Everyone has a different goal for dating. For some, it’s all about finding true love, that ride-or-die partner for life. For others, it’s just about the novelty of meeting new people. And, of course, some of you are just on the prowl for casual sex.
Whatever the preference, social isolation brought on by the pandemic was tough and most singles looked towards social dating apps. With that mostly over, we are back in the streets looking to make up for the lost time. Singles are eager to get out back there and see what the world has to offer. No matter your intentions, the best dating apps in New York City, can make your dreams come true.
So, which are the best, you ask? That's easy enough to answer; they’re all below. In this article, you’ll read about the apps and sites that make dating in New York fun, interesting, and rewarding—tired of riding the A train just to find the newest Bed-Stuy hipster bar in hopes of meeting someone cute? Stop wasting your precious time and go digital!
These NYC dating apps and sites will get results no matter your age, sexual preference, or income level. Want to know more? Read on and let us know which one(s) you like most.
#1 - Christian Mingle (Android; iOS) helps you find those hot Christians in your area
Regardless of your religion, you’ve most likely heard of Christian Mingle by now. They have a lot of marketing that works very well in their favor. Nearly responsible for a THIRD of Christian marriages, they have a proven track record when it comes to dating (with leaving enough space in between for Jesus). With over 15 million users and 60,000 sign-ups for a month, there is no limit to how many opportunities you may get when it comes to love.
The premium membership is a bit on the costly side, but we can’t really put a price on love, can we?
Why Christian Mingle is worth downloading
- Inclusive dating for all preferences, ages, sexualities, etc.
- Free to use from the beginning
- Give daily users different suggested matches
What can be improved
- Not everyone can afford a premium membership
- Other apps may have Christian Mingle’s paid features for free
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) can't be beaten for long-term relationships
eHarmony is extremely popular here and has an amazing track record of helping New York City 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, usually, it 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 your site.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in New York City
- 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
- Definitely takes more time than most to get started
- Not super popular with those 18-22
#3 - Ship (Android, iOS) is one of the best dating apps in New York if you trust the wisdom of the crowd
Dating apps are, by and large, solitary pursuits, designed for you to use while you’re bored and on your own. But people often find a way to bring their friends into the equation, showcasing potential matches and seeking advice. Ship is the app that understands that your friends know you better than you know yourself more often than not.
What makes this app unique is that it lets your friends match you up with other users. Ship is for anyone who has ever screencapped a profile for a buddy or had a friend write a reply. In a digital world that increasingly creates seclusion, Ship is here to put the social back in “social media.” So, do you trust your friends more than you trust yourself? Then Ship will be among the best dating apps in New York City.
The best reasons to try Ship
- Allows you to get that all-important second opinion
- You can still search for matches on your own, so you aren’t completely reliant on recommendations
- Even if you aren’t looking for yourself, you can sign up for an account to help a friend
What you might not like about it
- Not everybody wants their friends to know so much about their dating life
- The free version is very limited, so you’ll get frustrated with your matches unless you upgrade to premium
#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 New York we've tried, especially for guys.
This app excels because it cuts through a lot of the monotony of dating and gets right to the fun if that’s 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. So if you're 25+ and want to take someone home for the night, 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 it through the 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 - Bumble (Android; iOS) helps New York City women calm the storm
For many women, dating in NYC is simultaneously one of the most exhilarating and exhausting experiences in life. Options are abundant, and there is no end to the types of dates you can go on. However, the dating scene can also be unbelievably daunting, especially online, with a non-stop stream of potential suitors. Bumble knows the struggle—it was created to bring some calm into its users’ lives.
The app requires women to be the first to send a message. This cuts down on those inboxes full of messages from strangers, especially those, shall we say, more forward messages. Despite being a slight tweak to the standard Tinder formula, it makes a big difference. When women feel like they have more time to breathe, dating is better all around for everyone involved.
Why Bumble is among the best dating apps in New York City
- Ladies get more say over who they talk to and when they talk to them
- Guys don’t feel obligated to make the first move because they can’t
- The quality of users on the site is quite high, both in terms of looks and personality
What we would improve
- You have to find a way to stand out, and that’s still predominantly done with an attractive picture
- The friend-finder app is a nice gesture, but a complete waste of time
#6 - Match (Android; iOS) remains one of the best dating sites in New York City
Match has been around so long that it can legally rent a car in the state of New York. And it won’t even have to pay the extra surcharge. In its quarter-century of existence, Match has consistently been one of the best dating sites in NYC. Due to it being one of the first such sites, it has an enormous user base and unparalleled name recognition. I mean, who hasn’t heard of Match.com?
Of course, historic popularity doesn’t always equate to current success. Many of the older sites have rested on their laurels, but not Match. Every year, it releases new features to make the site more dynamic and user-friendly. The app still needs some more work, but if you prefer using browsers, you’ll enjoy this site. Whatever you’re into, whatever your preference, someone on Match will fit the bill.
Why Match still rules the dating scene
- Possesses one of the largest user bases of any dating site, especially for older daters
- Allows users to provide full, detailed bios, not just a couple of pithy lines
- New features like “Vibe Check” and “Date Check-in” make for a more enjoyable and safe dating experience
Why it might disappoint you
- Popularity breeds problems: there are a lot of fake accounts on the site
- The app definitely feels like an afterthought compared to the website
#7 - Zoosk, long-term relationships for younger singles (Android; iOS)
Zoosk leads the way when it comes to the dating app industry. It is available in 80 countries and 25 languages. Even more impressive is its ridiculous user base of 35 million members! That’s certainly a lot of people looking for love. You’re bound to find something if this is the app you decide to go with.
Although Zoosk boasts some of the highest numbers around, they tend to trend towards building sufficient and longer-lasting relationships. Like Tinder, it is primarily targeted toward younger adults. But, unlike Tinder, you’re more likely to settle down.
Why we recommend Zoosk
- A large userbase will make the possibilities endless
- No cost to interact with premium members
- Premium plans are easy to afford
Why it needs TLC of its own
- The premium version heavily outclasses the free version of the app
- A large userbase also allows a lot of fake profiles
#8 – Elite Singles (Android, iOS) will put your college education to good use
If you’re college-educated and focused on your career, chances are your ideal match is someone similarly serious about life. The casual encounters and one-night stands may be fun for a bit, but eventually, you’ll want the real deal. When you’ve reached that point in your dating life, it’s time to turn to Elite Singles. It’s the New York City dating app for people with ambition and dedication.
Elite Singles is the app you join when you’ve exited your wild 20s and start considering your future. The app has one of the largest user bases between the ages of 30 and 50. Plus, these users tend to be well-educated and uninterested in dumb games. Of course, it helps that the membership has a hefty price tag, all but ensuring nobody is there just to waste time.
Why we like Elite Singles
- For relationship-minded singles over 30, there are few better options for online dating
- The profiles have a good amount of detail, so you’re not just blind swiping
- The app is well designed to showcase both photos and bios
Why you should skip it
- If you don’t want to pay for a membership, you won’t get many features
- No video chat option, which is quickly becoming standard
#9 - Hinge (Android; iOS) is one of the best New York City dating apps for relationship-minded guys
Hinge calls itself, “The dating app designed to be deleted.” This is the app for guys who want to find meaningful love but struggle to make a good first impression. So much of online dating is focused on the one-and-done encounter that guys often lack deeper communication skills. As a result, even if you sincerely want a relationship, you can struggle to express your intentions well.
Hinge helps guys out with icebreaker questions and photo prompts. When looking through profiles, you get a far better sense of a match’s personality than you do with other apps. As a result, it's easier to start a genuine conversation instead of just sending a random comment about a photo. That focus on facilitating better communication makes Hinge one of the best dating apps in New York City.
Why Hinge is one of the best New York City dating apps
- For guys who draw a blank when writing a message, the prompts provide crucial assistance
- The profiles are an excellent balance between Tinder playfulness and eHarmony depth
- The icebreaker questions and photo prompts keep things light-hearted
Why you might not be a fan
- No browser version and the focus on internet lingo means older users may feel out of place
- If you’re looking for a bunch of quick hits, this probably isn’t for you
The Best Dating Sites in New York for Long-Term Relationships
Many dating sites in NYC are intentionally designed to keep you on the app and repeatedly take your money. After all, if you find the love of your life, why keep the app? However, some app developers take their craft seriously and try to find you your soulmate. Out of the apps we reviewed, we found the ones that are designed for you to uninstall eventually.
Singles looking for love can find it on eHarmony
eHarmony’s lengthy sign-up process ensures that you are not playing around with your quest for love. Once that is done, they pair you up with matches that make sense. This process works, as they claim to start 75% of all online interactions that lead to marriages—a subtle flex. So if you're looking for a long-term relationship with someone you're compatible with (in terms of preferences, life goals and the like), eHarmony is the app for you.
Elite Singles is for ambitious singles in NYC
Elite Singles does a solid job in emulating the success that eHarmony does. Their membership plans will weed out people that aren’t taking dating as seriously as you are. It goes without saying, considering yourself an “Elite Single” will also land you some people with similar confidence and ambition. So, it just might work out.
The Best Hookup Apps in New York
When looking for casual and safe sex, Tinder is not everyone’s cup of tea when you’re living in one of the most densely populated places in the world. Instead, consider these New York hookup sites that might work better for you.
AFF helps you find easy hookups
We know where we stand right when we log on with a name like AFF. With that being said, AFF is undoubtedly the best free hookup site in New York. Using their website, one can really capitalize on living in the Big Apple. There are so many different kinds of people in different lines of work with different tastes—you might as well consider it your playground.
Bumble is full of women looking to hook up
Bumble is also one of the best casual dating sites in New York. Using their platform to make women make the first move, seems like a dream for shy men. But, in a place like New York, there are plenty of empowered businesswomen who either know what they want or are on a tight schedule. A short fling might be all that they need, which is perfect in your case.
The Best Free Dating Sites in New York
As with everything else, dating apps tend to perform their service better when you pay for them. The added features, better perks, and unlimited likes can go a long way in terms of your love life. Despite that, we also understand that living in New York is the polar opposite of low-cost living. So paying for a social dating platform may be low on the totem pole of priorities for you.
The best free dating sites in New York tend to be Match and Bumble. Match has been around forever, which is a good sign that its upgrades and developments have made its platform sustainable and successful. Although Bumble could be used as a hookup app as well, its primary strength is still in its dating capabilities.
Tinder in New York
As previously stated, Tinder in New York may not be for everyone. However, by a large number of people on the platform, it certainly is for a lot of people. It is simple, low-effort, and constantly attracts a lot of people to the app.
Consider it a revolving door. That is how most people tend to use it. If you’re in the market looking for love, you may be able to find it on Tinder, but there are other options that you may want to look at first. If you’re reaching the end of your 20s, Tinder becomes much less of a viable option.
Frequently Asked Questions on New York Dating Sites
What dating apps are popular in NYC?
The most popular dating apps and sites in NYC are:
- Christian Mingle
- eHarmony
- Ship
- AFF
- Bumble
- Match
- Zoosk
- Elite Singles
- Hinge
- Tinder
Is dating easy in NYC?
Although most people consider dating in NYC challenging due to the people themselves, it can be pretty easy thanks to the numerous locations where you can have dates. But don't expect miracles just because you're in NYC.
