of online dating. HER is more than just a dating app; it’s also a social network where you can join events, read articles, watch videos, and chat with other members.

HER has over 7 million users from different countries and cultures. You can create a profile, upload photos, swipe through potential matches, and send messages for free. You can also upgrade to a premium membership that gives you access to more filters, unlimited swipes, read receipts, and more.

Features

• HER offers an LGBT community section where you can hang out and chat with people with similar interests and hobbies.
• HER has one of the most thorough approaches to dating, offering a space to elaborate on your sexual identity and gender, so you don’t have to limit yourself to a simple checkbox.
• HER combines effective swipe-style dating features with social networking features.
• HER’s Communities foster digital queer spaces, connecting users through tailored message boards, celebrating shared interests and identities.

Grindr

Grindr is the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. It was launched in 2009 as the first location-based dating app that uses GPS technology to connect you with nearby users. Grindr is known for its fast and easy hookups, but it also offers opportunities for friendship, networking, and romance.

Grindr has over 27 million users from different countries and backgrounds. You can create a profile, upload photos, browse profiles, chat with other users, and share your location for free. You can also upgrade to Grindr XTRA or Grindr Unlimited that give you access to more features such as advanced filters, unlimited blocks and favorites and more.

Features

• Find and meet people who are near you or around the world.
• Customize your profile with your tribe, stats, and preferences.
• Explore different modes such as Gaymoji, Tap, and Fresh Faces
• See who has checked you out and added you as a favorite.
• Send and receive photos, videos, voice messages, and GIFs.

Bumble

Founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble empowers women in online dating, promoting respect and safety. It’s LGBTQ+ friendly, offering diverse options for sexual orientation and gender identity. Users can switch between modes like Bumble Date, BFF, and Bizz for various connections.

Features

• Bumble is an LGBTQ dating app that caters to LGBTQ individuals, providing a safe and enjoyable way to find love.
• Bumble is unique in that women make the first move, which can be a refreshing change from other dating apps.
• Matches on Bumble expire after 24 hours, which encourages users to take action and start a conversation.
• Bumble offers a video chat feature, which can be a great way to get to know someone before meeting in person.
• Bumble also offers a feature called Bumble BFF, which is designed to help users find friends rather than romantic partners.

Scissr

Scissr is a dating app that was designed by lesbians for lesbians. It was launched in 2015 as a response to the lack of lesbian-specific dating apps in the market. Scissr is a fun and casual app that connects you with other women who are looking for friendship, romance, or hookups.

Scissr has a small but growing user base, with over 500,000 downloads from different countries and backgrounds. You can create a profile, upload photos, browse profiles, chat with other users, and send voice messages for free. You can also customize your profile with hashtags that describe your interests and preferences.

Features

• Scissr is developed by queer women, for queer women, which ensures that the app is inclusive of all lesbian identities, including dyke, queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and bi-.
• It works with GPS data to find potential romance options in a location close to the user, but unlike other apps, it won’t geofence to restrict potential matches to a certain proximity.
• Scissr is a lesbian dating and cultural network app that enables women to connect, meet, chat, and find their ideal match.
• It is designed for LGBTQ+ women by LGBTQ+ women, which means that it is inclusive of all lesbian identities but does not allow men on the app.
• Scissr allows users to connect and chat about their local cultural interests and relationship needs.

Tinder

Tinder, the world’s most popular dating app since 2012, simplifies matching through swipes on user profiles. LGBTQ+ inclusive, it offers diverse options for sexual orientation and gender identity. Modes like Tinder Date, Social, and U cater to various preferences, making it a versatile platform.

Tinder has over 340 million users from different countries and backgrounds. You can create a profile, upload photos, swipe through potential matches, and send messages for free. You can also upgrade to Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold that give you access to more features such as unlimited likes, passport, rewind, boost, super like, and more.

Features

• Tinder allows users to swipe left or right to indicate their interest in another user.
• It works with GPS data to find potential romance options in a location close to the user.
• Tinder allows users to select their sexual orientation and gender identity, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer.
• It allows users to communicate with whom they have matched messages in real-time within the app.

Scruff

Scruff is a dating app that caters to gay, bi, trans and queer men who are into rugged, hairy, and masculine guys. It was launched in 2010 as an alternative to Grindr that focuses on quality over quantity. Scruff is more than just a dating app; it’s also a travel companion, a social network, and a lifestyle guide.

Features

• Scruff offers users a private and secure experience, ensuring that their data is protected and not sold to third-party companies.
• Scruff has a friendly and diverse community of over 30 million users, with no spambots.
• Scruff offers more features than any other gay dating app, according to the app’s description on the App Store.
• Scruff uses a radar-based system to find potential matches in a user’s vicinity based on their location.
• Scruff is an independent, LGBTQ+ owned and operated company, which ensures that the app is inclusive of all gay identities, including bi, trans, and queer.

NUiT

NUiT is a dating app that uses astrology to match you with compatible partners. It was launched in 2018 as a unique and innovative app that calculates your birth chart and compares it with other users’ charts. NUiT is more than just a dating app; it’s also a personal guide that helps you understand yourself and others better.

NUiT has over 1 million users from different countries and backgrounds. You can create a profile, upload photos, browse profiles, chat with other users, and request your compatibility reports for free. You can also upgrade to NUiT Pro that gives you access to more features such as unlimited requests, insights, and themes.

Features

• Match with people based on your astrological compatibility
• Discover your strengths, challenges, and potential in relationships
• Learn more about your personality, traits, and preferences
• See who has viewed your profile and requested your reports
• Customize your profile with different themes and colors

Lex

Lex is a dating app that is inspired by the old-school newspaper personals. It was launched in 2019 as a text-based app that allows you to write and read short and catchy ads. Lex is also LGBTQ+ friendly; it welcomes all gender identities, sexual orientations, and relationship preferences.

Lex has over 500,000 users from different countries and backgrounds. You can create a profile, post ads, browse ads, chat with other users, and join events for free. You can also upgrade to Lex Premium that gives you access to more features such as unlimited likes, filters, bookmarks, and more.

Features

• Lex is a text-based dating app that allows users to post personal ads with a title and description about who they are or what they are looking for.
• It does not allow profile pictures, which can be a refreshing change from other dating apps.
• Lex is built by queer people, for queer people. It is designed to meet the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
• It offers a community feature where users can connect with others who have similar interests, values, or hobbies.
• Lex offers a private and secure experience, ensuring that user data is protected and not sold to third-party companies.

eHarmony

eHarmony, established in 2000, excels in fostering long-term relationships via a scientific approach. LGBTQ+ inclusive, it offers choices for sexual orientation and gender identity. With 10M+ global users, you can create a profile, take a personality test, receive matches, and send smiles for free.

Features

• eHarmony’s compatibility matching system is designed to match users based on their personality traits, values, and interests.
• It offers easy-to-use filters that allow users to narrow down their search results based on their preferences.
• eHarmony offers an in-app video date option, which allows users to get to know someone more before handing out other contact details or meeting in person.
• eHarmony has updated its platform to allow users to choose from a variety of sexual orientations and gender identities, which is a major step forward in the world of online dating.
• The core features of eHarmony are completely free, but there is also a paid subscription service that offers additional features.
• Best for serious long-term relationships: eHarmony is known for being the best gay dating app for serious long-term relationships.

What are some challenges of using gay dating apps?

• You may face discrimination, harassment, or rejection from some people who don’t understand or accept your identity.
• You may encounter fake or inactive profiles, ads, or spam messages.
• You may experience frustration, disappointment, or loneliness if you don’t find what you’re looking for.
• You may have to pay for premium features or subscriptions to access more options or features.
• You may have to deal with technical issues or bugs.

You can also check out our blog, 10 Best Free Dating Apps for Online Dating for more tips and tutorials on Best Free Dating Apps for Online Dating. Dating apps are online platforms that allow you to find and connect with potential romantic partners based on your preferences and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

In conclusion, the article highlights a diverse array of dating apps tailored to the LGBTQ+ community, showcasing their unique features and inclusivity. These apps, such as Bumble, Tinder, and eHarmony, provide a range of options for individuals seeking various types of connections, from casual encounters to long-term relationships.

With features like customizable sexual orientation and gender identity settings, users have the freedom to express themselves authentically. Additionally, the availability of free basic features and premium upgrades caters to a wide range of preferences and budgets.