Dating can be very challenging for anyone. With the onset of the global pandemic, common norms and dating traditions went out the window as the world was forced to quarantine. Thankfully, as vaccination rates rise, temperatures warm, and cases drop—people are finally venturing out into the world, and dating scene, once again.
For those getting back into meeting people, online dating removes the traditional challenges that have plagued people for generations. You get to look through profiles with pictures and bios of people actively looking for a relationship. Think of all the awkward failed attempts to engage someone you are attracted to that this technology saves.
The internet, being the vast world of options that it is, has so many different sites and apps to choose from; and they’re not all created equal. Some are geared more toward long-term relationships, while others are more focused on a quick hookup. Some have a majority of older members, while some are primarily younger. So it can be confusing when trying to find the right one for your needs.
Luckily for you, we have created an in-depth guide covering Illinois' best dating sites and apps. Our guide covers the state as a whole and focuses more on the suburban areas outside of Chicago and other cities.
There are a ton of singles using dating apps in Illinois
Illinois has plenty of single men and women scattered throughout. There are just under two million single women in the state, with only a few thousand fewer single men. In a state of over twelve million people, just over 30% of the population is currently single. That’s way above the national average for each state. To put it in numbers, 1.8 million men are single in a state with 1.9 million women are single. Needless to say, there is no shortage of dating app users throughout the prairie state.
The 5 Best Dating Sites in Illinois Right Now
#1 - eHarmony (Android, iOS) is the top-recommended site for finding love in Illinois
eHarmony is the best option for you if you're looking for a long-term relationship. With Illinois’ booming single population, eHarmony is undoubtedly the easiest way to find a deep, meaningful relationship.
eHarmony offers an easy-to-use app as well as a website that makes searching for a partner seamless. It uses comprehensive questionnaires to match you with the best possible partner. This process has produced countless successful matches.
Why eHarmony is one of the top dating sites in Illinois
- The best results of any dating site we’ve ever seen if you want a long-term relationship
- Comprehensive questions result in deep connections
- It does a lot of work for you when it comes to meeting and connecting with other singles
What we don’t like about it
- Takes some time to get up and running
- Not as popular for people under the age of 25
#2 - AFF is the best for quick and easy hookups (try it free)
AFF has been the best option to connect with people looking for casual fun for a while now. It's easily the best option for most guys and is a great option around Illinois.
Just because the main focus of AFF is to find casual fun doesn’t mean that the relationship that develops can’t be deeper than that. There are meaningful relationships that begin through the casual connection found on AFF.
Why AFF is worth your time
- The best option for most guys
- Most users on AFF are very open-minded and not judgemental
- Really popular across the state
What we don’t like about it
- Could use a design update
- Will take a bit of time to get up and running
#3 - Zoosk (Android, iOS) is for those seeking more serious relationships
Zoosk has been around for a long time, featuring a web version as well as an app that both offers a very user-friendly interface and platform. With the web version, you can scroll through lists of profiles as you please. On the app, you can choose to use a list view or carousel view, which is more like the other popular dating apps where you swipe through profiles one at a time.
Zoosk uses an algorithm to suggest potential mates. There is a smart picks area on the site that is generated by the algorithm, and users also receive emails and notifications with potential matches. Users have reported the suggestions to be very helpful for finding someone that you actually connect with.
Why we suggest trying Zoosk
- A very helpful and accurate algorithm does the work for you
- You can go back to profiles you passed by already
- Easy and free to create a profile
What we don’t like about it
- It is only free for 7 days
- There are a lot of ads during the free trial period
#4 - Christian Mingle (Android, iOS) is another great option for finding a relationship
Nowadays, Christian Mingle is the go-to app for singles with a deep devotion to their faith. There is no other religious-based singles site that has gained the popularity that Christian Mingle has achieved. Like all the other sites, you can swipe through potential matches and be notified when you have a match.
An activity tab shows you various things such as who viewed your profile, who you've viewed, and who you’ve liked. The signup process is a quick, simple process. They offer a free trial; however, there is a membership required.
Why we suggest Christian Mingle
- You can respond to messages in the free trial
- Over 15 million members
- Tons of great features
What we don’t like about it
- The membership is a little expensive
- The site tends to freeze up and crash at busy times
#5 - Tinder (Android, iOS) is great if you're hot
Tinder is a great dating app in Illinois if you're really good-looking. There is a wide range of members from 18-year-olds to 40+-year-olds. Tinder offers an easy-to-use format that allows you to swipe through profiles and match you with those that also swiped on your profile.
The growing popularity of other dating apps has not seemed to have too much of an effect on Tinder, as it is still the most popular one. It has become known as more of a hookup site than a serious dating site. Who’s to say that the hookup you find on Tinder won’t end up developing into a more serious relationship.
Why Tinder is a great app
- Wide range of members
- Very user friendly
- Only being able to message a mutual like minimizes unanswered messages
What we don’t like about it
- There are a number of fake profiles out there
- You can’t see who likes you until you like them in the free version
The Best Hookup Sites in Illinois
When you are looking for a quick hookup instead of a serious relationship, it’s best to know which site caters specifically to that. The majority of the dating sites are for those looking for a long-term relationship. Those sites are a waste of your time if you are just looking for a hookup. Here are two of the best Illinois hookup sites.
AFF remains the most reliable hookup site
With its massive member base and proven track record, AFF is the first place you should look when you are seeking out a quick fling instead of a more serious relationship. Just keep in mind that when you get past the outdated site design, you’ll find a huge variety of users looking for the same thing you are.
Lots of hookup action happens on Tinder
The second site that has been known to accommodate an easy hookup is Tinder. Tinder is the original dating app that started the swiping trend in the dating app world. It has become known for people having more success in hookups rather than lasting relationships, although it’s not to say something more serious can’t start there.
The Best Dating Sites in Illinois for Relationships
Long-term relationships are few and far between on most dating sites. More often, you will find people seeking a fling. However, if you’re searching for a meaningful long-term relationship, we have two of the best sites to check out.
eHarmony is for marriage-minded singles
Despite being around for a while, eHarmony is still able to keep up with dating trends. It doesn’t rely on users swiping on other users based on looks. Instead it uses (and continues to improve) its algorithm for matching users with each other. This makes it one of the most reliable and worthwhile sites if you really want to find someone for the long term.
Zoosk is for younger singles who want a serious relationship
eHarmony may have a reputation for attracting older, more serious singles. But what about youngsters who don’t want to buy into the hookup culture? That’s where Zoosk comes in. With a sizeable pool of younger users (18 to early 20s) looking for something serious, this is the app to use if you want a relationship.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Illinois
Signing up for any dating site is typically free, whether it is a free trial or they offer a free limited-use membership. However, every dating site requires a paid membership to access everything they offer. The limited features that the free membership offers are never enough; they make it so you need a paid membership to make the site worth using.
Is it worth the money to get the full experience? Once you find the right site for your desired needs, the cost of the membership is nothing when you look at the possibilities out there. With the help of the site that you are paying to be a member of, you can easily find what you are looking for.
Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are the best apps for those that decide not to pay for a membership. You will still have restrictions in all of these apps; however, the free features offered still have their benefits. Our recommendation is to find the right site and pay for the membership. If you don’t, for whatever reason, give one of these three apps a shot.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dating Sites in Illinois
What is the best dating site in Illinois?
There's no 1 exact best dating site in Illinois, but there are several you can choose from that best suits your goals. These are:
- eHarmony
- Adult Friend Finder
- Zoosk
- Christian Mingle
- Tinder
What is the most used dating app in Illinois?
The most used dating app in Illinois is Tinder. And it's no wonder too, the app has nearly 400 million downloads, so there's quite a lot of people using it worldwide.
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