Finding a date can be… hard, especially since the pandemic has made us even more hesitant to approach strangers in public. Even the act of walking to the bar with the goal in mind of finding a date can be nerve-racking. Dating apps and websites surpass this “scary” aspect. They shoot you straight past the “can I get your number” phase and plunk you straight into the “what time works best for you” phase. More and more people are joining these platforms and it’s quite clear why: they work. But which are the best dating apps in Chicago?
From Lincoln Park to West Loop, Lake View to Pilsen, Bucktown to Oldtown, these are the best dating apps and sites in Chicago, Illinois. It’s time to find that “special someone.” And it’s time to have some fun nights - it’s time to enjoy your life right now!
#1 - AFF is the best hookup app in Chicago
AFF is the best app right now if you're looking for something more physical and short-term. There are tons of apps out there that are geared toward relationships but only a couple that are great for something fun in bed. Of those, AFF has been the best at consistently delivering in Chicago, especially for guys.
To be the best hookup app in Chicago you really need two things, people and the right focus. With over 60 million active users (a ton of whom are in Chicago) and a complete focus on getting down to business, this is an app that delivers. If you've only used Tinder before, this is going to be a pleasant surprise. It's not just women looking for attention, people actually want to meet up.
If you want to start with the best hookup site in Chicago you've found it.
Why AFF is one of the best options:
- One of the most popular apps out there and the most effective for finding a bedroom partner
- A lot more useful for guys than Tinder has been in Chicago
- People get right to the point
What we don’t like about it:
- Many users can only access via web app
- We wish they would update the design
- The ads are not great
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) is one of the best Chicago dating apps for long-term relationships
eHarmony has been around since the beginning - and there’s a reason why: their system works! eHarmony is for those who are looking for long-term relationships in their life - they’re past the “just for fun” phase. eHarmony boasts incredible statistics such as 2+ million people finding love, 2.3 million messages sent weekly and an incredibly even pool of 51% men and 49% women.
What really sets them apart though is their success rates. 75% of all marriages that start online have begun on eHarmony and they're still going strong. If you want a "Real" relationship this is the best option for most.
Why eHarmony is great:
- The success rate that no other app can touch
- People are there for more than just fun – they want something real
- The pool is super even – you won’t have trouble finding someone of the opposite sex
- You get matched with those who are usually very compatible
What we don’t like about it:
- They pick your matches for you
- Set up process is long
#3 - Zoosk is one of our favorite dating apps in Chicago (Android; iOS)
If you’re tired of hookup apps like Tinder, try Zoosk instead. Zoosk is a paid dating app, so users that are on it end to be more serious about making genuine connections. There are plenty of people looking for long-term relationships, but you can also find hookups on Zoosk if that’s what you’re after.
It’s a popular app among young singles, typically aged 18 to early 20s, and there are over 35 million users on it, so it’s a great place to connect with Chicago locals. Swipe through profiles yourself to find a match or receive daily match recommendations from Zoosk.
Why Zoosk is worth trying:
- Use the SmartPick feature to receive match recommendations
- Good balance between men and women users
- Easily access Zoosk via desktop or their mobile app
What we don’t like about it:
- Free features are limited
- Match recommendations may not be based on compatibility
#4 - BLK (Android; iOS) is one of the best dating apps for black singles
BLK is the perfect dating app for black men and women to meet one another. Some black singles may have trouble connecting with people who don’t understand their culture but the risk of this is lowered on BLK.
BLK is made up of 40,000 users, which seems small, but it creates an exclusive environment where black singles can feel safe. Signing up is free and easy to do and the app is very user-friendly, so you won’t have to spend ages trying to figure it out.
Why BLK is an awesome dating app:
- Exclusive dating pool of black singles
- Black singles may not feel as fetishized as they do on other apps
- Super user-friendly app
Why you might want to use another app:
- If you’re not black, this isn’t the app for you
- There are a lot of fake profiles
#5 - Bumble (Android; iOS) lets you buzz around for dates
Bumble is fast, easy to set up and extremely user-friendly. It’s for those who are casually looking for a date and maybe want to have some fun. They’ve also added a few new cool features being Bumble Bizz (for networking and professional development) and Bumble BFF (for finding friends in your area). If it’s not the best Chicago dating app for dating, then it might be the best one for meeting new people!
Women also HAVE to make the first move. So if you’re tired of receiving brash messages, or as a guy, you’re tired of being ghosted, this is the place to be.
Why it’s one of the best dating apps in Chicago:
- Women make the first move
- It’s super simple
- It’s very casual. If you’re looking for some fun, get on Bumble!
What we don’t love about it:
- Women message first (some things can be good and bad)
- If your match doesn’t message you in 24 hours, you’ll be unmatched
- There’s a decent amount of fake profiles
#5 - Tinder (Android; iOS) is the app that everyone knows
Tinder is a staple of the casual dating industry. They were the O.G.’s for implementing the swiping feature. Almost every person I know who happens to be single uses Tinder - almost on a daily basis. It can be addicting, but that’s because it always gives you results. Their algorithms consistently place matches in front of you, which align with your preferences. No doubt, it’s one of the best dating apps in Chicago for those who want to venture into the world of online dating.
Why Tinder is great:
- It’s super simple
- It has an absolutely massive dating pool
- There are much fewer fake profiles in comparison to other apps
What we don’t like about it:
- It’s mainly for casual dating
- Without paying, it can be quite lackluster
#6 - DOWN (Android; iOS) is for flings
Down was made with one goal in mind for its users: to get some action. Down is specifically designed to find you casual flings in your area. If you really don’t want something serious - this is the app to download. They have a “date” section but it is used much less often. They also keep those you like completely in the dark, unless both of you happen to like one another; then, it’s off to the races (racing to the bed, that is)!
Why DOWN is great:
- It’s great for fast and fun hookups
- The app is quickly growing
- There’s also a dating section if you so please
What we don’t like about it:
- Although the userbase is growing, it is still quite small
- You’re very unlikely to find anything serious here
#7 - Tastebuds (iOS) is for music lovers
Tastebuds is such a unique app - if you’re really into music, there isn’t a better dating platform to be on. What Tastebuds does is it allows you to match with those who share a very similar liking in terms of music. It’s undoubtedly one of the best dating apps in Chicago for those who take their Spotify playlist seriously.
Imagine you’re in the car, driving back from your amazing date and you throw on some Drake; your date goes “Ew, I only listen to Katy Perry!” Yeah, that probably wouldn’t work out too well, would it? With Tastebuds, you can guarantee that won’t happen.
Why Tastebuds is among the best Chicago dating apps:
- If you love music, this is the place to be
- The app is super slick and easily navigable
- Tastebuds’ user-base is growing extremely quickly – find a match easily
What we don’t like about it:
- It’s only available on iOS
- If you’re not super into music, Tastebuds probably won’t be for you
#8 - Inner Circle (Android; iOS) is one of the best dating sites in Chicago
Inner Circle has created a user base of serious singles looking to meet their other half. The app encourages users to have meaningful conversations by offering pre-built conversation starters, member nights/events and date idea sections for your profile. All of this allows for a smoother transition into actually meeting the person. If you’re looking for something more serious but also simple, hop on Inner Circle.
Why Inner Circle is great:
- It’s for more serious singles
- It gets you out of the app and into the world
- It’s still very user friendly
Why we don’t consider it the best dating site in Chicago:
- You have to pay in order for it to be worth it
- Confusing payment structure for chatting
#9 - heybaby (iOS) is for parents or those who want children
heybaby was designed for parents or those who want to have kids in the near future. As you’d probably assume, the user base consists mainly of people older than their mid-20s. That’s not a bad thing though - this setup allows you to get through a lot of “meh” matches and only be presented with those that actually would work. The signup process isn’t mundane either; in fact, the entire process is a lot of fun!
Why heybaby is great:
- It’s unique to those who have or want children
- It’s a fun sign-up process
- It’s serious enough to find a lifelong partner
- It’s one of the best dating sites in Chicago for single parents
What we don’t like about it:
- It’s only on iOS
- There isn’t a massive amount of users
#10 - LOLO (Android; iOS) is one of the BEST dating apps in Chicago
LOLO isn’t your typical dating app. Yes, you find matches. Yes, you talk with them in-app. And yes, there are likes/dislikes or swipe right/swipe left; but there’s one big thing that makes all of these features WAY more interesting.
LOLO uses games as a way to allow the conversation to flow much, much more freely. Tired of texting without any substance? Texting without knowing what to talk about? LOLO allows for this “awkwardness” to be completely surpassed - you can now talk about the game you two are playing (and how you’re whooping them, hopefully).
Why LOLO is great:
- The game feature makes it unique
- You have fun with your match right from the get-go
- There’s a blind-game option (you play a game and talk with a person before seeing their profile)
What we don’t like about it
- It can be very casual, removing some good tension
- Competitiveness can get in the way
The Best Dating Sites in Chicago for Long-Term Relationships
Knowing what you’re looking for can help you find the perfect dating app. To help you out, we’re going to spotlight some of our favorite dating apps for people looking for long-term relationships. Here are two of our favorites:
eHarmony is the best Chicago dating site to find a relationship
eHarmony is one of the most well-known dating sites on the market because it’s been around since 2000. The site has such a good reputation because it has helped over 600,000 people in America alone find love and get married, making it the perfect place for people to find long-term relationships.
eHarmony’s success is likely due to the detailed questionnaire about users’ preferences in a partner, interests and lifestyle that everyone must complete when they sign up. eHarmony uses people’s answers to match them with users based on their compatibility. This makes it easier to find common ground and start chatting.
Bumble lets women take control of their dating lives
Bumble has become increasingly more popular among women in Chicago who are looking to settle down. The appeal of the app is that women must make the first move within 24 hours of matching. Otherwise, the match disappears. This allows women to control who can message them and encourages them to actually reach out and start a conversation rather than just having matches remain stagnant.
The Best Hookup Sites in Chicago
We know that not all singles are looking for something serious on dating apps, so we’re also going to spotlight some great casual dating apps. Here are two of our favorite Chicago hookup sites:
AFF is one of the best casual dating sites in Chicago
AFF is the opposite of eHarmony, though it's just as effective. Instead of helping people find true love, it helps people find hookups. As it’s advertised as a hookup site, there’s no confusion about what people are looking for on there. This takes away the need for that awkward conversation about your intentions.
With over 60 million users on the site, we’re sure you won’t struggle to find a single hottie in your area. You can match with people by location or filter your searches further based on things like age, body type, or other preferences.
Tinder is one of the most popular hookup apps out there
Tinder has quickly become the best free hookup site in Chicago. Although it’s not advertised as such, it’s what most people use the app for. This is because Tinder is so easy to use that it makes matching with people feel like a game. Though keep in mind that the app is also very focused on looks, so people are usually just looking for someone hot to hook up with.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Chicago
Have you ever heard the saying, “You get what you pay for?” Well, it’s true, especially when it comes to dating apps. Free dating apps and sites are fun to use but they typically don’t offer the same results that paid ones do.
Paid memberships give you access to features that can help improve your chances of finding true love or a really good hookup. We know plenty of singles, ourselves included, that have had much better luck after paying for a dating membership, so it’s definitely an investment in your future.
If you’re not ready to pay for a membership just yet, take advantage of a free trial or app instead. This lets you test the waters so you can figure out what you like or don’t like in a dating app. Just don’t expect crazy results with the free versions.
Here are three of the best free dating sites in Chicago:
- OkCupid
- Hinge
- Tinder
All three apps are free and easy to use and you can pay for additional features to help you find more success.
FAQ about Chicago Dating Apps and Sites
What is the most popular dating app in Chicago?
Tinder may be popular, but when it comes to effectiveness at finding a date, eHarmony beats them all.
Is Tinder popular in Chicago?
Yes, Tinder is popular. But if you want to hook up, AFF is a better option. For relationships, eHarmony is much better.
How do I meet singles in Chicago?
Using dating apps like eHarmony, AFF, and Zoosk are fantastic ways to meet Chicago singles.
Is dating easy in Chicago?
The easiest way to find a date in Chicago is by using high-quality dating apps like eHarmony, AFF, and Zoosk.
