When most people think of New Orleans, they usually think of Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, and lots of wild parties. But this isn’t always great for us locals, especially when we want to find a date. People come and go so often that it’s hard to find someone special.
During the pandemic, it was difficult to even find anybody at all. Local or not, we learned to use social dating apps to communicate with singles. Now that social isolation has passed, we’re back in the streets and looking for people to connect with. So alongside joining the rowdy parties, we also like to use the best apps and sites in New Orleans.
Online dating is becoming the new norm as it makes meeting people so much easier. To help you find the best dating apps in New Orleans, our team of experts personally tested over 150. Luckily for you, we’ve narrowed it down to the following nine apps to make things easier for you. So whether you want a classy lady from East Riverside, a nature lover from Mid-City, or someone from anywhere else in Louisiana, these apps and sites will help you out.
#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. How can you not? With their 15 million users (not to mention 60,000 sign-ups per month), you are bound to find a lady of God. If not for their sheer size, their commercials seem to gain traction. In fact, 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 for dating.
The premium membership can be costly, but can you really put a price on potentially finding the love of your life?
Why Christian Mingle is worth downloading
- Daily users can get suggested matches every day
- Although aimed at Christians, it is also great for LGBTQ+ singles
- Free to create an account and start mingling
What can be improved
- Other apps may have Christian Mingle’s paid features for free
- Not everyone can afford a premium membership
#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 Orleans locals find long-term partners by using matching algorithms. Without a doubt, it's one of the best dating sites in New Orleans since it does the best job of matching you up with compatible potential mates.
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. It’s a platform where you can build chemistry before you even meet, so 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 New Orleans
- 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 - Tastebuds is great for music lovers (iOS)
Tastebuds is one of the most unique dating apps as it will match you with users who have similar music tastes to you. Having the same music taste as someone may not seem that important at first. But you don’t want to get serious with someone who hates everything you listen to.
Users can add their favorite artists, and Tastebuds’ algorithm will suggest matches that have some of the same favorite artists. This is a great way to find matches as it will save you time, and you are sure to have something in common with them.
Why Tastebuds is one of the best dating apps in New Orleans
- You will automatically have something in common as you are matched by musical taste
- Things like road trips will be much more fun as you can listen to the same music
- Using Tastebuds is also a great way to find new music
What we don’t like about it
- Tastebuds is only available for iOS users
- Those who aren’t as into music may not find the app beneficial
#4 - AFF is the easiest way to find a good time
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 Orleans we've tried, especially for guys.
One of the things we've really liked 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 it 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 is one of the best New Orleans dating apps for young people (Android; iOS)
Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps to date because of how easy it is to use; it has almost made dating feel like a game. All you need to do is swipe right to like someone or left if you don’t. It’s also super easy to look through people’s profiles as you can swipe through their pictures and read a short bio.
Tinder is so easy to use that it has built a reputation for finding casual flings rather than long-term relationships. It’s not impossible to find love on the app, but it’s not the easiest either. So, if you want a casual fling, Tinder is a great place to look.
Why Tinder is one of our favorite apps
- When you sign up, you can choose from 30 gender identities
- Tinder is great for young people as 30% of users are millennials
- Huge dating pool with over 50 million active users worldwide
What we don’t like about it
- Tinder users are less likely to meet in-person
- Matches are predominantly based on appearance
#6 - Coffee Meets Bagel is the laid back way of dating (Android; iOS)
Coffee Meets Bagel appeals to both men and women. Every day, women receive a list of men that meet their requirements and have already liked them. Then, women can choose if they want to match with any of the men or not. This method is meant to appeal to women who enjoy being selective and men who like selection.
Setting up your profile is easy as you just need to upload a few pictures and answer three conversation prompts. Prompts range from questions about who you are, what you like, and your preferred type of date. This is a great way to get to know someone without spending too long reading every profile.
Why Coffee Meets Bagel is one of the best New Orleans dating apps
- Meeting matches in person is more likely as you have to plan a date within 7 days
- There are more women on the app than men
- Profiles are detailed, so it’s easy to get to know someone
What we don’t like about it
- Most features are only available with paid membership
- You only receive five likes a day
#7 - Zoosk (Android; iOS) long-term relationships for younger singles
Zoosk is a dating app taking the dating world by storm. It has 35 million members, available in 80 counties and 25 languages. It is a definite no-brainer why it is the #1 dating app on the app store.
Their Smartpick technology, which helps them adjust your preferences based on who you interact with, will help you find more compatible matches. In terms of their age range, it lands right in the younger adult area.
While this app is aimed toward younger singles, we all know that Tinder is probably not the place to start if you’re looking for a longer-term relationship. Maybe consider Zoosk instead?
Why we recommend Zoosk
- No cost to interact with premium members
- Affordable premium plans
- A large userbase will make the possibilities endless
Why it needs TLC of its own
- You’ll run into a number of ads during the free trial
- A large userbase also allows a lot of fake profiles
#8 - Meet Me is one of the best dating sites in New Orleans that feels like social media (Android; iOS)
Meet Me is a great mix of social media and dating. Instead of keeping up with your current friends as you do on other social media platforms, you can meet new ones on Meet Me. So while it is primarily a social media platform, Meet Me is also great for dating.
Members can easily look through profiles and message anyone they like the look of. It’s also easy to get to know someone through their profile as users can input a live feed, relationship status, basic information, and fun facts. To keep up with other members, send them a friend request and see where it takes you!
Why Meet Me is worth a shot
- Meet Me can be accessed on computers, tablets, or phones as you can use their website or app
- Any member can send or receive messages
- There are great interactive features like games and live video streams
What we don’t like about it
- Most features are only available if you pay for a membership
- Search criteria are limited
#9 - Hinge is the best way to get to know someone (Android; iOS)
Hinge is one of the best dating apps in New Orleans because it helps you get to know your matches. Profiles are a great mix of pictures and fun facts about the person, so your matches won’t be based solely on looks.
To match with someone, you have to like or comment on a specific picture or one of their answers to a conversation prompt. This ensures that users are actually going through profiles and not just blindly swiping left or right.
Why Hinge is great
- It’s one of the best New Orleans dating apps for those looking for relationships
- You have the option to either like or comment on parts of a person’s profile
- The dating pool is huge, with over 6 million active users
- You will receive a daily match recommendation
What we don’t like about it
- The free version only offers ten likes a day
- People who don’t like reading bios might not like Hinge
#10 - Dig is one of the best dating apps in New Orleans for dog lovers (Android; iOS)
Dig is the app for you if you have dogs or just love them. Of course, no dog lover wants to find out the person they’re seeing doesn’t like dogs. Dig eliminates that awkward possibility by ensuring that everyone on the app either has a dog or wants one.
Setting up your profile and matching with people is super easy as all you need to do is “dig” each other to match and send a message. On the app, users can also find dog-friendly date ideas in New Orleans, so you can easily set up a fun date with you, your match, and your dogs.
Why Dig is a great dating app
- You receive five match recommendations daily
- There are plenty of dog-friendly date ideas
- The founders of Dig donate a portion of their earnings to charity
What we don’t like about it
- The dating pool is small as the app is fairly new
- The Android app has limited features
#11 - Raya is for the elite crowd of New Orleans (iOS)
Raya is one of the best dating apps in New Orleans for high-profile singles. This could include celebrities, top-level executives, and influencers, as they might have a hard time on traditional dating apps. Raya is a great alternative because everyone on the app is vetted to ensure they are a good fit.
No one knows exactly what you need for approval, but a minimum of 5,000 Instagram followers is necessary to even be considered. Once you pass the thorough application stages, you can enjoy the privacy of using Raya to interact with other high-profile singles.
Why Raya is one of our favorite apps
- Membership is exclusive, so everyone on the app will be interesting, elite singles
- Every member is extensively screened and vetted
- You can use Raya for dating or networking
Why Raya may not be the best dating app in New Orleans
- Raya is not available for Android
- It can be hard to get approved even if you have 5,000 Instagram followers
The Best Dating Sites in New Orleans for Long-Term Relationships
Let’s face it, finding long-term relationships can be agonizing in a place like NOLA. First and foremost, you have to figure out who the locals are (or how long the tourists are planning on staying). But even the process of dating can be strenuous on the mind, the heart, and the wallet. Using the right social dating platform will save you hurt in all those areas.
eHarmony effectively matches compatible singles
eHarmony is the fast track through those problems. The results are laid out: 75% of all online marriages start from that site. That means it most likely has had success in a place like New Orleans, as crazy as that sounds. The product is a result of their sign-up process, which gets a good grasp of who you are as a person. Then, they sincerely try to get you quality matches—a personal, digital matchmaker in action.
Meet Me is the social media dating app
If you want your dating experience to be more like Instagram or Twitter, Meet Me might be your pick. This way, you can get a better idea of what your potential match is like (rather than just answering a few basic prompts). You can also be a bit more discreet as it looks more like a social media platform and not like a dating app. Finally, you can digitally date in peace.
The Best Hookup Sites in New Orleans
New Orleans hookup sites are everywhere and anywhere. With so many options available, fulfilling your needs might be more trouble than it's worth. But, don’t worry, we know how it goes sometimes. Better yet, we have the answer too.
AFF is the top hookup site we’ve tried
AFF is unequivocally the best free hookup site in New Orleans. With a name like Adult Friend Finder, they are about as no-nonsense as you can be. In a party city like New Orleans, you’re bound to find somebody to partake in some worthwhile activities. Another perk of the app is that people tend to stay on the app for a while. So if you found someone you like, there’s potential for you to find them again on there.
Tinder is full of users looking to hook up
Tinder remains one of the best casual dating sites in New Orleans. Ol’ Reliable makes its way onto the list yet again. Popular with locals and tourists alike, there’s a chance for everyone to meet up and have a good time. Enough said.
The Best Free Dating Sites in New Orleans
If you’re serious about finding a partner, then chances are you’ll download a dating app or two. If you’re dead serious about it, then you’ll pay for a premium plan. Not everyone has that luxury, but they tend to get better features or more likes a day. A little goes a long way when getting noticed online. Fortunately, luck plays a factor in finding love. You don’t necessarily have to pay for an app to be successful in dating. We have some free alternatives that work all right.
In our experience, the best free dating sites in New Orleans tend to be Tastebuds and Coffee Meets Bagel. Music is an important part of New Orleans culture and is enough to find common ground in. Coffee Meets Bagel provides a structure rather than endless swiping that may give you more of a spotlight and, thus, a better chance at love.
