Finding the best dating apps in Utah is no easy feat. From apps that were popular 10 years ago to apps that boomed and fizzled away, finding the best app for you can be a shot in the dark. Unfortunately, those days are over. There are now roughly 2,500 dating apps available in the United States according to Forbes research, and most of these are complete duds.
“In 2023, there are a multitude of dating apps to choose from for just about any specific type of person,” explains local writer Elle Cabrera. “There are some just for hookups, those who are religious, some geared toward the LGBTQ+ community, and many more.”
This means it’s more important than ever to choose the best app for your specific needs. Luckily, I’ve gathered a small team of Utah dating experts to help you out with this problem. We have done our research to actually find the best Utah dating apps and websites that actually work so you can actually meet up in person for hookups, serious dating, and more - not get stuck in “digital limbo”. Here’s a peek into what has worked for the past several years:
“Utah is a bizarre and occasionally wonderful place but it gets particularly outlandish when it comes to dating,” says local journalist Devin Wakefield. “Modern generations don’t rely so heavily on meet-cutes or bar pickups and as such, things can get a little hairy.”
So, let’s not waste any more time and get straight into exploring the important facts about online dating in Utah.
There are tons of singles using dating apps in Utah
We'll be honest with you: Utah isn't one of the top states we'd recommend if you're a single guy looking for a date (whether casual or otherwise). Utah has the smallest percentage of single residents out of all 50 states, according to the latest Census. On top of that, there are significantly more single men than women in Utah.
With all that in mind, however, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're doomed to be single forever if you're from Utah. It only means you need to be smart about how you approach the dating scene. So if you're looking for a date, the best way to find one is by using a dating app where you can easily meet lots of single women.
The 5 Best Dating Sites in Utah Right Now
Not all dating apps are created equal. In fact, there are quite a few differences between dating apps. Some are geared for casual encounters, some are better for long-term relationships, and some simply give you access to alternative dating options.
To help you get the best success, we rigorously tested and chose the 5 best dating sites in Utah based on the most important criteria:
- Number of users in Utah
- Cultural fit for the state
- Types of users
- Ease-of-use
- User experience
- Free features versus paid membership features
- And other factors
In the next section, discover our five (5) best dating site recommendations for the state of Utah. Good luck!
#1 - eHarmony (Android, iOS) is one of the best dating apps in Utah for singles looking for a life-long love
Picture this: you use an app for a year and you end up meeting someone who seems pretty cool. You chat for a bit and meet up. Then a couple of years down the road, you realize that this person you met on an app is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. This isn’t just a fantasy; it’s what happened to 7 out of 10 eHarmony users.
Unlike most dating apps in Utah, eHarmony starts the process with a detailed questionnaire and requires a paid membership. Both the length of the questionnaire and coming up with the “cover fee” of a paid membership means that you are screening out timewasters or women just looking for some attention. Instead, you’ll gain access to women who actually know what they want in life and have their life together. Plus, eHarmony’s algorithm only puts you in contact with compatible matches, not the “spray-and-pray” way that other dating apps do.
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!
As with simply dating in general, persistence and patience are key with eHarmony, but becoming one of the 7 in 10 to find the right match is worth it. Try eHarmony today!
What are the pros of using eHarmony?
- Highest success rate for long-term relationships
- Detailed member profiles
- Few fake profiles and scammers
- Advanced algorithm and compatibility matching system for better dates
What are the cons of eHarmony?
- Requires a large time investment and some money to start
- Not popular with younger demographics
- Free membership is very limited
- The site is lacking options for various communication methods
What Other People Are Saying About EHarmony
Isaak Loeppky (Eyes) - Google Play
“Security levels are quite sufficient, and everyone is really friendly. I appreciate all the feedback EHarmony gives, allowing a high level of success when a person finds the right one. A person should never be discouraged if they do not receive results immediately. Positive progress requires patience in most situations. Success is likely if you remain eminent in your search.”
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!"
#2 - Younger singles looking for relationships go on Zoosk (Android; iOS)
Couples in Utah generally marry pretty young. In fact, Utah has one of the lowest average marriage ages in the US for both men and women. It's also a pretty conservative state, where singles are more likely to be looking for a relationship as opposed to a hookup. Because of this, Zoosk is becoming more and more popular in Utah.
Zoosk's target demographic is younger singles (18-25) who are looking for long-term relationships. It doesn't subscribe to popular hookup culture and instead helps singles find love even if they're pretty young. It's not necessarily for marriage, but it's definitely not a hookup app. So if you're under 25 and you want a serious relationship, Zoosk could be the app for you.
Why Zoosk is worth trying:
- Ideal for younger singles (18-25)
- Focused on helping you find relationships
- Modern interface
- Lots of users in Utah
Zoosk needs to improve a few things:
- Free membership is limited
- There aren’t that many people on Zoosk… yet
What Other People Are Saying About Zoosk
Shelton Rowand - Google Play
“I purchased the 3 month subscription because I feel any type of money would be worth possibly finding your soulmate. I've met and went on two dates in two months . Don't text for too long because when you meet each other. you will know. I've met a lot of amazing people as well.”
#3 - AFF is the top dating site for finding casual relationships (try it free)
Looking to hook up ASAP? If so, AFF’s the answer! AFF is a popular hookup app that’s been around forever, which means that it actually works. Plus, matching with real sexy women in Utah is a cinch with AFF - after all, everyone’s here for the same thing.
Above all, AFF emphasizes security and staying discreet for its user base, so you’ll only meet responsible users that match expectations. You can even video chat before meeting up with the person (or persons) who actually match their description.
Best of all, a paid membership unlocks all of the search features that make it the best dating app in Utah for no-strings-attached engagements almost on-demand. And with 60+ million users (and always growing), it’ll never be a struggle to find DTF partners in Utah with AFF.
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!
AFF is your best friend for finding Utah hookups because…
- Massive active user base
- Fewer timewasters/scammers than other hookup/dating apps
- Plenty of relevant search options
- Paid memberships significantly increase your odds of meeting up for real
AFF should improve:
- Can feel a bit like a “meat market” if you’re not ready for it
- Many users can only access AFF via the web app
What Other People Are Saying About Adult Friend Finder
Brian A. - SiteJabber
"I was highly successful on the site. Wasn't too hard meeting women at all. You just got to know what you're doing. First, you must be willing to write a decent profile which is grammatically correct. Guys lose the dirty pics and have a face pic. Trust me I've talked to enough women to know that's not a great opener. Save that for later.
What's your intent? Believe it or not, there are several women on AFF looking for a relationship. You can meet a decent woman on AFF. Within the first day, I had two opportunities in my area to have casual sex. After careful thought, I decided that's not what I was looking for and politely backed out. After that, I just mainly cruised profiles and had some wonderful conversations with all types of women across the country. When you reply to a profile just be respectful and don't start out with vulgar sex talk. Gezzz have some class and the ladies will respect that.
Finally, I met a wonderful woman which we share the same interests. We're hitting it off quite well. Recently I've deleted my profile because we've committed to each other. So here's my review on AFF. It's a great site for casual sex or finding a relationship. You must have thick skin and know how dating sites work though. Cheers."
#4 - Bumble (Android, iOS) is the best app for women seeking men in Utah
Among all dating apps, Bumble is unique. Usually, men in Utah are tasked with making the first move when it comes to dating apps like Tinder or OkCupid. With Bumble, it is up to her to say the first word, a welcome relief from being ghosted app after app.
Any time both users swipe right on one another’s profiles, a 24-period countdown starts, giving only a brief period for a woman to respond. This motivates her to reach out before you’re gone forever. Plus, Bumble has a bunch of paid features that make your profile stand out even better, and enables unlimited likes.
Why Bumble is great for dating in Utah:
- Geared towards women
- Incentivizes women to make an effort
- Better quality matches than other dating apps
- Great paid membership perks
Bumble does still have a few drawbacks:
- Waiting on messages makes it hard to be spontaneous
- Free membership isn’t effective enough to really see consistent results
- Filling out your entire profile can take a lot of time and may seem redundant
What Other People Are Saying About Bumble
Dushyant J - Google Play
"Was a 3 yrs long struggle.. Eventually found her. So ain't no way I'm not gonna add a 5-star review."
#5 - Coffee Meets Bagel (iOS, Android) gives Utah access to serious relationships with professional women
Thanks to a booming tech sector, Utah has plenty of professional women. To date them, Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is the perfect platform for Utah men wanting to meet career-oriented ladies.
Matching on the app is simple. Similar to Bumble, simply like users to get the ball rolling. If she likes you too, you match. Or, if she liked you and you’re a good match, you’ll have a roster of “bagels” to choose from.
Users have to be choosy, though. You only get so many beans per day, so choosing in-demand women often costs more beans whereas newer users cost fewer beans. Obviously, paid memberships offer more beans and features to meet more women, so CMB works best for paid members.
Last, CMB does a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Men will get a fresh set of matches as a noon reminder (lunchtime for most workers), so you’ll be sure to have an opportunity to meet with someone nearby or arrange a date soon!
Why Coffee Meets Bagel is one of the best dating apps in Utah
- Get access to a totally unique pool of career-oriented women
- Women tend to be more open-minded on the app
- Sign-up doesn’t require a huge time investment
- Search criteria are great for finding women you actually want
What could be improved on Coffee Meets Bagel:
- Women tend to be busier, so response time isn’t always immediate.
- The free version of the app only gives a few opportunities to interact with women
- For now, the app doesn’t have the largest pool of available women out there
- Users can’t browse profiles in the entire area
What Other People Are Saying About Coffee Meets Bagel
Abhi Singh - Google Play
“Genuinely an app meant to be deleted. Met my girlfriend here a year ago, still going strong. Quality of dates before her was far better than other apps other than hinge which has more users.”
The Best Hookup Sites in Utah
Of all the best Utah hookup sites, only AFF and Tinder really work. Here’s why:
AFF is designed for fun behind closed doors
Utah singles may be on the more conservative side when it comes to dating. But that doesn’t mean there’s no one here looking to hook up! Plenty of them are on AFF, maintaining their privacy until the moment they’re comfortable enough to hook up. If that sounds like you, then, you’ll find a lot of like-minded singles on this site!
Tinder is synonymous with speedy hookups almost on-demand
Here’s how to use Tinder like a pro: swipe right on profiles you like, find a match, chat, and set up a hot date. If she’s into a hookup, state your intentions. If she’s available, exchange details and meet up. If not, NEXT! That’s Tinder in a nutshell.
The Best Dating Sites in Utah for Serious Relationships
We absolutely recommend eHarmony as the first choice among all other Utah dating apps when you’re looking for serious relationships with women. As a close second, Plenty of Fish offers another option that savvy men are choosing.
eHarmony helps those looking for real love
As with many single people in Utah, finding someone you want to date for the long term isn’t easy. But with technology on your side, you can use eHarmony to do exactly that. eHarmony’s advanced features bring you matches on the daily so you can get to know each one. And if eHarmony’s track record is anything to go by, you should meet the one for you within a year or less!
Why should I use Plenty of Fish (POF)?
When it comes to Utah dating sites, not all female users are using all the apps out there. Plenty of Fish lets you tap into a hidden dating market that may have been lost on eHarmony. Plus, the paid membership gives you a clear advantage over the app’s large base of free users.
The Best Free Dating Apps in Utah
There is an unspoken rule among online dating apps in Utah: You get what you pay for.
However, free dating apps do have a purpose: They enable men to get their feet wet and see what type of Utah women are out there - and you might even get a few matches if you’re lucky! Of course, if you like the app, then it’s obviously time to get a paid membership to really ramp things up and increase the odds of finding what you’re looking for.
Besides the Utah dating apps we’ve recommended in this article, the following are also some of the best free Utah dating apps that we recommend:
- Hily
- Hinge
- OkCupid
By trying out these Utah dating apps, you just might find that special someone today!
How To Stay Safe On Dating Apps In Utah
Nearly $1.3 billion was lost to online romance scams in 2022, up more than double from last year, according to Federal Trade Commission figures. These tips will help you avoid being caught in such a trap.
- Keep your personal details private. If a stranger from a dating app is pressing you for your full name, address or financial details, they could be planning an identity fraud.
- Take steps to check for catfish. In a large consumer survey by Helzberg Diamonds, “dishonesty” was named as the biggest challenge of modern dating. That extends to online profile photos too. So, make sure to run a reverse image search on someone’s photos or (even better) insist on arranging a video call with your matches.
- Watch out for love-bombing from super-attractive profiles. This should be considered a red flag unless you’re extremely beautiful yourself. If something seems to good to be true, it usually is.
- Don’t send money to strangers from the internet. Romance scammers build online relationships then fabricate urgent reasons why they need to borrow money. The most effective way to avoid this trap is to promise yourself you’ll never transfer funds to people you don’t know. It’s too risky.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dating In Utah
Is Utah good for singles?
It’s hard to make the case for living in Utah if you’re single. The average woman in Utah gets married at aged 24 according to Pew Research data. That puts it in the top 5 states for the youngest average age to get married. Utah also has the lowest percentage of singles of all 50 U.S states.
“I think that there are some that feel the pressure to get married because it’s more of the norm in Utah,” says The LDS Matchmaker CEO Amy Stevens Seal. “It’s more family oriented for sure in part because of the strong LDS presence.”
There’s also the hurdle of Mormons typically wanting to be with each other. Stats from wisevoter.com suggest that there are 2.1 million Mormons in Utah. The total population is around 3.2 million according to the latest Census. So, your dating pool is noticably limited whether you’re a member of the LDS church or not.
Does Utah have a hook-up culture?
Utah isn’t known for its hook-up culture. It’s known for a strong focus on religion and monogamy. Casual relationships are even somewhat rare in local colleges and universities.
“Our state is universally pretty pro-relationships and pro-marriage,” says Brian Higginbotham, Utah State University Extension associate vice president, “A lot of people feel like that’s something they’re supposed to do and there’s not necessarily a right time for that to happen.”
What’s the best way to find a partner in Utah?
Many people turn to dating apps to find a like-minded partner. If you want short-term relationships in Utah, it’s easiest to look on hookup apps like Adult Friend Finder.
Bella DePaulo, a psychology project scientist, says that you often find the right person when you’re not too desperate to do so.
“Go out and about. Think about your whole life," she said. "Not just becoming un-single by finding someone to date."
Does Tinder work in Utah?
Tinder is actually the most-downloaded dating app in Utah, according to research by datingnews.com. However, it’s not used so much as a hookup app here and there are many complaints about the quality of the people who choose this app.
“If you’ve ever spent any amount of time on Tinder, you know that it has the potential to be an absolutely horrible, terrifying place,” says local DJ Mikey from the ‘Mikey and The Mrs Show’. “After spending just one hour on Tinder, you may find it very easy to give up on humanity.”
Is it expensive to date in Utah?
Data shows that the cost of dating in Utah tends to be noticably cheaper than elsewhere in the United States. Salt Lake City was ranked as the 10th cheapest out of 50 major U.S cities analysed for the average cost of dating by The Black Tux blog - and if you’re dating outside of Utah’s big cities, it can be even cheaper.
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References:
America Counts (2021) Utah: 2020 census. United States Census Bureau.
Brooks, A. (2023) Most popular dating apps by state. Dating News.
Cabrera, E. (2023) Is Utah’s dating scene a nightmare? Here are the 2023 dating statistics. B92.1.
Helzberg Diamonds (2023) Dating apps vs. IRL? The results are in!
Osinski, N. (2016) Utah’s dating pool dilemma. The Spectrum.
Prior, H. (2021) Utah’s single population. David Eccles School of Business.
Senkus, T. (2024) Adult FriendFinder review 2024. Heart Insider.
Senkus, T. (2024) 2024 eHarmony review. Heart Insider.
The Black Tux (n.d.) The average cost of a date in each U.S. City.
Wakefield, D. (2016) ABCs of Utah’s dating scene. Devin Wakefield.
Wisevoter (n.d.) Mormon population by state.
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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