Best dating apps in Australia to find the perfect partner

This story may include affiliate links with ENTR Media partners who may be provided with compensation if you click through.

This is branded content for ENTR Media.

Arguably, it feels like it gets harder and harder to find love in the old-fashioned ways.

Whether you're hoping your friends will introduce you to someone or you're spending time alone in a bar just waiting, it can be an intensive exercise for you as well as your mind.

Online dating sites and apps have come a long way. Whilst some still have their bad reputations, it isn't all bad news.

But there is hope on the horizon - you just need to know which one best suits you. If you want to give yourself a chance, then consider these top dating sites in Australia.

With far more depth than many of its competitors, eHarmony Australia might be the dating service for you if you're seeking a committed relationship. Similar to some other online dating services, eHarmony matches users with compatible candidates based on a special algorithm that takes into account their interests and values.

Even though this is a typical tendency in the market, you get the impression that other singles on the app are there for a purpose, which gives you faith in their sincerity.

The lengthy questionnaire and profile creation on eHarmony are a major contributing factor to this. It does take some time to finish (it took me less than half an hour), but the more work you put in, the more compatible the matches that are suggested for you are.

This questionnaire covers your values, hobbies, interests, and personality traits. eHarmony utilises the answers to create a detailed profile of you and your potential partner. This, in my opinion, is one of the main reasons eHarmony is so well-liked since it operates on the tenet that you get what you put in.

Related: Why is my ex back on dating sites?

When you complete the eHarmony questionnaire, its algorithm will match you with others who share your interests and morals. You will receive a list of compatible matches each day (if you would like, you can log in and peruse your matches).

If any of them grab your attention, you may view their profiles and approach them using a number of different methods, such as sending an in-app text message or a smiley.

Because of its sincere and healthy vibe, eHarmony is strong and draws more serious users, which is advantageous for you. The main drawback of the well-known dating app is that access to all of its features requires paying for a subscription. Additionally, it's not always inexpensive, in contrast to "swipe right" apps.

If you don't subscribe to a paying membership, you won't be able to see the images of your matches or get in touch with them. But having a payment barrier does have its silver lining in that people who aren't serious are not likely to sign up, leaving you with quality over quantity.

eHarmony is one of the best dating apps that you need to try. If you can get past the subscription fees (you can regularly find them on sale), then it might be well worth it. Check out this eHarmony review for a deeper dive into the platform.

Pros

Cons

Tinder is still one of the greatest "swipe right" apps available, despite all the bad press and associations it has. Its vast user base, accessibility, and ease of use are its key benefits and selling features.

The software is location-based, so it will show you potential matches depending on your proximity to them; you can change the radius. You're right if Tinder seems like a game for young people. Although there are a sizable number of users in their 40s and 50s, the majority of users are between the ages of 18 and 34.

One of Tinder's unique and well-known features is its easy-to-use swiping interface. Swipe right on a profile that piques your interest; swipe left on uninterested profiles. Only when both of you swipe right on each other's profiles, signifying a match, can you start a chat.

Super Likes and Boosts are two tools you can utilise to differentiate yourself from the competition. Boosts can make your profile more visible for a short while, but Super Likes let you show someone that you're interested in them.

Tinder Plus is a paid subscription service that gives you access to features like location tracking, infinite swipes, and the ability to see who has swiped right on your profile, even if the free version is still pretty functional.

When all is said and done, Tinder is an excellent option for anyone wishing to meet new people and potentially fall in love. Given its substantial user base and intuitive user interface, it is understandable why it is so popular in Australia.

Pros

Cons

If you want to give women the courage to reach out, Bumble is the ideal dating app. With more than 40 million users worldwide, Bumble is quickly ascending to the top of the dating app rankings in Australia.

The main feature of Bumble is its capacity to facilitate conversation between women and their matches.

In addition to empowering women, this helps create an environment where everyone feels safe and respected. Bumble also offers a range of options to suit your dating preferences.

Bumble does fit the bill whether you're searching for a committed relationship, casual set up, or just some new pals. If you're a member of the millennial generation, though, it might not be the greatest way to meet someone.

You will soon find out it is predominantly made up of young adults in their 20s and 30s looking for casual relationships. According to the latest statistics, the largest age group on the app is between 25-34 years old, followed by users aged 18-24.

The swipe mechanism is a defining feature of Bumble. Similar to other dating apps mentioned above, Bumble allows you to swipe left or right to indicate whether you are interested in someone.

However, Bumble has added a unique twist to this feature. If you and the person you have swiped right on both like each other, the woman must initiate the conversation within 24 hours, or the match will expire. In short, it's a great dating app for younger Australians looking for short-term relationships.

Pros

Cons

Hinge encourages you to interact with other people's profiles by posting likes and comments on specific photographs or prompts that catch your attention, as opposed to just perusing profiles or being a "swipe right" app.

Compared to other dating apps, Hinge's basic approach to profile creation-a few humorous captions, a few photographs, and brief voice recordings-makes for a more organic connection between users and gives you a peek into each other's personalities.

Compared to some of its rivals, it aims to be a more serious dating app, which is advantageous if you're looking for a committed relationship rather than casual dating.

The majority of its members are in the 25-34 age bracket, with the 18-24 age range making up the second largest group. The programme is popular among older age groups as well, with a substantial user base of those between the ages of 35 and 44.

Related: 7 tips for find your soulmate online.

Hinge states to employ an algorithm that suggests possible matches based on your usage of the app and your preferences. Even though some of the criteria, such as age, are very evident, there are moments when it seems like it is showing you every profile rather than trying to find the most compatible matches.

Whilst this sounds like a gripe, I actually preferred being able to see everyone within my criteria...just in case you miss that someone. But if there is a criteria that you don't want in your matches then I can confirm the "Dealbreaker" feature definitely works in automatically disqualifying potential matches.

Apart from being easy to use and carrying a lot of substance for people seriously looking for a connection, Hinge is also free to use. And I don't mean a free version that is severely limited in features and capabilities either.

In fact, you can totally get by using the free version, matching and engaging with people who take your fancy in an unrestricted fashion.

If you want to put yourself out there more, then the premium membership will highlight your profile and push it to the front of the list, as well as give you other features such as the ability to filter your matches by certain criteria.

Pros

Cons

RSVP is a well-known online dating service with a number of tools to assist users in making lasting relationships.

With over two million members, it's one of the largest dating sites in Australia, increasing the likelihood that you'll discover someone compatible.

The majority of the members fall within the 25-45 age range, with a fairly equal distribution of genders. It goes above and beyond the average dating website to guarantee compatibility.

You will be required to fill out an extensive registration form regarding your lifestyle, interests, and personality.

The site utilises this information to pair you with compatible singles who have similar beliefs and aspirations. In the end, this facilitates genuine interactions and matchmaking for individuals.

RSVP is a wise option if you're just getting started with online dating. The website is user-friendly and provides a wealth of advice and resources to get you going.

You can trust that RSVP is effective because there are several success stories from couples who met on the site.

Pros

Cons

The largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer individuals worldwide, Grindr is a dating app created exclusively for the LGBTQ+ community and is quite popular in Australia.

Grindr is a well-liked platform for meeting new people, meeting up, or finding a long-term relationship, with over three million daily active members globally.

The majority of Grindr users in Australia, or about 60 per cent of the user base overall, are between the ages of 18 and 34, according to current research. Approximately 30 per cent of members are between the ages of 35 and 54, while 10 per cent are over the age of 55.

Grindr's matching algorithm is location-based, just like other dating apps. Upon using the application, you will be able to view the profiles of nearby individuals in order of distance.

Your search results can also be filtered based on relationship status, age, and culture. Finding someone nearby who is interested in the same things as you is made simple by this.

Like any dating app, it has its advantages and disadvantages, but because of its huge user base and location-based matching feature, which has produced numerous success stories, it is a top pick for many.

Pros

Cons

Happn is an excellent dating app if you're searching for a means to meet new people in your town because it connects people who are nearby and focuses on connecting people who have crossed paths in real life.

It uses location-based technologies, just like other dating sites, and when you sign up, you'll be prompted to allow location services on your device.

With real-time tracking, this would enable the app to display other users who are in your vicinity, making it simple to locate others who would be interested in meeting up.

To make an informed decision about whether or not to make contact, it is easier to determine how far away they are from you. You can choose to ban users you don't want to connect with and hide your location if privacy is a concern.

The user-friendly interface of Hapn Australia is yet another fantastic feature we love. With a simple, modern design that makes it simple to look through profiles and locate people that interest you, the app is made to be straightforward to use.

Additionally, the app allows you to chat and send messages to other users, which makes it simple to get to know someone before meeting up in person.

Pros

Cons

Online dating sites are used by people for a variety of reasons, including:

There are risks involved in using online dating apps, even while they can be a great way to meet new people and possibly find love.

Meeting people you meet online may not be as safe as you think because you don't know their background or genuine intentions. People have been known to fabricate their identity on the internet or use dating apps for nefarious activities like scamming, catfishing, or even physical assault.

By disclosing personal information on dating apps, you run the risk of identity theft or privacy violations. Users must exercise caution when disclosing too much personal information and take precautions to safeguard their privacy when using the internet.

People frequently con people into paying them money through online dating scams. This could include money demands, investment fraud, or dishonest business plans. Anyone requesting money or acting suspiciously online ought to be avoided at all costs.

Interacting with people online can occasionally result in emotional discomfort, such as rejection, disappointment, or being "ghosted," or abruptly cut off from communication.

When managing the ups and downs of online dating, it's critical to set reasonable expectations and give self-care priority.

When utilising dating apps, some users may become the target of unwelcome approaches, cyberbullying, or harassment.

Users should report and block abusive users on the platforms, but platforms should also have policies in place to deal with and stop this kind of behaviour.

It's possible that some users of dating apps are not sincere about their identities or goals. Some people could create false or deceptive profiles to draw attention to themselves or influence others.

It's critical to confirm the legitimacy of profiles and exercise caution while communicating with strangers on the internet.

Overuse of dating apps can result in addiction or reliance, which can have a negative impact on one's general well-being and mental health. Keeping a healthy balance between online and offline activity is essential.

While there are other well-known dating apps available in Australia, eHarmony, Tinder, and Bumble rank first through third. These websites have a big user base, concentrate on different kinds of relationships, and are renowned for their sophisticated matching algorithms.

Finding compatible companions based on their values, hobbies, and personality qualities will be made easier with the aid of this.

There are a few Australian dating sites that provide free services, but the majority charge for membership. Plenty of Fish (POF) is the most widely used free dating website in Australia.

With a vast user base, this website provides a number of services, such as compatibility testing, search filters, and messaging.

eHarmony is renowned for having a high rate of marriage and long-term relationship success.

The key reason the site ranks number one on our list is because of its sophisticated matchmaking algorithm, which matches members based on compatibility.