Portland is a city that never gets bored, especially when it comes to dating. You can meet so many singles just by going to some popular bars and clubs. But are those the only options? Definitely not. Some singles prefer the convenience of the best Portland dating apps, especially post-pandemic as many people are still hesitant to approach strangers in public. So if you have yet to meet someone who's right for you, it's time to use one (or several) of the best dating apps in Portland!
We’ve done the research that others haven’t. This isn’t just some anecdotal evidence - we’ve crunched the numbers. It’s important to pick the right apps specifically for Portland (and not any other city in Oregon) since usage is vastly different depending on where you live. So whether you live in Multnomah, Argay, or even Richmond, these apps will help you find someone!
Here are our picks for the top 9 dating apps and sites in Portland.
#1 - Lamour (Android; iOS) humanizes online dating
If you love to travel or learn more about different cultures, Lamour may be the dating app for you. It allows users to video chat with locals, but also with people around the world. It includes tons of great features, like a built-in translator, gifts, and live streams.
All video chatting is done on the app, so you don’t even need to worry about exchanging contact details. To make the experience even safer, Lamour censors words that are more than flirtatious to limit harassment. Video chatting with your matches also eliminates the possibility that they’re catfishing you.
Why Lamour is one of the best dating apps in Portland
- Meet locals or people from around the world
- Talk to people who speak different languages using the built-in translator
- Connect with your matches better over video chat
Why Lamour isn’t the best
- There are a lot of fake profiles
- Censorship limits sexting, which some users may be looking for
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) is one of the best dating sites in Portland for long-term relationships
eHarmony is extremely popular here and has an amazing track record of helping Portland locals find long-term partners by using matching algorithms. This app does the best job of matching you up with compatible potential mates that we've seen.
You don't have to scroll for hours. The app does all of the tough work for you. Of course, you might not make a perfect connection outside of the algorithms, but it usually works like magic. The toughest part is answering all of the questions. It's important because this is how they match you with other single people. You can build chemistry before you even meet.
If you're serious about finding long-term partners this is the site for you.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Portland
- The best success rate out there for long-term relationships
- 70% of users find their future spouse within a year
- Makes it pretty easy to form connections
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- Heybaby (iOS) is the dating app designed for parents
Heybaby is a dating app specifically designed to help single parents find partners. It’s also for singles who want to have kids in the near future. It takes away that awkward conversation where you mention that you have a kid and then your match ghosts you. Heybaby is where single parents understand each others’ dating struggles, which makes it one of the best dating apps in Portland!
Why heybaby is a great dating app
- It’s specifically for parents or those who want kids
- The user base is quickly growing
- It has a pretty high rating on the app store
Why heybaby isn’t that great of a dating app
- The user base tends to be older
- It’s still relatively new
#4 - AFF is the easiest way to find a fling
AFF should be your first choice when you're not looking for a relationship but still want some fun in the bedroom. We've tried a lot of different apps for this (most are awful) and only a couple have proven to work over and over. Tinder is great if you're under 25 but once you get beyond that AFF has shown the best results out of any dating site in Portland we've tried, especially for guys.
One of the things we really like about this app is that they do a really good job of helping you find EXACTLY what you're looking for. Everyone on this site is looking for the same thing so you can save a LOT of time that you would waste on other sites. If you're 25+ and want to take someone home this is your app.
Why you should try AFF
- They have a massive number of users on their app (over 50 million)
- We’ve seen guys have the best success using it, especially those who aren’t super good looking and didn’t do well on Tinder
- 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 some others
- Sometimes people are a little TOO upfront with what they want
#5 - Tinder (Android; iOS) is the most well-known dating app
Tinder is by far the most used and most understood dating app out there because it’s fun. It’s so fun that it can become addictive - seriously. The majority of users aren’t looking for anything serious, but that’s also part of the appeal of the app. With a young, restless crowd of singles, a date (or something more casual) might literally be at your fingertips.
What makes Tinder great
- It has an enormous user base
- Their app is extremely user-friendly
- You consistently see matches that work for you
What we didn’t like
- It’s for more casual dating
- There can be the occasional fake account
#6 - OkCupid (Android; iOS) keeps up with the times
OkCupid was originally founded in 2004 by four friends from Harvard. Unlike many sites its age, it has evolved with the times. The apps are very popular as well - and they look good. Being around for so long has its advantages - they really know what does and doesn’t work. That’s why they make sure to ask questions that only get you the absolute best matches.
Why OkCupid is one of the best Portland dating apps
- Over 91 million matches are made every year
- Over 50K dates are made every week
- They’ve been around for a long time and know what works
Why OkCupid isn’t our favorite
- The userbase tends to be a bit older
- It only has a rating of 3.4 (on Android)
#7 - Zoosk helps you find the perfect match (Android; iOS)
Zoosk is the perfect no-frills dating app for young singles looking for love. Don’t worry about spending time answering extensive questionnaires to find true love, Zoosk will analyze your behavior on the app to suggest matches you may like instead.
If you’re more interested in looking for matches yourself, you can swipe through users in your area. Users can include bios of up to 1500 characters, making it easier for you to get to know one another. Signing up is super easy, especially if you have a Facebook account you can connect
Why it’s one of the best dating apps in Portland
- Good balance of men and women on the app
- Use Zoosk’s app or desktop site
- Large dating pool
What we don’t like about it
- You need to buy a membership to send messages
- Matches aren’t based on compatibility
# 8 - EliteSingles (Android; iOS) is one of the top options for single professionals
EliteSingles was specifically designed to help match single professionals. When your career is your main objective, it can be hard to find someone who understands how much your career means to you. So EliteSingles helps you find driven professionals who also know what it’s like to balance work and play. On top of that, most of the users you’ll meet here are well educated, too!
Why EliteSingles is awesome
- It remains one of the best dating sites in Portland for career-minded singles
- It has 173 000 new members each month
- 85% of users have an above-average education
Why EliteSingles is just okay
- The apps aren’t great
- Some features are behind a paywall
#9 - BlackPeopleMeet (Android; iOS) is full of Black singles looking for flings or serious relationships
BlackPeopleMeet is the answer to so many dating apps that aren’t doing Black singles any favors. The app (which also has a pretty good site) helps you connect with Black singles in your area. This can help you meet someone who’s compatible with you in terms of preferences as well as culture. So if you’re seeing a shortage of Black singles on other apps, you might meet them here!
What makes BlackPeopleMeet great
- It’s one of the best dating apps in Portland specifically for Black singles
- The site works great
- It has a decent userbase in Portland
What makes BlackPeopleMeet just okay
- The app isn’t that great
- The login system can be frustrating
#10 - Hinge (Android; iOS) is one of the best Portland dating apps for younger people
Hinge is a great app that has a great motto: “the app that’s made to be deleted.” That’s because they’re so confident that you’ll find someone on Hinge that will make you want to do away with dating apps forever. Add to that a fun user-centric experience (a mix of swiping and interacting) and you’ve got one of the most popular apps for younger singles in Portland!
What makes Hinge great
- They have a research division dedicated to figuring out what makes great matches
- The app is designed very well
- Their user base is composed mainly of younger people who want something real
What we don’t like
- The app has a rating of 3.5 (on Android)
- The “discover” feed doesn’t always work well
The Best Dating Sites in Portland for Long-Term Relationships
Choosing the best dating app for you is much easier if you know what you’re looking for in a partner. So, if you’re after something serious, here are two of our favorite dating apps for you to try:
eHarmony is the best place to find a meaningful relationship
eHarmony is one of the most well-known dating sites on the market as it’s been around since 2000. Since its inception, it’s helped over 600,000 people in the United States alone get married, so the site has a good track record. Its success is largely thanks to the in-depth questionnaire that all users complete when they sign up.
The questionnaire asks you about your interests, lifestyle, and preferences in a partner to match you with someone you may actually be compatible with. Since you have common ground, it’s much easier to start a conversation so you can get straight to planning a date. This method for matching also saves you plenty of time.
Zoosk is full of young people looking for love
Since eHarmony is a paid dating site, you may be looking for a more affordable option for finding love. Zoosk is a great alternative as there are over 40 million users worldwide, making it easy to find a Portland local you can connect with. Most users are around 18 to 25 years old, making it a great option for young people.
The Best Hookup Sites in Portland
If a long-term relationship isn’t what you’re after, don’t worry. There are plenty of other dating apps you can try. Here are two of the best Portland hookup sites:
AFF is one of the best Portland hookup sites
AFF is the largest hookup site on the market. Thanks to its size and clear marketing as a hookup site, plenty of users have found success on it. Since all members know what the site is for, there’s no need for any awkward conversations about your intentions.
AFF is a paid dating site with a free trial, which can put some people off but think of it as an investment. Membership gives you access to high-quality matches and fun features like erotic stories, adult chatrooms, and live webcam shows. You can try AFF for free first to test the waters before committing.
Tinder is the best free hookup site in Portland
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, Tinder is the best free hookup site in Portland. It’s not advertised as a hookup site but it’s what most people use it for nowadays. The app is heavily focused on appearance, so choose your hottest pictures to attract matches. When you’re ready, start swiping for matches. Swipe right if you’re interested and left if you want to move on.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Portland
Since we’ve talked about a mix of paid and free dating sites, you may be unsure about which one is the best option for you. While free dating apps are fun, they don’t offer the same results that paid ones do.
Paid dating apps offer better features, high-quality matches, and increased commitment from users. Plenty of singles, ourselves included, have had much better luck on paid dating apps.
If you’re not ready to pay for a dating membership just yet, take advantage of a free trial or free app first to test the waters. This is a great way to discover what features you like in a low-pressure way. Just don’t expect too much from the experience.
Here are three of the best free dating sites in Portland:
- Hinge
- Bumble
- OkCupid
All three apps are free to use with the option to pay for additional features like super likes and knowing who liked you so you can discover what you’re looking for in a paid app.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dating Sites in Portland
What is the most popular dating app in Portland Oregon?
The most popular dating app in Portland Oregon is Tinder, but that doesn't mean that it's the most effective one. We recommend you try eHarmony or AFF if you're looking for something casual rather than a relationship.
