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Whether you're looking for love or just looking to hook up, get these 11 dating apps on your phone right now...
1. Spark
Like ’Rush Hour Crush’ but on your phone, this app revolves around the tube. Well, there are millions of singletons on the tube each day, right? Connecting those who gaze upon each other on the Northern line (or normally gaze into a sweaty armpit), users send one ‘spark’ a day upon seeing someone on the app they like – so choose wisely.
2. Tinder
The big daddy of dating apps is synonymous with online dating for a reason. Around since 2012, Tinder’s got a well-earned name when it comes to hookups – but now it’s also known as an app that plenty of married couples used to meet on as well. Literally everyone and their dog is on it – which is both a blessing and a curse. Prepare to swipe through hundreds of frogs along the way before that fittie magically matches you back.
3. Bumble
Bumble’s USP is that the ladies get to make the first move. (This can be seen as feminism, but it can also be seen as annoying when you’re not in the mood to make all the effort.) Men then have 24 hours to reply before the match disappears. Which is annoying if said man hasn’t checked his app in a few days, and thus missed out on the potential love of his life. Sigh. There are definitely hotter blokes on this app, though, FYI.
4. Hinge
Aimed at people who want a little bit more than just a hookup (read: relationship types), this newer app is interesting because you comment not just on photos, but also bios (so try and be super funny if you can). If s/he makes a funny joke, that’s a conversation starter – it’s not just about swiping right on faces. That being said, when a Time Out writer tried this app, one match immediately requested a threesome. Hinge might not quite be being used for what it’s meant for just yet… give it time, it’s just getting started.
5. Happn
Happn matches people who both have the app and cross paths, say at the pub, a club, or that cute girl in the canteen at work. There’s also the probability that you’ll match with your Uber driver, seeing as he crossed paths with you outside your house. Not bad if they’re hot, though…
6. Once
Romantic or just lazy? Once claims that its matchmakers handpick one match a day for users. If you’re not feeling said match, you’ve got to wait a whole 24 hours for the next one. Basically it’'s like the slowest version of Tinder in the entire world.
7. Grindr
The app for men looking to meet men has been around since 2009 and shows you which men close by are also on the app. Living in London, that means there’s a lot of choice. Grindr is known for hookups, but that’s not to say that many relationships haven’t been borne from it, too.
8. HER
This app specially built for the lesbian, bisexual and queer community is like more than just a dating app – but you can find dates on there. You can post statuses, share fun stuff you’ve read and can even invite people to events on there. It’s good for making new friends (and keeping up with current pals) as well as finding hookups and romance.
9. Huggle
Dating apps aren’t just for dating – some have a friendship element too. For those new to London and looking to meet some new mates, Huggle might be the way to go. Matching users via interests and locations in common (clubs, bars and restaurants that users are fans of are taken into account), Huggle might just set you up with your brand new BFF. And that can’t be a bad thing.
10. Raya
Fancy dating a celeb? Of course you do. Raya carefully vets its users to decide if they’re quite cool enough to be featured on it – think models, social media influencers and media types. While users aren’t meant to talk about Raya, it’s rumoured that the likes of Cara Delevingne, Diplo and, er, Moby are on the app. Now those would be some seriously interesting dates…
11. Chappy
This new app for gay men is (unexpectedly) a collab between Ollie Locke from ‘Made in Chelsea’ and Whitney Wolfe from Bumble. The idea? It has a sliding scale you can place yourself on between ‘looking to find Mr Right’ or ‘Mr Right Now’. It means users who are looking for love don’t get paired up with those who are just after hookups.
Words: Rosie Gizauskas