Dating is hard. Meeting people in real life and finding love is not very easy and can make a lot of people uncomfortable. Thankfully, dating apps have been around for quite a while to quell any fears. Especially when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, people went to dating apps to make meaningful connections. These apps can be anything from frustrating, fruitful or just fun to use once in a while. Either way, there is a lid for every pot, and maybe that lid could be on your phone screen in the near future. To help you figure out which apps are best, here is a ranking of the most popular dating apps out there now.

4. Match

If you are looking for something really serious, such as marriage, then Match could be right for you. When making an account, it asks more “adult” questions, including if you have children or if you have ever been married before. You can also display a lot more details about yourself. For example, if you want to tell people your religion or your body type, that option is available. Match, unfortunately though, contains a lot of pricey plans that are more essential than the free plan. Monthly subscriptions are the only way to have actual conversations with people you match with. On the free plan, the only conversations you can access are the ones Match chooses for you. Even though Match has a good layout and goal, the price plans hold it back as well as a lack of variety in options for the dating scene.

3. Bumble

Bumble’s main attraction is that women text their matches first. Even though this is an interesting concept, it does not really shake things up that much. Nonetheless, Bumble is still a solid dating app. Another intriguing aspect is that once a match occurs, there is a 24-hour window for a conversation to start, or else the match expires. Similarly to Match, you can display a lot of details about yourself, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. The app also has some cool features, such as mental health resources and COVID-19 information that is readily available on the profile tab. Variety is another fun component to Bumble with a “BFF” mode for people looking to make friends and a “Bizz” mode to make career connections. A downside to the app, though, is that it forces premium plans on users, even for simple modes like incognito mode, which lets you not be seen by others unless you want them to see you. Bumble is pretty decent as long as you don’t get fooled by its headlining concept.

2. Hinge

Hinge has been growing in popularity in recent years. In younger crowds, especially college dating culture, there have been more and more people using it. Hinge is an obvious great option. It includes all of the detail-displaying options Bumble and Match have, but with really fun prompts as well. Additionally, the inclusion of voice prompts led to multiple funny viral TikToks. Their member preferences offer lots of choices with a “Dealbreaker” option available too. Messaging is easy and more fluid because the prompts are able to push the conversation in a specific direction. Like the other apps mentioned, matches and certain features are limited but Hinge makes up for it with an easy interface, fun concept and engaging method for meeting new people.

1. Tinder

The most popular dating app, especially for college dating and young people in general, is also the best. Tinder brings in a large population of people because of its simplicity. The information displayed is minimal, usually including the person’s location, favorite songs and a couple of other key details. Swiping left and right is one of the most addictive things to do and is what ultimately put Tinder on the map. For anyone beginning to date online, this app is the best option to start. Although it is catered toward hookups, Tinder also offers many opportunities to develop friendships or even a worthwhile long-term relationship.

As a person who has been in the dating app world one too many times, all of these apps have something to offer — you just gotta know which offers you’ll be most happy with. Despite having those days where you only meet creepy and irritating people, dating apps should be a fun experience and hopefully, these rankings will help guide you in your dating journey.