There’s no shortage of singles in our city, but it’s hard to bump into them on the streets or at bars without facing some tough competition. Some singles also don’t spend time at singles bars and nightclubs. So where can you meet them? On the best dating apps and sites in Riverside, of course!
Let’s not forget about one of the most important factors that has changed dating in an almost permanent way… the Covid-19 debacle. Yes, people do still date in person - there’s no doubt about it - but there are certainly less singles flocking to the bar to find their special someone. Now, people are finding their love (and hookups) in an online environment like never before… so, suffice to say, you’re on the right path by reading this article.
If you feel like dating apps and sites are just a big confusing puzzle, you’re not alone. Not everyone is built to meet that special someone using a mobile device and with just a few swipes. But before you fully hate on dating apps, know that there’s a plus side to using them. They're still a good and effective way of meeting new people. Instead of spending every night at W Wolfskill, The Brickwood or Downtown Experiment, you can just log in to the dating app of your choice. Find someone whose profile interests you, start communicating and maybe make plans to meet up!
#1 - TanTan (Android; iOS) for those wanting a genuine connection
Are you tired of inauthentic encounters with shallow people? Maybe you’ve just had enough of what the culture has been evolving into, and want to go back to a time when TikTok dancers weren’t at the forefront of everybody’s mind.
It’s safe to assume you want something - SOMEONE - real. Someone who is capable of holding interesting conversations for more than 30 seconds. Someone who you can talk with about things that ACTUALLY matter. About things that make life worth living.
If that sounds like you, then you should be on TanTan.
Why TanTan works
- TanTan prioritizes authentic conversation and relationships
- They highly prioritize privacy
- There are over 1 million reviews
Why TanTan doesn’t work
- The app is more popular in Asia than in the US
- It’s more expensive than other options
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) is the easiest way to find compatibility
eHarmony is really popular in Riverside with those that are tired of swiping and really just want to find a compatible partner for something long-term. It's so good in fact that over 70% of all marriages that begin online have started on eHarmony. That's more than double ALL THE OTHER APPS COMBINED!
When you see results like that it's hard not to recommend them. It also does a lot of the hard work for you like finding compatible matches, helping you two break the ice, and allowing you to develop some chemistry before you're thrown into a first date.
When you want something that will last there isn't a better way to start than their trial below.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Riverside
- The most successful long-term relationship app
- 70% of users find their future spouse within a year
- Does a lot of the hard stuff for you
What we don’t like about it
- It definitely takes more time than most to get started
- Not super popular with those 18-22
#3 - BLK (Android; iOS) is for black singles
The concept of BLK is quite simple: it is a dating platform specifically for black singles looking to find a black partner. If you’re only interested in dating fellow black singles, then you should be on BLK. Most users on BLK are in their 30s-40s and are looking for something more “steady” and long-term, so keep that in mind before you dive with your head first into this dating pool.
Why BLK works
- Specifically made for black singles
- 4.6/5 stars with over 200k reviews
- It isn’t overly expensive
Why BLK doesn’t work
- The distance filter is glitchy
- People seem to dislike the company’s customer service
#4 - AFF is the best hookup app in Riverside
AFF is the first app to try if you just want to keep it casual. It's been Riverside's best hookup app for the past couple of years, now that Tinder is mostly focused on relationships. When you're not looking for anything with strings attached AFF is the best out there.
What really made it great is that it actually works for single guys. Most apps are 80%+ men and it leads to a pretty rough experience. AFF has been the app the has led to the best results for guys consistently.
If you just want something casual you need to check out their free trial below. Most casual relationships are starting online now so you need to be there too.
Why you should try AFF
- Really popular in Riverside
- Top results for single guys
- It’s very straightforward and easy to use
What we don’t like about it
- Many users can only access via web app
- The app is a little dated and not as polished as others
- Sometimes people are a little TOO upfront with what they want
#5 - Meet single women who like to be in control on Bumble (Android; iOS)
It turns out that love is not dead, and singles are still turning to apps like Bumble for a shot at love and romance. It’s one of the best dating sites in Riverside because it gives women the power and control. They can choose which guys on the site can message them.
With Bumble, you let a woman know that you’re interested and wait for her to like you back and initiate contact. And you don’t need to wait that long to know if she’s even interested. With a 24-hour time limit, women need to send a message or make contact before the connection expires. Swipe left or right on profiles that you see and hopefully, they will like you back and say hello. If you’re ready to take a chance on love online, Bumble is a great way to get started.
Why it's one of the best dating apps in Riverside
- Basic free features
- Verified profiles
- Not strictly for heterosexual couples
What we don’t like about it
- Women need to make the first move
- Connections expire
#6 - Singles can cut to the chase and find a match on Clover (Android; iOS)
What if we tell you that you can download a dating app that features on-demand dating? Let’s say you need a date for a company event this weekend. Clover allows you to see all singles looking for dates under the On-Demand dating feature. Simply tap on "I’m Interested," add in the date and time of your event, and wait for her to confirm. You should be able to see unconfirmed dates under the Pending section and confirmed dates under Confirmed.
Like most dating apps, you can create an account on Clover by signing up with your Facebook account. If you don’t want to use your Facebook, your Snapchat account or email will also suffice. A free account is good, but you can unlock a lot more useful features with a paid subscription. So are you ready for on-demand dating?
What we like about it
- Lots of members and daily users
- Free to use
- No swiping on profiles
What we don’t like about it
- You might find some fake profiles
- Premium prices
#7 - Lots of sophisticated and affluent women are on Elite Singles (Android;iOS)
Do you feel like you’re suffering from scrolling and swiping fatigue? Perhaps you’re just on the wrong dating app. If you’re hoping to meet a woman who has the same lifestyle and work ethic, Elite Singles can help you find a compatible match.
It’s a dating site for educated professionals who have high-powered jobs and affluent lifestyles. This site understands the struggles of rich and successful singles. It knows how challenging it is to find someone who shares the same interests and someone that they can share a life with. The end goal of this dating site is to find you a romantic connection without putting education and financial success out of the equation.
After taking a personality test, you need to have a bit of patience. Instead of searching for potential matches, Elite Singles will deliver your matches to you.
Why it’s one of the best dating sites in Riverside
- Traditional matchmaking service (no swiping)
- Visitor notifications that let you know who’s checking your profile
- Wild Card feature if you want to explore your options
What we don’t like about it
- Not for the impatient
- Premium fee
#8 - Christian Mingle is for singles who want a Christ-centered relationship (Android;iOS)
What are the best Riverside dating apps for Christian singles? Is there an app where you can meet singles who want a Christ-centered relationship? Well, of course, there is!
Christian Mingle prides itself as a dating app that helps its members find quality matches and make genuine connections through robust member profiles. You may find it simple and lackluster, but the app has its own communication tools that connect you with other members. What it lacks on flashy features it makes up for with its commitment to help Christian singles mingle and find the right partner.
Like other dating apps, you can like profiles and message each other when they like you back. There’s also a search filter that can narrow down your choices. For others, it may be a boring dating app to be on. But it caters to a specific niche of over 9 million registered users in the world. Now that’s a lot of potential matches.
What we like about it
- Thorough verification process
- Free download on mobile
- Lots of active users
What we don’t like about it
- Chat messaging is not free
- Some will find it lackluster
#9 - Tinder (Android; iOS) is one of the top apps for young singles
Singles may have a love-hate relationship with Tinder. But the influx of similar dating apps is largely because of Tinder’s swiping success. Millions of people in the world have Tinder on their phones because it just works. It works in finding you a match.
Now, not all matches that happen on Tinder end in happy ever afters. Every online dating story is different. But Tinder succeeds in getting you out there and meeting singles that you would otherwise never meet because you’re just sitting idly on your couch.
The rules are simple: swipe to like or skip a profile. When they like you back, you can start getting to know each other on the in-app chatbox. Tinder helps you find and connect with your matches. But it’s your personality and physical looks that will spell the difference between dating failure and dating success.
Why Tinder works
- One of the best dating apps in Riverside for younger singles
- No spending is required to use basic features
- Matches change depending on your location
- Easy to use
What we don’t like about it
- No way to verify a member’s real relationship status
- Upgrades can be pricey
#9 - Tastebuds (iOS only) is one of the best Riverside dating apps for music lovers
For some singles, music taste is a deal-breaker. If you take music compatibility very seriously, then one of the best apps to try is Tastebuds. It matches you with other singles who share the same music tastes and love the same bands. That means being able to watch concerts together or share music playlists with each other without worrying if they’re genuine fans.
But aside from finding potential matches, Tastebuds is also a great site to make new friends and meet fellow music fans from different cities and countries. Music is a great way to bond, after all. And by meeting other music fans, you can also explore and discover new bands and artists. Broaden your musical horizon while finding a great romantic match. It’s easy to create an account, but you will need to devote some time picking out your favorite bands and singers, especially if you have a ton!
Why Tastebuds is one of the best Riverside dating apps
- Lots of users around the world
- Plenty of filter options
- Free messaging
What we don’t like about it
- Paid subscription for unlimited messages
- Not as popular
#10 - HeyBaby (iOS only) is one of the best dating apps in Riverside for family-minded singles
While having kids is the farthest thing from most single people’s minds, many singles plan their lives around this. There are lots of singles who are already parents or seriously want to be parents sooner rather than later. If you don’t want to date time wasters who are not on board with you about kids and parenthood, one of the best dating apps in Riverside is HeyBaby.
You can be guaranteed that you won’t scare off anyone here when you start talking about your kids or your desire to have kids. Everyone is on the same page with the same goal. As a result, you also don’t need to worry about awkward conversations regarding parenting styles and feelings about being potential step-parents. Aside from finding you a potential match, HeyBaby also works to match you with potential parents.
Why we love it
- Ideal for lots of single parents
- Sleek and simple app
- Unique and refreshing
- Well-designed
What we don’t like about it
- Not for singles who don’t want kids
- Still quite buggy
The Best Dating Sites in Riverside for Long-Term Relationships
Do you want love? Love that lasts forever? Do you want love under the stars? Love to remember for the rest of your time? Beautiful memories ingrained into your mind that never fades? Someone to hold under the chill of a cold breeze?
It sounds like you want your forever. You want your home - you want to find the love of your life. With these two apps, you can make that dream a reality. You deserve it.
eHarmony has a track record of matching compatible singles
You probably called that eHarmony would be on this list… yep, you guessed right. There’s a reason you hear of this site so often - it’s because their system works. It works in finding you the person you’ve always longed for.
What eHarmony specializes in is finding you, your forever in the shortest amount of time possible. Hundreds of thousands of singles have had their lives PERMANENTLY changed in the most positive way just because they took the leap and signed up on eHarmony. They definitely don’t regret the decision… will you regret not joining? Who could you be missing out on?
Tinder is becoming one of the most popular apps for finding relationships
Tinder isn’t typically considered a hotspot for singles wanting to find their soulmate. Yes, the platform is way more casual than sites like eHarmony, but here’s where it DOES have a leg up: the dating pool is absolutely enormous. What that will probably mean is plenty of fruitless dates, but eventually, you’ll find someone who really clicks with you.
The Best Hookup Sites in Riverside
The best Riverside hookup sites will do one thing and (probably) one thing only: get somebody in your bed for the night… or a few nights, depending on how that first night goes ;). Hooking up is a great experience - one that you deserve to indulge in. So, it’s time to get freaky in the sheets. It’s time to dive into blissful ecstasy, if only for just a night.
Here are the two best hookup sites in Riverside:
AFF helps like-minded singles looking for some action
AFF is by far the best dating site in all of Riverside. Thousands upon thousands of hookups have taken place thanks to AFF. They’re responsible for more pleasure-filled nights than maybe any other dating site on planet Earth.
No, the site doesn’t look that great. In fact, it looks BAD. But does that really matter when it gets you somebody in your bed quickly? Somebody who is HOT - somebody you want to sleep with. Somebody who doesn't want any strings attached. Someone you can have fun with then forget about the next day (at least forget about them… maybe not how they made you feel).
OkCupid is surprisingly good for finding hookups
Although not explicitly for hookups, OkCupid is still pegged as one of the best casual dating sites in all of Riverside. Yeah, you might have a slightly harder time finding a hookup on OkCupid than AFF but it’s still super effective. Not to mention the stark design difference between the two platforms - OkCupid is not nearly the eyesore that AFF is.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Riverside
With free dating sites you will not have as great of an experience as if you were to actually pay for dating services… that is a fact. With that being said, free options still work and have worked for millions of people around the world. Just expect some annoying obstacles on your path of finding love, casual dates, or hookups.
- Facebook Dating
- Hinge
- Happn
Using Tinder in Riverside
We mentioned earlier that Tinder will work well if you’re looking to find something long-term. Now, although that is true, we’d be lying if we didn’t mention the main purpose of this app: to help singles find casual partners. Not casual to the point of mere hookups (although such encounters are far from rare) but instead for those “playing their options”. Most people on Tinder are looking to “test the waters” if you will; they don’t want to go too far in either direction and so are in a weird intermediary, not committed to any specific outcome.
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