Online dating as a gay man is a rite of passage, from the Craigslist m4m era to today's endless scroll. But for all the high rewards, it comes with a unique set of challenges that can sour the experience: ghosting, catfishing, straight guys who shouldn't be in your feed, and even some not-so-subtle fetishization. It's a lot to take in when you're just trying to find a genuine connection.
Yet, despite the BS, the best gay dating apps are still one of the main ways to meet new people, especially if you're a gay or bisexual man. Pew Research found that about one in four LGBTQ+ adults met their partner online, a much higher rate than for straight people.
Of course, we can't talk about gay dating without talking about Grindr. It's the undisputed king of gay dating apps, but between the bugs, the features moving behind paywalls, and its well-deserved reputation as one of the top hookup apps, it's not always the best option for finding a real connection.
"Grindr is a tried and true app that many queer men gravitate toward to find partners or for relationships that require lesser commitment, so it’s easy to point to it as the No. 1 app," Michelle Herzog, LMFT, AASECT-certified sex therapist, tells Mashable. "However, like Tinder, it’s gained a reputation as a hookup app — but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t men looking for long-term commitments, either."
The good news is that the dating app landscape is bigger and more diverse than ever. Mainstream apps like Hinge and OkCupid have made huge strides in inclusivity, while niche apps like Scruff and Feeld cater to specific communities, kinks, and desires. The key is figuring out which one is actually worth your time.
So, here's our guide to the best dating apps for gay men in 2025.
