The success rate of throwing likes to somebody cute on Instagram definitely isn't zero. And you definitely know at least one person who randomly met the love of their life at a bar. But if flirting on social media doesn't feel genuine enough and if your patience for a spontaneous meet-cute is wearing thin, getting on one of the best dating apps is a more concrete way to shoot your shot.
Hot take: Meeting on a dating app is still organic
Dating apps offer a unique opportunity to connect with hundreds of people you wouldn't have known existed otherwise, while simultaneously inviting you to explore who you are as a partner and what you want in a partner. From steamy sexting sessions to surprisingly deep conversations, online dating could be the reminder you desperately need of just how many people are out there.
SEE ALSO: Getting 'the ick' can be surprisingly helpfulWe're not ignoring that algorithms influence the users shown in your feed, but we're also strong believers that the cosmos are just as involved in the timing of swiping as they are in a serendipitous run-in at the coffee shop. After all, meeting on a dating app means that someone who happens to want what you want happened to find your profile (and vice versa) in a sea of millions. You can't tell us that's not organic.
How is there always another new dating app to try?
Every year, a slew of trendy apps try to set themselves apart from the reign of Tinder and Hinge: People who were turned on by a mutual disdain for the same things flocked to Hater in 2017, but ditched the Shark Tank brainchild just as quickly a year or two later. Snack, a Gen-Z focused app with a TikTok vibe, is far from the first to attempt to alleviate catfish concerns by focusing on video. You could probably get married and divorced more than once before getting accepted to Raya.
SEE ALSO: Are two-thirds of Tinder users really in relationships?Overwhelmed? Don't be. Below, we've named the tried-and-true best dating apps that have proven their reliability amid the chaos of an ever-evolving market, as well as some up-and-comers that seem to have found their niche:
