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The 17 best gay dating sites and apps in the UK
The world of online gay dating has expanded drastically in the last few years and singles are now spoiled for choice when it comes to online dating opportunities. In this article, we run through all the various gay dating sites and gay dating apps available in the UK so that you can get a sense as to which ones might be worth exploring for you.
Gay dating sites
First, we’ll start with dating sites that don’t rely on an app necessarily but include much fuller feature sets for a wide range of different use cases. Each one has its own unique personality and so it’s important to find the right sites that match with what you’re looking for.
It’s also worth noting that many of them have generous free trials that you can use to get a peek behind the curtain, before you part with any of your hard-earned money.
To present the best dating sites to you, we have tested more than 60 dating sites and apps based on the following criteria:
- User-friendliness
- Features
- Activity
- Seriousness
- Price
For each criterion, we assigned a rating between 0 and 5. A dating site receives a score of 5 stars only if it leaves nothing to be desired in that particular aspect.
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Bad
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Poor
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Good
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Excellent
Additionally, we provided an overall rating for each dating site, reflecting the average of the scores in the various criteria. Therefore, the overall rating considers all five parameters.
Learn more about how we score here.
Below is our overview of the 17 best gay dating sites and apps. The overall rating is available directly below the logo. If you want to learn more about the evaluation in a specific aspect, simply click “Read review.”
In addition to our own experiences with the respective dating site, our reviews also take into account the experiences of others. We also read reviews from external sources such as Trustpilot to provide a nuanced and credible picture of the user experience.
This article contains affiliate-links.
- Largest dating site for bisexuals
- Nearly 2.5 million users worldwide
- For hookups, threesomes & swingers
Target audience:
Bisexuals
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
35-44 year olds
Target audience
Bisexuals
Activity level
High
Largest age group
35-44 year olds
No. 1 platform for bisexuals
With nearly 2.5 million members, BiCupid is the largest platform for bisexual individuals and couples to find singles, couples, threesomes, and swingers. Available in browser and mobile applications, BiCupid gives you the option to browse and talk to singles and couples from home as well as on the go. You can register, make a profile, upload photos, and browse other members for free. If you want to send messages, you have to purchase a premium membership for either (1-, 3-, and 6-month options).
Impressively popular for a niche dating service
Most members of BiCupid are in their mid-twenties to early forties. The majority are male, but the distribution isn’t obvious when using the platform. For a niche dating site and app, there are plenty of members to discover in the United Kingdom with over 83,000 users in the island nation. It seems that most users are interested in casual encounters, but there are plenty of members looking for long-term commitments as well.
Easy platform with lots of matches and active users
The platform is easy to figure out, they offer live help to ensure everything goes smoothly, and you can even browse singles and couples for free. In this way, you can get a feel for the platform before deciding if you want to purchase the upgrade or not. In our experience, there were many potential matches, and most people were fairly active, which is what you primarily want out of a dating platform. All in all, we really like BiCupid.
Pros
- The largest bisexual online dating community
- Profiles make it clear what they are looking for
- Great for hookups, swingers, and threesomes
Cons
- Must purchase a premium membership to start chat
- Gender ratio widely leans towards men
How much does a membership at BiCupid cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 months | $29.95 / month | $29.95 |
| 3 months | $19.98 / month | $59.95 |
| 6 months | $15.99 / month | $95.95 |
- A place for casual encounters & hookups
- Over 130,000 members from the UK
- Over 580,000 global monthly visitors
Target audience:
Gay men
Activity level:
Low
Largest age group:
20-40 year olds
Target audience
Gay men
Activity level
Low
Largest age group
20-40 year olds
Successful site designed by some of the best in the business
Whether it’s casual encounters, erotic adventures, or long-term companionship, GaysTryst is an inclusive and safe place to explore whatever you’re looking for. Designed for gay and bisexual men, the site is operated by Together Networks, which is one of the leaders in online dating. With 238 dating brands and digital communities, hundreds of millions of users worldwide, and 15 years of experience, the company has a knack for creating successful niche dating sites—and GaysTryst is no different. The website ensures that photos are heavily regulated and secure by moderators, and there’s even a safe mode for added security.
Free or premium subscription – the choice is yours
As a free service, GaysTryst allows you to register and create a profile, search for other members, view entire profile pages, send winks, and add singles to your favourites list. You can also use the “Like Gallery” to view profiles and select whether you are interested or not (much like Tinder’s roulette-style matching function). If you want to do anything beyond that, you will have to pay for GaysTryst’s premium service. This will enable you to search extensively, view full-sized photos, share photos and videos, chat freely, and gain access to premium customer support. If you’re not quite sure which plan to go with, you can sign up for just a day or a week to get a feel for the premium plan.
Provides lots of information and many interesting features
GaysTryst is a dating app exclusively for gay and bisexual men, which means that you will see no women on the platform. Most men are between the ages of 20 and 34, but you shouldn’t have problems connecting with singles in their 40s as well. The information shown in each profile includes verified photos, basic information (username, tribe, location), personal information (ethnic origin, hair colour, sexual orientation, etc.), and additional information such as profession, vices, hobbies, and so on. Unfortunately, there is no app at the moment, but most GaysTryst members use a mobile browser, which has just as many features as the desktop version.
Pros
- For men interested in something casual or serious
- Photos are moderated and authorised
- Offers short membership plans to try out the platform
Cons
- Fake accounts have been reported
- Requires premium plan to message freely
How much does a membership at GaysTryst cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 week | £10.43 / week | £10.43 |
| 1 month | £35.70 / month | £35.70 |
| 3 months | £23.40 / month | £70.20 |
- Great for lesbian singles
- Simple interface
- Large community of singles
Target audience:
Lesbians
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
18-44 year olds
Target audience
Lesbians
Activity level
High
Largest age group
18-44 year olds
Experienced, consistent, and successful
PinkCupid has managed to build a really strong and engaged community of lesbian singles who are looking for a long-term partner. They’ve been around for 15 years now and have consistently been one of the top sites in the space because of their robust platform, welcoming interface, and simplicity of design. Thousands of happy women attribute their dating success to the site, and you could be the next one.
Fast and simple browsing with various filters
You can create a profile for free in just a few seconds, and then you’re able to browse the database according to various preferences and settings of your choice, which lets narrow things down to find your perfect match. Once you’ve found like-minded people that you want to connect with, you can communicate in numerous ways – either on the website itself or through their dedicated mobile app. The interface is remarkably simple, and it focuses on facilitating deep, meaningful connections.
Not a place for casual dating
If you’re looking for a casual relationship, you would be better served elsewhere. But for its long-term relationship potential, this site is hard to beat. If you’re honest, authentic, and put yourself out there – there is no telling who you could meet.
Pros
- Long track record
- Large community of singles
- Simple interface
Cons
- Only basic profile functionality
- Lacks some more advanced features
How much does a membership at PinkCupid cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £24.99 / month | £24.99 |
| 3 months | £16.66 / month | £49.99 |
| 6 months | £8.33 / month | £99.99 |
- Exclusively for gay and bisexual guys
- Secure and hassle free dating
- Serious and casual dating
Target audience:
Gay men
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
25-34 year olds
Target audience
Gay men
Activity level
High
Largest age group
25-34 year olds
Focus on chat rather than extensive profiles
OnlyLads boasts a userbase of over 1 million gay and bisexual men who use the site to connect with new people and spark relationships of all types. They have put a lot of effort into designing a sleek interface and experience, which focuses on the chat aspect because their belief is that you can only really judge chemistry when you start to interact, rather than just relying on a flat profile description.
Great site with every form of access
Everything is secure, private, and hassle free – allowing you to meet with whoever you’d like and engage in meaningful conversations that lead to real-world dates. You can access the platform from anywhere using their intuitive site, their various mobile applications, or even their tablet versions. It’s built by gay men, for gay men.
Wide-ranging community with something for everyone
As far as the community goes, there is a wide range of ages, interests, and backgrounds, which means that you can be sure to find something for you, regardless of what you’re looking for. If you’re searching for a simple online dating experience with very little fuss, then look no further. This is for you.
Pros
- Large user base
- Accessible on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices
- No fuss experience
Cons
- Lacks some advanced features
- Very focused on photos
How much does a membership at OnlyLads cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £9.18 / month | £9.18 |
- Works on any device
- Cheap premium membership
- Unlimited messaging
Target audience:
Gay men
Activity level:
Medium
Largest age group:
25-34 year olds
Target audience
Gay men
Activity level
Medium
Largest age group
25-34 year olds
Gay dating platform from the ‘90s with more than 5m users
Founded in November 1999 by Gary Frisch and Henry Badenhorst, Gaydar stands as one of the oldest and most esteemed online dating platforms tailored specifically for gay and bisexual men. What initially began as a matchmaking website has now expanded into a comprehensive website and mobile application boasting a staggering user base of over 5 million individuals spanning the globe.
Trusted in its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community since its conception
The unparalleled popularity of Gaydar can be attributed, in part, to its unwavering commitment to serving the LGBTQ+ community with a specific focus on male-identifying individuals. With this distinct purpose, Gaydar has flourished within its niche market, captivating a vast and dedicated following throughout its extensive tenure.
Still going strong
Gaydar emerged to address a void in the dating landscape of 1999, and despite the notable shifts in the dating sphere since then, the platform has diligently strived to remain relevant and engage its ever-evolving user community. While it may lack some of the flashy features found on its competitors, Gaydar delivers everything essential for gay and bisexual men seeking meaningful connections.
Whether you seek a committed relationship, a casual encounter, networking opportunities, or simply companionship, Gaydar serves as the ideal dating service to keep at the forefront of one’s radar.
Pros
- Works on any device
- Cheap premium membership
- Unlimited messaging
Cons
- Only offers the most basic features
How much does a membership at Gaydar cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £9.18 / month | £9.18 |
- 20+ years of experience
- 1.6M people have met their partner on Match
- Leading online matchmaking agency
Target audience:
Everyone
Activity level:
Very high
Largest age group:
18-60 year olds
Target audience
Everyone
Activity level
Very high
Largest age group
18-60 year olds
Strong brand in every dating category
Match.com is one of the most well-known sites in the online dating space, and their gay offering is criminally underrated. Through the years, they’ve continued to develop their platform, and today, it’s a sleek and powerful matchmaking tool that’s hard to beat. Match is an incredibly strong brand for a reason, and regardless of who you’re looking for, you can be assured that they’ve got a great line-up of matches waiting for you.
Detailed and precise matchmaking
The best way to start is by setting up a profile (which is free), and then you can start exploring all the features that they’ve got to offer. The first thing you should notice is that the profile itself is much more detailed than on some other sites, which just shows that they really want to help you create deep and meaningful connections. Every component of the experience is specifically designed to let you show a holistic picture of who you are – and then connect with others who share your interests and values. It’s well worth going through this process because it actually makes for much richer experiences when you connect with someone else on the site. The focus on detail also makes the actual matchmaking that much more precise, and that is what puts the platform in a league of its own.
You get what you give
On match.com, you get out what you put in. The site rewards effort and honesty first and foremost, and so the more effort you put into your profile, and the more authentic you are, the greater your chances of success. If you’re willing to be open and honest, you might just find that this is the perfect space for you to find that special someone.
Pros
- Perfect for finding love
- More than 20 years experience with online dating
- Offers great smartphone app
- Lots of members
Cons
- The profiles are quite in-depth and can take some time to fill out properly
How much does a membership at Match.com cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £29.99 / month | £29.99 |
| 3 months | £19.99 / month | £59.97 |
| 6 months | £9.99 / month | £54.94 |
- 85% of members are highly educated
- Advanced matchmaking algorithm
- Only for serious singles
Target audience:
Educated singles
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
30-55 year olds
Target audience
Educated singles
Activity level
High
Largest age group
30-55 year olds
Dating for highly educated singles
EliteSingles helps connecting singles who share the same level of higher education, gays and heterosexuals alike, which helps to ensure a certain level of connection right from the beginning. When you use the site, you’re sure to find a partner who is intellectually minded, and for those who really value intellect when it comes to dating, that’s worth its weight in gold.
Qualitative matchmaking for singles prioritising intellect
Regardless of what you’re looking for, it’s very easy to sign up. Every day, you’ll receive 3-7 potential matches so that you can focus on quality over quantity. Those potential matches are bound to be intellectually stimulating, ambitious, driven, and serious singles who are looking for something that will last. EliteSingles is one of the only sites out there that places intelligence at the top of the list and don’t apologize for it, and that’s what makes this platform so special. If that sounds important to you, then this site should probably be your number one choice.
Try the free version and see for yourself
If you’re unsure, why not try the free version and get a taste of the kinds of singles on there. By checking out the inside, we think that you’ll be convinced that it’s worth paying for. Its value proposition is clear, and it delivers on it time and time again. If you’re the kind of person who values this kind of stuff, then we have no doubt that you’re going to find success here with enough perseverance.
Pros
- Most members are university educated
- Members are serious about dating
- Profiles are manually verified
- Personality-based matchmaking
Cons
- Not suitable for those who didn’t go through traditional education
How much does a membership at EliteSingles cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 3 months | £39.95 / month | £119.85 |
| 6 months | £21.95 / month | £131.70 |
| 12 months | £19.90 / month | £238.80 |
- One of the biggest casual dating sites
- Free premium trial
- Perfect for casual hook-ups
Target audience:
Casual daters
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
18-44 year olds
Target audience
Casual daters
Activity level
High
Largest age group
18-44 year olds
Casual hookup dating for everyone
If you’re looking for a casual hookup, C-Date is one of the best places you can go. Everyone on the site has the same intentions and so you won’t run into any awkwardness as you pursue spontaneous fun with other uninhibited singles. Their site security ensures that you can keep complete safety and anonymity as you engage with others, which allows for peace of mind. And with tens of thousands of new singles joining every single day, the world is really your oyster. While C-date is not exclusively for homosexuals, there’s plenty of opportunities to meet people of the same sex looking for a casual hook up on the site.
Honest, unapologetic, and a guaranteed adrenaline rush
The platform excels at getting straight to the point. It’s honest and unapologetic about what it is – something which is incredibly rare these days, and naturally, every interaction could be the start of an adventure, which keeps things very exciting. It’s a guaranteed adrenaline rush every time you delve into the depths of the userbase.
The perfect place for fun without attachments
If it’s just fun that you’re after, C-Date is perfect for you. In no time at all, you’ll be connected to other open-minded people who don’t want any strings attached. You can let yourself go and enjoy the pleasure of hooking up without agendas. It’s remarkable, trust us.
Pros
- Perfect for casual hookups
- Free premium trial
- Fairly cheap to use
- Free to use for women
Cons
- You probably wont find your soulmate here
How much does a membership at C-Date cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £9.90 / month | £9.90 |
| 3 months | £13.30 / month | £39.90 |
| 6 months | £4.98 / month | £29.90 |
- Perfect for local sex dating
- Lots of member in the UK
- Also used by couples
Target audience:
Casual daters
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
18-65 year olds
Target audience
Casual daters
Activity level
High
Largest age group
18-65 year olds
Open-minded sex dating with scale and discretion
AdultFriendFinder has been around for a long time now and still remains one of the most highly sought-after platforms for sex and hookups. With its focus on helping singles of all sexualities finding exciting sexual opportunities with people who share their open-minded nature, its userbase has grown significantly over the years. If you’re looking for scale and discretion, then you’re in the right place.
Large community of both singles and couples
As a platform, the design is a bit old-school, but that doesn’t take away from the community they have nurtured. It’s a favourite for a reason, and its one of those sites that you only realize the magic of once you’re on there and interacting with other singles. They also boast a very large swingers’ community that continues to thrive, so in case you and your partner are looking to meet other open-minded couples this, can be a great place to do so.
Unlike any other place you’ve tried
The site’s track record and userbase makes it easy to recommend for anyone who is looking for casual sex. You’ll undoubtedly find people who share your outlook and are excited to have fun in the way that only adults can. It’s cheeky, sultry, and unlike any other site you’ll find because it’s stayed true to the original mission set out all those years ago. It only does one thing, but it really does that very well.
Pros
- More than just a place to find casual sex
- More than 80 million users worldwide
Cons
- Most of the members are male
- Reports of bots and fake profiles
How much does a membership at AdultFriendFinder cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £21.10 / month | £21.10 |
| 3 months | £14.05 / month | £42.16 |
| 12 months | £10.53 / month | £126.38 |
- Intuitive and simple layout
- More than 20 years of experience
- Focuses on lasting, long-term relationships
Target audience:
Serious singles
Activity level:
Very high
Largest age group:
25-54 year olds
Target audience
Serious singles
Activity level
Very high
Largest age group
25-54 year olds
Popular and effective place for serious dating
eharmony boasts a track record of over 20 years now, and all those years later, they still manage to facilitate a match every 14 seconds, which is a staggering statistic. They have a vast userbase including a very strong gay and lesbian dating community, which makes them incredibly relevant in today’s modern online dating landscape. But don’t just take our word for it. You can try their platform for free and experience some of the basic functionality before deciding if this is the place for you.
Authentic relationships through algorithmic precision
From our perspective, the personality and compatibility tests are the heartbeat of their matchmaking, and it’s what makes this site special. The algorithm will process your answers and seek to match you with like-minded people who value the same things as you do. This lets you get on with things without worrying about wasting time. Everyone that you’re matched with has something in common with you, and that’s a great icebreaker to get a conversation started. If it’s an authentic relationship you’re after, then you can’t go wrong here.
Screening mechanism serves to weed out casual daters
We’d recommend investing some time into the registration process because this is the major screening mechanism that makes sure that only those who want serious relationships are on the site. It skews towards those looking for long-term relationships, so if you’re in search of something more casual, then you’d be best served elsewhere. But if you are looking for a real partner, then eharmony is a winner.
Pros
- Only for singles who are serious about dating
- Great matchmaking
- Simple and easy to use
- Lots of members in the UK and across the world
Cons
- Registration takes a while
How much does a membership at eharmony cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 6 months | £29.90 / month | £179.40 |
| 12 months | £23.90 / month | £286.80 |
| 24 months | £17.90 / month | £429.60 |
- Behavioral Matchmaking technology
- More than 12 years of experience
- High member activity
Target audience:
Everyone
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
25-34 year olds
Target audience
Everyone
Activity level
High
Largest age group
25-34 year olds
Huge platform with more than 40 million users
Zoosk is a dating platform designed for young, mobile-first singles who want a slick interface and a unique online dating experience. In a few years, they have amassed a huge platform of over 40m users worldwide, and they use all the data they collect from users interacting to craft a matchmaking experience based on behavioural indicators. All in all, Zoosk can find you anything – from a casual relationship all the way up to something serious.
Nicely done dating app throughout
The mobile app is very well-designed, and it is the hub through which everything happens. It’s safe to say that they have really focused their attention on creating a wonderful mobile experience from start to finish. The whole platform is fast-paced, vibrant, exciting, and addictive, some would even say, but in a good way.
Highly popular and able to compete with the best
They have managed to create a dating experience that feels fresh and unique and can compete for attention with the best of the best. There’s a reason why people keep coming back time and time again. With Zoosk, you never know what you might find. Just be careful that it doesn’t take over your life – it’s that much fun.
Pros
- Great for finding short-term or long-term relationships
- 40 million users worldwide
- Unique features and a great mobile app
Cons
- A bit superficial
- Mostly targets young people
How much does a membership at Zoosk cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £29.99 / month | £29.99 |
| 3 months | £20.00 / month | £60.00 |
| 6 months | £15.00 / month | £90.00 |
Gay dating apps
Now that we’ve gone through the dating sites available, let’s look at some of the best gay dating apps that are on the market. These focus solely on their mobile offering and deliver really great dating interfaces on your phone of choice!
- Huge userbase
- Market leading gay dating app
- Matches based on your location
Target audience:
Gay men
Activity level:
Very high
Largest age group:
18-34 year olds
Target audience
Gay men
Activity level
Very high
Largest age group
18-34 year olds
Revolutionising gay dating
Grindr is a name that has become synonymous with gay dating. It has amassed a gigantic worldwide community of gay, bi, trans, and queer people who come to the app to meet new people and engage in a range of different dating experiences. Through a very nuanced understanding of what an app like this needs to do well, they have managed to create a mobile dating experience with huge success.
Streamlined dating app with superior technology
The interface is modern and intuitive, and they’ve designed everything with focus on removing as much friction from the process as possible. In their 12-year history, they’ve leveraged the very best location-based technology to connect millions of daily users in an extremely innovative way. Rather than the usual fluff, Grindr simply provides a safe space for likeminded people to connect and meet up.
Leading gay dating app across the world
They really do represent the modern LGBTQ+ lifestyle and are on the forefront of the industry, as demonstrated by the many copycats in their wake. If you’re looking for a gay dating app, this is the first one to go with. It’s a leader for a reason and you simply can’t go wrong with it, regardless of where in the world you happen to find yourself.
Pros
- Market leader
- Huge userbase
- Frictionless app design
Cons
- Focused on photos primarily
- You must share location data
How much does a membership at Grindr cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £8.49 / month | £8.49 |
| 3 months | £7.33 / month | £21.99 |
| 6 months | £5.00 / month | £30.00 |
3.8
/5
- 20+ million users
- Few fake profiles
- Great search features
Target audience:
Gay men
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
18-44 year olds
Target audience
Gay men
Activity level
High
Largest age group
18-44 year olds
Dating app that literally gives you what you want
Scruff is a great example of modern online dating because of its ability to combine a great mobile app experience with powerful analysis behind the scenes. When opening the app for the first time, you’ll be shown a range of potential matches to get you started. As you swipe through them, the app will monitor your choices and begin to tailor the experience specifically for you. Over time, it gets better and better at identifying the men that you are likely to want.
Sleek and sophisticated app with eye-catching features
Despite its intricate algorithm, the app’s complexity is completely hidden behind the scenes. Instead, what you get is a simple, clean, and sleek interface for you to interact with. They’ve also got some unique features setting it apart from the rest, which include a travel option where you can add your travel plans and chat with locals or other travellers before you arrive. This means that you can curate exciting and memorable travel experiences simply and easily through the app. It’s magical.
Innovative and growing dating app making big moves
Scruff is making big inroads into the markets of some of the other big players, and as far as gay dating apps goes, this is definitely one to watch. Its innovative and fresh, and every single day, their community of singles is growing bigger and bigger. What have you got to lose? Get out there right now and take advantage of the opportunity.
Pros
- Sleek app design
- Advanced matchmaking algorithm
- Forward thinking company
Cons
- Need to upgrade to pro membership for advanced features
- Ads when you’re on the free membership
How much does a membership at Scruff cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £10.61 / month | £10.61 |
| 3 months | £9.44 / month | £28.32 |
| 6 months | £7.08 / month | £42.48 |
3.5
/5
- More than 30m users worldwide
- Signing up is easy and quick
- Sending messages is free
Target audience:
Queers
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
18-44 year olds
Target audience
Queers
Activity level
High
Largest age group
18-44 year olds
Holistic dating app with much more to offer
Hornet is a full-featured dating app that not only provides the typical features that a dating app might provide, but also has a strong social network component built into it. They have worked to build a community platform that can house a wide range of different relationships. You can connect with individual singles, but you can also follow the feeds of other people, which creates a holistic experience that you just won’t find using other apps.
Fun and extensive features providing an immersive universe
From your perspective, you can create a feed of your own that contains short posts, videos, and photos – all designed to show a dynamic profile of who you are. In this way, their dating experience becomes much deeper, which serves to lead you to some very special and serendipitous connections, if you’re willing to put yourself out there. They also have a cool gamification element where interactions on your post can be redeemed for points which turn into various perks.
Unique platform in a league of its own
Because of its wide range of features, you can’t really compare Hornet directly with its competitors. It’s a unique platform in a league of its own, and that’s what makes it worth some experimentation. For some people, Hornet might have too much going on in one app, but for those who enjoy those blurred lines, this is the place to be.
Pros
- In built social network
- Dynamic profiles with images and videos
- Over 30 million users
Cons
- Can be a bit cluttered for some people
- Yet another social feed to manage
How much does a membership at Hornet cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £7.07 / month | £7.07 |
| 3 months | £6.13 / month | £18.39 |
| 6 months | £3.31 / month | £19.86 |
- One of the biggest dating apps in the world
- Inventor of the Swipe-function
- LGBTQ+ users are welcome
Target audience:
Everyone
Activity level:
Very high
Largest age group:
20-35 year olds
Target audience
Everyone
Activity level
Very high
Largest age group
20-35 year olds
World-renowned inventors of swipe-based dating
Tinder is another one of those brands that have just become synonymous with the online dating space around the world. They were the first to lean into the swipe left or right gestures, which have found its way to almost every other dating app on the market by now. Their focus has always been on facilitating connections with as little friction as possible. Within just a few minutes, you can run through hundreds of potential matches narrowing down the ones you like, and as soon as they like you back, you can spend your efforts interacting with them.
Navigate a massive community with helpful filtering tools
The app itself is slick and works very well, and due to Tinder’s massive global community, you’ll never run out of new people to meet. You can choose to filter your selection within an age bracket and according to location preferences – which is really helpful to find signal in the noise. Once you’ve both swiped right, it’s all up to you!
Unbeatable scale regardless of what you’re looking for
Tinder is one of those stable players in the space that is well worth being on regardless of what you’re looking for. It might lack some of the advanced features that we see in other apps, but it provides the scale and reach that just can’t be beat. You can’t go wrong here.
Pros
- Very simple to use
- Large userbase
- Useful filtering capabilities
Cons
- No personality matching
- Somewhat superficial
How much does a membership at Tinder cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £4.99 / month | £4.99 |
| 6 months | £2.50 / month | £15.00 |
| 12 months | £1.92 / month | £23.04 |
- Dating app for lesbians
- Messaging is free
- More than 4m users
Target audience:
Lesbians
Activity level:
Very high
Largest age group:
20-30 year olds
Target audience
Lesbians
Activity level
High
Largest age group
20-30 year olds
Designed for queer womxn by queer womxn
HER has a community of over 4 million queer womxn who all share a desire for free expression and developing meaningful relationships. The site was built by queer women for queer womxn, and you can see that shining through in everything they do. Through combining traditional online dating with vibrant offline events and experiences, you get a truly modern take on what dating can look like in today’s world.
Safe and secure space for authentic connections
They’ve gone above and beyond to ensure your safety while taking part in their community. By appointing HER moderators who are consistently working to clean the database, they facilitate a space for you to be honest and authentic without having to worry. This work is not easy to do, but by doing so, they’ve been able to nurture a truly wonderful community of people, which makes this site worth its weight in gold.
No. 1 choice for queer womxn
If you are queer and looking to connect with womxn who not only share your worldview but also your love for vibrant, fun dating experiences, then you simply cannot go wrong here. Their mobile app is great, and you’d be amazed at what you can find when you put yourself out there.
Pros
- Large, vibrant userbase
- In-Person events and activities
- Intricately connected with the queer community around the world
Cons
- Relatively expensive
How much does a membership at HER cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £13.99 / month | £13.99 |
| 6 months | £11.67 / month | £69.99 |
| 12 months | £7.33 / month | £87.99 |
3.8
/5
- Dating app for queer women
- Free to use
- Profiles are verified
Target audience:
Queers
Activity level:
High
Largest age group:
18-24 year olds
Target audience
Queers
Activity level
High
Largest age group
18-24 year olds
Strong reputation for safe and authentic dating
Zoe is a simple yet highly effective dating app for queer womxn of all kinds. Since its conception, Zoe has grown a strong reputation as one of the best places to meet lesbian women because of its serious stance on safety measures. Every profile on the site is verified, which means that you can always be sure that you’re talking to who you think you’re talking to.
Simple yet effective dating experience
The interface is classic, giving you only the features you need and not clogging up the experience with unnecessary fluff. They have done a great job in creating a highly curated dating experience that simply gets the job done. With just under 4 million users sending millions of messages each month, they are slowly becoming one of the most influential players in the market.
Free app with premium membership available
All of this can be accessed for free, which is a really nice touch, with the sustainability of the app being taken care of by ads. You can of course get the premium membership if you want some of the more advanced features, but regardless of which tier you’re on, you’re bound to have a great experience with Zoe.
Pros
- Simple and intuitive
- Most features you can access for free
- Verified profiles make for much improved safety
Cons
- Still has a relatively small userbase
How much does a membership at Zoe cost?
| Duration | Price | Total |
| 1 month | £11.32 / month | £11.32 |
| 3 months | £9.43 / month | £28.30 |
| 12 months | £7.07 / month | £84.92 |
FAQs – Gay dating sites
What is the best gay dating site?
Each site naturally has its quirks and unique features – so it’s all going to depend on what your expectations are and what you’re looking for. There is no ‘best’ that is applicable to everyone. Therefore, it’s important to do the necessary internal work to identify what matters to you so you can select the site that is best for you.
In our review above, we’ve done everything we can to detail all your options and lay out the information you need to choose the best possible site for your needs – so all the work has been done for you. Every site we’ve reviewed here is a good choice and as long as you are authentic and real, you can have success.
Our standard advice that we often give is: don’t get stuck trying to find the perfect site, just get out there and discover as you go along.
How do gay dating sites work?
Each site will have a slightly different structure, but the main principles are common throughout. You’ll need to complete a profile which varies in length and style – but attempts, in essence, to detail who you are and what you’re looking for.
You will then gain access to see the other singles on the platform that might be relevant for you. If both parties like each other, then you match up and you can then talk to that person. If there’s chemistry there and you want to meet up in person, then you can do that. If not, you keep looking!
It’s the way of the modern world and with enough perseverance, you might just find that special someone.
What gay dating site should I choose?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Each platform has their own unique take on gay dating and so they attract different types of people.
Take your time to identify what matters to you and then you can use the comparisons above to select the site that matches your intentions. Each one is going to have a slightly different feel – so don’t worry if you don’t get it right away.
Many of them have great free trials that you can use to get a sense of what they’re like before you commit to any of them. And also, there’s nothing to stop you joining a bunch of them. The more the merrier, as far as we’re concerned.
How to get a response on gay dating sites?
The most important factor here is that you put some careful thought and effort into your messages and interactions. Most people on these sites are chatting with a number of people at the same time and so you really need to stand out in order to get responses.
If you’re going to go with something generic, you’re not going to win. Try and show your personality wherever possible. It’s also important that you look at the person’s profile that you’re messaging and craft your messages for them specifically. Can you identify something that they care about from their profile and ask them something about that?
People are much more likely to respond if the message is personalized and relevant to them in isolation. It shows that you are not just recycling a line, but that you actually want to connect.
How to start a conversation on a gay dating site?
This really depends on your personality, you want to lean into the kind of person that you are. But when in doubt, the best way is to comment on a mutual interest that both of you share. Dig through their profile and see if there is something that can be used as a good icebreaker.
If you can’t find one of those, ask the other person a question about themselves and show genuine interest in their answer. People love to talk about themselves, so this is something that always works. Take the time to craft a great question and let things flow from there.
How do I succeed with gay dating online?
You need to be authentic and true to yourself – that’s number one. But you also should be having fun and not taking yourself too seriously.
It’s a numbers game on these sites and you can’t get too attached to individual people early on. Be open to starting a number of conversations knowing that only a small proportion have a chance of working out. Once you’ve made a real connection, keep the conversation flowing by showing interest in the other person and sharing those things that you are passionate about.
Keep respectful at all times and if you think there is chemistry there, then make a plan to meet up with that person in real life. It’s not rocket science, it just takes a bit of effort.
Are gay dating sites safe to use?
For the most part, yes. The sites themselves take safety very seriously and so you can rest assured that they’re doing everything they can to protect your identity, personal information, and anything else you share. This is especially the case when it comes to gay dating which has been stigmatized in the past and so this is a key focus.
With all that being said, you still need to keep in mind that when you’re interacting with strangers over the internet, there will always be some that are looking to take advantage of you. It’s well-known that there are people who go on these sites to extract money from people, or steal identities or a range of other cyber-crime. The only way to guard against this is to keep a certain level of scepticism and look after yourself. Don’t let your emotion get in the way of your judgment. Trust your gut intuitions and don’t interact with anyone who you don’t think has the right intentions.