The best dating apps and sites in 2026 (UK)

App fatigue is real, but online dating still works: an SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus found 65 percent of 18–29-year-olds have used dating apps, and a 2023 report found one in five young people met their partner via an app. The key is picking the right platform for what you actually want—long-term commitment, casual encounters, or something in between.

Hinge is our top pick for most people. It leans towards thoughtful connections with profile prompts, limited daily likes, and tools to spark better conversations—AI-powered prompt feedback, personalised icebreakers and a Match Note feature. Safety measures include photo rules, a rolling Face Check and a Hidden Words filter, while the Direct to Date option helps move matches offline.

Hinge says 75 percent of its Gen Z daters check a match’s Dating Intention before liking. eharmony suits those aiming for long-term relationships. Its in-depth compatibility quiz matches users across “32 dimensions of compatibility,” which demands time but narrows results.

United Kingdom

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