11 Worthwhile Raleigh Dating Apps for Singles on the Go in 2020

Looking for love in the City of Oaks can be an exercise in futility if you’re using the wrong Raleigh dating apps. Don’t get us wrong; there are a lot of high-quality dating apps available to local singles. But not every app works well for every person. Your choice of apps can actually make or break your love life.

Don’t be fooled by a dating app that promises to search from Five Points to South Central to find you a date. It may boast the latest AI. But if the app doesn’t address your individual needs, it’s likely to leave you frustrated. It takes far more than the latest technology to find a relationship in a city the size of Raleigh, let alone in a village like Zebulon where the dating pool is nominal at best.

If you’re wondering how to choose the best Raleigh dating apps to try, fret not. We’ve done all the work for you. We tested all of the popular dating apps in Raleigh to help you pick the one that matches your needs.

With 29% of Raleigh’s population being single, finding a date is easier once you use the right app. To find out which Raleigh dating apps brought fellow singles the best luck, check out our comprehensive list below. And don’t forget to tell us about your experiences in the comments.

The Best Raleigh Dating Apps To Try

Let’s start with an overview of the best local niche dating sites before detailing the general dating apps that have worked best for Raleigh singles.

If you don't like thinking beyond this week Adult FriendFinder might be what you want

When you don't have enough space in your schedule for a lot of traditional dates or a relationship Adult FriendFinder can still keep you happy. Don't confuse this with a typical dating app though, it's strictly about the physical parts. There are many options for finding casual sex near where you live but nothing compares to AFF in our experience.

When it comes to finding casual fun around the city this is going to be the best app. It’s certainly the one that we have seen the best success with across a wide variety of people. Not only does it work well for those in their 20’s but it is unusually good for those who are 30+. Unlike Tinder, a lot of people who are a bit older are actually using it. If there is one app to try it’s this one.

If a little bedroom fun is what you're looking for without all the attachments give them a shot. Of all the Raleigh dating apps we tried, we've seen the most success actually meeting people with AFF.

A lot of people (especially women over 30) have given up on bars and clubs and are only looking to meet people online. If you don't meet them there, you never will.

If you're looking for a great relationship eHarmony is the most effective option in Raleigh (try it now)

If you want to find a long-term relationship with a compatible partner there isn't any question about what app is working the best in Raleigh right now. eHarmony has consistently been the best option for meeting other compatible singles. We would know, we've tried out over a 100 different dating apps and nothing has come close to being as effective. You need to give their trial offer a shot and see for yourself.

Now, there are a few things that really make eHarmony stand out that you need to know:

70% of people who use it for a year wind up meeting their future spouse (insane results)

70%! How crazy is that? This is an app that consistently delivers high-quality matches that are actually compatible with what you're looking for. No other app out there is going to be able to deliver results like these. In fact, two-thirds of all marriages that start online begin with eHarmony. That means it would actually be impossible for another app to be better!

If you're serious about long-term compatibility you can't do better.

You won't find men (and especially women) who are more willing to respond or meet up

The signup process for eHarmony's trial is definitely on the long side but that works to your advantage. Anyone who isn't serious about finding a relationship or just looking for attention quits before they complete it. That leaves only singles who are motivated and actually going to take the process seriously.

If you've ever tried out other apps and been frustrated by how many people just ignore messages you're going to be in for a surprise. When you actually dealing with a large pool of motivated singles it can actually make dating FUN!

You really need to try it out for yourself to see. You can signup here for free and see what we mean. It really is something else and the best option for most singles in Raleigh.

Find the mature woman of your dreams through Cougar Life

If you’re a man who enjoys the company of mature women or you’re a mature lady who wants to try online dating, Raleigh is a great place to be.

This city is crawling with young single guys and a considerable number of attractive single women over 30. If you live in Five Points, you’re already a witness to that fact in the various Raleigh cougar bars that we like.

Cougar Life is an ideal way to find the type of mate you’re interested in if you fall into either of these categories. Not only is it the best app for men looking to meet single older women, but it’s also perfect for ladies who enjoy dating both younger and older men.

Cougar Life has snagged the top spot on the annual list of our favorite cougar dating sites and apps for three years running. Its membership base of 7 million-plus active profiles and its first-rate mobile experience gives it a leg up on its rivals.

So, whether you’re a guy with a thing for older women or you’re a lady who prefers younger men, take advantage of Cougar Life’s free trial. It’s a great place to connect with like-minded people. Give it a shot, we’re sure it will be a satisfying experience.

Find your intellectual equal on Elite Singles, the Raleigh dating app for college graduates

If you’re looking for a partner with a college degree, you’re already off to a good start just by living in Raleigh. Home to colleges like North Carolina State and Meredith College, 41% of this city’s population is comprised of college graduates.

Elite Singles may be a newcomer to the world of online dating, but it has quickly grown its membership base to more than 13 million users and has a monthly growth rate of 165,000 new members.

If that alone isn’t enough to convince you to take the plunge, know that 82% of Elite Singles subscribers have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Stats like that will certainly make it easier to find someone intelligent to date.

Elite Singles also focuses on compatibility, not just your brains. Newcomers must take a personality test during the sign-up process. This enables the app to link you with people who will not only match your IQ but your interests as well. That means you’ll have no trouble deciding whether to meet up at the North Carolina Museum of Art or Frankie’s Fun Park.

Elite Singles is a great choice for both men and women, although guys do have the advantage thanks to 56% of the app’s membership base being female.

If a college degree is a must in a mate, Elite Singles is the app for you. It’s the smartest investment you’ll ever make in your love life.

eHarmony matches up busy single parents with compatible singles

Dating as a single parent in Raleigh can be tough. That’s because having children and a social life can be a real juggling act. It’s especially true if you’ve been dating childless singles that don’t understand the daily demands that are part of being a mom or a dad.

Singles are rarely interested in dating someone who doesn’t put them first. That doesn’t mean you should give up on dating, however. Instead, let eHarmony help you find a fellow single parent. With a healthy portion of America’s 12 million single-parent households being located in Raleigh, there are many single moms and dads looking for companionship.

A membership base of more than 15 million people combined with its patented Compatibility Matching System® makes eHarmony a really good choice for finding a mate. The company even offers a three-month guarantee. That means if you haven’t found a great match within 90 days, you’ll be given an additional three months on the site.

As part of the signup process, you must fill out a comprehensive questionnaire. The app’s matching system uses this to suggest compatible singles. Even if there’s no chemistry between you and your date, you can still have fun because of your shared interests.

Guys looking to find a single Raleigh MILF will also do surprisingly well here if they want a relationship. There really is no better option for a guy who has that preference.

Even if you don’t find “the one” after a few first dates, don’t despair. Approximately 70% of eHarmony’s membership base find a spouse within one year of joining the site. So why not take a gamble on eHarmony? The odds are definitely in your favor.

Find a hot date on Tinder

If serious relationships aren’t your thing but you need a little physical gratification, then Tinder is the app for you. Whether you like one-night stands or are looking for an open relationship, Tinder can match you other Raleigh singles who enjoy casual fun. When you look at the dating apps ranked against each other it can look pretty good for a lot of people.

If you’re not looking for the best options to find a Raleigh hookup, then Tinder probably isn’t for you. Let’s put it this way, this is not an app that will help you find your future spouse.

Tinder is perfect for happy-go-lucky men and women, although guys have to exert themselves a little more to get a date. That’s because there’s an intense rivalry for the attention of sexy ladies on this site.

Women receive a never-ending stream of messages from eager guys so, you have to make an effort. The best way to grab and hold a woman’s attention is by uploading some really hot profile pictures that will stand out from the crowd. This is absolutely vital if you want to hear back from the women you contact.

If you’re a pretty woman who takes pleasure in attention from men, Tinder should not only offer you an ego boost but as much sex as you can handle. Expect your inbox to be flooded with all types of messages from sincere and sweet to raunchy and suggestive. As long as you use the site knowing that the majority of its male members just want to get laid, then you won’t be disappointed by a lack of commitment.

If you’re the type of gal who prefers a commitment, however, there are many other Raleigh dating apps that will help you find someone to call your own.

eHarmony is the top Raleigh dating app for curvy women and guys who love ‘em

Big, beautiful women and the men who are attracted to them always fare better on eHarmony than on any of Raleigh’s dating apps.

Finding “the one” on most dating sites is all but impossible for BBW and the men who like them. That’s because there simply aren’t enough people from either group using them and you often have to find a lot of time in even the best places to meet a BBW in Raliegh before you find real results.

eHarmony works so well because they do an amazing job only matching you up with the singles you're interested in who also happen to be looking for people just like you!

Not many BBW want to compete with smaller women for men’s attention. And many men can’t find a match because of the scarcity of Rubenesque women on the general apps. In most cases, this results in the men who are looking for BBW to deactivate their profiles. They simply don’t want to bother with a dating app that continually disappoints them.

If you need a fix for your dating life, eHarmony's trial offer is your solution. It’s the one Raleigh dating app where BBW and the guys who desire them can meet without having to scroll through hundreds of irrelevant profiles. If you want to meet the partner of your dreams, eHarmony is your best bet.

Christian Mingle is the Raleigh dating app that will finally find you “the one”

If you’re a Christian, you likely know all about the difficulties of online dating. Signing up for one of Raleigh’s general dating apps may seem like the right move. But it often leads to disappointment. There are thousands of singles to scroll through, and not many of them identify as Christian.

Do you really want to waste time reading profile after profile only to find them lacking? Even if you find a few contenders, there’s no way to find out what they truly believe unless you go out with them. All too often, people identify as Christian because they believe in the existence of a higher power.

This is exasperating for people who take their faith seriously. No one wants to waste time going out on a bunch of first dates only to find out none of their matches have a true relationship with God.

To avoid that scenario, try Christian Mingle. If you’re looking for a serious, long-term commitment, this app gives you real results. A recent survey found that Christian Mingle is responsible for more Christian marriages than any other dating site.

The independent survey conducted by Survata also found that 71% of Christian Mingle members go to church at least once each week. If you’re a guy, you’ll also be happy to hear that 58.6% of this app’s more than 10 million members are female.

Christian Mingle’s algorithm not only matches personalities, it also prevents disingenuous “Christians” from completing the signup process. No app is 100% foolproof, but this site is renowned for thousands of successful pairings, so it’s obviously doing something right. Why not give it a try? None of the other top dating sites in Raleigh will compare and you could be Christian Mingle’s next success story.

Our Time matches up singles aged 50 and up

Are you an over 50 single looking for companionship? If so, Raleigh is THE place to live and date with its large number of older singles. Getting started is as easy as finding the right app and, in this case, it’s Our Time.

Made with 50+ singles in mind, Our Time averages 8.9 million monthly visitors. That alone gives it a major advantage over general dating apps. It’s not an app for scrolling through endless 20- and 30-somethings just to find one person in your age range.

If you want a little more efficiency in your life, then Our Time is for you. It offers up relevant results every time and boasts a simple signup process even for those who aren’t adept at technology. Once you download it to your phone, it’s only a matter of time until you find your perfect date.

General Raleigh Dating Apps You Should Consider

Want to keep your options open? These general Raleigh dating apps will be perfect for you:

Want true love in 90 days or less? Give eHarmony a try

eHarmony is ideal for anyone who wants a serious relationship. Acclaimed for its patented Compatibility Matching System®, eHarmony has a proven track record of making great matches. Combine that with its three-month guarantee, and you’d be crazy not to download this app.

The signup process includes a comprehensive personality test that the app uses to match you with potential dates. Yes, it takes a bit of time, but this helps the app find you the best matches. It practically guarantees some fun outings with interesting Raleigh singles.

If your goal is to fall in love or get into a serious relationship, eHarmony is the app for you. Downloading eHarmony could be one of the best decisions you ever make.

OkCupid and Plenty of Fish work well enough, but they have some downsides

OKC and POF are two of the world’s most famous dating apps. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a Raleigh dating app list that didn’t mention these apps. That’s because, at one time or another, pretty much every single in Raleigh was tapping away on OkCupid and POF. This is why they’re also the biggest dating apps in the world.

There is a huge downside, though. You may find a ton of profiles, but a lot of them hardly have any information. It’s pretty hard to gauge compatibility with little to no information. As a result, neither app boasts a particularly high success rate.

Of all of the Raleigh dating apps we’ve tested, OkCupid and POF fail at member engagement. We’re not saying you can’t find someone to date on these apps but, it does take a lot of time and effort to find the right partners.

If you decide to try OKC or POF, you'll need to put in a lot of work to find matches. If that sounds discouraging, you can instead try the other apps on this list. The right one is sure to offer you far better results for much less effort.

If you are looking for more great guides to finding the right dating apps check these out:

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