The best dating apps for men [updated January 2025]

UPDATE: Jan. 1, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EST This story has been updated with our latest recommendations.

A lot of guys have a love-hate relationship with the apps, but what’s the alternative?

Sure, even the best dating apps for men can be a pain, yet meeting someone organically can feel nearly impossible. Between work and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, who has the time to actually meet people? That’s the promise of online dating.

The apps promise to deliver an unlimited number of meet-cutes right to your phone — no serendipity required. Some dating apps also use in-depth questionnaires and research-backed matching algorithms to connect you with a curated selection of singles. This means less time swiping and more time on dates with actual potential.

Do dating apps really work?

Look, we get it — a lot of guys are burned out on the apps.

Dating as a man in the 21st century is tough. It’s not just the pressure to make the first move or the fear of rejection if you do — it’s the endless swiping through fake profiles, AI-generated thirst traps, bots posing as potential matches, and the relentless Instagram models trying to lure you into their OnlyFans scam. Men also face matches with impossibly high expectations. (Have you heard of the 6-6-6 rule? Believers only date men who are six feet tall, have a six-figure income, and a six-pack of abs.)

Despite these challenges (and the very long list of others we didn’t mention), there are still plenty of real people out there looking for love, just like you. It’s just a matter of finding the best dating apps and putting in the effort to weed out the fakes and the flakes.

We’re not going to sugarcoat it and say everyone finds love on their first swipe (or even their first app). But real men and women are finding connections online every day. One 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that one in 10 partnered adults met their significant other through online dating. The numbers are even higher for young people and the LGBTQ+ community.

When asked about their experiences with dating apps, 53 percent of users said they had a positive experience, with 14 percent rating it as “very positive.” And there’s more good news — 57 percent of guys reported positive experiences and results compared to 48 percent of women.

The best dating apps for guys who know what they want

This guide is your cheat sheet to the best dating apps for men in 2025. We’ve done the research and found the apps that are actually worth your time. Whether you’re looking for something casual, something serious, or something free, we have a dating app to recommend

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try out a few different apps and see what works for you. And most importantly, don’t get discouraged! Sometimes, the occasional bad date or disappointing flirtation is just the price you pay to meet the match of a lifetime.