Dating websites can be a great way to meet people, but some online dating sites prioritize straight love. For those in the LGBTQ+ community, they fall short of helping them find their bliss.
Thankfully many dating sites have stepped up their game over the years to become more inclusive of LGBTQ dating. Today, various sites and apps help bring people together, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship type.
Recent events have brought more people to dating sites than ever before, and gay dating sites are no exception. People are finding gay dating sites are a wonderful place to meet a partner and build a connection.
For some, they are in pursuit of something nontraditional. For others, they're looking for love and long-term relationships. Thankfully, there are dating sites for all kinds of relationships in the realm of queer dating. Dating apps like Grindr even make it easy to take your dating on the go. Let’s look at the best gay dating sites:
Online dating is nearly twice as popular in gay dating circles, so it makes sense that you want to get out there and get started. If you're not sure where to get started with the best gay dating sites and dating apps, here are some of the best picks.
Best Gay Dating Sites
Since Adult Friend Finder is more geared toward casual pairings you can find singles, couples, and groups among their million users. Many users like it because it allows you to be straightforward about what you're looking for.
If you're one of many gay singles out there looking for serious relationships, Adult Friend Finder may not be your first choice. Still, it's a good place to warm up your online dating skills before taking on more serious sites.
Men Nation is a gay dating site that was the brainchild of the creators of Adult Friend Finder. Since 1996, this queer dating site has welcomed hundreds of members to their ranks. These gay men are looking for love in many cases, but there are also some instances of couples looking for someone to join them.
Men Nation has over one hundred million members, with single men and couples looking to meet someone on the dating site. Of the online dating sites out there, Men Nation is geared more toward those looking for a nonserious site and app.
Men Nation's user base is slightly older than the twenty-something set, unlike other sites and apps. This confident older crowd isn't afraid to ask for what they want in both intimacy and love so that you can expect a more open and direct queer community.
Men Nation offers a premium membership that costs $34.95 per month. Like other sites, their free trial lets you access all basic features but with no time limit. If you can navigate dating with the site's basic features, you can enjoy free gay dating.
So how does that work? You fill out a comprehensive survey split into categories: emotional temperament, social style, cognitive mode, physicality, relationship skills, and values and beliefs. eHarmony's matchmaking algorithm then determines which members you have the most in common with.
Because eHarmony is for serious relationships, it's more location-based than some of the other sites. Many of the more popular gay dating sites and apps are geared exclusively toward gay dating, but eHarmony's user base features straight and LGBTQ singles.
You're just as likely to find love as a single straight man as you are as a single gay man. As one of the best dating sites out there, success stories of love matches are plentiful.
eHarmony's premium membership costs range from $35.90 monthly to $65.90 for one month. With eHarmony's free trial, you can feel out all the basics of the site before committing to a monthly fee.
OutPersonals
OutPersonals has a smaller community than most other gay dating sites and gay dating apps. Still, their user base is proud to report the site is a comprehensive gay dating destination. Some say it's one of the best gay dating sites running right now.
OutPersonals is unique in that they give members the ability to view and broadcast live with webcams. They also have a dating magazine that over one million members contribute to, which makes them stand out from the rest.
Users like that OutPersonals is a no-pressure dating website. It's allegedly as welcoming to users looking for casual online or in-person relationships as it is to gay men looking for long-term relationships.
OutPersonals also protects members by verifying their identity. This requires a certain degree of authenticity and then encourages honesty from their many single users.
You can access all the features of OutPersonals premium membership for $19.99 per month. Like some other gay dating websites, the free version provides basic features, making free gay dating possible.
Grindr
Gay men are looking for love on Grindr, but also, a few are looking for a no-strings relationship. Users recommend not spending time on the app late at night if you're looking for a relationship.
Basic subscriptions for Grindr premium cost $13.00 per month. The premium features are certainly worthwhile for those looking for something serious, but many gay singles find that they can navigate dating for free on this gay dating app.
Match
Match makes dating easy for users of all ages, sexualities, and marital statuses. Match understands the ways love is evolving and is working hard to make connections in a changing world.
It's without question one of the most popular dating sites. Some would say it's one of the best dating sites, and that's also true for LGBTQ people.
Match cares deeply about its user base's safety and makes a lot of moves to make sure that it's a safe dating site and dating app for gay dating. Match offers a setting that allows you to disclose your sexual preferences upon accepting communications with a user so that information is there without any awkward conversations.
Each day, Match will present you with five matches. You can get more matches with a premium membership. Getting a month of everything Match has to offer will cost just $42.99.
Read full Match.com Review
Thankfully, as one of the gay dating sites with a higher price range, Match lets users test out premium features during free trials. Look out for coupon codes that will give you from 3 days to a week of free premium features on one of the best gay dating sites out there.
Zoosk
Zoosk sets itself apart from any other gay dating platform with its gamified approach to dating. It also takes a simpler approach to gay dating than many other dating sites, leaving behind extensive personality profiles and questionnaires for simple information and longer chats.
Verified profiles make Zoosk a safer place for gay dating. If you're a member, you can simply send in a video to Zoosk to share that you are who you claim to be. You can also link social media profiles to verify your identity further.
Many members on Zoosk say they are bisexual, though far more may be gay. The reason is that Zoosk will offer a profile to allow you to browse single men and single women separately.
While they have an interesting approach to gay dating, some members criticize Zoosk for their stance on gender. They don't include a lot of the gender spectrum in their identity options, which has become an issue with queer members.
You can access Zoosk's basic features with their free version. To enjoy Zoosk's premium features, it'll cost you just $29.95 per month.
Gay Dating Tips
Gay Dating Tips
If you're new to gay dating sites, it can be overwhelming. Online dating has many different things to consider, and gay dating sites add an extra element to that. These tips can make navigating gay dating sites easier.
1. Know What You're Looking For
Gay dating sites are pretty straightforward when it comes to what to expect. If you check out a site and get some seedy vibes, chances are you've found a site or app where casual dating is prioritized over long-term dating. Intimacy is a big part of dating, but for some, it's a part that's only explored in the confines of a relationship. Know where you stand and what you want out of your online dating experience.
2. Put in the Work
Sometimes, using dating sites can be a process. There are surveys to take and profiles to fill out, which can be a lot. These profiles allow singles to get to know you, so you want to put your best foot forward. If you get through all that, you may be tempted to kick back and let the gay men come to you. To get the most out of any gay dating site, you must be willing to work to meet people and make connections.
3. Don't Be Afraid to Dig Deep
If you're looking for a serious, long-term relationship, you must face your fears and dig deep. Gay singles aren't afraid to get emotional when they meet the right man. Share your values and talk about your experiences. Don't be afraid to share the ups and downs of your experiences as a gay man and in gay dating. Every match isn't destined to be a love match, but you'd be amazed how much friendship and support you can find on gay dating sites and gay dating apps.
