Looking for the best gay dating apps? We’ve got them right here waiting for you. This list includes the biggest names in the LGBTQ+ dating scene as well as a few surprise additions you may not have heard of yet.
When it comes to the gay dating scene, we’ve seen a lot of big changes in the last few years. Both attitudes and laws have shifted regarding same-sex relationships, and that has opened the door for a lot of men coming out of the closet. Today, gay singles have more date options and community support than ever before, and online dating has become an essential part of that experience.
We’re proud to recommend the following online dating resources for men seeking same-sex dates, lovers, and partners.
Best Overall Gay Dating Apps
Our dating experts have spent countless hours navigating the online dating scene (both personally and professionally), and their insights have steered many singles in the right direction.
Mainstream dating sites and apps welcome singles of all orientations, and many LGBTQ+ users take advantage of these tools. In fact, 20% of online daters identify as gay, whereas only 4% of the general population identify as gay.
Since 1995, Match.com has cultivated a diverse following and welcomed singles across the spectrum of (read more)
- Proud ally to the LGBTQ community
- Millions of dating profiles to browse for free
- Over 20 years’ worth of success stories
- Browse profiles 100% free »
You may not think of Match as a gay dating app, but it has evolved a lot since its launch in 1995. The dating site launched a companion app in 2014, and it has always been accepting of singles of all orientations.
When you create a Match.com profile, you can identify as a man seeking a man or a woman seeking a woman and instantly turn the mainstream dating pool into a gays-only scene. Plus, if you’re bisexual (or just curious), you can always switch your gender preferences by going into your settings and get the best of both worlds.
Match offers a personality-driven matchmaking system where what you want and who you are matters the most. All gay singles have to do is set their preferences, swipe through matches, and wait for someone special to stand out.
Since 2009, EliteSingles has raised the bar in the online gay dating scene and become a rallying point for (read more)
- Caters to professional men in the LGBTQ community
- A smart, no-nonsense matching formula
- Over 2 million singles are active on the site every month
- Browse profiles 100% free »
EliteSingles is a top-tier dating site and app designed to introduce professional singles who share similar lifestyles, ideals, and interests. It may cost a pretty penny to become a full member of EliteSingles, but many well-off singles say it’s worth subscribing to get access to its quality membership base.
Over 85% of EliteSingles members have graduated from college, and over 90% say they’re looking for a serious relationship. We don’t have stats on the percentage of LGBTQ+ members on EliteSingles, but the site has over 13 million singles in its database, so it’s safe to say it’s large enough to accommodate daters across the spectrum of sexuality.
In the average month, EliteSingles brings over 2,000 couples together, and its next success story could be yours.
Zoosk is a fast-growing dating site that reaches singles of all ages and orientations. This global network (read more)
- Over 40 million members of all orientations
- Seamless social media integration
- Thousands of success stories in the LGBTQ community
- Browse profiles 100% free »
With over 40 million members, Zoosk is one of the largest and most diverse dating platforms in the world. It began in 2007 as a combination of a social media site and a dating site, and many tech-savvy singles jumped on board and gave it a try.
Gay singles can use the Zoosk Carousel to quickly sort through viable date options. Every swipe and like teaches Zoosk about your dating preferences, so your match recommendations and dating insights will become more accurate the more you use the dating site/app.
This smart matchmaking process has helped countless singles explore their dating options and grow more confident in their flirtation skills by sending likes, smiles, virtual gifts, and messages.
OkCupid is a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community. The dating site and app made headlines in 2013 when it (read more)
- Gay men can express themselves in lengthy profiles
- Expanded orientation options includes pansexual and demisexual men
- Match lists only show guys who meet your criteria
- Browse profiles 100% free »
OkCupid operates under the motto “Dating deserves better,” and the team truly means it. Since its launch in 2004, OkCupid has endeavored to create meaningful connections by identifying common ground through a combination of profile prompts and personal questions.
The dating site and app provide a compatibility rating this is honestly scary accurate — assuming you’ve both been honest in your dating profiles — and it can help gay singles quickly discover dates who line up with them on all the major issues. Every year, OkCupid is responsible for creating over 91 million love connections.
Over the years, OkCupid has distinguished itself as an inclusive, friendly, and quirky dating space. In 2014, the platform even created 22 gender options and 13 orientation options on its profiles, thus encouraging members to be who they are and find dates who love that about them.
Since 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has provided a platform where African-American singles can find dates who live in (read more)
- Welcomes black gay men of all ages
- Send flirts, favorites, and photo likes for free
- Premium members can send unlimited messages
- Browse profiles 100% free »
BlackPeopleMeet is the ideal dating site and app for black and biracial singles who also identify as gay. According to a national study, being black and gay is a relatively rare combo in the U.S. — just 12% of LGBTQ+ Americans are black — so it makes sense to seek out a niche site if you’re interested in dating a niche within a niche.
While BlackPeopleMeet isn’t a black-only or gay-only dating site, it definitely attracts a good number of both these types of singles. The dating platform welcomes people of all ages, races, orientations, and backgrounds, and its celebration of diversity is honestly one of the things we like most about it.
It’s pretty easy to get the hang of BlackPeopleMeet’s straight-up matching system, and it has proven effective for couples across the country. “Through your service, I have finally met the man I’m going to marry,” said a former user from Oklahoma City. “I would definitely recommend this network to my friends.”
PlentyOfFish is a gay-friendly dating site and app with free communication features and match recommendations. (read more)
- Gay men connect over common interests
- A smart match system based on psychological principles
- POF members send over 1 billion messages a month
- Browse profiles 100% free »
Budget-conscious singles flock to PlentyOfFish to get their flirt on and send messages without restraint. The POF community supports a dating free-for-all where anyone can chat at any time — no mutual matching, no game playing, and no subscriptions required.
PlentyOfFish boasts having a global dating network of over 150 million members, and over 4 million people are active on the site and app every day.
Gay singles can feel comfortable setting up profiles and making introductions on this friendly platform. PlentyOfFish only asks its members to follow four simple rules: Be kind, be respectful, be safe, and be real. If you can do that, then you’ll always be welcome on POF.
Tinder has helped millions of singles in the LGBTQ+ community mingle and pick up dates. The app has generated (read more)
- Fosters same-sex relationships between gay men in 190 countries
- Tinder gender settings include “just men” or “men and women”
- Premium members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes
- Browse profiles 100% free »
If you’ve been single for a minute, you’ve almost certainly heard of Tinder. This dating app is by far one of the most famous (maybe even infamous) in the online dating scene, and it has seen phenomenal success by promoting #SwipeLife.
You probably know how its mutual-matching system works. You swipe, you match, and you chat — and then repeat. It’s a fast and fun way to sort through the local dating scene, and we can’t think of a more surefire way to fill your calendar with hot dates.
Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has been responsible for more than 30 billion matches, and it is currently active in over 190 countries so you can mingle with gay singles wherever you go.
In 2016, ChristianMingle opened its doors to the LGBTQ community and began fostering same-sex relationships on (read more)
- Supports straight and same-sex relationships
- Nearly 4 million monthly users
- Discover attractive men in the LookBook
- Browse profiles 100% free »
ChristianMingle is one of the leading Christian dating sites in the world, and it’s perfect for gay singles seeking a God-centered relationship.
Shared faith means everything to the singles on ChristianMingle. By and large, ChristianMingle members tend to be true believers who want a partner to accompany them to church on Sundays. ChristianMingle members don’t have to be baptized or practicing Christians, but they have to be open to the idea of a Christian marriage and raising a Christian family.
If religion is a dealbreaker for you, then ChristianMingle can set your heart at ease and introduce you to good, faithful companions who have the same vision for the future.
Bumble isn’t just a female-friendly dating app — it’s also a gay-friendly dating app. The platform’s swiping (read more)
- Gay users seeking dates and relationships
- Curated match suggestions based on mutual compatibility
- Over 10 billion swipes a month
- Browse profiles 100% free »
Bumble made a splash in the dating scene in 2014 with two simple words: Ladies first. The progressive dating app characterized itself as the female-friendly alternative to Tinder, but we’d say it’s a gay-friendly alternative too.
The Bumble interface is sleek, its matching system is simple, and its success rate is way up there. You don’t have to worry about the women-message-first rule as a gay dater matching on Bumble — anyone can message anyone first once a same-sex match is created. Whether you’re looking for a new friend, a hot date, or a long-term partner, you can use Bumble as a safe and nonjudgmental starting ground.
“Healthy relationships are central to living a positive, productive life,” the Bumble team says. “Bumble is a social network that allows you to feel empowered while you make those connections.”
Best Senior Gay Dating Apps
Once you reach a certain age, dating can seem like an impossible chore. NYPost author Erin Quinlan called it “hell on earth for middle-aged and senior singles.” We think that’s a bit extreme, and we’d encourage seniors who feel uncertain about dating sites and apps to seek out more senior-friendly platforms like the ones listed below. If you embrace the process, do your research, and give it your all, you could find yourself surrounded by romantic possibilities.
SilverSingles uses new-school technology to help old-school daters find love. Since its launch, this senior (read more)
- Identify as “man seeking men” in your profile
- Free personality quiz and mature partner suggestions
- Over 20 daily matches in the “Have You Met?” section
- Browse profiles 100% free »
We rank SilverSingles as the best senior dating site for gay singles because it’s got the numbers, the safety features, and the matchmaking tools to inspire genuine relationships.
This isn’t a sugar dating site, and it’s not for cougars or cubs — SilverSingles introduces seniors to dates who share similar life experiences and values. The platform uses an in-depth personality test to identify areas of compatibility and recommend three to seven profiles per day. Gay singles can sort through these matches or use the search filters to find their Mr. Right on their own terms.
The SilverSingles team understands that many of its users are advanced in age and perhaps not the most tech-savvy people in the world, so they have a responsive Customer Care team and Help Centre to answer any questions singles have along the way.
OurTime is a People Media site designed to satisfy straight, gay, and lesbian singles in their 50s and older. (read more)
- A unique network of gay men over 50
- Straightforward mutual matching and searches
- Send flirts and likes for free
- Browse profiles 100% free »
The People Media dating company has created many well-known and well-liked brands in the online dating scene, and OurTime has to be one of its most successful ventures to date.
OurTime has over 1 million singles in its network, and it has sparked countless friendships and relationships between singles of a certain age.
You can identify as gay in your profile and immediately narrow your date options to age-appropriate LGBTQ+ singles in your area. OurTime gives its members the search tools and match suggestions they need to discover romance within a few clicks.
SeniorMatch offers mature gay men a quality-driven alternative to Grindr, Tinder, and other hookup apps. (read more)
- Identify as a man seeking men on your SeniorMatch profile
- Free messaging via the site and app
- Online dating forums create a community atmosphere
- Browse profiles 100% free »
Last but not least, SeniorMatch is a wonderful place for seniors seeking authentic connections. Since 2003, this dating site (and its companion dating app) has given singles a second chance at first love, and you don’t have to pay anything to see what it’s all about.
SeniorMatch has over 1 million users, and all of them have been verified as genuine over-50 daters. This is one of the most helpful dating communities for gay seniors. The site hosts about 1.6 million conversations in the average month, and it has over 36,600 success stories to its name.
“We are dating and enjoying our moments together,” said one happy SeniorMatch couple. “We will take our time, and let it grow to the next level.”
Best Gay Hookup Apps
Hey, it’s great that so many countries are recognizing gay marriages and upholding gay rights, but just because you can get married, that doesn’t mean you have to rush down the aisle, right?
According to a Match survey, 25% of gay and lesbian singles don’t want to get married, and the typical gay man has had over 30 sexual partners in his lifetime. Hookup culture is alive and well in the gay dating scene, and you can dive into this fast-paced world by creating a free profile on the following sites.
BeNaughty is open to singles of all sexual orientations, and it doesn’t require new members to define (read more)
- Single men in the U.S., Canada, and Europe
- Fast-working and time-saving match and communication tools
- Gay men can sign up for free to find matches
- Browse profiles 100% free »
No one can deny that BeNaughty is a wild, raunchy, and flirtatious place to pick up a date. This dating site has tons of sexually active members, many of whom post explicit content and dick pics to get attention.
BeNaughty is available to people who are gay, straight, lesbian, trans, queer, bi, fluid, poly, and just about anything else you can think of. Basically, if you want sex, you are welcome here.
You never have to play it coy on BeNaughty — the site encourages people to be open about their desires and give themselves over to the pleasure of the moment. Whether you’re sexting anonymously online or arranging a steamy hookup offline, you can use BeNaughty as your go-to dating ground and mix things up 24/7.
MenNation boasts having one of the world’s largest men-only hookup community, and it has 93 million dating (read more)
- Free registration and unlimited profile browsing
- Add online crushes to the Hotlist or My Network
- Enjoy private conversations in the Message Center
- Browse profiles 100% free »
MenNation is a men-only dating site geared toward casual sex. Gay singles and gay couples can join the network for free and explore a sex-positive environment full of X-rated dating profiles, blogs, chat rooms, and videos.
With millions of profiles online, MenNation claims to be the world’s largest gay hookup site, and that alone is reason enough to give it a go. All you have to do is supply a valid email address and location — no last names, credit card numbers, or addresses required — and you’ll be ready to search for hot dates on MenNation.
Adult Friend Finder has become a go-to dating resource for gay singles looking for no-strings-attached sex. (read more)
- Gay singles and couples can create profiles for free
- Enjoy live chat rooms and dating forums
- Flirt anonymously under a username
- Browse profiles 100% free »
Adult Friend Finder has been around since the 1990s, and it has surged in popularity as sex-driven daters become bolder in their search for excitement and stimulation. Today, the AFF community encompasses over 97 million profiles — and counting!
We can’t think of a more thrilling place for gay singles and swingers to explore their options, practice their pickup lines, and find sexy playmates.
The AFF site has more than 19 million blog posts where people share their sexual experiences and fantasies without fear of judgment. It doesn’t matter if you’re a giver or receiver in the bedroom — on AFF, you’ll get a lot of attention just by being yourself.
Grindr is one of the top dogs in the gay dating scene. It’s the name everyone recognizes, and many gay men (read more)
- Among the most popular gay social networks in the world
- Men connect via private and group chats
- View nearby profiles using real-time GPS data
- Browse profiles 100% free »
Since its launch in 2009, Grindr has made a name for itself as the premier dating app for gay and bisexual men. This app is definitely more about hookups than relationships. While the app is technically open to singles with all sorts of dating goals, gays tend to use the location-based settings to find a one-night stand or eff buddy.
“Grindr is for basically gay guys who are not pretending it’s for anything other than meeting up to have sex,” said comedian Billy Eichner, who’s gay and has used the app in the past.
Grindr relies on GPS data from your smartphone to locate the closest and hottest dating profiles in real time. It’s a great wingman if you’re prowling the bars and clubs, and it’s also useful for singles sitting at home and wishing they could flirt with some hotties.
FriendFinder-X gives gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender men the chance to find romance in their area. The (read more)
- Singles, couples, and groups across the spectrum of sexuality
- Free membership includes unlimited profile browsing
- Helping millions of gay men hook up
- Browse profiles 100% free »
FriendFinder-X is a sex-positive dating platform where anything goes. During the signup process, you can identify yourself as a gay man, a gay couple, a straight couple, a lesbian couple, a group, or a trans person, and FriendFinder-X won’t bat an eye.
Hooking up is the name of the game here, and it doesn’t matter where you fall along the sexuality spectrum as long as you’re willing to be honest about it and get intimate with someone.
This discreet dating site has done a great job of introducing promiscuous people online, and it’s a fun place to spend a horny afternoon or evening.
What is the Most Popular Gay App?
There are a lot of popular gay dating sites and lesbian dating apps out there, and we’ve reviewed the best ones for your benefit. We’ve tested the features, read customer reviews, and done a lot of research to ascertain which ones work and which ones are all hype and no matches.
If you’re looking for the most popular gay dating app around, it’s got to be Grindr. As of 2017, the app had over 27 million users, and you can bet it’s only grown since then.
Grindr became the world’s first gay geosocial app in 2009, and it continues growing its all-male user base (read more)
- Social networking for gay, bi, trans, and queer men
- Location-based matches spark instant chemistry
- Grindr Equality advocates for LGBTQ+ interests on the global stage
- Browse profiles 100% free »
Grindr is a geosocial networking app that excels at closing the distance between two men and creating romantic opportunities that are sometimes literally around the corner.
Is There a Grindr App for Straight Singles?
No, Grindr is exclusively a gay guy thing. There are straight dating apps that are somewhat similar to Grindr — Tinder comes to mind — but these alternatives won’t be made by the same company and therefore won’t have the same location-driven match algorithm.
How Much Does Grindr Cost?
Grindr is a free dating app where you can swipe, match, and chat without paying anything. However, some guys want to up their flirtation game, so they start looking for extra advantages. That’s where Grindr XTRA comes in.
This premium subscription plan allows users to see more profiles (up to 600), use more search filters, send chat phrases, and favorite or block as many profiles as they want. Another subscription option is called XTRA Lite, which removes banner ads and allows users to view up to 300 guys.
What is the Jack’d App?
Jack’d launched in 2010 as a dating app for gay, bisexual, bi-curious, and queer guys, and it quickly attracted attention with its fast-working, location-based features. Today, the app supports a diverse network of over 5 million men in 2,000 cities worldwide.
The Jack’d app offers an anonymous swiping scene where you can chat up local guys and arrange dates while on the go. These short-but-sweet dating profiles tell you everything you need to know before striking up a mutual match — you can even see how often he responds to messages in his inbox!
The Jack’d dating app has over 5 million users in 80 countries.
In 2019, Jack’d was bought by Perry Street Software, which also owns the gay dating app SCRUFF. The software company immediately began a redesign to make the dating app more reliable, secure, and user-friendly.
“Perry Street Software will work with Jack’d members to create a platform that enables them to create authentic connections on their own terms, whether they are looking for friends, dates, a hookup, or more,” said Eric Silverberg, CEO of Perry Street Software.
The Top Gay Dating Apps Make Magic Happen Online
The gay dating scene was once dominated by underground, private, and guilt-ridden affairs, but now it’s more known for rainbow jewelry, spunky haircuts, and sassy attitudes. Today’s gay singles have more support in society, and they have more support from technology, so they can pursue the dates they desire and build meaningful relationships.
The best gay dating apps and sites can help foster love connections between singles who may never have met one another in real life, and that’s an exciting prospect for active daters. We’ve listed some of our favorite online dating platforms to give you a good head start as you search for a compatible partner. Don’t be afraid to use more than one dating app at a time — after all, dating is all about putting yourself out there and seeing what happens.