Best Dating Apps in 2026

Apps for meeting people, ranked on verification and how safe they feel in use.

Best Dating apps, ranked by AIDA score
Rank	App	AIDA score	Preview	Best for
1	Our pick Zoe If you are struggling to find meaningful connections on mainstream dating apps that prioritize heterosexual experiences, Zoe offers a dedicated alternative. FreemiumiPhone	4.5 / 5Great
2	Our pick SURGE Struggling to meet local men on cluttered dating apps? FreemiumiPhone	4.4 / 5Good
3	Our pick FET Struggle to find compatible partners on mainstream dating apps? FreemiumiPhone	4.3 / 5Good

How we score

Popularity: How many people install it and keep it past the first month.
Brand reputation: Support quality, security record and how clearly terms are written.
Features & benefits: What you get before the paywall, and what the paid tier adds.

Read our methodology →

Still deciding?

Pick any two apps in the list to see them side by side.