“Are dating apps even worth it?”, you may be asking yourself. Well, we’d say so; just think of how much BS it cuts through. Instead of having to go through the entire dating pool of your local area (or the entire state of Pennsylvania) trying to find the one, you’re instead literally presented with people who like and do the same things as you. No more awkward bar conversations and no more awkward dates if you use the best dating sites in Philadelphia.
Dating apps have become even more useful post-pandemic as people may still be hesitant to go out and about in Philadelphia. We know dating apps work because we’ve literally done the research. We’ve gone so deep that we’ve been able to figure out some of the best dating apps city-to-city. Here are our picks for the best Philadelphia dating sites.
#1 - Christian Mingle is the best dating site for religious singles in Philadelphia
Christian Mingle is the best place for Christians to meet like-minded partners. Talking about religion can often be awkward and taboo, but on Christian Mingle, it doesn’t have to be. Everyone on the site is a practicing Christian, typically looking for serious relationships.
Christian Mingle sends you daily match recommendations based on the information you include in your bio. You can also browse through profiles on your own to find your perfect match.
Why Christian Mingle is a great dating site
- Large dating pool of over 15 million users
- Almost an equal amount of male and female users
- Easily find people who practice the same religion as you
Why Christian Mingle may not be for you
- If you aren’t Christian, try another app
- Paid membership can be a little expensive
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) is the best dating site in Philadelphia for long-term
eHarmony is the site that everyone has heard about and most of us know couples that met using it, even if they keep that little fact under wraps. The reason this site is still around and incredibly popular in Philly is that it works! We haven't found an easier way to find long-term relationships yet.
Why it works is pretty simple; tons of Philly locals using it and a proven system that actually delivers on its promises. In fact, 70% of users find their eventual spouse within a year of using it. 70%! How crazy is that? No other app or site comes close to that.
Instead of forcing you to scroll through hundreds of profiles a day they make your life easy. They find out what you're looking for in detail and match you up with people that match that. Crazy idea right? It saves so much time and has led to 75% of all marriages that begin online (another crazy success stat).
If you're really looking for someone compatible for something real this is your best bet in Philly.
Why we love eHarmony:
- The absolute best way to find compatible singles
- Insane success rates compared to any other app
- Your matches are based on your personality and preferences
Why it might not be for you:
- They pick the matches for you so you don’t have a ton of influence on the process
- It takes a little time to really get cooking
#3 - heybaby (iOS) is for parents or those who want kids
Heybaby was created for singles who have or want kids. It might seem silly to some, but if you fit into this category, “silly” couldn’t possibly accurately describe this app. Dating as a single parent can be really, really difficult. Heybaby makes sure to match you only with people who understand the struggle or are at least open to dating a single parent.
Why heybaby is one of the best dating sites in Philadelphia:
- It’s specifically created for single parents
- The app runs smoothly
- It has a great rating of 4.4 stars
Why heybaby is “meh” in Philadelphia:
- It isn’t available on Android
- It doesn’t have a huge userbase
#4 - AFF is the best hookup app in Philadelphia
AFF is the best hookup site in Philadelphia, especially if you're not having a lot of luck on Tinder. While Tinder is turning into just another dating app these days AFF is sticking to its roots. Nothing else can compete right now.
Where AFF really shines is that a ton of people in Philly are on it and they're all focused on one thing, fun in bed. This is not about long-term relationships at all. When you have 60 million active members, a lot of whom are in Philly, with the same goal in mind you're going to have a lot of options.
If you're just looking for something casual check out their free trial below. It's easy to use and a much better experience than Tinder, especially for guys.
Why AFF is seriously one of the best dating sites in Philadelphia:
- Where single guys have been getting the best results in Philly
- Huge number of local users (and a lot of tourists who use it)
- It’s very straightforward and easy to use
What we don’t like about it:
- Many users can only access via web app
- They need better ads
- We don’t like the design much
#5 - Hinge (Android; iOS) is among the best Philadelphia dating sites for not-so-serious dating
Hinge was built for those who’re looking for something serious but still want it to be easy. It’s for the people in between ultra-serious and sort of serious. By this, the app has all the fun of Tinder and the seriousness of eHarmony.
You start off with a profile with all your best photos and some info. Hinge then gives you a list of fun questions to answer so that your potential matches can get a glimpse of your personality. Once done, you can then “like” different parts of a potential match’s profile and you can start a conversation from there. This simple method is actually pretty good at helping singles open up and start chatting. Many ex-singles would agree that Hinge is one of the best dating sites in Philadelphia today.
Why Hinge works:
- The profiles are super fun
- There’s no lack of users
- It has an amazing rating of 4.5 stars – better than almost any other dating app
Why it’s not our favorite:
- Customer support isn’t the greatest
- There’s the odd fake profile
#6 - Bumble (Android; iOS) is for finding dates, career development and friendship
Bumble is an amazing 3-in-1 dating app. They offer dating (obviously), professional development (networking) and a BFF option. The app is mainly for casual dating, but you can find people looking for something serious too.
Sure, other apps do this too, but what sets Bumble apart? Well, it’s how the conversations start. When you find a match, it’s the woman who starts the conversation. This helps keep the women on the app as it helps them avoid creeps who start off a conversation with a dumb line.
Why Bumble is among the best Philadelphia dating sites:
- It’s a 3-in-1 package (career, friends and dating)
- It has a significant userbase
- Women message first
What we don’t like about it:
- Paid version can be frustrating because it doesn’t add that much
- Women have to message first
#7 - Zoosk (Android; iOS) is one of our favorite dating sites in Philadelphia
Zoosk is a great general app for anyone in Philadelphia, regardless of what you’re looking for. With over 35 million members, there are plenty of people looking for hookups, casual relationships, or long-term partners.
Profiles are fairly detailed with information about people’s personal stories, what they want in a partner, and their ideal date. You can even search for users based on your preferences, so finding your perfect match is easy.
Why Zoosk is a great dating app in Philadelphia:
- Massive dating pool of over 35 million members
- There’s a balance between men and women on the app
- You can also access Zoosk on desktop
Why Zoosk isn’t everyone’s top choice in Philadelphia:
- The free features are limited
- If you’re using the free version, there are advertisements
#8 - Jdate (Android; iOS) is one of the best dating apps in Philadelphia for Jewish people
Jdate is exclusively for Jewish people, and it works great! Jdate has been around for a long, long time. They’re one of the premiere group-specific dating sites. The company that owns it also has acquired apps and sites such as EliteSingles. So it’s safe to say they know how to match people even if the dating pool isn’t that huge.
Why Jdate is one of the best dating sites in Philadelphia:
- It’s one of the best dating sites in Philadelphia for Jewish people
- It’s been around for a long time
- The profiles tend to be extremely rich in content
Why Jdate is “meh”:
- If you don’t happen to be Jewish, skip this one
- The site works better than the app
#9 - Raya (iOS) is for the social-famous
Raya was specifically designed to help IG famous people meet: the absolute minimum followers necessary for access to the app is 5000. And they state that it is most optimal if you have 250,000+ followers. So, yeah - it’s probably not for the majority of people. With that being said, it’s great for those who do fit into this category. If you’re rich, famous or both, Raya might be one of the best dating apps in Philadelphia for you!
Why Raya works:
- It has a great selection of verified people to choose from
- They offer career development features as well
- They have a great rating of 4.5 stars
Why it might not be for you:
- You need a minimum of 5000 followers
- You can’t be on the app without paying
The Best Dating Sites in Philadelphia for Long-Term Relationships
Although we’ve covered 11 great dating apps in detail, there are a few more worth mentioning and a few worth a second shoutout. Here are some of the best options for those looking for a long-term relationship:
eHarmony is the best place to find a lifelong partner
eHarmony is consistently thought of as one of the best sites to find long-term partners, which is why we had to include it in this article twice. The signup process can be daunting as you need to fill out an in-depth questionnaire about your preferences, interests, and goals, but it’s worth it.
Once you fill out the questionnaire, eHarmony can recommend people they think you might be compatible with based on your answers, saving you from endlessly swiping left or right all day. If you’re interested in a long-term relationship, try eHarmony.
Hily can help you find your perfect match
Hily requires users to complete a compatibility quiz when they sign up, helping them match users with people they actually have something in common with. Once you match with someone, you can share videos, do live streams or video chat safely on the app to get to know one another.
With over 22.5 million users on the app and 2 million likes a day, the chances are higher that you’ll find your perfect match on Hily.
The Best Hookup Sites in Philadelphia
Not everyone is on dating apps to find a long-term partner and that’s okay. There are plenty of apps specifically for people looking for hookups and casual relationships. Here are some of the best casual dating sites in Philadelphia:
AFF is the best hookup site in Philadelphia
Although we’ve talked about AFF already, it deserves a second mention. Everyone is on the app for the same reason: to hook up, so you can avoid the awkward age-old question, “So what are you looking for on here?”
Instead, focus on finding hot singles you can have a good time with. And with over 80 million members on AFF, we’re sure you’ll find someone.
Hinge is the place for one night stands
Hinge is another one of the best Philadelphia hookup sites. It’s also free, so you won’t need to invest too much time or money into finding a hookup. You can easily find local Philly residents on Hinge as the app shows you potential matches based on distance. While it used to be a popular app for finding relationships, it’s now gaining popularity as a hookup app. So what are you waiting for?
The Best Free Dating Sites in Philadelphia
With dating apps, just like with most things in life, you get what you pay for. While free versions of apps and sites can be fun, they often have limited features, making it more challenging to meet someone.
Many singles, including us, have more success with paid apps and sites, making it a good investment for your future. Consider using free sites or trials to test the waters and get familiar with how dating apps work, but don’t expect crazy results.
Here are some of the best free dating sites in Philadelphia to help you get started:
- Bumble
- OkCupid
- Hinge
These apps have a great free platform with the option to pay for additional features you can have your cake and eat it too.
Using Tinder in Philadelphia
Although Tinder in Philadelphia is one of the most popular dating sites, it may not work for everyone. Tinder’s main focus is pictures as bios are optional and users that do have them only include a sentence or two. Because of this, it can be hard for average-looking people to get noticed, especially men since there are more men than women on the app.
If you’re a great-looking man, you may have some success on Tinder. Otherwise, stick to one of our other app suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions on Philadelphia Dating Sites
Which dating app works well in the Philly area?
Zoosk is a pretty good option in Philly. It has a lot of users and is relatively new compared to things like Tinder and Bumble, so people there are a bit more serious about both hookups and relationships.
What is the most popular dating site in Philadelphia?
The most popular dating site in Philly has to be Tinder, just like anywhere else in the world. It has the most users, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the most effective one out there.
