I’ve been homosexual and off-and-on single for too a few years to depend, so in fact I’ve used each potential homosexual app below the solar. That can assist you keep away from a number of the many courting errors I’ve made, right here’s an sincere record of all the varied homosexual courting & hookup apps that I’ve used – my private expertise and opinions of one of the best (and worst) homosexual apps.
Everybody has an opinion on the homosexual apps. They’ve develop into so ubiquitous and ingrained in our fashionable tradition, they’re inconceivable to withstand. I keep in mind the primary time I downloaded Grindr—shortly after it was launched. As soon as The New York Instances writers found it, the app world appeared to blow up with location-based courting apps.
Homosexual courting wasn’t simple for a very long time. I used to be fortunate sufficient to develop up & come out in the course of the iPhone technology when 1000’s of recent kinds of apps gave the impression to be launched day-after-day. And the gays have been instrumental to that digital increase.
The homosexual apps have essentially modified courting—for E V E R Y O N E, the gays, the straights. It modified LGBTQ nightlife, how we make mates & meet others. After all there are positives and negatives. AA lot has been stated about how gayborhoods around the globe have adjustments; the truth that homosexual bars and golf equipment are closing with extra frequency due to the altering group. Is it the fault of courting apps and the actual fact most of us meet on-line—relatively than in a homosexual membership?
Actually that’s had an impact on the LGBTQ group, however so many of those homosexual apps have additionally helped to open up the world at giant. It’s onerous to fault them totally for the demise of our group areas, as a result of I do passionately imagine social media has helped to attach us in additional significant and highly effective methods.
And simply as its most likely saved us at house extra typically, it’s additionally allowed us to journey extra freely and overtly.
Personally, I’ve discovered homosexual apps to be extraordinarily helpful in making new connections in in any other case difficult conditions. I’ve grown up on social media and that’s most likely affected how I see (and use) on-line courting. I don’t suppose I’ve ever been afraid to satisfy strangers from the web—it’s thrilling, thrilling, fascinating, and even when it’s not: it’s a great story.
So, right here’s my sincere and full evaluate of all of the homosexual apps I’ve used. Previously few years, there’s been a resurgence of recent apps and web-based apps, so this record (in no explicit order) contains a few of my most up-to-date downloads, together with these from 2025:
The Greatest (and Worst) Homosexual Apps
15 of the Most In style Courting Apps in 2025
Grindr
The primary of the homosexual apps, Grindr is rightfully on the prime of each record. You may hate it as a lot as you need, however there’s no denying it was the unique recreation changer. And even when it’s been sluggish to adapt to adjustments within the LGBTQ group, it’s nonetheless an important of the apps.
Grindr boats hundreds of thousands of lively customers monthly/week/day/minute. It’s the homosexual app I’ve used most reliably over time; and the one one I ever paid a professional subscription for (however not anymore). Many of the different apps have launched higher options quicker, nevertheless it didn’t matter as a result of each homosexual man on the planet has been on Grindr not less than as soon as.
How efficient is it? In my private expertise, Grindr is the app I’ve used essentially the most to satisfy folks—and never only for intercourse! As a result of it’s so ubiquitous in the neighborhood, Grindr serves as a significant instrument (and particularly for vacationers) for constructing connections. Regardless of all of its issues, it’s 10 out of 10 my favourite homosexual app.
Squirt
Squirt is your go-to homosexual, bi and bi-curious homosexual cruising and courting app that makes a robust case for itself based mostly on what you will get from its free tier. As you recognize, many homosexual courting apps have some type of Premium talents, and whereas Squirt additionally has its personal Fan Membership tier, Squirt continues to be free to hitch and use, with limitless direct messages to and from customers, with no limits.
Plus, quite a lot of these homosexual cruising websites have been cracking down on who you possibly can chat with and push a membership value so you possibly can speak to extra guys, however Squirt lets you chat with any of its members across the globe without cost!
As a traveler, I really like this as a result of I can see guys I wanna hook up with earlier than I even get on the airplane, or if I really feel courageous sufficient, I would even ship them a message letting them know I’ll be of their metropolis quickly. My first foray into utilizing Squirt was after I found a homosexual creator I adopted who would write about his hookups utilizing Squirt—that acquired my rapid consideration and curiosity.
Sniffes (net app)
One of many latest homosexual apps to come back out is the Sniffies web site app. Whereas it was first launched as a web-only app (not obtainable as an iOS or Google obtain), since 2025, there’s an precise telephone app you possibly can obtain. That is arguably the sexiest courting app and it’s fast to the purpose, too. Even the Sniffies advertising is attractive af!
The app is location-based and in its web-based model, the app goes balls-to-the-wall with its options and NSFW images. Meaning your Sniffies map and grid is stuffed with NSFW, specific images. Not like Grindr and different location-based homosexual apps, Sniffies overlays profile images immediately on a map so you possibly can see the precise road corners of potential conquests. I’m a fan!
Tinder
Tinder is cute. When it launched the swipe characteristic, they jumped as much as the highest of our courting lexicon popular culture. Swipe proper; swipe left—it was enjoyable & flirty. I solely used Tinder most not too long ago after I was single in NYC final summer season and I discovered it…difficult.
It wasn’t onerous to match with others on the courting app, however for some cause, nearly all my connections flaked out. And lots of of them flaked earlier than even a primary message was exchanged. I managed a couple of dates in New York Metropolis by the app, some have been good sufficient and others have been forgettable.
However in truth: it simply wasn’t one of the best for making connections. It takes quite a lot of endurance and quite a lot of swiping to even get to the “let’s meet in particular person” part, after which from that it’s nonetheless a stretch to kind an actual bond.
Scruff
It’s one of many largest homosexual courting apps and most homosexual guys appear to fall in both the Grindr or Scruff camps. Not quite a lot of guys use each. Scruff has additionally been on the forefront of quite a lot of the newest courting app options (and so they have been one of many earliest to include helpful LGBTQ journey options).
As a result of Scruff has an enormous share of the homosexual app market, it’s one of many apps that makes it simpler to satisfy folks and make connections. Of all of the courting apps apart from Grindr, it has been the second most helpful when on the lookout for hookups or intercourse.
There’s a notion that Scruff is just for “scruffy” manly males—and whereas its social media & advertising positively emphasizes that, I’ve discovered that lots or the “homosexual tribes” are literally represented there.
Learn extra: Journey Apps – You’re Utilizing Them Fallacious
Planet Romeo
The Planet Romeo app (additionally beforehand referred to as Homosexual Romeo) is hottest in northern Europe, particularly amongst German-speakers. It was *the* app to make use of in Berlin (and Germany) and due to this fact, I had quite a lot of possibilities to make use of it.
Sadly, the app feels barely outdated and despite the fact that they’ve acquired a corresponding web site which you can too use—that’s much more outdated and tough to make use of! In quite a lot of Europe, the app may be helpful for getting journey ideas or arranging dates and/or meetups, however there are quite a lot of language obstacles as nicely.
Truthfully, it’s a neighborhood homosexual app I’d suggest utilizing if you dwell (or journey) in its hottest areas. They do publish an annual record of LGBTQ-friendly locations around the globe annually as a result of they do accumulate (and share) quite a lot of information, however that’s sort of the top of its usefulness.
Recon
One of many largest and most profitable of the kink apps, in truth, I discovered it complicated and tough to make use of, so by no means really managed to even end finishing a profile. Nonetheless, those who use it recurrently, swear by it.
And with the Recon app recurrently selling events and occasions around the globe, they’ve solely helped to cement their standing on the forefront of the kinky aspect to homosexual courting & hookups.
Hinge
I solely not too long ago tried out Hinge and truly sort of loved it. Of the newer homosexual apps, it’s one of many ones that appears to be higher at inciting conversations. There are dialog starters all through and it simply typically appears to be a extra communicative group of customers.
Whereas I by no means managed to make a date by utilizing the Hinge app, I did get a couple of Instagram followers! That’s a win for me.
OkCupid
I’ve used OkCupid off-and-on for almost a decade. It was at all times one in all my favourite courting apps as a result of I simply beloved the interface and the actual fact it may be used on each a desktop and thru the cellular app.
Their most distinguishing characteristic are all of the questions & solutions you possibly can submit to check your self to potential matches. The % compatibility ranking is a surprisingly helpful indicator of the way you would possibly get together with a match. I most likely depend on it an excessive amount of, however I do love snooping on different folks’s solutions. Plus: answering the questions are enjoyable.
As for an precise evaluate of the OkCupid app, previously 12 months, I had lower than a handful of dates by the app. I additionally discovered quite a lot of the homosexual males utilizing OkCupid have been extra typically on the lookout for intercourse relatively than relationships—which I discovered stunning since a lot of the courting app’s interface is constructed round extra significant dialog subjects.
Hornet
This is among the homosexual apps that’s been round for some time however appears caught in a rut. I don’t suppose its gained a lot traction within the LGBTQ group exterior of some of its extra fashionable areas in Asia and South America. Personally, I’ve by no means a lot as managed to also have a dialog with one other consumer on Hornet.
Atraf
One other one of many location-specific courting apps (and I’m positive there are various different for different areas of the world), Atraf is a neighborhood homosexual chat & courting app from Israel and whereas a lot of the app is in Hebrew, it’s additionally in English. The courting options of the app embrace the stereotypical grid of faces (or torsos), however you can too purchase occasion and nightlife tickets by the app—so it’s extremely helpful for locals and vacationers alike.
Once I lived in Tel Aviv, the app was extremely helpful for connecting with locals as a result of the opposite homosexual hookup apps actually have been dominated by vacationers—and I used to be seeking to meet locals. Plus: the Atraf group does an amazing job of curating Tel Aviv’s LGBTQ nightlife.
Surge
Much like Tinder, Surge has a fairly easy interface, and regardless of quite a lot of preliminary buzz round their launch, I by no means actually managed to get any traction utilizing the app. It regarded modern and felt cool in addition to inclusive, however nothing ever appeared to come back from it.
Jackd
One of many homosexual courting apps that’s been on the app retailer for some time, but in addition by no means appeared to succeed in too far past its goal areas. The app is extra fashionable in Asia which makes it helpful for vacationers to the area, or locals residing there—however essentially the most I ever had on the app have been brief conversations, and nothing significant.
Raya
Billed because the courting app for “influencers,” Raya is an invite-only app and requires a month-to-month price. I’ve learn lots about it, however sadly for more often than not I’ve been single, I’ve used Android telephones so I’ve by no means used the app myself—simply on my mates’ telephones.
For evaluate functions, the Raya app works nicely sufficient, however its most fascinating characteristic is its capability to attach you with fascinating folks. My mates have met and matched with a stunning number of folks—from the social media administrators of *different* homosexual courting apps (the irony!) to worldwide musicians and C-list celebrities.
As a result of the Raya app is tied to your Instagram, it may be a cool technique to join digitally—should you can snag that preliminary curiosity.
Okay, you would possibly marvel why Twitter is on a listing of homosexual courting apps, however that’s simply since you’re not within the know! Hashtag Homosexual Twitter (#GayTwitter) is an actual and true group. It’s dominated by quick-witted, celebrity-obsessed, somewhat-obnoxious media gays who’re all mates with each other in the actual world, however the mixture of verified & anon accounts, plus a complete gabble of stans, makes it a enjoyable place to attach with others that share your curiosity.
Tales of #gaytwitter hookups and flirty, suggestive, or downright-NSFW images (#gaytwitterafterdark) make up a lot of the scene, however I’ve had loads of long-distance connections by the app and group.
There’s an Instagram hashtag I like to look from time to time: #InstagramIsTheNewGrindr as a result of (1), it’s humorous, and (2) it’s really sort of true. The image-obsessed app has taken over the image-obsessed homosexual group to some extent that I really feel is 100% poisonous, but in addition: it simply appears to be how the world works now.
Flirty DMs (and dick pics) present up recurrently sufficient, and the thotty pics that Insta-celebrities put up solely incite an already flirtatious on-line group within the app. When you’re on the lookout for a neighborhood date, there are many tales of connections made by Instagram non-public messages.
So many people already take a look at Instagram profiles from every of the opposite courting apps, so why wouldn’t we skip the center man and simply go straight to the supply?
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Courting has by no means been simple, and when many of those homosexual apps got here into the image, issues actually modified. In my expertise, many of those courting apps have made it simpler to attach with different folks I’ll not usually been capable of encounter—whether or not due to distance or our personal consolation ranges at interacting in particular person.
There are such a lot of homosexual courting apps out there in the present day. And apart from all the precise apps, there are web sites and boards as nicely—ones used for connections with like-minded people, ones for intercourse staff, for sharing nudes, for purposeful courting, or every other method of on-line connections
My record of courting apps above isn’t meant to be an entire assortment of all of them—simply my private opinions of those I’ve really used or skilled in my very own courting struggles as a homosexual man. And the humorous factor? I’ve had loads of connections by quite a lot of these homosexual apps, however my most significant relationships have all began offline.
However hey: that hasn’t stopped me from persevering with to attach on-line.
The Finish of Homosexual Courting Apps?
Every so often, homosexual courting apps fail. Chappy got here into the group onerous and powerful within the late 20-teens, however inside just some years, the app shut down. Personally, I discovered the app’s dev workforce & creators appeared to do extra advertising than creating—and targeted on promoting solely to a restricted a part of the homosexual/queer/LGBTQ group: cis white masc males. And so they failed partly due to it (in my opinion).
New apps pop up on a regular basis. Attain out along with your strategies for different homosexual courting apps to obtain and evaluate.
