The online dating scene has been getting more significant and more diverse in recent years. And with that, gay, bisexual, non-binary, and other non-straight people got an opportunity to look for relationships and hookups in the digital space.
According to a 2019 survey by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, around 65% of gay couples met online, and another one by Advocate revealed that about 88% of gay men are open to or actively looking for relationships, so your chances of meeting a gay partner online are pretty high.
If you are a man dating other men, here is our review of the free best online dating sites to help you with the search.
Match.com is one of the oldest and biggest dating websites. It has more than 13.5 million monthly active users and over a million gay members. Registration is free, and a personality test you have to take when you sign up for the site helps the matchmaking algorithm of the site connect you with people who share your interests and values.
While it is not exclusively a gay dating site, you have pretty good chances of meeting a gay man or woman there. It is a reliable and safe application for gay dating.
Best for: Friendships, Dates, and Relationships
Match System: Browse by location, age, physical appearance, and more
Gender ratio: 49% men, 51% women
User base: 39.7 Million
User Base
All Singles*
Gender Ratio
48% *
52%*
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
4.1 Million*
Today's Deal
As its name suggests, Elite Singles is a great dating site for those searching for a highly educated partner, gay or straight. More than 80% of its users have at least a Bachelor's degree, and a lot of them also have a Master's or even Ph.D. More than 90% of the registered users say they are looking for a long-term relationship, but there is nothing wrong with connecting to a few members you like most and seeing if you take it further.
Elite Singles' site is open to men and women of any sexual orientation. Still, its primary target audience is professionals who are looking for a likeminded partner on their same level.
Best for Serious Relationships, Dates
Match System: browse for profiles, see users suggested by the site
Gender Ratio: 44% men, 56% women
User base: 2 Million
User Base
All Singles*
Gender Ratio
48%*
52%*
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
2 Million*
Today's Deal
Our Time is a great place for gay people over 50 looking for a partner for a long term relationship. It is gay, lesbian, and bisexual-friendly. So if you are a mature gay man or woman searching for a significant other to build something profound, this is a perfect dating site.
Best for: Long-term Relationships, romance, and dates
Match System: search for profiles, browse by location, and more
Gender Ratio: 48% men, 52% women
User base: 8.9 Million
User Base
All Singles*
Gender Ratio
46% *
54%*
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
1.4 Million*
Today's Deal
Since its launch in 2007, Zoosk has been an example of a very modern and user-friendly dating site. Although not exclusively gay, its extensive user base presents anyone with a great chance of meeting their Ms or Mr. Right. Its elaborated matchmaking algorithm connects users based on their interests, hobbies, and value.
Once you get matched with someone, it won't be hard to hit it off, have a fun experience, and possibly start a relationship.
Best for: Dates, relationships, and more
Match System: browse profiles and get matches recommended
Gender Ratio: 48% men, 52% women
User base: 28.9 Million
User Base
All Singles*
Gender Ratio
48%*
52%*
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
28.9 Million*
Today's Deal
Start Zoosk for Free
FAQ
While gay bars, parties, and interest clubs are great for meeting gay people, online dating is probably the most popular and easy way to find a gay date these days. Gay, bisexual, and queer singles find partners online almost twice as often as straight people. In many countries, gay dating is still stigmatized. It is usually safer for gay men and women to browse for potential partners online on reputable dating websites or apps.
Try both exclusively gay sites as well as the biggest non-orientation specific ones we talked about above.
Today Tinder is the biggest and most popular dating app in the world. It had put a lot of effort in recent years to become more appealing to gay men and women and appeal to non-binary users. The app boasts of having made 80 million matches between queer singles since its launch. There are millions of LGBTQ+ community members who are active on Tinder and have successfully found partners there, so try it and see if the swiping thing works for you.
There are two ways gay men and women search for partners online: using popular dating apps and sites for everyone or on specific gay and non-binary websites and applications such as Grindr, Adam4adam. com and MenNation. It is a matter of personal preference, as some people prefer exclusive dating apps for gays, while others browse for potential partners on Tinder, Match.com, and other non-orientation-specific platforms.
While most of these dating websites are free, all of them offer paid premium features that you can unlock by paying a few bucks. Some also offer free premium trial periods, so keep an eye for codes and promotions. Our advice is to try the free version first, and if you like the app or dating site, then get a premium.
Grindr is an online dating app for gay men to help them meet each other. This app has a fame of being primarily used by gay men looking for hookups, but it can be useful for dating and serious relationships. More than half of Grindr users report having fallen in love with a person they met on the app. This gay dating application has over 27 million users worldwide, so there is plenty of single gay man to choose from.
Grindr offers a paid premium Grindr Xtra that will allow you to enjoy the app without ads and unlock some cool swipe and match features, extra search filters as well as a possibility to add protection to the app with a PIN code.
https://www.queerty.com/shocking-number-users-believe-theyll-find-love-life-grindr-20190305
It has always been more difficult for gays and lesbians to find dates and build relationships. In many countries, being gay is still a taboo, so members of the LGBTQ+ community keep their sexual orientation a secret from their families and friends or risk being excommunicated. Some are forced into a straight marriage. Others have to flee their countries. Even in more democratic countries, some areas are less gay-friendly than others. Online dating made it a little better for gay men and women to connect to other gays, build communities, and relations.
Today there is plenty of websites and apps for gay dating. Some of the most popular ones are Grindr and MenNation for men and Her and Scissr for women. Besides these specific sites, the biggest general one is usually gay-friendly. OkCupid dating site, for example, has 12 orientation and 22 gender options to choose from at registration, and users also select “questioning” or “other” to keep all the options open. You have to fill out a long questionnaire to sign up for OkCupid, but don't be discouraged as the more things you share about yourself, the better the algorithm of the dating site will work to ensure you find a perfect match!
https://www.okcupid.com/identity
The short answer is no. Grindr indeed was one of the first gay dating apps for men only, but there are other worthy alternatives for online gay dating. The Hornet, for example, is probably the second-largest dating site for gay guys after Grindr. Besides, members of the LGBTQ+ community have said good things about Blendr and SCRUFF. These apps are free, work great for gay, bisexual, and other non-binary men and women looking for gay dating, hookups, or a serious relationship. Try them all and see which one appeals to you most.
The short answer is no. Grindr indeed was one of the first gay dating apps for men only, but there are other worthy alternatives for online gay dating. The Hornet, for example, is probably the second-largest dating site for gay guys after Grindr. Besides, members of the LGBTQ+ community have said good things about Blendr and SCRUFF. These apps are free, work great for gay, bisexual, and other non-binary men and women looking for gay dating, hookups, or a serious relationship. Try them all and see which one appeals to you most.
It is natural for men and women disregarding sexual orientation to have concerns about their safety and privacy, but this is especially true for members of the LGBTQ+community as their sexual orientation is still stigmatized by conservative cultures and people. Unfortunately, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer people are more likely to face online harassment on dating apps and websites. Besides, many fear they might be outed to their families and friends before coming out. So your concerns are more than justified.
However, if a gay dating site you are using is big and reputable, you shouldn't worry too much. They invest a lot of time, effort, and funds to ensure their users' data is protected from hacking and other intrusions. Most sites also offer paid premiums that give their users an extra layer of protection, such as users' verification. So if you are preoccupied with security, it might be worth it to invest in one of these premiums.
We hope you find our advice on the best gay dating helpful, and following it, you will soon find a perfect match for casual dating or serious relationship. Happy browsing!
Having spent a considerable amount of time and effort climbing up his dating sites-related career ladder, Peter knows next to everything about the subject and has garnered respect and appreciation among the high-rank gay audience. He majors in gay matchmaking and can tell anything about a person’s character, merits, and vices, and he incorporates all this knowledge to find perfect matches!