Home Blog
Our ultimate guide to dating apps

Our ultimate guide to dating apps

Posted on 8 March 2024 by Natalia
Our ultimate guide to dating apps
In a world where technology is increasingly influencing our social lives, dating apps have become essential tools for those looking to make new connections. With so many dating apps out there, it can be difficult to choose!

Don’t worry, the LOVE Team has your back! After rigorously testing a variety of apps for ourselves, we're here to share our picks for the best dating apps, the ones that will help you find the right person to spice up your life! Whether you're on the hunt for true love, a one-night stand encounter, or just looking to expand your circle of friends, we’re here to point you towards the most satisfying options.

How we ranked the best dating apps

Our evaluation of the top dating apps was guided by a set of key criteria. Here are the main factors we considered:

  • How easy is it to use?: We assessed the user-friendliness of each app, its ease of navigation, and the intuitiveness of its design. An app that allows you to effortlessly create an attractive profile and explore its features will have a more positive user experience.
  • How safe is it to use?: We scrutinised the security measures put in place by each app, such as profile verification, blocking and reporting options, as well as privacy policies to ensure your safety.
  • How diverse are the profiles?: We looked at the diversity of users on each app in terms of geography, age, sexual orientations, interests, and types of relationships sought. A rich and varied user base will increase your chances of finding someone who shares your desires and passions.
  • Does the app have any unique features?: Whether it's matching systems based on sophisticated algorithms, the ability to send voice messages, create video profiles, or add your sexual preferences discreetly, these specific features can significantly enhance your dating experience.

Using these factors as our guide, we tried out several dating apps, to present you with those that stand out not only for their overall quality but also for their potential to improve your dating and sex life.

Tinder

Tinder is one of the most iconic and popular players in the online dating game. So what’s all the fuss about?

Why Tinder?

Tinder

Tinder is all about simplicity and efficiency. The app offers a quick and fun way to browse through user profiles, based on geographical criteria and personal preferences. Its smooth user interface and the revolutionary "swipe" system have changed the way we approach online dating, emphasising the spontaneity of interactions.

The advantages of Tinder

Tinder's main strength lies in its vast user base, making sure that you’ll have an impressive pool of options to choose from. This diversity will make it easy to discover and hook up with people from all walks of life, increasing your chances of finding compatible partners. It’s really easy and safe to start conversations too, as the "match" feature allows you to chat only when there is mutual interest, reducing the risk of rejection.

The drawbacks of Tinder

Unfortunately, Tinder is so easy to use that it can often result in superficial encounters only. The speed at which one can judge a profile, often based solely on physical appearance, can lead to a form of desensitisation to genuine human connections. Plus, it’s difficult to truly customise and filter your preferences, which sometimes makes the search less targeted and more random than on other platforms (which are more focused on compatibility).

The LOVE Team’s take?

Tinder is an essential dating app for those seeking a simple and fun way to meet new people. Despite its drawbacks (especially when it comes to the potentially shallow nature of your encounters), its global success is a testament to its ability to effectively connect individuals who would like to explore new relationships.

Bumble

Bumble has quickly established itself as an innovative dating app with a unique and sensible concept: it's up to women to make the first move.

Why Bumble?

Bumble
Bumble is committed to promoting respectful interactions among potential couples. By giving women the responsibility of striking up conversations, the app creates a unique dynamic that shifts the usual conventions of online flirting. This unique feature only applies to straight matches on the app – in the case of same-sex matches, either party can initiate the chat. Beyond romantic encounters, Bumble also offers options for those looking to expand their professional or social networks, adding versality to the user experience.

The advantages of Bumble

One of the main benefits of Bumble is that it fosters a safe and welcoming environment for women. By giving women control over conversations, the app reduces the chances of unsolicited (and unwanted!) messages. Plus, its advanced search filter allows users to specify their preferences, whether related to lifestyle, interests, or intentions, making it easier to find potentially compatible partners.

The drawbacks of Bumble

This approach can have certain drawbacks, including a potentially lower number of initiatives from men, who may feel like they have less freedom in the dating process. Also, note to the shy girls: you really will need to put yourself out there to hope for a successful match. Plus, Bumble's system causes matches to expire after 24 hours if no message is sent, which can lead to the loss of potentially interesting connections if you’re having an especially busy week (or day!).

The LOVE Team’s take?

Bumble offers a refreshing and respectful alternative in the world of dating apps. Despite some drawbacks, Bumble's innovative approach makes it an appealing option for many users eager to navigate the online dating space with intention and respect.

Feeld

Feeld has positioned itself as a cutting-edge player in the dating app landscape, specifically targeting individuals and couples in search of more atypical connections.

Why Feeld?

Feeld offers an inclusive space that welcomes a wide diversity of sexual orientations and relationship types. Whether you're single, in a couple, or part of a polyamorous relationship, Feeld offers a way to express your sexual identity and explore new kinds of human connection. With its commitment to privacy and anonymity, Feeld fosters a secure environment where users can explore with complete peace of mind, free from judgement.

The advantages of Feeld

One of Feeld's major strengths is its openness to different sexual orientations and types of relationships, providing an inclusive platform for those who feel constrained by more traditional dating apps. The app's high level of privacy is also a definite plus, allowing users to explore their interests discreetly and safely, which is particularly important when exploring non-traditional sexual relationships.

The drawbacks of Feeld

The fact that Feeld specialises in atypical relationships naturally makes for a smaller user base compared to industry giants like Tinder or Bumble. This can make finding compatible partners slightly more challenging. Plus, using Feeld requires an open mind, as the app promotes barrier-free sexual exploration. This may be a deterrent for those not ready to explore beyond traditional relational norms.

The LOVE Team’s take?

Feeld is an oasis for those looking to push the boundaries of conventional dating, offering a safe and respectful space for exploring different kinds of sexual encounters. With its distinctive advantages and some drawbacks, Feeld is totally unique, yet perfectly suited to a niche of users eager to fully embrace the diversity of human sexuality.

How to get the most out of your experience

It’s important to stay safe and engage respectfully with others when using a dating app. Here are some essential tips for a positive experience:

  • Protect your personal information: Be cautious about the personal details you share with others. Keeping certain information private can protect you against dangerous situations.
  • Always meet in a public place: This will increase your safety if you need help.
  • Tell someone you trust about your plans: Make sure you include details of the meet-up. Having someone know your whereabouts will add an extra layer of security.
  • Respect your boundaries and theirs as well: Maintaining a foundation of mutual consent is crucial for respectful interactions.
  • Don’t freak out if they’re not interested: Rejection is a normal part of the dating process. Understanding that not every match will lead to a connection will help you manage expectations.
  • Trust your gut: If something makes you uncomfortable, don't hesitate to step back. Your intuition is a powerful tool in assessing whether a situation is right for you.

Keeping these tips in mind will help you enjoy secure and fulfilling online dating experiences while establishing respectful connections.


In the world of online dating, each app offers a unique experience, tailored for different clientele’s needs and expectations. The important thing is to find the right one for you! Remember, the safe and respectful use of these apps is important to make sure that you get the most out of them. 

We hope this guide will help you find the app that is best suited to your needs, so that you can enjoy a satisfying dating experience. Remember, beyond the swipes and messages, there’s an authentic human connection at the heart of every successful match! Happy fun and stay safe!