When it comes to finding a partner, people always say there’s plenty of fish in the sea. This is especially true in the most populated city of Indiana, Indianapolis. But how do you go about finding the perfect fish? Dating apps! Dating apps are becoming increasingly more popular, with many people finding lasting relationships on them. But which ones truly stand out as the best dating apps in Indianapolis?
Moreover, how do you find the right dating app given the Covid pandemic? Are people flocking to a certain platform following this permanent change in dating? How can you make sure you find the special someone - that person who ignites the “spark” in your life?
Well, our team of experts has tried out over 150 dating apps to find the best ones for you in Indianapolis. And, we’ve found those that work the best given the world’s circumstances. Without further ado, here are the eight best dating apps for residents of Brendonwood, Fountain Square, Broad Ripple, or any neighborhood in the city.
#1 - Lovoo is for you if you like video-chatting
With a rating of 4.6/5 stars, Lovoo is one of the best dating apps out there, especially if you love video-chatting with potential matches. No, video chat isn’t for everyone but if you have yet to actually give it a go, you’re probably missing out.
Join Lovoo if you want a no-stress dating experience focused on giving you a fun face-to-face (virtual) opportunity to really connect with your match.
Why you should try Lovoo:
- Lovoo focuses on video chatting
- The app has a new and fresh feel to it
- It has 4.6/5 stars on the app store
What we don’t like about it:
- There aren’t a ton of users
- There are supposedly a lot of scammers
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) is the best Indianapolis dating app for real relationships
eHarmony is super popular in Indianapolis and we've all seen their commercials. You also probably know several couples that met using their app, even if they won't admit it to you! Out of all the apps we've tried, nothing really compares to the popularity and success rates that eHarmony has had.
Let's talk numbers, 75% of all marriages that have started online happened because of eHarmony. 75%! That's a crazy high number. When you consider that there are several other really big apps out there, that number is even crazier. This is an app that really works.
What we really like about eHarmony is that it actually does a lot of the work for you. It finds out what you want, matches you with people that fit your criteria that are also looking for singles like you and then helps you get to know each other. It's a much better experience than the other meat markets out there which don't do anything to help.
Check out their trial offer below and see just how good it is!
Why eHarmony has a great reputation:
- Really popular in Indianapolis and really successful
- Daily curated matches are sent to you
- By far the best success rates of any app out there right now
What we don't like about it:
- The sign-up process is longer than most
- You can’t search for matches on your own
#3 - Hily is a great dating app for quality conversations
We agree: quality conversations are hard to come by and oh-so-satisfying when they do. Did that statement ring true for you? Are you tired of shallow conversations amounting to nothing more than surface talk about the weather and other dull subjects?
We’re with you and that’s why we recommend Hily. This awesome dating app has focused on cultivating a community of individuals who value real people - and real conversations - from day one. If you’re someone who loves “real-talk”, join Hily.
Why Hily is worth downloading:
- Their users value genuine conversations
- Hily is used by a ton of people
- The app has 4.5/5 stars with over 140 000 reviews
What we don’t like about it:
- Sometimes matches are nowhere near you
- The app has quite a few glitches
#4 - AFF is the best hookup app in Indianapolis right now
AFF is the best Indianapolis hookup app right now in our experience. It has a ton of users and everyone is looking for the same thing and they make it easy to communicate. It's also the best option by far for single guys that we've tried and consistently works a LOT better than Tinder.
Tinder is the main competition here but it's turning into more of a dating app these days with a focus on relationships. AFF is still completely focused on being the best hookup app in town. When you combine a lot of users and a single focus you get a pretty good app.
If you haven't had much luck on Tinder or just want to avoid all the attention seekers who never want to meet, this is going to be a different experience. Check out their free trial below and see for yourself.
Why AFF is one of the best dating sites in Indianapolis:
- Lots of users in Indianapolis and very popular across the country
- Where single guys have had the best success, by far
- A single focus that makes it easy to save a ton of time
What we don’t like about it:
- Many users can only access via web app
- Not a fan of the ads
- Design needs improvement
#5 - Bumble is one of the top apps for women who like to lead (Android; iOS)
Bumble is for women who want to be in control of their dating life. Many women stay away from online dating because they receive unwanted messages that can sometimes border on harassment. On Bumble, the woman must message the man first within 24 hours or the match disappears. This helps limit unwanted interactions and helps women decide the terms of their interactions.
Why Bumble is one of the best dating apps in Indianapolis for women:
- Bumble is extremely popular among the young crowd (20 to 35 years old)
- With over 100 million users on Bumble, the dating pool is huge
- Women have total control of who messages them
What we don’t like about it:
- 70% of users are under 35 so it’s not a great app for an older crowd
- There may be a learning curve for women who are not used to making the first move
#6 - Hinge is great for getting the conversation started (Android; iOS)
Hinge seamlessly emphasizes the importance of finding people you are both attracted to and compatible with. Many people complain that dating apps like Tinder are too appearance-based, so Hinge lets users create detailed profiles. If you want to match with someone, you need to like or comment on a specific aspect of a person’s profile. This helps slow your endless scrolling down so you can actually get to know someone.
Hinge is quite popular with over 6 million active users a month, making it one of the best dating apps in Indianapolis. The free version is easily usable but you are limited to ten likes a day.
Why Hinge is one of our favorite dating apps:
- Profiles are detailed and have conversation starters to make sending the first message easier
- Users get a daily match recommendation
- The app is user friendly and setting up your profile is free
What we don’t like about it:
- The free version only offers 10 likes a day
- No one has to send the first message as you can simply invite your match to start the conversation
#7 - Ship is one of the best dating apps in Indianapolis for singles who value their friends’ opinions (Android; iOS)
Ship creates a new way to date. Finding the perfect match for yourself can be tough, especially when there are so many people to choose from. Ship takes the choice out of your hand and puts it into your friends’ hands. On the app, you create your profile like any other dating app. Then, invite your crew to sign up as matchmakers and they can do all the swiping and matching for you.
Ship is a great way to get all of your friends’ opinions in real-time as well. That’s because you can all video chat and swipe through your potential matches together.
Why Ship is a great dating app:
- Great way to date and spend time with your friends
- You can also use Ship by yourself if you want to
- Group video chat is a great way to get immediate opinions
What we don’t like about it:
- Ship is still quite new, so the dating pool is small
- You only have a limited amount of “likes” per day
#8 - The League is one of the best apps in Indianapolis for the elite crowd (Android; iOS)
The League is one of the best dating apps in Indianapolis if you’re rich. It’s where the elite crowd can date comfortably without worrying they’re being taken advantage of. There is a rigorous approval process where users need to send in their Facebook and Linkedin profiles along with six photos. The League team will then decide whether or not you would be a good fit for the app.
Thanks to the extensive investigation, everyone is verified so catfishing is impossible. The free version of The League is good but a paid membership gets you more benefits like expediting your time on the waitlist.
Why The League is one of the best dating sites in Indianapolis:
- Everyone on the app is verified
- The matching process is more thoughtful as you only receive three potential matches a day
- Every user has access to a concierge who can offer help with optimizing your profile
What we don’t like about it:
- Signing up is difficult as you must send in a lot of information
- The League doesn’t have set guidelines on what you can do to get approved
#9 - Dine Dating is a great dating app for foodies (Android; iOS)
Dine Dating is the best way to try new restaurants and bars with your date. When you sign up, you get to choose your three favorite bars or restaurants in Indianapolis. After matching, you and your date can pick a meeting place from both of your choices. This helps take away any back and forth about where you should meet.
Men need the premium version of Dine Dating to message other users, though. As Dine Dating sends you daily matches, meeting up with people is easy.
Why Dine Dating is worth downloading:
- You will get to discover new restaurants and bars in Indianapolis
- Dine Dating offers recommendations to help improve your profile
- You will receive daily matches from Dine Dating
What we don’t like about it:
- Men need the premium plan to message women
- A Facebook account is necessary for signing up
#10 - Silver Singles is one of the best dating sites in Indianapolis for older people (Android; iOS)
Silver Singles is one of the top sites to find love as an older person. Dating in general when you’re older can be tough as many people are married or just coming out of marriages. With the inception of Silver Singles, however, dating as an older person is simple.
Silver Singles is perfect for people over 50. The app uses a psychological test to discover more about your personality and what is important to you when it comes to dating. Based on your results, users will receive curated matches daily.
Why Silver Singles is one of the best Indianapolis dating apps:
- People over 50 can comfortably date people their age
- Matches are based on compatibility rather than looks
- Silver Singles values privacy and safety
What we don’t like about it:
- The free version is limited
- Signing up can take some time as you have to answer an in-depth quiz
Best Dating Sites in Indianapolis for Long-Term Relationships
So, you’ve decided it’s about time to settle down. You’re wanting a life-long partner who you can call yours. Someone who will stay true to you, someone who will be by your side through it all and someone who you can love forever. You deserve that. You deserve to find your forever. Here are the apps that will make your dream a reality.
eHarmony is consistently the best way to find a relationship online
eHarmony has been a hallmark in the long-term dating scene from the very beginning and that’s because their service works quite well. Thousands upon thousands of singles have wedded because of eHarmony. Countless individuals have found their forever because of this incredible platform.
Will you be next? Will you let eHarmony help find you that forever person? If you’re tired of waiting for what you deserve, go get it today on eHarmony.
Finding relationships on Hinge is pretty easy
This one is great for younger singles who want to find something serious. If you’re in your early 20s to early 30s, then you’ll fit in perfectly on this platform.
For new dating apps, Hinge has one of the best track records on the market. The team who has created Hinge seems to really, really care for those using the app. The reviews are great and the large user base echos the effort they’ve put in. All in all, this is a great option to find something real.
The Best Hookup Sites in Indianapolis
So, you’re at a stage in life where you just want something fun. You don’t want to have to think about your future with this person or any of that stuff. You want to just chill, get freaky, then move on. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s good for people to go through that phase in life.
Here are our picks for the best Indianapolis hookup sites.
AFF is the top choice if you want quick and easy hookups
AFF has been around for a long time and that’s because it works pretty well. Everyone knows why AFF exists, so it's not that hard to find someone who's up for a casual night of fun. Usually, you’ll find those who are slightly older on the platform but don’t let that deter you from finding an amazing hookup. After all, with millions of users on the site, even the younger folks are starting to get interested.
The site design isn’t the best but that doesn’t matter: what matters is that AFF is the best free hookup site in Indianapolis for getting someone in your sheets.
OkCupid is surprisingly helpful for finding quick flings
OkCupid is one of the best casual dating sites in Indianapolis. No, it isn’t specifically for hookups, and no, it isn’t specifically for relationships. Honestly, it lives in this weird middle ground where, really, you could find either depending on what you’re looking for. Despite that, a ton of singles have had no issues finding one-night stands through OkCupid - will you be next?
The Best Free Dating Sites in Indianapolis
Free dating sites are a great way to find something short or long-term in Indianapolis. But, with that being said, there are some serious differences between the free and paid options. Most notably, the difference in the quality of users between the two platforms: using paid sites, users tend to be high-quality, responsive, and there seem to be much fewer bots; the free options, on the other hand, are almost completely opposite in each of those ways.
Either way, you can still make the free options work. Here are our picks for the best ones in your area:
- Happn
- Tinder
- Facebook Dating
Using Tinder in Indianapolis
Tinder is a great option for those interested in dating casually - but not much else than that. If you’re banking on finding a life-long partner through their service, you may be out of luck. And, if you’re searching for a hookup, the same is probably true.
With that being said, it works well for what it’s meant for, casual and quick dating. Yes, sometimes life-long relationships do develop - as do one-night stands - but use the app for the purpose it was developed: to live out your younger years dating fun singles and not thinking much else of it.
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