Top 10 Gay Dating Apps: The Roundup of What’s Hot in 2023

gay online relation
  • Mischief
  • Jan 14, 2023

In the LGBTQ+ community, dating sites and apps have always left a little something to be desired. They simply didn’t exist for a long time, and then when they started appearing, they were little more than quickly compiled sites that weren’t really marketed properly. Not only that, but the community was still getting used to being “out”, even in the virtual world. Needless to say, it’s been a long journey.

Today, however, there are tons of great gay dating sites and apps for chatting, dating, relationships, and more. You’ll find that many are tailored toward specific intentions or interests, and a good majority that cater specifically to gay members only. Of course, there are also sites like eHarmony that have LGBTQ+ friendly dating, and those might not be a bad place to look either.

In the list below, we’ll review the top gay dating apps and sites on the web today, from free gay dating apps to the best sites for gay men looking to settle down. That way, you’ll have a better idea of what’s out there and where to start your search for love.

Editor's Review

1. Mennation - Best for Casual Dating

At Men nation, guys can meet others just like them who are seeking dating, casual relationships, friends and connections, and more. This gay dating website is designed just for men looking to date other men, so there is no risk of having to scroll through profiles that aren’t relevant. They have thousands of members online at any given time, and there’s even the option for couples to join in a single profile to search for a third partner. The standard membership is free, but you’ll need to pay to upgrade for premium access to the full features of the site.

2. Grindr - Best for Quick Local Connections

Anyone who wants to meet local singles in a hurry can head to Grindr. Just download the gay app, create an account, or log in with Facebook, and you’ll be on your way to connecting with all kinds of local people. This is a free gay dating app that provides access to messaging, profile views, taps, and even a place to search and explore the area. There's a favorites section, too. However, you can only access a limited number of matches and profile viewers until you pay for a premium membership upgrade.

3. EHarmony - Best for Familiarity and LGBTQ Friendly

It’s no our first choice for gay dating sites, but eHarmony is on the list because it does have the reputation of being one of the biggest dating sites available today. EHarmony is best for those who are looking for long-term love connections and who want more out of a relationship than just some casual dating. Membership will be required for full access to the site, but it could be worth checking out since you can do a lot for free. It’s not a dedicated gay dating site, but it could have LGBT options.

4. EliteSingles – Best for Simplicity in Design

Elite Singles has a dedicated section of their website for gay men who are looking for dating and relationships. Although it’s not one of the free gay dating apps out there, it is free to sign up and get started and you can easily look at local matches before you decide how to proceed. This section of the site is only for gay men, too, so you’ll never have to worry about finding incompatible people. The site is known for its reputation and network and offers a simple, easy-to-use website for those who choose it.

5. Scruff - Best for Jocks and Hairy Men

In the world of gay dating, special interests like hairy men and jocks aren’t just for hooking up—there are plenty of men looking for these partners for all kinds of dating and even long-term potential. Scruff has a community of over 20 million men and it’s available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, making it easy to find. Plus, it offers you the chance to be discreet or post a profile picture, and matches are sorted by location and distance.

6. Hornet - Best for Social Networking

Unlike most gay dating apps, this one is all about getting social and meeting people. Yes, dating and meeting in person is the eventual goal, but the site also has a full community online, including videos, virtual travel, queer news, filters, and more. You can share with other members and even log in to the site using your Facebook account so that you don’t have to create a new one.

7. Gaydar - Best for Member Network

Gaydar has thousands of new men joining each week, as well as apps available for iOS and Android. You can join and browse for free, but if you want full access to the site, you’ll have to pay for a VIP plan. Those plans offer unlimited profile views, ad-free browsing, and more. Check out all the different features, including the ability to search and match with people based on interests, location, and other criteria.

8. Adam4Adam - Best for Chats, Cams, and More

Adam 4 Adam makes it easy to connect with others and you can even watch live cams or check out the site’s store to spice up your relationships and more. There are dozens of filters that you can use to search for matches and you’ll be able to log in and be chatting in no time at all. Adam 4 Adam is all about cams and connections, helping people get together sooner and save the waiting.

9. Broapp - Best for Dating on the Go

If you just want to make some friends and find some casual dates, or even carry on virtual chats and online relationships, Broapp is a great choice. This app makes online dating easy for gay men, offering the chance for casual dating, long-term relationships, and other kinds of encounters. You can swipe and match with people based on your type and the app is free to download and start using. It’s been reviewed by the Huffington Post, Queerly, and others, and although it may cost money for full access to the premium features, it’s generally worthwhile for those who choose it.

10. Jackd - Best for Diversity

Jackd sells itself as the most diverse community for dating online, and it’s not just for gay men. While that was the primary audience initially, the app has now expanded to offer dating services for the entire gay, bi, trans, and queer community. It works similarly to other swipe-style dating apps where you see a profile, and then get to swipe one way or the other depending on whether you like the profile or not. It’s free to join and use the basic features, but you’ll have to pay for full access and premium features.

The Final Roundup

There you have it—the best of the best when it comes to the gay dating site selection available today. Those who are looking to connect with other men can find plenty of networks around the country and even around the world and these apps are a great place to start. We like Grindr.com for quick casual dates and easy local browsing, but it can be glitchy at times. Hornet would probably be our top pick because it has a little bit of everything.

If you’re a gay man looking for love, we‘d suggest skipping places like eHarmony, because while they might be popular or reputable, they may not have the best network of gay men and could limit the options that you find. Of course, anyone could stand to benefit from any of these sites, so be sure to give them a look.