Cuffing for love? Here are the best dating apps for serious relationships

Cuffing season is upon us. In the northern hemisphere, it’s the autumn/winter season, when folks want to bundle up with a special someone. The stereotype is that after Valentine’s Day, cuffing couples are kaput, and casual dates reign for the spring and summer. But what if you want to find something more serious than a Netflix and chill partner?

Gone are the days when people balked if you said you met your partner online. Dating apps have irrevocably changed how we date — much like how social media networks changed the way we interact with each other on the whole. With so many apps to choose from, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be difficult to discern which ones to invest in — especially if you’re looking for that special someone.

According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. Younger people and LGBTQ people are even more likely to have met their significant others online: one in five adults under 30, and nearly one in four LGBTQ adults.

The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So if that’s you, you’re certainly not alone. 

If you’re online, however, you’re surely aware of the discourse around dating app culture these days. People are burnt out on dating apps, some opting for IRL events instead. Still, it’s undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your own home, a dating app is the way to do it. If you’re, for example, introverted or have a difficult time approaching someone in-person, an app does have its uses.

What is the #1 best dating app?

It’s difficult to quantify which dating app is the best, considering users have an array of experiences on them. Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups. 

That being said, if you’re looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you’re looking for on your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one’s ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel are also known for leading to more “serious” connections.

Depending on what you’re seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, which is for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you’re in a space meant just for you.

Which dating site is best for serious relationships?

Mashable has done the research to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are all available both for Android and Apple users, so whatever phone you have won’t determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We’ve also included some “niche” options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.

Which dating app has the highest success rate?

Any dating app — even Tinder, which is known for hookups — boasts success stories, mainly marriages and long-term relationships. It’s difficult to quantify which app has the highest success rate because there are many variables, such as how long it has been around and how many users it has. 

Know that any app on the below list can lead to success, and that success doesn’t have one definition. Reflect on what success in dating looks like for you: Meeting exciting new people? An exclusive partner? Marriage? 

Dating in 2024 requires tenacity and consistency, and it may not be easy to find love online, but it’s possible. If you’re ready for it, here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:

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