.20201028131807.jpg "Gay Dating Apps: 5 Best Alternatives to Grindr")
Like countless other products - the genius is in the simplicity. It uses location technology to instantly show you other men in your area who are available, and allows you to reach out and make that connection right away. Even better, it’s supported by ads and totally free.
Now, Grindr has changed the game - but it hasn’t knocked online dating sites off the block entirely. There are still many dating sites that offer a comprehensive experience for people looking for love and which also offer some fun Grindr-esque features for when you’re just looking for a good time. So, even if you are currently on your way to meet that hot guy 500 meters away, take some time to scroll through some of the best online dating sites for gay singles, all of which can compete with Grindr.
1. Zoosk
Sometimes dating can seem like a numbers game, and with Zoosk the numbers are on your side - and then some.
There are more than 50 million people using Zoosk, including millions of gay and bisexual men in countries across the world. When you sign up you can select that you are a man looking for a man, and while it won’t let you select “bisexual”, Zoosk says on the company website that bisexual members are given a second account at no additional cost.
Like Grindr, Zoosk is mobile ready. The Zoosk app allows you to check messages at all times no matter where you are, and is always in your pocket primed and ready to help you send digital gifts, talk and flirt with other members.
Some key Zoosk features include:
- Behavioural Matchmaking: Zoosk tracks which profiles you like in order to understand your likes and dislikes and sends you matches which are more in keeping with your preference. There are tons of men in the sea, this tool helps you hone in - like spear-fishing instead of casting a wide net.
- Build a profile that suits you: On Zoosk you can really have fun and express who you are in your profile. You can fill it in and let other men know if you’re a twink, a bear, an otter, or just have fun with it and say you’re a duck-billed platypus, that’ll keep em guessin.
- Let the system work for you: Every day you’ll be sent a new member profile based on the scientific matchmaking system. You can also take a survey to show what you’re interest in, and then let Zoosk do the work and find that guy for you.
- Photo verification safety feature: If you’ve used Grindr long enough, you know about the ol’ bait and switch. Somehow, in-person a user’s 6 pack becomes a no-pack and those gorgeous curls they had in their profile pic in the light of day sure look like a giant bald spot. With Zoosk, users’ photos are verified to help keep out the fake profiles.
Pricing is flexible with Zoosk. You can pay it by month for $29.95, or sign up for a 3-month membership at $19.98 or go all in for six months at $12.49 per month. In addition, you can always splurge on some Zoosk coins, a digital currency that allows you to buy digital gifts for other users and flirt to your heart's content.
2. Match
When it comes to dating it's good to have a joker or two up your sleeve.
With Match, you have tens of millions of possible matches in countries across the world, and more than a few power tools that can really give you an edge up when it comes to finding Mr. Right.
Match is also known for its simplicity and a user experience that keeps people coming back for more, until Mr. Right gets them to throw in the towel.
Some key Match features include:
- Missed Connections: Was there a hot guy nearby you missed? With the missed connections feature, Match will send you a notification when another user has just been near your location. You can then respond, send a message, and the two of you can take it from there. It’s not as instant as Grindr, but it still helps you make real life connections - in real time.
- Getting to know you: Match asks you questions about your ideal match, your deal breakers, and your interests, to help you narrow down the playing field.
- Reverse match: See profiles of singles whose interests match yours, so you can find them even before they look for you.
- Customized daily matches: Every day you’ll wake up with a number of customized matches waiting in your inbox. You can swipe through these boys just like on Grindr, and the system learns which ones you liked and didn’t like, and adjusts the future matches accordingly.
- Live meetups: Match holds meetups - like happy hours and karaoke nights - for members in dozens of cities across the world. Are you on the list?
When it comes to pricing with Match, the longer you sign up for the better the deal. A month’s membership runs $40.99, 3 months is $25.99 per month, 6 months is $22.99 per month, and a 12-month membership is only $19.99 per month.
3. EliteSingles
Look, we get it, everybody loves to play the field, but, how can you put this nicely... not everybody’s playing in the same league. If you’re just looking for a good time on an app like Grindr this might not matter much but when you’re looking for something more serious, it’s time to find somebody on your level.
EliteSingles is a dating site dedicated to matching ambitious professionals with people like them, who share their lifestyle and vision. The guys on here are all college-educated and most are well-established in their careers. They’re still looking to have some fun too, but if you want a serious relationship and you want a successful man like yourself, you’ve come to the right place.
EliteSingles does take a bit more of an investment than Grindr. The signup requires users take a lengthy personality test, but the effort is worth it as it can really help them match you up with potential dates.
Here are some popular features of EliteSingles:
- Plenty of fish in the sea: More than 13 million members on the site
- Expert matchmaking tools: The questionnaire takes a while, but it is the most comprehensive test of its sort, and it really helps the site send you the best possible matches.
- Standards are kept high: EliteSingles is limited to college educated professionals
- Private inbox messaging: This allows you to send winks and likes directly to other users’ inbox, and can give you pre-written icebreakers to give you an in.
- Safety: EliteSingles has devoted an entire page on the website to online dating safety, with helpful tips like be skeptical of people who post things that sound too good to be true, and the site also guarantees that it will never sell your personal information.
- 20 extra matches per day: Paid memberships include 20 extra matches sent to your inbox every day. You can scroll through them just like on Grindr and every day brings a new batch.
How much does it cost? EliteSingles is for a rarefied clientele, and the price is not cheap. A 3-month plan costs $89.95 per month, a 6-month plan runs $54.95 per month, and a 12-month plan costs $49.95 per month.
4. eharmony
Sometimes we need just a little help to get us going in the right direction. Eharmony is a dating site devoted to helping people - straight, gay, you name it - find real love and a serious relationship.
The site isn’t for scrolling through ice candy and pics of….abs, its about cracking the code of your compatibility, to help you find the perfect man to meet, go out with, and hopefully settle down with.
This company has a different approach to dating than Grindr, and has put in the time and research to the science of dating. eharmony is just waiting for you to let them help navigate.
Here are some popular features of eharmony:
- Compatibility test: its not just about having the same interests, a couple needs to be compatible beyond that. Eharmony has a world-famous compatibility test that users take in order to help the site pair you with great matches. Unlike Grindr and other similar sites, you don’t scroll through countless possible dates. Instead, the site sends you matches that it has carefully selected based on the test you took, and you decide what to do from there.
- Secure call: You want to take this conversation offline? There is a secure phone line option that lets you talk safely and discreetly with other users, without having to give them your details.
- No spam: The system only allows you to receive messages from compatible matches, so you don’t have an inbox filled with unwanted messages from who knows how many users.
- Security: eharmony reviews every applicant's background in order to verify they are who they say they are.
There are various plans on eharmony, priced by duration. A 3-month plan costs $59.95 per month, a 6-month plan is $45.95, and a 12-month plan is only $25.95 per month.
5. Gaystryst
Static dating profiles are only one part of the experience at Gaystryst. Yes, you can scroll through user profiles and photos, but Gaystryst takes it a step further with live chat rooms that let you go straight to talking to other men without having to play the message-and-wait game.
That’s not to say it lacks the more traditional elements of a dating site. A straightforward, easy to use platform, Gaytryst offers all the basics you’d expect from a modern dating website. You can customize your search preferences, adjust location and background parameters, or simply scroll through profiles and message interested parties.
As far as your own profile, Gaystryst keeps it simple: there’s room for photos and some brief descriptions, which some may find sparse compared to the questionnaires and essay prompts included on some of the larger dating platforms. But for those who want to get straight to the point, Gaystryst offers a nice model for straightforward connections.
In addition, the site has an intuitive, easy to use interface that makes it one of the simplest, most enjoyable dating sites to use. Here are some popular features of Gaystryst:
- Real-time chat rooms: Pop in at any time and join the often lively discussions with other gay men looking to connect. The site also utilizes instant messenger and winks to facilitate connections between users.
- Promote My Account: This unique feature allows site staff to send messages and add to your favorites list on your behalf. While some users prefer to hold the wheel themselves, this handy feature can help those who are intent on finding the right match faster.
- Premium Membership: Expand your horizons and get the most out of Gaystryst by becoming a premium member. You'll gain a number of great perks including unlimited search (non-members can only see one page of results), the ability to view full profile photos, send visual content to other users, and more.
- Safe Dating: In their comprehensive Safe Dating statement, the site explains best practices for staying safe while having a great time and also meeting new people.If you see any indecent or inappropriate behavior, you can report it to the customer service team. GaysTryst.com takes scams, creeps, and stalkers seriously.
Similarly to other gay dating sites, Gaystryst offers several plans for users priced by duration. Of course, they offer a free membership with certain limitations on capabilities. Apart from the free membership, you can try Gaystryst for three days for just $2.97 to see if the platform is right for you. Then you have a 1-month plan that costs $24.99 per month, a 3-month plan that runs for roughly $13.99 per month, and a 6-month plan for $10.99 per month.
Bottom Line
Unless you were on a desert island for the last decade or so, then you know about Grindr and you have probably used it to meet somebody at some point. The appeal of Grindr is obvious and the company has earned its status as one of the world’s top dating apps. Having said that, many online dating websites have options similar to Grindr, but unlike Grindr, these sites also have comprehensive services to help users who are looking to get to the good times and beyond. So take some time and check out these great sites and apps for gay dating.
