5 Best Queer Dating Apps For LGBTQ (Based on Firsthand Experience) (2024)

We live in a world where we no longer pick up dates at the bar or work. Instead, most single individuals (myself included recently) use dating apps. As an openly queer single parent, though, I quickly discovered that not all dating apps are created equal. For me, it was important to find the ones geared specifically towards the communities I belong to, like these LGBTQ dating apps.

1. Best Gay Dating App for Men: Grindr

Grindr (Android | iOS) is not only one of the longest-standing queer dating apps, but it was also one of the first modern dating apps to launch. Designed for gay men, Grindr can be a great way for guys to connect and find potential partners.

Getting started on Grindr just requires an email address, phone number, a single photo, and a few pieces of personal information (name, birthday, location). After that, you instantly have access to other profiles, which you view by scrolling through images on your screen. You then click on photos that catch your interest to view the person’s profile and decide if you want to “tap” them.

As a queer woman, Grindr is not the app for me. Furthermore, some men I talked to abandoned Grindr because it has gained a reputation similar to Tinder’s for being geared towards “hookups.” That being said, Grindr does let users specify what they’re looking for and other helpful information in case they are searching for something more serious.

2. Best WLW Queer Dating App: HER

When I first re-entered the dating pool, I desperately wanted a dating app geared towards lesbians and bisexuals. As you can gather from the name, HER (Android | iOS) was exclusively designed to be the sapphic equivalent of Grindr. And, since 2013, this app has done exactly that.

After you download HER, you’ll walk through your profile setup, which takes just a few minutes. You can start swiping on folks who meet the specified criteria regarding location, gender, relationship status, and other options. After you match with someone, you can begin messaging them to determine if it’s truly a good match.

Overall, I love how profiles are set up on HER, as it makes it easy to scroll photos and read biographic information. I also like that you can see what a potential match is looking for (hookups, casual dating, monogamous relationships, or polyamory) and things that could be “deal breakers.” That being said, the messaging system is quite limiting and sometimes glitches, so you may want to consider WhatsApp or other messaging platforms for conversations you’d like to continue.

3. Best Mainstream Dating App for LGBTQ+ Folks: Hinge

The LGBTQIA+ community isn’t limited to just using queer dating apps. Many of the most popular dating apps support queer identities. Based on its gender customization options and numerous listed sexualities, Hinge (Android | iOS) takes the cake for the best mainstream dating app for queer folks.

Hinge is a great dating app for individuals who appreciate profiles with extensive information. In addition to photographs and demographic information, Hinge users can add prompt answers, audio, and short video clips to their profiles. Also, when you visit profiles, you have the option to comment directly on a specific piece of their profile so you can start a conversation right away.

That being said, Hinge limits the number of likes you can offer daily, and you will eventually run out of comment chances unless you opt into a premium subscription. Also, unlike other queer dating apps I’ve tried, you don’t fill out a traditional bio on Hinge.

4. Most Inclusive Queer Dating App: Taimi

Taimi (Android | iOS) is an “all-inclusive” LGBTQ dating app centered around self-expression and safety. The app lets you choose from many genders, sexualities, and partner preferences to ensure everyone feels welcome. Taimi also focuses on safety, so you can’t take screenshots and get to decide what data other users receive about you.

When you set up your profile, you don’t just fill out the basic biographic info; you set up Taimi cards. These cards can be photos, Instagram posts, Spotify information, or “private cards,” which users must request access to. Also, while other gay dating apps only notify you when you have a match or a message, Taimi sends notifications about all aspects of the platform. So, each time someone visits your profile, likes you, sends a message, or matches.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find this app as intuitive as some of the other queer dating apps I tried. I also found it frustrating that you can’t view the people who liked you or viewed your profile without shelling out money for a premium subscription. The under-30 crowd seems to love Taimi because of its “social media feel.”

My complaints aside, I can’t hate this app too much: it’s how I found my current partner.

5. Queer Community App That Doubles For Dating: Lex

One of the newest apps to enter the scene is Lex (Android | iOS). This LGBTQ+ dating app, which launched in 2019, is designed to bring people together based on interests and location so they can meet organically to form connections. You simply create a profile, search through the available Explore Groups, or scroll through posts to connect with others.

Creating a profile on Lex is fairly easy: you add a photo, put in your personal details, and select what you are looking for on the app. You can even connect your Instagram if you want to share more pictures or talk to people off the app. Once created, you can edit or delete your profile at any time.

Personally, I found this to be the most confusing of all the apps I tried. If you enjoy connecting with people online and enjoy social media platforms like Reddit, you will appreciate Lex. Otherwise, it takes a while to find people who may be date material, which isn’t great if you’re ready to get off the couch and away from your phone.

Queer Dating Apps are Alive and Well

These queer dating apps barely touch the surface of the options out there. That being said, not all LGBTQ+ dating apps are made the same. These top options cover the basics, regardless of which letter you make up in the “alphabet soup” of the queer community. However, if you aren’t ready to date, you can alwaysfind new friends onlinebased on similar interests.

Image credit: Online dating app in smartphone by DepositPhotos. All screenshots provided by Megan Glosson.