Love Connection

13 Best Dating Apps: OK Cupid to Grindr to Sonar

Where to find love online? Nina Strochlic looks at sites to help you boost your love life in the new year.

Does your love life need a kickstart? No better excuse than the new year to get things rolling again. Here are the top apps that will let you squeeze in a coffee date, plan a spontaneous adventure, or find a friend while exploring abroad. Add these to your smartphone and your dating life could resemble a romantic comedy in no time.

OkCupidThis classic dating service provides a slew of questions to mathematically match you up with a compatible date. Its “broadcast” service, which sends out a note to those in your vicinity, is an especially useful way to spend a few spare moments.Good for: Finding a quick date.Price: Free

How About WeThis creativity-inspiring app is perfect for getting to know a new city with a fellow adventurer. Fire up your wild side with fun outing suggestions and see who else is nearby and ready to join.Good for: Trying new things.Price: Free

Plenty of FishA location tracker shows you who’s nearby and lets you get in touch quickly with a “Meet Me” feature. The “Places” feature gives you some ideas for a date and will even send out event notifications for your area.Good for: Grabbing coffee between meetings.Price: Free

Blendr/GrindrThe gay men-finding app Grindr has gained an impressive following of 4 million users, and its co-ed partner, Blendr, is following suit. Both allow you search the social network of nearby singles looking to connect.Good for: Casual flings.Price: Free

TinderUsing Facebook to determine mutual friends, interests and location, Tinder will match you with compatible users. “Like” a profile and if they like you back, you two can see more information about each other, chat and make plans.Good for: The dater who values privacy.Price: Free

ZooskYou’re bound to find that perfect match with Zoosk’s network of 50 million users. There’s also a couples section where you can make a dual profile.Good for: An ego boost—with so many users, your inbox will fill up quickly.Price: Free

SkoutAs the largest location-based dating app, Skout is a good way to connect with a potential friend, or more, wherever you may be in the world.Good for: Making friends abroad.Price: Free

TaggedNamed one of “America’s Most Promising Companies” by Forbes in 2011, Tagged has been building up a vast user network. The site and accompanying app is a blend of friendship and dating opportunities, allowing people to meet through the social-gaming component.Good for: Gamers looking for love.Price: Free

Are You Interested?This dating app flips through pictures of nearby users asking, “Are you interested?” If you both answer yes, you two will be matched up and can arrange from there. Other features let you message others in your proximity and browse date ideas.Good for: Those with a fear of rejection.Price: Free

TingleA more anonymous version of apps like Grindr, Tingle lets you talk on the phone and text potential romantic partners without giving away your phone number or exact location.Good for: The privacy-oriented dater.Price: Free

JazzedThe photography lover’s app, this service has a main feed of user-submitted photographs that can be sorted by interest or location and will match you up with another shutterbug based on these factors.Good for: The aesthetically inclined crowd.Price: Free

eHarmonyHook up your existing account to this mobile app, or make a new one and plot out your ideal significant other with this classic matchmaking experience.Good for: Finding true love.Price: Free, but must already have (or purchase) membership.

SonarBy connecting to your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Foursquare accounts, this app shows you the locations of friends and other “interesting people” you might have mutual connections with.Good for: Meeting up with people within your circle at conferences, concerts, etc.Price: Free

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Nina Strochlic

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