Queer. It’s a recently reclaimed word that was once used as a derogatory slur by straight people who insisted (and some still do, of course) that anyone outside of the heteronormative world was sick or perverted. And even in today’s world the political beliefs of some have resulted in some pretty restrictive laws and policies based upon this belief.
Today, the term queer refers to anyone who is not heterosexual and/or cisgender. This includes gay men, lesbian women, bisexuals, the trans community, any non-binary sexual identity, and the entire host of sub-categories along the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
Queer people deserve a safe space where they can be who they are, connect with others for all types of relationships, love who they choose to love, and build their own futures. That safe space is found on queer dating sites and apps. And we decided to find the best of them for you. So, sit back, take some time, and find a dating app or two that fit your needs for meaningful connections of any type, potential partners, and perhaps a long-term relationship and soul mate.
Ranking the Best Queer Dating Apps – Our Methodology
Ranking popular dating apps requires a methodology that is used uniformly to evaluate every LGBTQ dating app, whether it’s a gay dating app, an online dating app for casual dating, a site or app to explore similar interests, a space to add friends, or a place where queer users connect for a social media app purpose to simply chat with people of similar interests.
Here are the steps we took:
- Accessed the desktop versions and mobile apps and downloaded them
- Created a profile with truthful personal info about one of us, so that any verification process would be met.
- Stated gender preferences, mutual interest expectations, and even distance preferences
- Browsed profiles of presented matches
- Reviewed consumer reviews on major reputable review sites
- Read through the policies on terms and conditions, privacy, security/safety, community standards, and such
- Accessed the site’s social media pages
- Developed a list of queer dating apps for possible review
How Did We Decide Which Queer Dating Apps to Review in Depth
Fortunately, we have a diverse queer population in our offices and relied heavily on their experiences and suggestions.
The first criterion was that the app serves all who identify as queer. Next the app had to be available throughout the United States, not just certain regions. There are queer dating apps that serve only those within a certain geographic region. And finally, we excluded any app that didn’t meet our minimum requirements for user safety and security. Here are other considerations:
Free or Paid Version?
We used only the free version of each dating app reviewed. If there a free trial for paid subscriptions, we did take advantage of those to check out what those additional features brought to the table.
Did We Connect with Other Users?
No. Not ever. While we were presented with matches to consider, it would have been supremely unethical to connect with a user and then disappear, leaving them wondering what went wrong. Instead, we relied on the experiences that other users were willing to provide.
With all of this in mind, let’s now get to the meat of this article – providing you with the information and all the tools you need to make good choices for yourself.
Taimi – All-Inclusive LGBTQ Dating for the Entire Queer Population from the Beginning
Photo by https://taimi.com/queer-dating-app
For those who have experienced Taimi, it should come as no surprise that it is number one with us as the best queer dating app. From its inception, Taimi’s goal was to serve the entire queer population – everyone who does not identify as cis-hetero.
Other dating apps did not begin this way. They served a largely hetero population and, once they saw a market for LGBTQ dating, they were quick to add a section for that to their repertoire. And while they have generated some user bases, they are not even close to the 17 million worldwide users of Taimi. They have basically re-purposed their hetero features with some filters for non cis-hetero people.
Taimi also accommodates the full range of relationship goals, from hookups to casual dating, to platonic relationships all the way to long-term partnerships and marriage. Whatever a queer’s dating goals, there will be like-minded matches to connect with.
Taimi is also welcoming to all those who are in an exploration or fluid state in their sexual orientations and gender identities. It is clearly a safe place to experiment and experience. The “Q” in this LGBTQ dating app stands for “queer” and “questioning”
What’s Good
Taimi has a number of features worth checking out.
- It allows users to create probably the most complete profile of any other apps. Users can share their full range of interests, preferences, and gender options. What’s more, while many popular apps limit the amount of editing that can be done, Taimi does not. You can change whatever you wish when you wish, delete pics and share photos that are newer or show more of you in action.
- There is a photo verification procedure for greater user safety and decreases the number of fake profiles and bots.
- Taimi Finder is one the great features of this app. While other apps will present matches of all types in your locale, hoping that something will stick, the Taimi team uses AI to churn your data and present matches much closer to your stated preferences. This eliminates wasting your time so you can focus on making meaningful connections with those most suited to your wants.
- Taimi can be accessed from any device that has an Internet connection, including a desktop
- Lots of communication options, including video and voice chat, enhance user experience.
- The Taimi team listens to its users. Many improvements and new features come from users-based feedback and suggestions.
What’s Free
In addition to registering and creating your profile, here are some other free features:
- Browse profiles of other users
- Message with mutual right swipes
- Create text cards and media to better express yourself
- All of the safety and security features possible
What a Premium Subscription Adds
Here are some of the additional features you will enjoy with a paid membership:
- Profile boost which features your profile
- Rollback to check matches you originally discarded
- Video chats
- Rainbow likes
- Extension of filters
- Sending and requesting private cards
For a full explanation of these features, check them out on the app.
What To Know About Taimi
The Taimi app is for queer individuals who are looking for connections with compatible others. These can be of any type, of any age range, of similar interests, any body type, and common relationship goals. When Taimi says it is all inclusive, it means it.
Are There Drawbacks?
No dating service is perfect. Some users do not like the white print on a black background; others complain that the app is a bit on the slow side; still others experience some temporary frustration when new features are added that they then must learn to navigate through.
HER
HER, by its very name, shouts that it is a dating app for females. And up to a point it is. Its brand phrase is “FLINTA,” – female, lesbian, intersex, nonbinary, trans, and agender – quite a diverse community. Its acronym is 2SLGBTQ+ which stands for two-spirt, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex plus any others who identify as sexually or gender diverse.
Taking all of this into account, this online dating site is for everyone except cis males. The user base currently sits at about 13 million globally. The app can be downloaded via that Apple App Store or Google Play Store for free. There is no desktop version.
Registration is free. Once in, you will have to respond to a series of questions – name, birthdate, and email address. This info is securely held but is also used in the identity verification procedure.
Once the initial questions are answered, there will be other questions to answer which will constitute your basic profile. Questions include the pronouns you use, your sexual and gender identity, your current relationship status, and what you are looking for in a relationship. You will also be required to upload at least one photo. You will then be presented with matches, and, like most other dating apps, you will swipe right or left to accept or reject. You are notified of a “match” if both you and someone else both swipe right. Once that happens, you will be able to message each other but only within the app.
In addition to finding matches, you can also explore some other features, such as communities within the user base and events that will connect you with others of similar interests.
What’s Good
HER is a dating platform for some who often feel they cannot find connections on other dating apps – intersex and two-spirit individuals, for example. HER offers a safe and comfortable for them to engage in online dating.
Some key features include the following:
- User can join any of over 30 social communities within the app, to chat and share photos. Many are grouped by identity (lesbian, bisexual, 40+, etc.) but others are more general, such as “Good Vibes Only.”
- The app holds virtual events for which members can sign up by purchasing a ticket (usually $5), such as speed dating by identity or holiday. Once a ticket is purchased, the member is sent a video link via email.
- There is a rollback feature to look back at profiles that were originally rejected.
- Users can choose from any number of pride pins to identify themselves how they wish.
What’s Free
Registration and profile set up is free as with most any LGBT dating app. Here are other freebies:
- Users can filter by age and location
- Users can browse other profiles
- Users can send and receive messages with those who have been matched. they can swipe up to 15 presented matches per day
- Users can join communities and participate in both virtual and local events
What a Premium Subscription Adds
- Users can see who is online at any given time
- Users can see who has liked their profile
- Users can change their location
- Unlimited swipes are given
- Reading receipts
- Rewinding profiles
- Ads are eliminated
- Photo sharing
- Advanced search filters
What to Know About HER
HER is a dating platform primarily for queer women that welcomes virtually any gender identity and sexual orientation other than cis-men. All gender non-conforming individuals of the LGBTQ community will find a safe space here. The app is for those to look for friends, participate in social communities, engage in casual dating or seek and find long-term relationships.
Are There Drawbacks?
Yes, as with any dating site, there are some cons. Unless users upgrade to the premium version, starting at $14.99/month, they will be distracted by ads from third parties and rather continual urging to upgrade. HER is only available as an app – there is no desktop version.
Grindr – Large and Far Reaching
Grindr is one of the most popular gay dating apps for men, but it has a larger reach than that. Queer women are welcome too. It has a reputation as a casual and hookup app, because most users are looking for matches nearby.
The app is well designed, easy to navigate, and has millions of users.
What’s Good
Registration and profile setup is easy. Making connections is quick and easy – one of the best gay dating apps to find a date tonight. In short, everything is fast, pretty loose, and easy.
What to Know
Grindr serves a dating purpose for queer men and women. But it has not been as inclusive as other queer dating sites (trans men do not find a welcoming space), and the risk of fake profiles is definitely there. This is the same issue that other dating sites experience when they grow so large, and when verification processes are not as tight. It’s up to each user to verify the genuineness of connections before giving out private info or arranging any kind of meetup.
And one more thing – if you use the premium version, a subscription automatically renews, unless the user cancels it.
What’s Free
Here’s what members get for free:
- Registration and profile creation
- Up to 100 matches
- Some basic filtering
- Messaging
- Scrolling profiles
- Right to join one tribe
What a Premium subscription adds
There are some pretty attractive features with the premium version:
- Incognito mode
- Unlimited viewing of profiles
- Ability to unsend both messages and photos
- Unlimited matches
- Language translation in the chat feature
Are There Drawbacks?
Most have been mentioned above and they pertain to safety and security, as well as some lack of inclusion for the entire LGBTQ community, especially for trans queer men.
Tinder – General Purpose Biggie
No review of queer dating sites would be complete without a look at Tinder. While it is not a specific app for queers, it is so large, that it serves the LGBTQIA+ population very well. It can honestly boas unlimited accounts and features, such as streaming and video chat.
What’s Good
Users can cast a “wide net” to find compatible matches and are virtually guaranteed to find connections. It is user-friendly, very easy to navigate, and has solid customer support. And it has both a mobile app and desktop versions.
What to Know
Tinder has a pretty good filtering process for the LGBTQ community, but occasionally a straight profile will pop up. No worries. User simply swipe left and move on.
What’s Free
The free version has pretty good features:
- Profile and bio creation with plenty of pics
- View those who have swiped right on you
- Limited right swipes
What a Premium Subscription Adds
There are two premium versions Plus or Gold. Pricing and renewal processes are contained in the Google Play or App Store. But here are some of the premium features:
- Profile boosts
- Unlimited swipes
- Super likes
- Unlimited messaging
- Monthly location update
Are There Drawbacks?
Sure, as with any online dating platform, there are some. Perhaps the biggest issue, especially for those new to online dating is the sheer number of potential matches with such a huge site. It can be a bit overwhelming, and matching is not as “scientific” as other platforms like Taimi. Users may need to purchase boosts to make themselves more visible.
OK Cupid – Now Serving the Queer Community Well
OK Cupid is another one of those dating apps that began as a cis-hetero dating service. And it grew rapidly because of its unique features and user-friendly format. It has gradually evolved to become a popular queer-friendly space which is safe and secure for the entire queer community.
What’s Good?
Queer daters are about as diverse as they come with the full range of sexual orientations and gender identities. OK Cupid allows its queer members to pick orientations and genders without any pressure to make any choices along binary lines. This is especially appealing to those who do not identify as binary or are intersex.
There is a strong and thorough identity verification procedure, so queer users can feel safe, accepted, and private in an inclusive and friendly environment. Experiences on this app will be good ones.
What to Know
One thing users will notice up front is the fact that the focus seems to be on those who live in urban areas. While queer users in rural areas are not as prominent, those who are will be a bit challenged to find matches with compatible interests and goals.
What’s Free
Lots of good stuff happens for free:
- Profile and bio creation, adding photos, and identity verification
- Search filtering
- Use of the double-take feature to find the right match
- Access to intros to find compatibility and then to start chats
What a Premium Subscription Adds
Here are some great features with the paid option:
- Browsing with no ads
- Viewing several intros at the same time
- Seeing who has liked you
- Using the dealbreaker feature to exclude potential matches who wouldn’t be compatible
- Unlimited likes and private messaging
- Rollbacks to matches skipped over the first time.
Are There Drawbacks?
As large as OK Cupid is, newer users of dating platforms can find it a bit overwhelming at first. Another thing user might miss is the ability to video chat.
Final Verdict: Our Vote Goes to Taimi
If you are queer and ready for the online dating experience, then you are living in the right time. Never has there been greater opportunity to mingle with others like you and to find the type of relationship you want.
What makes Taimi the best? Quite frankly, it was designed from the ground up to be a fully inclusive platform for the entire LGBTQIA+ community, and nobody else. No matter where someone may be on their journey into online dating and relationship goals, Taimi simply has it all.
