No matter your intentions, the best dating apps in New York City can make your dreams come true. Finding the right person for you can be as easy as a few swipes and a bit of chatting. So, which are the best dating apps in NYC, you ask? That's easy enough to answer with this little sneak peek:
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In this article, you’ll read about the apps and sites that make dating in New York fun, interesting, and rewarding—tired of riding the A train just to find the newest Bed-Stuy hipster bar in hopes of meeting someone cute? Stop wasting your precious time and go digital!
These NYC dating apps and sites will get results no matter your age, sexual preference, or income level. Want to know more? Read on and let us know which one(s) you like most.
Methodology: How we reviewed the best New York City dating apps
Here at Heart Insider, we have a proud reputation for publishing the most detailed and reliable dating app reviews on the web.
How did we achieve this? Well, first off, we only hire experienced online daters to test apps for us. Men who know what it takes to land dates with beautiful women online.
Secondly, we actually allow them to test the free and paid versions of the apps for several weeks. A lot of other reviewers just reel off the features they find in an app’s press release without actually testing it for themselves.
Most importantly, all of our reviewers follow a strict methodology to ensure that we can accurately compare apps. This begins with tests for bots and other scams. It continues with an investigation of what’s available with the free version of the app. From there, we invest in a premium account and send messages to 50 women in a targeted area.
Our profile always contains the same photos, bio and demographical information. Our opening messages are from our vault of tried-and-tested online dating messages. The ultimate verdict is based on how many women respond and how many of them are willing to swap contact details.
Now you know our methodology, you can feel confident in scoring great results with our list of top New York City dating apps.
The Best New York City Dating Apps
Whether you're looking for love or something like it, here are your top online options that are sure to help you find a date:
#1 - Christian Mingle (Android; iOS) helps you find those hot Christians in your area
Regardless of your religion, you’ve most likely heard of Christian Mingle by now. They have a lot of marketing that works very well in their favor. Nearly responsible for a THIRD of Christian marriages, they have a proven track record when it comes to dating (with leaving enough space in between for Jesus). With over 15 million users and 60,000 sign-ups for a month, there is no limit to how many opportunities you may get when it comes to love.
The premium membership is a bit on the costly side, but we can’t really put a price on love, can we?
Why Christian Mingle is worth downloading
- Inclusive dating for all preferences, ages, sexualities, etc.
- Free to use from the beginning
- Give daily users different suggested matches
What can be improved
- Not everyone can afford a premium membership
- Other apps may have Christian Mingle’s paid features for free
What Are Other People Saying About Christian Mingle
Joe Bennett - Google Play
“I am now a happily married man thanks to this app. No but really, I met the most incredible young woman on here just over a year ago, and two days ago made her mine forever. So blessed to have found each other on here. Thank you to everyone who has a part in making this service possible.”
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) can't be beaten for long-term relationships
eHarmony is extremely popular here and has an amazing track record of helping New York City locals find long-term partners by using matching algorithms. This app does the best job of matching you up with compatible potential mates that we've seen.
You don't have to scroll for hours. The app does all of the tough work for you. Of course, you might not make a perfect connection outside of the algorithms. But, usually, it works like magic. The toughest part is answering all of the questions. It's important because this is how they match you with other single people. You can build chemistry before you even meet.
Need more info on how eHarmony works for a regular guy? We’ve created an eHarmony review where you can see how the site works, how you can meet people, and how you might one day find love online!
If you're serious about finding long-term partners, this is your site.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in New York City
- The best success rate out there for long-term relationships
- 70% of users find their future spouse within a year
- Makes it pretty easy to form connections
What we don’t like about it
- Definitely takes more time than most to get started
- Not super popular with those 18-22
What Are Other People Saying About EHarmony
Alain Moitessier - Google Play
“So... I found love. Omg, I did not expect that. The hype about meeting someone you'll mesh with on another level... Creepily accurate which makes me wonder how deeply psychoanalysed I've been in that initial questionnaire!”
Anthony Smith - TrustPilot
I really appreciate the tips offered for dating, and the point system to see how compatable we are, as well as monitoring for those who do not have the best intentions. And I finally found someone where the communication just flows so easily and I was looking forward to waking up to see if she left me another message and she has. Thanks to Team eHarmony for all that you do!
If you don’t want to go through all the trouble of snooping through their socials or asking them more detailed questions, there’s a tool you can use to know for sure that the person you’re talking to is who they say they are. It’s Instant Checkmate, a background-checking tool that can help you know more about people you find online–the legal and hassle-free way. All you need are a few of their details and Instant Checkmate will give you all the information you need to verify who you’re really talking to online.
Try out Instant Checkmate’s free trial and see just how easy it is to get all the info you need. Better safe than sorry!
#3 - AFF is the easiest way to find a fling
AFF should be your first choice when you're not looking for a relationship but still want some fun in the bedroom. We've tried a lot of different apps for this (most are awful), and only a couple have proven to work over and over. Tinder is great if you're under 25, but once you get beyond that, AFF has shown the best results out of any dating site in New York we've tried, especially for guys.
This app excels because it cuts through a lot of the monotony of dating and gets right to the fun if that’s what you’re looking for. Everyone on this site is looking for the same thing, so you can save a LOT of time that you would waste on other sites. So if you're 25+ and want to take someone home for the night, this is your app.
To give you a more detailed look at how AFF works and how it performs for regular guys, you can also have a look at our Adult FriendFinder review.
Why you should try AFF
- They have a massive number of users on their app (over 50 million)
- We’ve seen guys have the best success using it, especially those who aren’t super good looking and didn’t do well on Tinder
- It’s very straightforward and easy to use
What we don’t like about it
- Many users can only access it through the web app
- The app is a little dated and not as polished as some others
- Sometimes people are a little TOO upfront with what they want
What Are Other People Saying About AFF
u/Fit-Act8910 - Reddit
“I joined AdultFriendFinder over a week ago. My experience so far has been interesting to say the least. I had several online interactions with a lot of women and they politely ask you to continue messaging them away from the AFF platform.”
u/notunek - Reddit
I've only been on AFF for 3 weeks now, but have had a lot of activity. Of course it is easier for females than males to get lots of messages and offers. You have to be thick-skinned because many of the males are very explicit in what they want. It bothered me at first and was a turn-off. I don't mind frank talk about sex, but it's rude in my mind not to introduce yourself, give some details and get to "know" each other a little before you ask if she likes DBA...
There are many men that are looking for a relationship and also those looking for NSA. I got a bunch of men in town for a couple of days on business.
#4 - Bumble (Android; iOS) helps New York City women calm the storm
For many women, dating in NYC is simultaneously one of the most exhilarating and exhausting experiences in life. Options are abundant, and there is no end to the types of dates you can go on. However, the dating scene can also be unbelievably daunting, especially online, with a non-stop stream of potential suitors. Bumble knows the struggle—it was created to bring some calm into its users’ lives.
The app requires women to be the first to send a message. This cuts down on those inboxes full of messages from strangers, especially those, shall we say, more forward messages. Despite being a slight tweak to the standard Tinder formula, it makes a big difference. When women feel like they have more time to breathe, dating is better all around for everyone involved.
Why Bumble is among the best dating apps in New York City
- Ladies get more say over who they talk to and when they talk to them
- Guys don’t feel obligated to make the first move because they can’t
- The quality of users on the site is quite high, both in terms of looks and personality
What we would improve
- You have to find a way to stand out, and that’s still predominantly done with an attractive picture
- The friend-finder app is a nice gesture, but a complete waste of time
What Are Other People Saying About Bumble
Akash Misra - Google Play
“Am so very thankful and grateful to bumble! I found the love of my life on here! Thaaaannnkkkk Yooooouuuuuu.....!!!!”
#5 - Match (Android; iOS) remains one of the best dating sites in New York City
Match has been around so long that it can legally rent a car in the state of New York. And it won’t even have to pay the extra surcharge. In its quarter-century of existence, Match has consistently been one of the best dating sites in NYC. Due to it being one of the first such sites, it has an enormous user base and unparalleled name recognition. I mean, who hasn’t heard of Match.com?
Of course, historic popularity doesn’t always equate to current success. Many of the older sites have rested on their laurels, but not Match. Every year, it releases new features to make the site more dynamic and user-friendly. The app still needs some more work, but if you prefer using browsers, you’ll enjoy this site. Whatever you’re into, whatever your preference, someone on Match will fit the bill.
Why Match still rules the dating scene
- Possesses one of the largest user bases of any dating site, especially for older daters
- Allows users to provide full, detailed bios, not just a couple of pithy lines
- New features like “Vibe Check” and “Date Check-in” make for a more enjoyable and safe dating experience
Why it might disappoint you
- Popularity breeds problems: there are a lot of fake accounts on the site
- The app definitely feels like an afterthought compared to the website
What Are Other People Saying About Match
Brian Antao - Google Play
Love this app... No frills or gimmicks like who messages first and all that kind of BS. Freedom to chat at will. Reasonably priced too
#6 - Zoosk, long-term relationships for younger singles (Android; iOS)
Zoosk leads the way when it comes to the dating app industry. It is available in 80 countries and 25 languages. Even more impressive is its ridiculous user base of 35 million members! That’s certainly a lot of people looking for love. You’re bound to find something if this is the app you decide to go with.
Although Zoosk boasts some of the highest numbers around, they tend to trend towards building sufficient and longer-lasting relationships. Like Tinder, it is primarily targeted toward younger adults. But, unlike Tinder, you’re more likely to settle down.
Why we recommend Zoosk
- A large userbase will make the possibilities endless
- No cost to interact with premium members
- Premium plans are easy to afford
Why it needs TLC of its own
- The premium version heavily outclasses the free version of the app
- A large userbase also allows a lot of fake profiles
What Are Other People Saying About Zoosk
Klynx-mysr Christensen - Google Play
“I met my wife through Zoosk many years ago, now we have been happily married for 8 years now and with a new baby in our family.”
#7 – Elite Singles (Android, iOS) will put your college education to good use
If you’re college-educated and focused on your career, chances are your ideal match is someone similarly serious about life. The casual encounters and one-night stands may be fun for a bit, but eventually, you’ll want the real deal. When you’ve reached that point in your dating life, it’s time to turn to Elite Singles. It’s the New York City dating app for people with ambition and dedication.
Elite Singles is the app you join when you’ve exited your wild 20s and start considering your future. The app has one of the largest user bases between the ages of 30 and 50. Plus, these users tend to be well-educated and uninterested in dumb games. Of course, it helps that the membership has a hefty price tag, all but ensuring nobody is there just to waste time.
Why we like Elite Singles
- For relationship-minded singles over 30, there are few better options for online dating
- The profiles have a good amount of detail, so you’re not just blind swiping
- The app is well designed to showcase both photos and bios
Why you should skip it
- If you don’t want to pay for a membership, you won’t get many features
- No video chat option, which is quickly becoming standard
What Are Other People Saying About Elite Singles
Cobus Mostert - Google Play
“It works well if you have very specific requirements in a new partner.”
#8 - Hinge (Android; iOS) is one of the best New York City dating apps for relationship-minded guys
Hinge calls itself, “The dating app designed to be deleted.” This is the app for guys who want to find meaningful love but struggle to make a good first impression. So much of online dating is focused on the one-and-done encounter that guys often lack deeper communication skills. As a result, even if you sincerely want a relationship, you can struggle to express your intentions well.
Hinge helps guys out with icebreaker questions and photo prompts. When looking through profiles, you get a far better sense of a match’s personality than you do with other apps. As a result, it's easier to start a genuine conversation instead of just sending a random comment about a photo. That focus on facilitating better communication makes Hinge one of the best dating apps in New York City.
Why Hinge is one of the best New York City dating apps
- For guys who draw a blank when writing a message, the prompts provide crucial assistance
- The profiles are an excellent balance between Tinder playfulness and eHarmony depth
- The icebreaker questions and photo prompts keep things light-hearted
Why you might not be a fan
- No browser version and the focus on internet lingo means older users may feel out of place
- If you’re looking for a bunch of quick hits, this probably isn’t for you
What Are Other People Saying About Hinge
Javin Turbotch - Google Play
“Met my wife on this app. She was a super match and we've been super matched ever since.”
The Best Dating Sites in New York for Long-Term Relationships
Many dating sites in NYC are intentionally designed to keep you on the app and repeatedly take your money. After all, if you find the love of your life, why keep the app? However, some app developers take their craft seriously and try to find you your soulmate. Out of the apps we reviewed, we found the ones that are designed for you to uninstall eventually.
Singles looking for love can find it on eHarmony
eHarmony’s lengthy sign-up process ensures that you are not playing around with your quest for love. Once that is done, they pair you up with matches that make sense. This process works, as they claim to start 75% of all online interactions that lead to marriages—a subtle flex. So if you're looking for a long-term relationship with someone you're compatible with (in terms of preferences, life goals and the like), eHarmony is the app for you.
Elite Singles is for ambitious singles in NYC
Elite Singles does a solid job in emulating the success that eHarmony does. Their membership plans will weed out people that aren’t taking dating as seriously as you are. It goes without saying, considering yourself an “Elite Single” will also land you some people with similar confidence and ambition. So, it just might work out.
The Best Hookup Apps in New York
When looking for casual and safe sex, Tinder is not everyone’s cup of tea when you’re living in one of the most densely populated places in the world. Instead, consider these New York hookup sites that might work better for you.
AFF helps you find easy hookups
We know where we stand right when we log on with a name like AFF. With that being said, AFF is undoubtedly the best free hookup site in New York. Using their website, one can really capitalize on living in the Big Apple. There are so many different kinds of people in different lines of work with different tastes—you might as well consider it your playground.
Bumble is full of women looking to hook up
Bumble is also one of the best casual dating sites in New York. Using their platform to make women make the first move, seems like a dream for shy men. But, in a place like New York, there are plenty of empowered businesswomen who either know what they want or are on a tight schedule. A short fling might be all that they need, which is perfect in your case.
The Best Free Dating Sites in New York
As with everything else, dating apps tend to perform their service better when you pay for them. The added features, better perks, and unlimited likes can go a long way in terms of your love life. Despite that, we also understand that living in New York is the polar opposite of low-cost living. So paying for a social dating platform may be low on the totem pole of priorities for you.
The best free dating sites in New York tend to be Match and Bumble. Match has been around forever, which is a good sign that its upgrades and developments have made its platform sustainable and successful. Although Bumble could be used as a hookup app as well, its primary strength is still in its dating capabilities.
Tinder in New York
Tinder is the world’s most popular dating app with an estimated 75 million users, according to Business of Apps. As previously stated, Tinder in New York may not be for everyone. However, by a large number of people on the platform, it certainly is for a lot of people. It is simple, low-effort, and constantly attracts a lot of people to the app.
Consider it a revolving door. That is how most people tend to use it. If you’re in the market looking for love, you may be able to find it on Tinder, but there are other options that you may want to look at first. If you’re reaching the end of your 20s, Tinder becomes much less of a viable option. Some 60% of users are under 35 years old, according to Business of Apps.
How To Stay Safe On Dating Apps In New York City
New York is the fourth most dangerous state for online romance scams, according to a study by Social Catfish. Its report suggests that New Yorkers lost an estimated $33.5 million to romance scams in 2022.
“These scams can take many different forms, where sometimes a single person develops a relationship with the victim over a long period of time,” said a Social Catfish spokesperson. “In other cases, there are elaborate schemes that involve multiple individuals posing as love interests involving victims in money laundering, cryptocurrency or gift card scams.”
Follow these tips to keep yourself safe.
- Look for verified profiles. Most of the dating apps in our list allow users to go through a verification process to prove they are the person in their photos. If you feel suspicious about someone you meet on a dating app, ask them to verify their profiles.
- Add your matches on social media. This will help you get to know each other on a deeper level, and you’ll gain insight on how honest they were being in their dating profile.
- Arrange a video call. This will help you test for real-life chemistry, as well as see what the person looks like without all the filters that dominate dating app photos. Pay attention to see if something feels “off” in your conversations.
- Trust your gut. When you don’t let your heart rule your head, you can normally sense when something feel strange about your online relationships. If something feels too good to be true, it usually is.
- Don’t send money to online strangers. Online scammers attempt to build a deep online bond with the victims before asking them for money. A study on their behavior from the International Journal Of Humanities and Social Studies suggests they usually begin asking for small gifts and donations before gradually progressing to huge sums. You can avoid this trap by promising yourself to not send money to online strangers in any circumstances.
- Send deterrent messages. Something along the lines of “I know what you’re doing and I’m reporting you to the police.” A study by Crimrxiv found that this was the most reliable way to stop receiving messages from romance scammers. It’s advisable to report the scam account to the dating app, at the very least.
Frequently Asked Questions on New York Dating Sites
What dating apps are popular in NYC?
The most popular dating apps and sites in NYC are:
- Christian Mingle
- eHarmony
- Ship
- AFF
- Bumble
- Match
- Zoosk
- Elite Singles
- Hinge
- Tinder
Is dating easy in NYC?
Most people consider dating in NYC challenging due to the people themselves, especially if you’re looking for a serious relationship.
“No one moves to New York to find love,” says local matchmaker Erika Kaplan, “Men and women both move here for careers over relationships.”
“The focus in Manhattan is making progress and then getting established,” adds family therapist Emma Viglucci. “After that, you bring a more developed self to the relationship.”
With that said, it can be pretty easy thanks to the numerous locations where you can have dates. New York City was ranked as the number one city for fun and romance, plus number two for romance opportunities, in a WalletHub study on the best U.S cities for singles. On top of that, it was crowned as the soulmate capital in the world in an index developed by dating experts at engagement ring specialists, Angelic Diamonds.
It’s a city of 8.3 million people and 52% are women, according to the latest census, so NYC clearly has a few things going for it.
How can I meet women in NYC?
Dating apps are very popular in NYC, but it often pays off to put yourself out there and be as social as possible too.
“Stop focusing on finding dates and instead focus on expanding your overall network,” says local dating expert Alexis Wolfe. ”Treat every date as an opportunity to make a new friend and to discover a new cool NYC spot.
“However, in a city that’s so large, it does pay off to choose your neighbourhood wisely. There’s really no ‘right’ place, but it’s about proximity,” says local dating blogger Adam Groffman. “Using the dating apps, especially for hookups, really means the need to be nearby your potential mates.
Is dating expensive in NYC?
A study by 24/7 Wall Street ranked New York as the most expensive of the 50 states for dating. You can expect to pay $111.60 on average for dinner, drinks and a movie according to the study.
When you spot figures like this, it might come as no surprise that 22% of Milllenials and 19% of Gen Z have gone into debt to fund their dating lives, according to data from LendingTree.
“Everything is getting more expensive,” explained LendingTree credit analyst Matt Schulz. “It’s not just the new clothes, roses, ride-share, fancy dinner, concerts or the after-show coffee — it’s all of it.”
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References:
Alves, G. (2023) Don’t fall for these romance scams, which cost New Yorkers $33.5M in 2022. SI Live.
Bouche, H. (2023) NYC dating scene: An experiences New Yorker weighs in. The Everygirl.
Davis, M. (2022) 77% of daters say dating could be easier if they had more money, with some going on fewer dates due to inflation. Lending Tree.
Drillinger, M. (2016) Do New Yorkers actually not want to get married? Thrillist.
Groffman, A. (2023) Dating in NYC — Tips to know when you’re new to New York dating. Travels of Adam.
Henshaw, A. (2016) Online dating statistics show the high Christian Mingle success rate. Christian Mingle.
Iqbal, M. (2023) Tinder revenue and usage statistics. Business of Apps.
Nyam, I. H. (2020) Tackling online dating scams and fraud. The
Senkus, T. (2024) 2024 eHarmony review: Will eHarmony find your perfect match? Heart Insider.
Senkus, T. (2024) Adult FriendFinder review 2024 - Is this app worth it? Heart Insider.
United States Census Bureau (2022) QuickFacts New York City, New York.
Wallethub (2023) The best and worst cities for singles.
Wang, F., Howell, C. J., Maimon, D. & Jacques, S. (2020) The restrictive deterrent effect of warning messages sent to active romance fraudsters: An experimental approach. CRIMRXIV.
Contributing Authors:
Joe Elvin
Joe Elvin is an internationally known confidence and dating coach with nearly a decade of experience. He is the successful author of several dating and confidence books that have helped thousands of men find success. While traveling the world Joe consistently finds new and valuable ways to meet and attract women. Joe has a Bachelor’s Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University and he has been featured in many large publications including AskMen, TSB Magazine and The Good Men Project.
As one of the most prolific writers on Heart Insider, Joe has reviewed over a hundred dating apps. He is the site’s foremost authority when it comes to selecting what dating app works for whom. From an app’s mechanics to its algorithm to telltale signs that a dating app is a scam, Joe’s is able to expertly discern between dating apps that provide value and those that don’t.
Tom Senkus
For more than two decades, Tom has dated extensively and studied behavioral psychology as a way of understanding the complexities of human nature until he became an expert. After traveling as a touring musician and living in more than 15 countries, Tom has cross-referenced his experience in seduction, dating, and interpersonal dynamics with the ever-changing landscape of 21st-century dating. His work as a writer has appeared in 500+ publications (digital and print). Tom is also the author of several books (available on Amazon). In his free time, you can find Tom recording music and cooking the best Cincinnati-style chili you’ve ever had.
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