![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2248018968.jpg\")
\n\t\tOur experts have been testing all the dating apps, so you don\u2019t have to. (Credits: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tOur experts have been testing all the dating apps, so you don\u2019t have to. (Credits: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission \u2013 learn more<\/a><\/p>\n Choosing the right dating apps<\/a> in the digital era, for better or worse, can be the be-all and end-all of your romantic life. <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever experienced the anguish of downloading an app, spending half a morning curating your perfect, mysterious-but-sexy profile, only to be greeted with a hundred potential matches who don\u2019t meet your criteria \u2013 you\u2019ll know exactly what I mean.\u00a0<\/p>\n Obviously, you have the option to tool around with them yourself and spend hours finding the perfect fit for your dating needs. But it could be so much simpler \u2013 if only there were some well-versed dating experts (*cough*, us) ready and willing to put all the legwork in for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t The experts at Metro \u2013 and yes, I\u2019m shamelessly including myself in this \u2013 thoroughly test dating apps and sites for at least two weeks. We look at things like ease of use, how complicated it is to set up a profile, which platforms explore a diverse range of relationship types (read our best gay and bisexual dating apps<\/a> for more detail) and the benefits, and downsides of paid premium options.\u00a0<\/p>\n We then go on to review them, frankly and transparently, as well as categorising them in terms of what our readers are looking for. Whether it\u2019s low-commitment romance, intentional dating or kink-friendly hook-ups; we like to make sure all our bases are covered.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tRead our dating app reviews\t\t\t<\/p>\n How we review dating apps\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSex. Love. Modern Mess. Listen to new Metro podcast Just Between Us\t\t\t<\/p>\n X Factor icon Diana Vickers and writer, broadcaster, and LGBTQ+ advocate Jack Guinness dive into your wildest sex, love, and dating dilemmas \u2013 every Tuesday.<\/p>\n Listen\u00a0wherever you get your podcasts<\/a> or watch on YouTube. And be sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.<\/p>\n You can also join the fun on our WhatsApp Group Chat\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 share your dilemmas and Diana and Jack may just give you a call. \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Product Specs<\/p>\n First, we like to take a look at the product specifications for both dating sites and apps. This means the nitty-gritty of the app itself \u2013 the base-level cost (if any), paid subscription options, the number of global users, age range and inclusivity, exploring options for gender<\/a> and sexuality identifiers, as well as relationship types. This way, you know exactly what you\u2019re getting into, right off the bat.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reasons to Use\u2026 (\u2026and Avoid)<\/p>\n At Metro, our experts don\u2019t tend to hold back on opinions just because an app, or site, is popular. We always aim to give you at least two reasons to use a dating platform. But, if we feel it underperforms or doesn\u2019t meet our personal expectations \u2013 we\u2019ll let you know, okay?<\/p>\n These lists look for particular areas like the profile setup process. If we\u2019re having to spend 40 minutes answering niche personality questions just for all our key points to be buried beneath our thirst-traps, it\u2019s probably not ideal.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t More importantly, we take the accessibility of dating apps and sites very seriously. Huge point-scorers in our book include platforms which allow you to choose from a vast number of gender and sexuality options \u2013 \u2018man or woman looking for man or woman\u2019 doesn\u2019t quite cut it. Financial accessibility is a priority, too. Users shouldn\u2019t need to pay \u00a340 per month just for more than five swipes \u2013 I\u2019ll keep saying it until I\u2019m dead.\u00a0<\/p>\n Our Verdict<\/p>\n This is where you\u2019ll see our unfiltered thoughts in full. Our testers spend a significant amount of time on the apps and sites; matching with profiles, talking to people \u2013 even arranging dates IRL.\u00a0<\/p>\n We don\u2019t just look at dating platforms on a surface level \u2013 we want to make sure they live up to expectations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Comparing to Similar Products<\/p>\n We\u2019re all chronic daters \u2013 but I don\u2019t need to tell you that. Trust me when I say our knowledge of the online dating world is vast (personally, I\u2019ve been on the apps for a decade). This means we\u2019re able to accurately compare the sites or apps we\u2019re testing to competitors, and let you know which one might suit your needs best.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tWhat’s your favourite dating app to use?<\/p>\n Or Something Else…?Check<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to Metro’s Puzzles Newsletter and get your favourite puzzles sent directly to you every day!<\/p>\n Online Rankings<\/p>\n While we\u2019re all seasoned professionals here, you don\u2019t need to take our word as gospel. It\u2019s important to let the online reviews speak for themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n If it\u2019s an app, we\u2019ll take a look at the reviews on the Apple Store\/Google Play Store, as well as scour social media<\/a> for some of the hottest takes. We might include user reviews from X [formerly Twitter], Reddit<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a> or Facebook<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why Trust Us?\u00a0<\/p>\n Our experts have been in the love, sex and relationships field now for a number of years, and have plenty of reviewing experience. As well as this, a lot of us actively use the apps or sites we review in our personal lives, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n We\u2019re always incredibly honest and our reviews are unbiased. Our priority is to recommend the best products for you \u2013 and we certainly don\u2019t shy away from the bad points, as well as the good.\u00a0<\/p>\n Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter <\/a>and Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Share your views in the comments below<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-1291370255-c928.jpg\")
\n\t\tAre you ready to find the one, in 2026? (Credits: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_273971436-c36a.jpg\")
\n\t\tIf he\u2019s not the one, he could be for now! (Credits: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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