Welcome To Dating In The Modern Era

Dating isn’t defined by archaic heteronormative and patriarchal “traditions” anymore—or at least, it shouldn’t be. It’s about so much more; it’s for everyone. (As Lin-Manuel Miranda observed in his Tony Award victory speech, “Love is love is love is love…”) But, in the past, dating apps frequently excluded and stigmatized communities that did not fit within those parameters, forcing LGBTQIA+ individuals and women, curvaceous women, women of color, and women over 50 to fend for themselves in the search for love. Not any longer.

You have to put yourself out there to discover love—or passion, if that’s your desire. If you can’t bear another bad bar pick-up line, try one of these dating apps that place a premium on genuine compatibility and connection. They were made with our specific requirements in mind, so prepare to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right (or Right Now).

1. Bumble

Bumble was founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, who quit her job at Tinder (now an adversary!) to challenge the traditional conventions of dating. Bumble now has 35 million users, with women being the ones to initiate contact. Only women can message their matches initially on Bumble, and if they don’t respond, the message disappears within 24 hours. The app has been so successful that Bumble has launched Bumble BFF and Bumble Biz to help people build their friendships and professional networks. Bumble empowers all of us to not just play the field, but to level it. It’s especially handy for individuals moving to a new city or nation.

2. MeetMindful

Looking for a mate that shares your desire for a healthy, happy life? MeetMindful. (Did you catch what we did there?) MeetMindful is an app that highlights mutual interests such as spirituality, yoga, travel, and healthy eating by providing honest profiles with no “swipe” judgments. After you sign up, you’ll be directed to create a profile, after which you’ll be able to see matches in your region right away. For the first two days, the app gives you a free premium subscription so you can check out all MeetMindful has to offer, including extensive filtering and the option to send messages. You might find the conscious living mate of your dreams if you’re ready to spend a few dollars.

3. Coffee Meets Bagel

You’ll adore Coffee Meets Bagel if you’re sick of (and honestly bored of) being judged only on the basis of your appearance and a few images. CMB prioritizes quality over quantity, offering a limited amount of matches each day so you don’t have to waste time swiping left or right. Every day at 12 p.m., you’ll get fresh matches from an algorithm created specifically for you, so they’re tailored to your preferences and location. You’ll only have a few days to decide whether or not you want to proceed. However, because of its focus on quality, the app is free of creeps and lurkers; only individuals looking for more serious relationships or genuine connections use it