What Are The Best Dating Apps For Men?

Medically reviewed by Majesty Purvis, LCMHC
Updated October 31st, 2025 by Regain Editorial Team

Key takeaways

  • For men interested in online dating, there are many different dating apps to choose from depending on your dating preferences. 
  • Dating apps can have both benefits and drawbacks: benefits can include the expanded dating pool, while drawbacks can include frustration and disappointment. 
  • If you need support with concerns related to dating, meeting with a therapist can help. 

Online dating has become increasingly popular. For those who choose to date online, there are a variety of dating apps catering to a wide range of dating preferences. Men have numerous apps to choose from. Using a dating app can have benefits, but online dating is not without its challenges. Attending therapy can be helpful for those struggling with dating and relationships.

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What is online dating?

In the past, dating traditionally occurred in person. However, as the internet became a significant part of daily life, dating increasingly moved online. Online dating can be a way for people to meet one another and connect with potential dates through an online platform.

Who uses online dating services?

Anyone who is 18 or older, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can use dating sites or apps. Single people often use online dating services for casual dating purposes or to form a serious relationship, and some people in non-monogamous partnerships may also use dating apps. The vast majority of couples in the US today meet online.

How does online dating work?

To use online dating services, you typically start by signing up for an account. Next, you can create your profile and describe your dating preferences, such as the age range of people you’d like to date. Completing your profile and being honest about what you’re looking for may help you find people who check all the boxes you’re seeking. When you find a person you’re interested in, you can message them and potentially set up a phone call or video chat with them. From there, you can decide if you’d like to meet in person.

What are the best dating apps for men? Bumble, Tinder, and more

There are numerous dating apps, including Tinder, which has a massive user base (approximately 50 million users per month), and Bumble. Each app tends to have its own focus and may be catered to a specific demographic.

The best dating apps: Options for specific populations

Aside from Tinder and Bumble, Hinge, options like OkCupid, eharmony, and Zoosk are also popular. Other dating apps have specialty focuses. These other apps include Grindr, Plenty of Fish, Feeld, Muzz, and Jdate, which cater to gay men, non-monogamous men, and men looking for partners who share their religion. Some are for serious relationships, while others typically function as more of a hookup app. The best dating app for you may be the one that matches your preferences and relationship goals. Many of these apps have a free version, but you may have to pay for a subscription to access all of their features.

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How do men typically experience dating apps?

Men who use dating apps may find that they have both benefits and drawbacks. One of the most notable advantages can be the expanded dating pool associated with dating apps, but a significant drawback may be the amount of competition among men seeking female partners.

Benefits of dating apps for men

Apps can have several benefits for men. They tend to widen the dating pool beyond the people men may meet locally. This may enable heterosexual men to date people other than their female friends or members of their usual social circle. This expanded dating pool can also make it more likely for men to find someone who shares their values, lifestyle, and goals. 

Aside from more dating options, the convenience and controlled environment of an app can reduce masculine societal pressure to behave in certain prescribed ways. In addition, responses from potential dating partners can promote self-esteem.

Challenges that men may experience with dating apps

App users can also experience a variety of challenges. For heterosexual men, in particular, one major challenge is that there tend to be many more single men looking to date women than the other way around. This can contribute to frustration and affect self-esteem. 

Another common concern is “ghosting,” in which the person with whom an individual is forming a connection suddenly stops responding and essentially disappears. While this phenomenon is not exclusive to men, it can be disheartening for anyone who experiences it.

Some men may spend a lot of time and energy on dating apps with little success, which can lead to emotional burnout and disappointment. In some cases, this experience may even contribute to the development of mental health disorders like depression.

What are the other dangers of online dating for men?

Aside from risks to mental health and self-esteem, there are other concerns associated with online dating. These include stalkers, financial scams, blackmail, and identity theft.

Should men video chat before dating in person?

Once they connect with someone, many men choose to have a video chat before they commit to an in-person date. That way, they can gauge chemistry, appearance, and body language. This can also help individuals avoid “catfish,” or people who use others’ photos to pose as someone they are not.

Is it helpful to attend therapy when using a dating app?

If you have concerns related to dating, therapy can be an effective way to address them. Whether you’re struggling with insecurity, difficulty connecting to others, or an insecure attachment style, working with a qualified therapist may help you restructure your beliefs and thought patterns to be more positive. Similarly, if you’re living with a condition like social anxiety disorder or depression, therapy can serve as an effective form of treatment.

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Online therapy for dating challenges

Some men who are struggling with online dating may wonder whether connecting with an online dating coach is a good idea. It may be best to check a coach’s credentials before working with them. A better option could be to try online therapy with a licensed mental health professional. 

Working with a qualified therapist can provide evidence-based support to individuals struggling with dating and relationships. Those who are hesitant to attend therapy in person may be more comfortable with virtual therapy, which allows them to choose between video, audio, and online chat sessions to suit their preferences.

Research suggests that online therapy produces the same results as in-person therapy. This tends to hold true for both individual and couples therapy delivered online.

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Experiencing dating challenges?

Takeaway

Many men use online dating apps to meet potential partners. Depending on their dating preferences, there are numerous apps to choose from. Online dating can broaden the dating pool, but significant competition and risks like financial scams should also be considered. In-person or online therapy can offer professional support to those who are experiencing dating and relationship difficulties.

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