Dating in New York City is a whole other game—everyone’s busy, the scene is huge, and your match could be around the corner or across three boroughs. You need an app that fits how you live: maybe zip code filters because asking someone in Queens to commute daily to the Bronx isn’t realistic, and solid safety features. Likewise, having a compatibility algorithm can really help you sift through the crowds and find someone who truly clicks with your lifestyle. In short, to navigate the NYC dating scene, you need apps that balance a big user base with smart filters, clear profiles, and privacy options. We’ve handpicked 7 such NYC dating apps that check all the boxes and can bring you a step closer to finding the partner you seek.
Top 7 NYC Dating Apps Compared: Features, Pricing & Success Rates
You already know NYC is packed with singles of every type. Whether you’re a lawyer in Manhattan, an artist in Brooklyn, or a commuter from Jersey, there’s someone on an app waiting to meet you. But more options also mean more noise. You want apps that can narrow things down. Other things matter too. In a city this fast, many New Yorkers look for apps with strong matching algorithms—one that learns what you like and surfaces compatible people. Safety features are also vital; look for apps that verify profiles or have easy blocking/reporting, since you’re probably relying on them late at night or in unfamiliar situations.
Finally, think about what you want. Some apps are heavy on casual, swiping-fest dates; others focus on serious relationships. Price can play a role: all the popular apps have free versions, but paid tiers give perks and sometimes better odds. We’ll factor all of these variables to bring you the top dating apps NYC:
1. Tinder: The ubiquitous swipe engine
We know what you’re probably thinking—Tinder, best dating app NYC, really? Given that it’s been around for so long and soared in popularity at one point, chances are you’ve used it at least once. But hey, we’re asking you to give it another try because Tinder in New York City can work for more reasons than one.
Its big draw is the massive user base and super-simple format: endless photos and quick swipes, so you’re guaranteed a stream of potential dates. Because Tinder is so popular, you’re very likely to find matches in NYC no matter who you are. On the flip side, that means a lot of competition and perhaps more ghosting. If you want casual meet-ups or just want to cast a wide net, Tinder’s for you. It’s basically the original “swipe” app, so it’s aimed at quantity but you can still turn serious if you want.
Related Reading: Safe Online Dating Practices for NYC Singles: Verifying Matches and Meeting Securely
Features
- Swipe & Match: View profiles (usually just a few photos and a bio) and swipe right to like or left to pass. When you both swipe right, it’s a match, and you can chat
- Super Likes & Boosts: Make your profile stand out by sending a Super Like (notifying someone you’re really into them) or use Boost to appear at the top of queues for a short time
- See who likes you: If you pay, you can use Tinder Gold/Platinum to instantly see everyone who’s already liked you and swipe from there
- Unlimited likes (paid): Free Tinder limits how many people you can like per day. Paid plans remove that limit so you can swipe all you want
- Profile & chat: Like any app, you add pics and a bio. Once matched, you chat in-app, text, plus photos and GIFs on paid tiers
Pricing overview
| Plan | Price (USD, per month) |
| Free | $0 (basic swipes, matches) |
| Tinder Plus (1 mo) | $24.99 |
| Tinder Plus (6 mo) | ~$16.66 |
| Tinder Gold (1 mo) | $39.99 |
| Tinder Gold (6 mo) | ~$23.33 |
| Tinder Platinum (1 mo) | $49.99 |
| Tinder Platinum (6 mo) | ~$29.99 |
| Tinder Select (invite-only) | $499 |
Available on: iOS, Android
Rating: About 4.2/5—Popular, but many users report hit-or-miss experiences
2. Bumble: Where women make the first move
Imagine Tinder’s swiping scene, but on Bumble, women initiate the conversation in straight matches. This twist means if you’re a woman, you get more control. And if you’re a man, you just have to wait patiently (for up to 24 hours) for that first message. In any case, Bumble enforces a 24-hour time limit: when you match with someone, the clock starts on sending or replying, or the match expires. This sense of urgency can be nerve-wracking, but it also means conversations happen quickly (or not at all).
Bumble also has some nice extras: you can tag your profile with interest badges (to show you love hiking, or that you’re excited about Friendsgiving, for example) and the app even hosts local events (Bumble IRL) to meet in person, making it one of the best dating apps for NYC. Overall, Bumble is great if you like swiping but want a slightly safer, more intentional vibe.
Related Reading: When & How to Take Your NYC Romance to the Next Level
Features
- Women-first messaging: In heterosexual matches, only women can send the first message. It forces men to wait for an intro
- 24-Hour Match Timer: After a match, you have 24 hours to send a message (and then 24 hours to reply). Miss the window, and the match vanishes.
- Free swiping & chats: Like Tinder, you swipe on profiles. Basic chat is free once matched
- Advanced features (paid): With Bumble Boost, you get unlimited backtracks (undo swipes), one Spotlight per week to feature your dating profile, and unlimited swipes. Bumble Premium adds advanced filters (like filtering by relationship goals or lifestyle) and lets you see everyone who’s liked you (your “Beeline”)
Pricing overview
| Plan | Price (USD per month) |
| Free | $0 (basic swipes & chat) |
| Bumble Boost (1 mo) | $17 |
| Bumble Boost (3 mo) | $34 (≈$11.33/mo) |
| Bumble Boost (6 mo) | $55 (≈$9.17/mo) |
| Bumble Premium (1 mo) | $40 |
| Bumble Premium (3 mo) | $77 (≈$25.67/mo) |
Available on: iOS, Android
Rating: About 4.3/5 (well-liked for its concept, though some complain about the 24-hour timer)
3. Hinge: The Relationship-Ready App
Hinge postures itself as the app “designed to be deleted”, meaning it’s focused on helping you find a serious match rather than endless swipes. It encourages that by limiting daily likes, allowing users to focus on quality over quantity, and by promoting in-depth profiles. You answer fun prompts and add photos, so people get a better sense of who you are. Hinge then uses those likes, comments, and your feedback to power a compatibility-based algorithm.
For example, if you like and respond to someone’s gym photo, Hinge remembers that and shows you more profiles with similar interests. Users also find features like “Reply Reminders” helpful in keeping things moving. In practice, you might find Hinge matches are a bit more intentional: less random flings, more possibility of a real conversation. It’s the best dating app NYC if you’re serious about dating in NYC but still appreciate a swipe-style interface.
Related Reading: Navigating Exclusivity In A Relationship: How to Do It Right
Features
- Limited Likes: You can only like a few profiles each day (around 8 by default). This makes you choosier – and avoids swiping fatigue.
- Prompts & details: Each profile has photos and prompts. You can like or comment on specific photos or prompts (like “My Simple Pleasures” or “A Fact About Me”) to start conversations
- Compatibility focus: The app learns your preferences from how you interact, so over time it should show matches you’re more likely to like
- Reply Reminders: Get notified if you haven’t replied to a match, to encourage conversation continuity
- Enhanced filters (paid): Hinge+ (premium) removes the likes limit and lets you see everyone who liked you at once, plus unlocks advanced filters like kids, height, political leaning, and so on
Pricing overview
| Plan | Price (USD) |
| Free | $0 (basic likes & chat) |
| Hinge+ (1 mo) | $32.99 |
| Hinge+ (3 mo) | $64.99 (≈$21.66/mo) |
| Hinge+ (6 mo) | $99.99 (≈$16.66/mo) |
Available on: iOS, Android
Rating: About 4.0/5 (users like the quality of matches, though some find the paid tier expensive)
4. eHarmony: The Compatibility Pioneer
eHarmony is one of the oldest dating sites, known for its in-depth compatibility system. It starts with a long questionnaire (look out, it’s over 80 questions) that digs into your personality, values, and lifestyle. The idea is to match you based on long-term potential, not just appearances. And the data suggests it works: in fact, eHarmony touts “one of the highest success rates” for leading to relationships, and claims a match is made every 14 minutes on its platform. Over its lifetime, it’s even credited with something like 4% of marriages in the U.S.
All that seriousness means eHarmony isn’t about quick hookups. You can’t just browse a feed— the app only shows you mutual matches (you won’t see messages unless both people respond). It’s mostly paid: free accounts let you take the quiz, see matches (without photos), and send “smiles” or pre-written icebreakers. To actually see pictures and messages freely, you must upgrade. If you’re aiming for a committed relationship and willing to do a deeper dive from the start, eharmony NYC is for you.
Related Reading: NYC Relationship Roadmap: Milestones from First Date to Moving In
Features
- Compatibility Quiz: A lengthy sign-up quiz creates your personality profile. eHarmony’s algorithm then picks matches by compatibility, not swiping
- Match suggestions: You only get a limited batch of matches, with profiles revealing photos once you upgrade
- Messaging: You can send a limited number of likes or icebreakers for free. Unlimited messaging (text, photo sharing) requires Premium
- Success track record: Many users find serious relationships here. eHarmony emphasizes long-term matches and even reports millions of marriages from its platform
Pricing overview
| Plan | Price (USD per month) |
| Basic (Free) | $0 (limited features) |
| Premium Light (6 mo) | $36.54 |
| Premium Plus (12 mo) | $23.94 |
| Premium Unlimited (24 mo) | $19.14 |
Available on: iOS, Android, Web
Rating: About 3.8/5 (great if you want serious dating, but some find the process slow or costly)
Looking for “the one”, explore the eHarmony NYC user base.
5. Luxy: The millionaire’s matchmaker
Luxy is the outlier here—it’s ultra-exclusive. It markets itself as the “millionaire’s club” of dating apps. To join, you basically need to be wealthy or extremely desirable. Male users often have to verify a six-figure income or be vouched for by female users, and all profiles are screened for appearance. There are no fully anonymous profiles, which makes it the best dating app NYC for users who prioritize safety and quality above all else.
Luxy pitches itself as a place for only “rich and beautiful” singles—think yacht parties instead of casual bars. So if you’re a high-earner or just curious about dating up, Luxy could match you with other affluent people. Its user base is strongest in big cities like NYC and LA. Even so, the pool is much smaller than other mainstream apps, which can be an advantage if you’re looking for quality over quantity. Basically, Luxy trades breadth for exclusivity: fewer users, but they all fit Luxy’s elite mold.
Related Reading: Luxy vs EliteSingles: Which Elite Dating App Delivers Real Matches in NYC?
Features
- Wealth verification: Men must earn at least six figures (or get vouched for) to join. Women must prove their attractiveness. No random profiles
- Luxury focus: The vibe is “fine wine and flowers,” not dive bars. Expect profiles highlighting careers, travel, and luxury tastes
- Limited user base: Because of the screening, there are fewer matches, mostly in major metros like New York City. Many NYC users appreciate that, since it means a higher chance that everyone is in or near the city
- Privacy: You can link Luxy to Instagram or WhatsApp during chats, then switch to video there if you want (no in-app video)
- Premium memberships: You unlock features via Luxy BLACK or Platinum upgrades, like a badge on your profile, more filters, and anonymous browsing
Pricing overview
| Plan | Price (USD per month) |
| Free | $0 (view limited profiles) |
| Luxy BLACK (1 mo) | $99 |
| Luxy BLACK (6 mo) | $58.99 |
| Luxy BLACK (12 mo) | $37.99 |
| Luxy PLATINUM (3 mo) | $333.99 |
Luxy Platinum is invite-only and you can explore more here
Available on: iOS, Android
Rating: App Store ~4.7/5
6. Coffee Meets Bagel: Curated matches over chaos
Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is quite different. It was created to combat swipe fatigue, especially the “sausage-fest” feeling of most apps. Here’s how it works: every day at noon, you get a small batch of matches, called “bagels”. Women receive around 6 bagels, men up to 21, all handpicked by the app’s algorithm based on your profile. Women then choose which bagels to “like” back, and men only learn if a woman liked them. In short, women control the flow, and matches feel a bit more curated.
This creates a much slower pace than Tinder or Bumble. It also means fewer random faces. CMB is geared toward people looking for something real. In fact, about 70% of CMB users are seeking serious relationships, and 11% specifically marriage. The usual grouse users have against CMB is its small dating pool. However, that’s not an issue in New York. If you hate endless swiping and prefer a more thoughtful approach, Coffee Meets Bagel is definitely among the top dating apps NYC to explore.
Related Reading: How To Meet Singles In NYC Without Dating Apps
Features
- Daily Match Limits: Instead of endless profiles, get a few curated matches each day. Women get ~6 “Bagels,” men get up to 21
- Women Choose First: Men see who they have to pick from; women have the final say in which matches materialize
- Serious Intent: A large majority of users seek committed relationships, not casual flings
- Beans & Boost: You earn “beans” (points) by active use; spend them on profile boosts (to double views) or other perks
- Activity Reports: (Premium) See a summary of how active someone is on the app, to reduce ghosting
Pricing overview
| Plan | Price (USD per month) |
| Free | $0 (limited daily Bagels) |
| Premium (1 mo) | $34.99 |
| Premium (3 mo) | $25.00 (≈$25/mo) |
| Premium (6 mo) | $20.00 (≈$20/mo) |
Available on: iOS, Android
Rating: About 4.4/5 (fans love the curated vibe; some complain it’s too slow or costly)
7. OkCupid: The Inclusive Matchmaker
Rounding off this curated list of the best NYC dating apps is OkCupid, a long-standing favorite among those who love details and options. It’s as much a website as an app, with tons of features. The big standout: in-depth questionnaires. You answer hundreds of questions about yourself and your ideal match, then OkCupid calculates a compatibility percentage. A higher percentage means you’re more alike. It’s probably the most flexible app for identity and orientation, offering dozens of gender and preference options, so practically everyone finds their niche.
In practical terms, OkCupid feels somewhere between Hinge and a social network. You see a feed of profiles with lots of text, and you can filter people by interests or dealbreakers. Basic features are free: messaging (text only) and browsing. Paid perks include seeing who likes you at once, an ad-free experience, and unlocking certain filters.
Related Reading: 19 Luxury Dates in NYC: Wine Tastings, Rooftop Bars & More
Features
- Extensive profiles: Fill out a ton of fields, from beliefs to favorite shows, and answer up to hundreds of prompts
- Match percentage: Each dating profile shows how compatible you are, and you see why via shared answers
- Daily picks: A daily “Cupid’s Picks” feature highlights interesting matches for you
- Inclusivity: Allows many sexual orientations and gender identities, it’s known as very LGBTQ+-friendly
- Basic free features: Free users can message, like, and search with simple filters
Pricing overview
| Plan | Price (USD per month) |
| Free | $0 (basic access) |
| A-List Basic (1 mo) | $44.99 |
| A-List Basic (6 mo) | $14.99 |
| A-List Premium (1 mo) | $54.99 |
| A-List Premium (6 mo) | $22.49 |
Available on: iOS, Android, Web
Rating: About 4.0/5 (welcomed for its inclusivity and depth, though the interface can feel busy)
Quick Recap
| App | Ideal For | Starting Price* | Platforms | Standout Feature |
| Tinder | Casual daters and maximum matches | Free (basic) | iOS, Android | Huge user base and easy swiping |
| Bumble | Empowering women & quick chats | Free | iOS, Android | Women message first; 24h chat timer |
| Hinge | Serious relationships | Free | iOS, Android | Intentional dating (limited likes, prompts) |
| eHarmony | Long-term relationships | Free (limited) | iOS, Android, Web | Deep compatibility matching |
| Luxy | Wealthy, image-conscious singles | Free | iOS, Android | Exclusive, millionaire-only environment |
| Coffee Meets Bagel | Thoughtful matching, major cities | Free | iOS, Android | Curated daily matches (Bagels) |
| OkCupid | Detailed compatibility & inclusivity | Free | iOS, Android, Web | Extensive questions and match percentages |
Takeaway
Each app has its pros and cons. Tinder and Bumble offer scale and speed, Hinge and eHarmony gear toward intentional dating, Luxy is a niche elite option, Coffee Meets Bagel is curated, and OkCupid is all about questions and inclusivity. No single app guarantees success, but understanding these differences helps you pick the right one from among the best NYC dating apps, based on your style and goals.