Finding the best dating apps in Raleigh can be hard when there are so many great ones out there. As online dating is here to stay, especially following the pandemic as people are more comfortable socializing virtually first, you don’t want to miss out. This is why we want to make it so much easier for you to pick the right app. We tested out over 150 dating apps to find the best Raleigh dating app so that you won’t have to download a bunch of useless apps!
Whether you’re working 9 to 5 at Hedingham or just hanging out in Cameron Village, we have the apps that will suit your lifestyle. So say goodbye to a boring dating life once you have these on your phone!
#1 - Kippo (Android; iOS) is the perfect app for gamers
If you’re a gamer, you likely want to find someone with similar interests. In comes Kippo, a dating app made specifically for gamers to meet one another. Users can include information about their favorite games on their profiles to help others get to know them.
Kippo also differs from other dating apps as it has a virtual world where users can interact, almost like an RPG game. This makes dating way more fun. It’s also a great way to make friends if that’s more of what you’re after!
Why Kippo is one of the best dating apps in Raleigh
- You’ll automatically share a hobby with all users
- Users are very active
- Enter Kippo’s virtual world to socialize with potential matches
What we don’t like about it
- Free features are limited
- The userbase is small as it’s a niche app
#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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
- 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 - Loosid is for people who want to stay sober (Android; iOS)
Loosid is one of the best ways people looking to stay sober can meet each other. Many people struggle with alcohol and substance abuse, and being in certain environments like bars can be detrimental to sobriety. Thankfully, everyone on Loosid is in the same boat!
Everyone on Loosid is also trying to stay sober, so no one will suggest first dates at a bar. Meeting like-minded people will also help eliminate any awkward or humiliating conversations about why you can’t go for drinks. Loosid also offers sober dating guides and lists nearby treatment centers to help members stay on track with their sobriety.
Why we like Loosid
- Loosid offers sober group events which is a great low-pressure way to meet people
- Everyone on the app is in the same boat
- Loosid can be used for dating, finding friends, or even finding help if you need it
What we don’t like about it
- Loosid is still new so there aren’t many users yet
- Signing up doesn’t require you to completely fill out your profile, so many users keep it empty
#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 Raleigh 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
- Remains one of the best dating sites in Raleigh because of its massive number of users (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 caters to the young, hot crowd of Raleigh (Android; iOS)
Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps, especially among younger people. Tinder’s success is due to how easy it is to use as you can scroll through people’s pictures quickly and swipe right if you like them. The ease of use has led to many people using Tinder for casual flings.
As many young people are focusing on careers before committing to a partner, it is the ideal app for people in their 20s and 30s. If you’re looking for a long-term relationship, however, you may want to explore other apps.
Why Tinder is great
- One of the best Raleigh dating apps for people in their 20s and 30s
- Using Tinder is super easy, almost like a game
- There are over 50 million active users
What we don’t like about it
- Tinder is extremely appearance-based
- There is no sense of commitment on Tinder, so people don’t meet up as often
#6 - Clover a fun dating app that’s worth a try (Android; iOS)
Clover is one of our favorite dating apps because of how fun it is to use. The app has plenty of great features and games like 20 questions, virtual mixers, and a blind date option. Just using the app is a fun experience.
Clover takes away the pressure and awkwardness of matching with someone and not knowing what to say as you can jump into a game with them instead. Virtual mixers and blind dates are also great ways to meet people you never would have otherwise. Simply swipe right on profiles if you like them and you will match if the feeling was mutual!
Why Clover is great
- You can include as much or as little information on your profile as you want
- The app lets users search for matches with detailed search criteria
- Using the app is engaging and fun
Why Clover may not be the best
- There are a lot of fake profiles because Clover has no photo verification
- The free version has limited features to encourage users to get a paid membership
#7 - Zoosk helps you find the right match (Android; iOS)
If you’re looking for an alternative to popular hookup apps like Tinder, Zoosk is your best bet. It’s an awesome, no-frills dating app that helps young people form genuine connections. With over 40 million users worldwide, finding a Raleigh local should be a piece of cake.
The app is similar to Tinder as you can swipe right or left on profiles of people near you, but there’s less of a focus on appearance. Users can write bios that are up to 1500 characters compared to Tinder’s 500, so you can get to know your matches better. If swiping isn’t your thing, you can take advantage of Zoosk’s SmartPick feature instead and receive daily match recommendations.
Why Zoosk is one of the best dating apps in Raleigh
- Good balance between men and women on the app
- Access Zoosk via app or desktop
- Large dating pool with over 35 million users
What we don’t like about it
- You need a membership to send messages
- No algorithm for matching users
#8 - The League is one of the best Raleigh dating apps for high-profile singles (Android; iOS)
The League is one of the best dating apps in Raleigh for affluent singles. Many rich people get taken advantage of because of their money, so The League was created to help prevent that. No sugar babies are allowed on the app and every user must go through an extensive approval process.
To sign up, you have to send in your social media links and six pictures. The League’s team will then decide whether you are a good fit for the app or not. If you are approved, you can go ahead and meet other people in Raleigh making over six figures a year.
Why The League is great for the elite crowd in Raleigh
- All members on The League are verified
- The League sends you three curated matches a day
- Membership comes with a personal concierge that can help you optimize your profile
What we don’t like about it
- There are no exact requirements for getting approval to use The League
- You need to send in a lot of information to be considered
#9 - Bumble is great for women wanting to make the first move (Android; iOS)
Bumble is the perfect dating app for women looking to take control of their dating lives. Once a couple like each other and matches, the woman has to message the man first within 24 hours or the match will disappear. So what does this accomplish? First off, it helps women avoid getting bombarded by messages or worse, unwanted photos. This then gives them a safe space to approach any guy they’re into. This, in turn, helps keep women on the app, which helps with balancing out the ratio of women to men.
Why we recommend Bumble
- One of the best dating apps in Raleigh for people in their 20s and 30s
- Signing up for Bumble and using the app is extremely easy
- Women can control who is able to message them
What we don’t like about it
- Women may not be used to making the first move
- Bumble functions the same as other dating apps for people looking for same-sex relationships
#10 - Silver Singles is one of the best dating sites in Raleigh mature singles (Android; iOS)
Silver Singles is a great app for mature singles over 50 looking for love. Dating can be hard when you’re older as many people are already married or in committed relationships. Silver Singles thus helps singles over 50 find others in their community.
When you sign up, you must fill out a personality test. This personality test will be used to match you with other singles. Having curated matches will help you save time and find the perfect person.
Why Silver Singles is the best Raleigh dating app for the 50+ crowd
- Match recommendations will be based on compatibility rather than appearance
- Users receive daily matches
- It is a great place to meet singles over 50 in Raleigh
What we don’t like about it
- Signing up can be time-consuming because of the personality test
- The free version of Silver Singles is limited
#11 - Ship is one of the best dating apps in Raleigh if you value your friends’ input (Android; iOS)
Ship is one of the most unique dating apps we’ve tried. Instead of looking for matches yourself, you can enlist your friends to help. Setting up your profile on Ship is the same as a regular dating app but once that’s done, you can invite your matchmaking crew.
Your friends will also need to download Ship and set up a matchmaking profile. They can then swipe through profiles and like any that they think you’d be compatible with. You and your matchmakers can also video chat on Ship and go through profiles together.
Why Ship is one of the best dating apps in Raleigh
- Your friends likely know your taste better than you
- Great features such as the group video chat
- You can also look for matches on your own if you want to
What we don’t like about it
- You and your friends have a limited amount of daily likes
- Ship is still quite new in Raleigh so you might end up seeing singles from all over North Carolina
The Best Dating Sites in Raleigh for Long-Term Relationships
To choose the best dating app for you, it’s important to think about what you’re looking for in a partner. Many dating apps are targeted to a specific audience, so you may find better results on ones targeted to you. If you’re looking for something serious, here are two of our favorite apps to use:
eHarmony is the best place to find love online
eHarmony is one of the most popular dating apps on the market as it’s been around since 2000. Since its inception, it’s helped over 600,000 people find love and get married, so you know it’s the real deal. This success is likely in part due to the site’s in-depth questionnaire that all users complete upon signing up.
The questionnaire asks you about your lifestyle, interests, and preferences in a partner to match you with someone based on compatibility. This saves you time and helps you talk to people you actually have something in common with. eHarmony has over 37 million members so finding a Raleigh local will be easy.
Plenty of Fish helps you find the right fish in the sea
Plenty of Fish got its name from the saying, “There’s plenty of fish in the sea,” as the dating site wants to help you find your fish. It’s been on the market for almost as long as eHarmony as it started in 2003. But, unlike eHarmony, Plenty of Fish is free, making it a great option for people on a budget. Not everyone on Plenty of Fish is looking for something serious, so it’s important to clarify your intentions ahead of time.
The Best Hookup Sites in Raleigh
If you’re not ready for a long-term relationship just yet, there are still plenty of great dating apps you can try. Here are two of the best Raleigh hookup sites to consider:
AFF is one of the best Raleigh hookup sites
AFF is the largest hookup site on the market. It has helped millions of people have a little fun online and since it’s clearly advertised as a hookup site, there’s no confusion about anyone’s intentions. The minute you sign in, you'll know what the site is all about
You need to purchase a membership to use AFF but we definitely think it’s worth it since you can check out their free trial. Membership gives you access to high-quality matches, fun extras like adult chatrooms or live webcam shows, and features like search filters for kinks. Take advantage of a free trial to test the waters before committing.
Tinder is the best free hookup site in Raleigh
If you’re on a budget, the best free hookup site in Raleigh to try is Tinder. It’s not marketed as a hookup site but it’s what most people use it for nowadays, thanks to how easy Tinder is to use and its focus on appearance. All you need to do is swipe right on a profile if you like what you see or left if you’re ready to move on.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Raleigh
Another thing to consider when choosing the best dating app for you is whether you’re willing to pay for a membership or not. You may be hesitant to do so, but we think it’s worth the investment.
Paid dating apps and sites have better features and higher-quality matches, so it improves your chances of finding exactly what you’re looking for in a partner. And, don’t forget the saying, “You get what you pay for,” because it definitely applies here.
If you’re not sure whether paying for a dating app is the right decision for you, take advantage of a free trial or use a free app first. Just don’t expect too much from the experience.
Here are three of the best free dating sites in Raleigh:
- Hinge
- Bumble
- OkCupid
Use each of these apps for free or pay for additional features when you’re ready to enhance your online dating experience.
Frequently Asked Questions on Raleigh Dating Sites
What is the most popular dating app in Raleigh NC?
The most popular dating app in Raleigh is Tinder. This is no surprise as the app has millions of users worldwide and is considered to be the #1 dating app. However, it may not be the most effective one.
