The 9 Best Pittsburgh Dating Apps & Sites for 2024 (Our Favorites)

These days, it seems like there are more dating sites and apps out there than dates themselves! There’s roughly 2,500 available to download in the United States, according to a report from Forbes. As such, it can be daunting to find out the very best dating apps in Pittsburgh. In fact, only 42% of dating app users say that their romantic life improved as a result, according to Pew Research data.  Fortunately, our team of established dating experts have done the heavy lifting for you and here’s a sneak peek for what has worked for us:

When used properly, dating apps are the perfect segway from a more stagnant social life to meeting someone in person, allowing you to chat and get to know each other virtually before you decide to meet in reality. In fact, people find their spouse online more often than any other method including through friends, at work or at the bar, according to a survey by wedding planning service The Knot. 

Some 30% of Americans have tried dating apps, according to Pew Research. So, in a city like Pittsburgh, with over 300,000 people according to the latest Census, you can expect to find plenty of potential partners on the best dating apps. 

“Online dating isn’t as taboo as it used to be when it first came out in the ’90s,” says dating expert Hayley Matthews. “In fact, it’s probably the most popular (not to mention easiest) way to connect with other singles.” 

After trying out dozens and dozens of dating sites and apps, our team has piled up the best Pittsburgh dating apps and sites to help you find that perfect person. No matter what corner of Pittsburg you come from, the following apps have tallied up the best results. Pittsburgh is a special city, with particular apps working better here than in other areas of Pennsylvania!

Read on to learn a bit more about your new favorite dating apps!

#1 - AFF is the best hookup app in Pittsburgh

AFF is the best hookup app in Pittsburgh right now, especially for guys. Unlike Tinder, you don't have to be super attractive to get attention and it's completely focused on bedroom fun. More and more, Tinder is morphing into a relationship app and less of a hookup app.

AFF is really popular in Pittsburgh and has over 60 million active users. That's a lot of people looking for a little fun. It's also completely focused on getting down to business, so everyone on this site is after the same thing. That means you can skip a lot of the dating steps and get straight to the fun stuff.

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.

If you haven't tried AFF's free trial below, it's worth your time, especially if Tinder hasn't worked out great for you.

Why AFF is great:

Negatives of the app:

What Other People Are Saying About AFF

Alison B. - Sitejabber

"Been on there off and on 10 or so Years. Been to SEVERAL meets and parties! I've made tons of fun friends and have more fun clubbing and swinging with them then any other peer genre! Too many nasty old, fat, desperate mean with high expectations. True sex addicts and swingers love this site and it works well for them."

u/Changeusername5 - Reddit

"I think it partially comes down to the area you live in. I live within 30 minutes of a large city and have had decent success with the website. Yes, there are bots but they’re pretty easy to spot. Assume that any girl who has model looks or professional photos is likely fake. I find it humorous that a guy who is, say a 5 on a scale of 1 through 10, falls for messages from a gal who’s clearly way out of his league. When I message women on there I typically focus on those that are 7 or 8’s, as most bots use very attractive photos of themselves to reel in suckers."

#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) is the top dating site for serious relationship seekers

eHarmony has consistently been the best option in Pittsburgh if you really want a long-term relationship with someone you click with. It might be the most popular app out there (you've probably seen the commercials), and their results speak for themselves. 70% of people meet their future spouse within a year on the app, and they're responsible for 75% of all marriages that start online. Those are crazy results!

Though the initial quiz is lengthy, it seems to really help match you up with compatible people. The site is also helpful for helping matches get to know each other with its "Break the Ice" feature filled with interactive games and questions. Those who are hesitant about sending that first message will especially love this feature! 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 haven't checked out their trial yet, you need to!

If you haven't checked out their trial yet, you need to!

Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Pittsburgh:

What we didn’t like about it:

What Other People Are Saying About EHarmony

Lee Mahzle - Google Play

“eHarmony has shown me that not only are they a great app for meeting a highly compatible woman, but that the company itself cares about me as a person, not just my wallet. They have truly great customer service.”

Betty F. - SiteJabber

“EHarmony is a fantastic option

Millions of people search for love on one of the most well-known dating services in the world, eHarmony. Users find it appealing because of a variety of features, such as personality assessments and compatibility matching, which can help you locate the right partner.

EHarmony is a fantastic option if you're looking for an online dating site that provides a wide range of alternatives for finding love.”

#3 - One of the best dating apps in Pittsburgh for fun, Christian singles is Christian Mingle (Android; iOS)

Christian Mingle is one of the best dating apps in Pittsburgh for those whose religion and faith is a foundational element of their personal and social life. The app's name indicates its main goal: creating a space for large communities of faith-based dating singles to meet one another. There’s no need to take precautions when it comes to explaining how faith intersects in your social life. All users on Christian Mingle are looking for religion to be a large component of their dating life and partner.

As a nod towards more progressive elements of Christianity, the website also has an option for Gay Christian dating. Christian Mingle is an app that welcomes those who don’t identify as straight to find love and meet people who share their same values.

Christan mingle profiles include important information such as marital status, type of Christianity you practice, as well as your Church attendance. Similar to more traditional dating apps like Hinge or Tinder, you also have the option to include personal details such as occupation, if you have kids or want kids, and your level of education. These features make it more probable to meet someone whose faith and life path aligns with yours.

What makes Christian Mingle one of the best dating apps in Pittsburgh:

What we don’t like about it:

What Other People Are Saying About Christian Mingle

Joe Bennett - Christian Mingle

“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.”

#4 - Zoosk (Android; iOS) is one of the best Pittsburgh dating apps for international users

Zoosk has a large presence in over 80 countries, with over 25 different languages spoken on the app itself. It remains one of the best apps for younger singles looking for a serious relationship. What makes Zoosk stand out is its Behavioral Matchmaking Technology feature. Zoosk will track which profiles you like, message and pass on to tailor the profiles you do see. In this way, its algorithm leads to more accurate matches than other dating apps.

So if you think you're a little too young for eHarmony and a little too serious for AFF, Zoosk might just be the app for you.

Why Zoosk is one of the best dating sites in Pittsburgh:

What we didn’t like about it:

What Other People Are 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.” 

#5 - Connections on BLK (Android; iOS) are for Black Singles looking for love

Blk is a new app with the goal of creating a space where exclusively Black men and women can meet each other, and fosters a safe environment for minorities to date others. The app includes a strict signup process, which weeds out anyone joining for reasons that are disingenuine or less honest.

BLK works similarly to other dating apps where you swipe to find matches. However, there are two features offered as premium addons: ‘Boost,’ which increases your chances of matching with someone by making you one of the first profiles seen in your location for a thirty-minute time window. The second, ‘Really Like,’ sends notifications to those you like, which they can see right away and can lead to a mutual match.

With a large user base of almost 40,000 members, there’s a high chance that you’ll meet someone who's curious to learn more about you. However, it’s important to know that the general vibe on BLK is mostly people who are looking for serious relationships and deep commitments. This means that it’s more rare to find someone looking for just an erotic or casual encounter.

What we like about BLK:

What we’re not so crazy about:

What Other People Are Saying About BLK

Kvsandy - Apple Store

“What more can I say, I was able to have interesting conversations with individuals I would likely never have encountered irl. I met the love of my life and ultimately deleted the app."

#6 - EME Hive (Android; iOS) is one of the best dating apps in Pittsburgh for Asian singles

EME Hive is an exclusive app for Asian users in The U.S. Its main selling point is that women get to use the app for free, while men have a free trial before paying a monthly membership fee. This concept is super helpful for attracting a large female user base.

East Meet East ranks itself as one of the best dating apps in Pittsburgh for Asians and Asian-Americans. However, keep in mind that the typical user is either a college student or young professional, making this app geared more for 20- and 30-somethings. Nevertheless, if you’re Asian and living in Pittsburgh, East meets East is a great option for those looking for potential cultural and ethnic overlap.

Reasons to use East Meet East:

What we didn’t like about it:

What Other People Are Saying About EME Hive

Perry Southidara - Google Play

“I’ve made my best friends on this app and met my girlfriend on here. It’s a very nice social app along with a dating site.”

#7 - Raya (iOS) is the ultimate elite app

Raya: Perhaps you've heard your favorite celebrity mention it. This is because the app is solely for exclusive users who must jump through many hoops to become members, attracting celebrities and other elite individuals. Therefore, you need a referral from another user to be considered. The Raya committee will then review your Instagram following and decide if you're influential enough to join the app.

The exclusivity of this app is what attracts its many users. Raya also has tight privacy features that ensure users remain safe on the app, with no information getting leaked. As great as all that sounds, however, not everyone who wants a Raya account gets one.

Why Raya is one of the best dating apps in Pittsburgh:

What we didn’t enjoy:

What Other People Are Saying About Raya

Onantiad - Apple Store

“Traditional dating apps don’t work for me. I kept running into people that felt either threatened by my success or were aggressively trying to take advantage of it. I feel safe in this space.” 

#8 - Tinder (Android; iOS) in Pittsburgh is great if you're hot

Tinder: it's the app that everyone is talking about. Though it's popular, is it one of the best Pittsburgh dating apps? If you're looking for a more casual relationship, then yes. Tinder is easy to use, with a simple swipe left or swipe right feature. The sign-up process is also very straightforward: just upload a few photos and you're ready!

Many Tinder users use the app to find a quick date or a casual fling. There's a large variety of men and women to date, though the user base tends to be on the younger side. Some users are looking for something more serious or even just for friendships, though these are harder to find.

Reasons to try Tinder:

What we didn’t love about Tinder:

What Other People Are Saying About Tinder

StormCloud1975 - Google Play

“I used this app for a few months, talking to different people I was interested in, made some connections. But I ended up finding my current girlfriend on here as well, we just celebrated our first anniversary together not long ago. It's a great app with a bunch of people to connect to and some special people mixed in.”

#9 - Hinge (Andriod; iOS) is perfect for those who prefer communication over swiping

Hinge markets itself as the app meant to be deleted from your phone. It's labeled one of the best dating apps in Pittsburgh due to its emphasis on communication. Users can react or send messages based on what they find on other users’ profiles. And this helps them communicate (unlike the usual “hey baby”).

Signing up for the app is easy, and it’s fun answering questions that will show up on your profile. Questions range from asking about your greatest strength to your biggest pet peeve. Think of it as Tinder but with a LOT more personality.

Why Hinge is great:

Why it’s not for everyone:

What Other People Are Saying About Hinge

Allen John - Google Play

"This is legit the best dating app I've used... After having a series of low matches from every other app, this one gives way more matches in a day."

The Best Dating Sites in Pittsburgh for Long-Term Relationships

After a bout of casual dating and fun hookups, you may be tired of the fast-paced dating culture and ready to settle down.

If this is you, you’re in luck. Dating apps can be perfect for short-term flings, but there’s also a plethora of apps and sites that promote sustainable and committed partnerships for their users. This can be achieved by specific filters and the reputation of the app itself—some are known to attract an older and more serious demographic.

eHarmony is for people who are ready to fall in love

eHarmony is one of those dating apps that’s been around for ages and has a tried and true match-making system. Their user base is nearly an even 50-50 gender split, and profiles are detailed enough to get a sense of someone’s personality and interest. The app also gives you a match percentage, which gives you a hint about how well you might get along with your potential matches.

The site has produced countless marriage and success stories and features a virtual video date option if you're more reluctant to leave your house. It’s also uncommon to find bots and fake profiles, making it, so you’re never investing time into someone who’s there under false pretenses.

You may meet the love of your life on Bumble

Bumble is a popular option for people looking for a serious relationship. The dating app flips the script when it comes to communication and gender roles. In a heterosexual match, it’s the women’s responsibility to make the move and chat their match. If they don’t send a message within 24 hours of matching someone, the match expires. If you're not a patient guy, Bumble might not be for you. But if you're the type who's sick of always sending the first message, give this app a shot.

The Best Hookup Sites in Pittsburgh

Not everyone is ready to settle down and commit to one person for the rest of their life. If you’re in your prime and looking for a casual date or craving more of a physical connection, there are plenty of apps that offer opportunities to find your makeout partner. Below are our key recommendations for the best casual dating sites in Pittsburgh.

Match with a sexy hookup partner on AFF

AFF is the go-to if you’re looking for a sexual connection in Pittsburgh. User’s profiles feature basic personal information, but can also consist of sexy selfies or invitations to hook up. What's so great about AFF is its numbers. For over two decades, AFF has helped adults meet like-minded singles for steamy flings or casual relationships. Everyone on the site knows what it's for, so no need to worry that you might end up meeting someone who turns out to want more than just something casual.

AFF also has a free trial that you can try out before committing to a paid account. Give it a try and you might end up meeting someone for a night of fun!

Find a flirty fling on Tinder

Tinder is the best free hookup site in Pittsburgh, and popular among singles in search of a non-committal, sexy hangout. Tinder is used internationally and boasts almost 7.86 million users. The app provides an opportunity for two people to get to know each other and meet up if they’re so inclined with their intuitive design: Right for yes, left for no. When you match with someone, you have the opportunity to message them and ignite a fun, no-pressure gathering in a beautiful city.

The Best Free Dating Sites in Pittsburgh

Nowadays, there’s a multitude of apps to sort through when it comes to dating. One major factor when deciding between which to choose from is pricing; While almost all apps offer a free trial period, some require monthly payments for access to swiping and different features.

If you’re not ready to spend money just yet, we’ve compiled some free options to use below. So download them, give them a try, and enjoy the beauty of finding love while budgeting if you meet the one! The best free dating sites in Pittsburgh are:

Just keep in mind that when it comes to dating apps, you almost always get what you pay for. In the case of these apps, many users are only there to give it a try or get some attention. If you're serious about meeting someone online, you can instead try out paid dating apps. That way, you know that everyone on the app is willing to shell out some cash to get results.

How To Stay Safe On Dating Apps In Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania natives lost $14.4 million to romance scammers in 2022, according to data gathered by Social Catfish. 

"Scammers prey on people who are looking for love and companionship," explains David Kalinoski, from the AARP Pennsylvania Consumer Issues Task Force. "They use emotional appeals to get victims to send money, personal information, or even gifts."

You can avoid falling victim to scammers on dating apps by following these tips.

• Keep your personal details private. Strangers pressing you for your full name, address or financial details could be planning an identity fraud. 
• Look out for verified profiles. Ask unverified matches to verify their profile. 
• Research potential catfish. If you suspect someone may be a catfish, do a reverse image search on their photos or ask for a video call.
• Watch out for love-bombing. Romance scammers often create fake attractive profiles and bombard victims with loving sentiments.  
• Focus on matches who want to meet you. Most romance scammers create convenient excuses why they can’t meet you with in the near future.   
• Don’t send money to online strangers. After building an online bond, romance scammers will fabricate fake emergencies and ask to borrow money. The most common is that they’re sick, hurt or in jail, according to research from Social Catfish. Avoid these tall tales by promising yourself never to send money to people you don’t know.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Dating In Pittsburgh

Is Pittsburgh good for singles?  

WalletHub recently ranked 150 U.S cities for their suitablity for dating, analysing a number of factors that singles would appreciate. Pittsburgh featured in the top 20 cities. It’s a fun city with great venues to meet great women.

A common criticism of the dating culture is that there’s not enough singles.

“When you only see the same singles over and over, you run out of options fairly quickly,” says dating writer Matt Seymour in his review of Pittsburgh. “Combine that with the fact that your friends have probably already dated anyone you’re interested in and it is a recipe for dating disaster.”

This happens often in Pittsburgh because locals tend to stick to the same neighborhoods and entertainment venues. Luckily, the dating apps make it easier to search for potential partners across a wider berth.

How do I attract women on dating apps?

The first step is to choose a dating app that’s popular in your local city. The second step is to upload quality photos. From there, it’s important to be direct about your intentions and try to organise a date quickly. 

Data gathered by Happn suggests that over half of dating app users wait up to a month to meet their online matches. But most dating experts agree that this is too slow.

“"One of the best indicators that someone is committed to meeting up with you is whether they will make the time to meet you in person relatively quickly,” says dating coach Hayley Quinn. “If somebody wants to leave it a while, you can infer that dating isn't a priority for them right now,"

“Not a fan of small talk? You are not alone!,” adds local matchmaker Susan Dunhoff. “Most single professionals in Pittsburgh think small talk is awkward.”

So, your best bet is to strike while the iron is hot and ask your online matches out sooner rather than later. 

Is it expensive to date in Pittsburgh?

The Black Tux blog recently analysed the likely cost of an average date in 50 U.S cities, and Pittsburgh ranked as the 20th most expensive. You can expect to pay as much as the average Amercian to woo a woman here, according to this research.

With that said, many local dating bloggers have mentioned the affordability of dating as an advantage of living in Pittsburgh. 

“Pittsburgh is nothing if not affordable,” Thrillist writer Laura Zorch says.  “Quality culinary experiences can be had for as little as $40 for a pair and pretending to like opera can happen for as low as about $12 per ticket.”  

This article may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.

References:

Berkery, P. (2023) Sweetheart scammers stole $14.4 million from Pennsylvanians last year. Here’s how they did it. The Keystone.

Chan, R. (2024) 9 critical things you want your online dating photos to show a woman. Heart Insider.

Damp, P. (2022) Study ranks Pittsburgh among the best cities for singles and dating. CBS News.

Dunhoff, S. (2022) Matchmaking in the real world: How and why it works. The Modern Matchmaker.

Hanlon, S. (2022) How dating apps are changing our psychology. The Knot.

Kalinoski, D. (2023) Scam alert: Romance scams on the rise. AARP.

Matthews, H. (2024) 9 ways to meet singles in Austin, TX. Dating Advice.

Quinn, H. & Gulla, E. (2020) How long should you wait to meet a dating app match IRL? Cosmopolitan.

Senkus, T. (2024) Adult FriendFinder review 2024. Heart Insider.

Senkus, T. (2024) 2024 eHarmony review. Heart Insider.

Seymour, M. (2024) Where to meet singles in Pittsburgh. Healthy Framework.

The Black Tux (n.d.) The average cost of a date in each U.S. City.

Vogels, E. & McClain, C. (2023) Key findings about online dating in the U.S. Pew Research Center.

United States Census Bureau (2023) QuickFacts Pittsburgh city, Pennsylvania.

Zorch, L. (2015) 13 reasons why dating is different in Pittsburgh. Thrillist.

Zwilling, M. (2013) How many more online datings do we need? Forbes. 

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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