To help you find the most popular dating apps India has to offer, let's look at the ten best Indian dating sites for singles, each with its distinct features, appeal, and audience. We’ll also discuss some common and uncommon strategies for using them, as well as a FAQ that has some valuable answers to additional things you need to know. Let’s begin
What are the best dating sites in India 2024?
The best Indian dating sites in 2024 include a mix of tried-and-true platforms and fresh faces that you might not be familiar with yet.
The best dating app in India is obviously a subjective choice, but you’ll find no shortage of apps and websites that cater to your particular preferences and interests. From dating apps dedicated to meaningful relationships to platforms centered on casual hookups, there is something for every Indian single in the online dating world.
Top 10 Best Dating Apps in India to Try for Free
HeartInsider has reviewed plenty of sites to help you find the best dating app in India. Start with the following:
eHarmony
eHarmony sets itself apart as an excellent choice for an Indian dating app because of its distinctive match-making process, which is grounded in extensive psychological research.
Unlike many other dating platforms, eHarmony utilizes a unique Compatibility Matching System, designed to ensure the matches you get align with your personality and preferences. This system makes eHarmony particularly beneficial for those who are seeking serious, long-term relationships, as it filters out less compatible matches and saves you the time of browsing through endless profiles. The app's large user base also raises the odds of finding a suitable Indian partner.
Adult Friend Finder (AFF)
Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is a good dating app for people in India. While it's not for people looking for serious relationships, those who want to date casually, make new friends, or explore their sexuality should definitely try AFF.
AFF lets you search for people based on what you're interested in, making it easier for you to find matches that fit your preferences. For example, if you’re looking for Indian cougars, simply adjust the ethnicity and age settings to start filtering profiles for older Indian women.
Even though people from all around the world use it, there are plenty of users from India. So, if you want a dating app that's easy to use and includes all kinds of relationships, Adult Friend Finder could be a good choice for you.
Tinder
Tinder is equally popular in India as it is everywhere else in the world! Known for its simplistic “swipe left or swipe right” feature, Tinder is a great option for users who are looking for hookups or dating on smartphones and desktops.
Its huge user base and straightforward approach make it among the many viable free dating apps in India for both relationships and casual dates. However, you will want to stand out from the crowd by purchasing a membership (Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, or Tinder Platinum), which gives you features like 5 SuperLikes per week, messaging before matching, and more!
Bumble
Bumble is a widely recognized dating app that stands out due to its unique approach of empowering women to initiate the conversation. The app seeks to disrupt the conventional dating norms, making the online dating space more respectful and progressive.
Upon securing a match on Bumble, women are given 24 hours to start the conversation, encouraging timely interactions and minimizing waiting periods. For Indian singles, Bumble's female-centric model aligns well with the needs of women looking to establish control and feel safe in their online dating journeys. The free version of Bumble offers a wide range of services, while Bumble Boost and Bumble Premium offer advanced features for an upgraded experience (plus you’ll get a boost in the ranking, which is always a good thing!).
TrulyMadly
TrulyMadly is India's answer to the international dating app phenomenon. Designed to cater to the unique cultural nuances of Indian singles, TrulyMadly balances the country's traditional matchmaking values and the modern Indian's desire to choose their own partner.
TrulyMadly provides a mix of free and premium features, including limited daily right swipes, unrestricted messaging for matched profiles, engaging in-app games, and even a referral program that allows you to earn cash. A standout feature is "Spark," a premium option akin to Tinder's "SuperLike," which significantly improves match rates. There’s also the platform's unique "Trust Score" system that enhances user credibility by verifying various details–a must for screening out time wasters and scammers.
Apps Dating Experts Use in India
Whether it's your first real relationship or you have a string in your past there are a few apps that dating experts recommend consistently. These are apps where you can meet great girls who want something long-term as well as those just looking to keep it casual:
| Site | Our Experience | Our Rating | Free Trial Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best For Relationships
 |
Experience Highlights
|
9
|
Try eHarmony |
|
Best For Casual Fun
 |
Experience Highlights
|
9
|
Try AFF For Free |
|
Great If You're Handsome
 |
Tinder Highlights
|
8
|
Try Tinder |
Happn
Happn is a location-based dating app that is extremely popular among Indian singles. With 35 million users, you’ll have no problem finding potential matches who've crossed your paths in real life, turning missed opportunities into possible dates. Happn is ideal for urban singles navigating the fast-paced city life.
To really tap into Happn, you’ll want to go with a paid membership. Premium membership will have plenty of features, such as 10 FlashNotes a day, finding out who Liked you, programming your invisibility, and much more.
Hinge
Hinge markets itself as an app that's designed to be deleted, which makes it an excellent choice among Indian dating apps if you're looking for a more serious and lasting connection.
One of the things that sets Hinge apart is the unique way it helps you set up your profile. Instead of just uploading photos and writing a short bio, Hinge has you answer three prompts from a list. Your answers can tell a lot more about you than just your favorite food or vacation spot, and they also give others an easy way to start a conversation with you. Hinge's sophisticated algorithm uses your answers, preferences, and actions on the app to recommend matches they think you'll really like–a good feature for those who don’t necessarily know what they’d like.
As one of the many free dating apps in India to choose from, Hinge is free to use. However, there are extra perks if you subscribe to Hinge Preferred, the premium version of the app.
Aisle
Since its inception in 2014, Aisle has become renowned as a dating app designed for single Indians seeking long-term relationships. This app effectively strikes a balance between traditional matrimonial services and modern casual dating, tailoring its services to the evolving preferences of modern Indian men and women.
With a user base of over three million members worldwide, Aisle provides a wide variety of potential matches. One interesting aspect of Aisle is that only female members have the privilege of sending the first message, further empowering women on the platform.
QuackQuack
QuackQuack has quickly emerged as a favorite among Indian dating apps, specifically designed for the Indian dating community. Its user-friendly interface and the intuitiveness of the app make it a joy to use, providing a smooth user experience.
One feature that sets QuackQuack apart is its extensive user base, with millions of verified profiles. This vast pool of potential partners significantly boosts the chances of finding a suitable match within India. With the app's location-specific search option, users are able to find potential matches within certain cities or regions of India - a significant advantage for those looking to date locally or on vacation.
While basic services on the app are free, premium features are accessible only through a paid subscription, which might be a downside for some users who are only looking for free dating apps in India. Nonetheless, with its robust focus on the Indian dating landscape, an intuitive interface, and stringent safety protocols, QuackQuack is an excellent option for anyone navigating the Indian dating scene.
Woo
Woo focuses on urban, educated professionals looking for relationships. Woo has distinguished itself among Indian dating apps with its inventive method of linking singles based on shared interests.
Woo delves into a spectrum of interests and passions to match users. This approach fosters a deeper connection by aligning people who share similar lifestyles, beliefs, and hobbies. Notably, the app's Question Cast feature enables users to pose questions to potential matches, sparking intriguing and revealing discussions.
Woo also prioritizes user safety, employing a stringent verification process to ensure authenticity. This feature significantly reduces the risk of running into false profiles, providing a safer dating environment.
Among its user-centric features, the Woo Phone feature allows female users to make voice calls within the app without revealing their phone numbers–which means you’ll have a better chance of actually interacting with someone.
Some Tips for Using Indian Dating Apps
Let’s be honest: Dating apps take some time to get familiar with. On top of getting familiar with the site’s/app’s design, dating sites in India introduce a couple more complexities that you should be aware of.
The following are some of the most important tips when using Indian dating apps:
- Verify Authenticity
- Define Your Goals to Choose the Right App(s)
- Understand Cultural Differences
- Think Outside the Box
- Be Patient
- Prioritize Safety
Verify Authenticity
Ensure that the person you're interacting with is real. Many of the best Indian dating apps we covered in the previous section have verification procedures in place, but it's always wise to be cautious. Video calls, photo verifications for signup, and social media are helpful tools for establishing authenticity.
Define Your Goals to Choose the Right App(s)
Knowing what you want is the key when it comes to online dating and Indian dating apps. Just like people, dating apps can be different too. Some are for people who want a serious, long-term relationship. Others are better for people who are just looking for a fun, casual date.
It's a bit like picking a restaurant. If you want a fancy dinner, you wouldn't go to a fast food joint, right? It's the same with dating apps. By picking the right one from the start, you can save time and avoid confusion.
So, how do you pick the right dating app? You need to find one that matches what you actually want. Some apps are known for people looking for serious relationships, like TrulyMadly. Others are better for people who just want to date casually, like Tinder. Spend a bit of time checking out what each app is known for. Don't just pick the one everyone else is using or the one you heard about most. Pick the one that fits what you want.
Important: There’s no shame in using multiple dating apps if you’re looking for casual relationships, friendships, AND marriage. Every app has its own user base, and you’ll eventually drill down to what you’re actually looking for by interacting with users and seeing what’s out there.
Understand Cultural Differences
India is a culturally diverse country, and this is reflected in its dating scene. With many Indian singles living around the world–particularly in the Western world–you should be aware of some key cultural differences between dating in India and Western countries:
- The Role of Their Family: In India, families play a significant role in relationships. Parents and relatives can be highly involved in the dating process, from selecting a suitable match to setting the terms of the relationship. In contrast, in many Western countries, individual choice is the norm, and family involvement tends to be less direct.
- Arranged Marriages: Although not as prevalent as in the past, arranged marriages still occur in India, where families play an active role in choosing partners for their children based on social, economic, and cultural compatibility. While arranged marriages also occur in some Western countries, they're generally less common and often associated with specific religious or cultural groups.
- Public Display of Affection: Public display of affection, such as kissing or holding hands, is often less common and accepted in India compared to Western countries, where it's generally seen as a normal part of dating. If you’re planning a date or looking for a hookup, it’s best to play it cool until you’ve determined how they act in public settings.
- Pre-Marital Relations: Premarital relations are often viewed differently across cultures. In many Western societies, it is typically considered a part of dating and relationship-building. However, in India, due to traditional values and religious beliefs, premarital relations (ie. having sex, kissing) might be seen as inappropriate or even disrespectful in some communities.
- Dating Timeline: In India, dating often has a more serious connotation, and the relationship is expected to lead to marriage. In Western countries, dating is often viewed as a stage to get to know different people, and explore compatibility, and not necessarily with the end goal of marriage in mind.
- Concept of Casual Dating: The idea of casual dating is certainly more prevalent and accepted in many Western cultures. In contrast, in India, dating is often associated with a more serious intent of finding a long-term partner. However, casual dating is becoming more of the norm in urban areas and among younger generations (especially in areas with universities).
- Role of Religion and Castes: In India, religion, caste, and social status often play a significant role in dating and marriage. In Western countries, while religion can influence dating and marriage, there is generally less emphasis on factors such as caste or social status.
Remember, these are general observations and don’t necessarily apply to everyone. Therefore, being mindful and respectful of cultural differences is key to making your online dating experience more fulfilling and less fraught.
Think Outside the Box
You should know that online romance has its own rules of engagement and these rules are always in flux. What worked in the past may not necessarily work in the future, and you need to adapt to gain a competitive advantage.
For example, you can use dating apps as a source of reconnaissance. With apps linking in someone’s Instagram, career details, and location, use these details to increase your likelihood of a chance meeting in real life. Of course, you don’t need to be creepy, but doing some research helps you understand how people spend their lives and where you’ll be likely to cross paths with someone (or people in the same standing).
As another example of thinking outside the box, create a dummy profile and use it to see what other users respond to. You can use this as a way of A/B testing your photos, and profile information, or even as a way of verifying that you could’ve been shadowbanned by a negative interaction.
Be Patient
If you’ve decided to use the best dating apps India has to offer, it’s tempting to think that this will accelerate your romantic life in no time. This can certainly be the case–but don’t set unreasonable expectations from the start.
The right person might not appear immediately. Online dating is a journey, and practicing patience is an essential part of the process. In fact, people are more wary of meeting one another online, so it may take more time to build rapport that you are who you say you are when compared to an in-person chance encounter.
Also, don’t rush. Being in a hurry tends to have a negative effect on potential matches for online dating. After all, would you appreciate it if someone you’re not familiar with wants to hang out right now?! How about tomorrow? Or, whenever you’re free, that would be great…
Prioritize Safety
While exploring the virtual dating world, remember to always prioritize your safety. Share personal information only when you're comfortable, and consider reporting any suspicious behavior if you get a gut feeling that something just isn’t right. You may be so excited to meet up with a new person that you ignore the fact that they’re from a dangerous part of a city, may have criminal intentions, or are catfishing you.
Apps Dating Experts Use in India
Whether it's your first real relationship or you have a string in your past there are a few apps that dating experts recommend consistently. These are apps where you can meet great girls who want something long-term as well as those just looking to keep it casual:
| Site | Our Experience | Our Rating | Free Trial Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best For Relationships
|
Experience Highlights
|
9
|
Try eHarmony |
|
Best For Casual Fun
|
Experience Highlights
|
9
|
Try AFF For Free |
|
Great If You're Handsome
|
Tinder Highlights
|
8
|
Try Tinder |
FAQ on Indian Dating Sites
Is online dating legal in India?
Yes, online dating is perfectly legal in India, provided it is conducted in a respectful and legal manner. Both the website and the user must adhere to all applicable laws.
However, there’s one very important caveat: There are no specific laws and guidelines for dating sites in India. Therefore, exercise caution when giving out your credit card information, verify the identity of the people that you’re talking to, and always trust your intuition. While online dating can be a fun experience, try not to forget that there are scammers who exploit India’s lax policies for their own gain.
Do dating apps work in India?
Yes, dating apps do work in India. As with any dating scenario, the outcome depends on various factors like individual preferences, the effort put into building a profile, and the manner of interaction.
Practically speaking, most dating apps won’t work on free settings beyond getting you familiar with basic features. To really dive in, you’ll need to purchase a subscription. Once you’ve invested money into your dating life, you’ll not only have better dating features at your disposal but you’ll also be invested in your success. With a little money at stake, you’re more likely to “make” the app work instead of leaving it on your phone and forgetting about it when you don’t get results.
Is there any free dating app in India?
Yes, several dating apps in India offer free services, including Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid. This means that getting access to new matches is as simple as installing the app and filling out your profile.
However, the truth about online dating apps is that their business model is based on paid subscriptions. In order to access premium features, you will need to pay for a subscription in order to use premium features.
To understand the value of a paid subscription, consider using apps WITHOUT these handy features:
- Unlimited Swipes: More swipes equals more dates. Many dating apps limit the number of profiles you can like or swipe right on per day. Upgrading to a premium subscription removes these limitations, allowing you to swipe as much as you want.
- Advanced Search Filters: Save time and find better matches with advanced search filters. Free users usually have access to basic search filters such as age and location. In contrast, premium subscriptions unlock more advanced filters, including education, income, and even specific interests, enabling you to fine-tune your matches.
- See Who Likes You: Knowledge is power! Most dating apps will notify you when someone likes your profile, but they won't always show you who it is unless you both like each other. Premium subscriptions allow you to see everyone who has liked your profile, whether or not you've liked them back. Not only do you have a better chance of finding a match, but you also get valuable feedback about the quality of matches you’re getting.
- Read Receipts: “Did they even respond?” Some dating apps offer read receipts as part of their premium packages, allowing you to see if and when your messages have been read. This feature helps avoid those feelings of being ghosted or will at least let you know when to move on if they’re not interested.
- Boost Your Profile: Get seen! Many dating apps offer a feature that will temporarily make your profile more visible to other users. This could mean appearing more often in others' suggested matches or being shown to people who are more popular or more active on the app.
- Invisible Browsing: Protect your privacy. Some dating apps allow premium users to browse profiles without appearing in the other person's visitor list, letting you check out potential matches without them knowing unless you decide to like or message them. This is very important for those who want to keep their professional life separate from their personal life.
- Unlimited Conversations: Online dating is a “numbers game”. While some dating apps limit the number of people you can chat with simultaneously, a premium subscription lifts this limit, allowing you to engage in unlimited conversations concurrently. By doing so, you’ll have the ability to reach out to every person you find attractive, strike up as many conversations as possible, and find success much more easily.
How many people in India use dating apps?
With digital adoption at an all-time high, millions of people in India use dating apps to find romance in today’s modern era. The exact number of active users fluctuates, but according to the most recent statistics, India is the 5th fastest-growing market for users of online dating apps. To put this into perspective, the following are the most recent statistics (as of 2022) for online dating app users by year for India:
- Revenue in the Online Dating market is projected to reach US$69.9m by 2024.
- Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of -1.77%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$65.09m by 2028.
- In the Online Dating market, the number of users is expected to amount to 28.8m users by 2028.
Therefore, it is safe to say that the online dating scene in India is already vibrant, and the usage of dating apps will become even more commonplace in years to come. Become an early adopter today to experience the new world of dating apps in India and find the love you deserve!
In conclusion, the world of online dating in India has seen significant growth and evolution in 2024. With so many options available, Indian singles seeking a serious relationship, casual dating, or exploring their sexuality can find the best dating app in India that’s uniquely tailored to their needs. Be sure to review this guide as often as you need and experiment with different apps. With a little bit of know-how and patience, you’ll find love sooner than later! Good luck!
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