There are over 8,000 dating sites and applications on the Internet today. The global online dating market already exceeds $12 billion, and today more than 20% of single Internet users use online dating platforms. Plus in the current conditions of pandemic and quarantine, the demand for such services has grown even more. Just in the last couple of years, several hundred new dating sites have appeared.
The abundance of dating platforms is good on one hand. But on the other hand, it can be difficult for ordinary users to navigate such a variety and choose what is right for them. Many people decide to go the easiest way and register on the most popular applications — Tinder, Badoo, Bumble, and so on. These are not bad options, but not ideal. Mainly due to the excessively large number of users and not the most helpful algorithms for finding a potential pair. Indeed, in these applications, appearance becomes the main parameter of choice. And this is not entirely objective.
Now niche sites and applications tailored for a narrower audience are attracting more and more interest. And despite the fact that there are several times fewer users on them than on Tinder or Badoo, the chances of a successful match on such sites are much higher. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting ones.
Unusual dating services and who they’re suitable for
If you’re tired of the well-known dating sites and are looking for something really new, the following list of sites and applications is for you. Just choose what interests you!
Tastebuds
Dating app for music lovers. The main idea of the site is to unite people with similar musical tastes, be it rock, pop, indie, etc. This is a really interesting approach. You’ve probably noticed that many couples love the same or at least similar music. Isn’t there a reason to meet and discuss the art of your favorite performers?
XO
An original dating application that helps users to get to know each other in a playful way. There are several interesting online games available on the app, which you play with other participants and at the same time chat, get to know each other better, find common interests, and so on. An ideal choice for those who are tired of boring swipes and senseless texting.
Hinge
The developers of the Hinge app used a Nobel Prize-winning algorithm to find the ideal partner. According to it, everyone can find the best match for themselves and no one will be left alone. Users fill out profiles, answer survey questions, interact with other members, and Hinge’s algorithms analyze them and gradually find better and better matches. A good choice for those who are looking for a new approach to online dating.
Happn
Happn is far from the first application in which the search for a potential partner is based on location — Tinder also recommends users who are nearby. But Happn has a different approach. The application notifies you as soon as another app user passes nearby — you can see their profile and write to them. A good way to meet people who live near you, ride the same bus or go to your favorite cafe. Please note: Happn does not show the exact location, but only the approximate radius.
Struck
If you are interested in astrology and want to find a soulmate with whom you’ll have maximum compatibility, this is the app for you. Struck matches partners on a complete astrological chart as well as a set of personal characteristics based on the time and place of your birth. Former Apple engineers worked on the development of the application, so the service definitely deserves attention.
CoffeeMeetsBagel
Another interesting application, the developers of which have abandoned the swipe system. The original CoffeeMeetsBagel algorithm analyzes user-profiles and selects the best matches. Every day at noon, the app offers you a new person with whom you could potentially develop a strong relationship. A good option for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time swiping and searching — CoffeeMeetsBagel will do everything for you.
Her
Popular dating app for gay people. First of all, it is tailored for a female audience, which must be taken into account. In addition to dating directly, here you can read the latest news from within the LGBT community, communicate in group chats and talk on topics of interest to you without any obligations.
The League
Quite an unusual application that works jointly with LinkedIn. The League analyzes LinkedIn profiles to find potential partners in the same industry as you. The developers position their application as a serious dating service that helps young professionals find like-minded people and establish relationships with people who offer the most likelihood of developing feelings.
Curtn
It’s kind of a mixture of classic dating app and casual video chats. Instead of boring photos and profile descriptions, where users post videos — mini-presentations, answers to questions, and so on. Plus, you can chat face-to-face, get to know each other better, arrange an offline meeting and go on a date live.
Since we are talking about video chats, we should definitely mention classic chat roulettes, which began to gain popularity around the world during the pandemic.
Video chats — fast dating anywhere, anytime
Online video chat is a site or application in which dating is based on a random selection of a chat partner. Though many sites now allow you to set basic search settings: location, gender, list of interests, etc.
Video chat sites were at their peak of popularity in 2009-2010, then there was a slight decline, and in 2020-2021 we saw their next rise due to the pandemic. In the current webspace, there are several leaders among video chats: Chatrandom, Omegle, OmeTV, CooMeet, Camsurf, Chatroulette, Chathub, and a few others.
Video chat sites have some important advantages over classic dating sites and apps:
- not time wasted creating a profile and uploading photos
- find a chat partner in just a couple of seconds
- often no need to register and enter personal data
- find interesting people both locally and around the world
- occasional opportunities to chat with celebrities who sometimes join video chats out of curiosity.
Video chat sites are aimed at a wide range of users of different ages. Most are intended for people over 18 years of age. But even teenagers over 13 years old can use Omegle with the permission of their parents and in their presence.
The perfect dating experience for you is out there
You can endlessly list interesting dating sites and applications, but we’ll not do that. The above list is already enough to understand how vast the modern online dating industry is and how many different services there are.
We want to provide just a couple of simple tips:
- Try to find those sites and applications that are focused on the niche you are interested in — music, games, non-traditional relationships, vegetarianism, etc. This will greatly simplify your search for the perfect match.
- Don’t expect too much from swipes. Unfortunately, the swiping technology used by Tinder and many of its rivals have proven to be ineffective at building strong relationships. You can use it, but still, you shouldn’t be guided by it alone.
- Combine at least 2-3 different services. By using only one dating site or application, you severely limit your potential social circle. We recommend choosing 1-2 dating applications and a couple of online video chat sites, alternating them, and changing the communication format from time to time.
And remember that no review will give you the perfect impression of a particular dating service. Only personal experience will help you choose the ideal site for you. So don’t be afraid to experiment and discover something new!
