LGBTQ dating apps are getting bigger by the numbers. The good news for the LGBTQ community is that creators around the world are being considerate towards the community and have been developing some amazing platforms for them to connect, meet and fall in love!
Most apps which were generic have now specialised windows for LGBTQ dating. Here we shall talk about the 10 best LGBTQ dating Apps in India and outside. To create the list, our team at AYA- a home-grown exclusive matchmaking App in India, did a lot of research on the net on various dating Apps. We also correlated the features they use with what the psychiatrists prioritise as needs for LGBTQs—Loneliness is one aspect that most of these men have to deal with due to lack of space to meet the right partner. These ten best LGBTQ dating apps popular in India help you to combat loneliness and feel like one among many going through similar needs and concerns.
Right now, with the world going through several restrictions due to the pandemic and constraints everywhere as far as outings are concerned, more and more people are seeking respite with friends and family online. And in the same way, relationships for millions of people including the LGBTQ community, dating apps are the only and the best means to meet new people on a romantic, social or sexual level right now. The popularity of these apps has been in demand mainly due to social taboos and under the prevailing situation, the demand has increased to new heights.
A Pew Research Centre Study has revealed the fact that around half of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the USA took to dating apps. The main reasons are because most such apps because it becomes easier to choose and make friends or seek partners there especially when everyone is confined at home.
LGBTQ dating apps and sites have recently started to give users ample data on a potential partner’s sexual identity. This aspect saves a person from the embarrassment that may occur if they tend to express interest in someone who may not share the same preference as we do. We do have LGBTQ bars, of course, but if you’ve ever been to one, you will know that they’re crowded with an indiscernible mix of LGBTQs, straights and very few people actually looking to date. This is much expected in a social scenario but the concern of looking for something long-term can remain unsolved in these arenas.
10 Best LGBTQ dating apps in India that we’d recommend you consider
Here is the list of amazing apps made only for LGBTQ families!
1. OKCUPID
This Dating App was founded in 2003 and, over the last seventeen years, the dating app has grown to an enthusiastic 1.8 million members. All apps are free for users to use, but it has been stated by reviewers of these apps that the free subscription of OkCupid is one of the best among the top dating platforms.
One can quickly see who is a good match for themselves on this dating app, thanks to the complex array of match questions, which makes this app more likely to foster serious, lasting connections. Free to download, the app offers two monthly subscriptions as well: A-List Basic for six months and A-List Premium, which is again for six months. The premium memberships allow the users to boost their profiles for more matches, remove ads, and more.
OkCupid doesn’t focus much on the security aspect and does not take any steps to verify the identity of the user to ensure the authenticity of the profile. Even if the profile has a Facebook profile linked to it, Facebook isn’t strict about verifying a profile too. At As You Are, we understand the need for safety, the profiles are manually verified for authenticity.
2. TINDER
Tinder is not just for straight cishet, it lets you swipe right on people across the LGBTQ spectrum. Tinder, along with Grindr, has added several new features to make it welcoming to trans and queer users. With 1.6 billion swipes every day, you’re sure to find someone to spend an evening, or a lifetime, with on Tinder. While the app is free to download, Tinder Gold lets you see who’s swiped right on your profile and the price varies depending on your age, location, and the length of the subscription you choose.
With the primary focus on the user’s appearance, the app also emphasises the hookup aspect of dating. This characteristic would obviously be a huge drawback for people who are looking to connect and make friends with other people in the LGBTQ community. At As You Are, we focus more on letting you get to know the person while also keeping in mind the need for safety and confidentiality.
3. LGBTQutie
If you’re looking for something a little more substantial than a hookup, LGBTQutie is a great option. A relative newcomer to the dating app scene, LGBTQutie was created to foster meaningful relationships. From dates to friendships, this app can help you connect to an inclusive community with similar interests. People can sign up for free, although you have to pay $10 per month for a premium membership, which gives you features such as video chat, the ability to see who has viewed your profile, advanced search options, and the ability to initiate instant messaging.
It is one of the first LGBTQ dating app of its kind that caters to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, asexual, queer, non-binary and intersex individuals. This gay app is curated for members who are looking for something a little more substantial than a hookup.
This is one safe LGBTQ dating app as it asks its new users to fill out their ‘LGBTQuestionnaire’ to express their feelings about a variety of topics, which users can compare with each other and connect to people with similar preferences and perspectives.
4. GRINDR
If you’re tired of dating apps that don’t include the trans and queer communities, Grindr is a perfect solution. Known as the largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, one won’t ever be short of choices when looking for a date.
The gay app is based on geotargeting and uses the phone’s location to find other members nearby. It’s fun for chatting, trading photos, and meeting up with people. To make the chatting more fun, the developers have provided users with interesting emojis. The gay app is free to use, although it also offers Grindr Xtra, which starts at $12 per month and is a premium subscription service providing an ad-free experience with additional features.
Predominately used by gay men in India, similar to Tinder, this LGBTQ dating app is also known for a lot of focus on appearance, and it would be a struggle for someone looking for someone using the app to find a long-term partner or a meaningful conversation. Geolocation-based results are nice, but not when you won’t have control over them. If you are in the closet, it might not be so nice.
With less focus on appearance and more on safety of the users, as you are gives you the freedom and control around updating your location. The gay app, although caters to gay, bi, trans and queer people, the primary users base has been cis gay men. This makes it harder for trans and cis women to find the conversations they are longing for!
Similar to Tinder, Grindr also focus on the user’s appearance and there is a substantial emphasises the hookup aspect of dating. So, again a huge drawback for people who are looking to connect and make friends with other people in the queer community. At As You Are, we present profiles to get more focus on letting you get to know the person while also keeping in mind the need for safety and confidentiality.
5. THRUST
This is an LGBTQ dating app for Queer People of All Genders. This stand-out dating application brands itself as the principal dating application for strange individuals, everything being equal and sexualities. Thrust is also one of the main LGBTQ dating apps that takes into account cisgender, transgender, and non-white individuals in the LGBTQ community. The author of Thurst, Morgen Bromell, made it when they found that ethnic minorities in the LGBTQ community needed safe spaces in online dating.
Thus, then, they assembled Thrust in the desire to build a feeling of the network — however extraordinary the network. It eradicates one that difficulties the more heteronormative, fierce conditions that different applications have inside the dating scene.
The gay app is designed by people of colour, so they know exactly what a queer black or brown person experience when they interact with other members on other online dating apps. It can be easily said that Thurst is designed for queer people who have to face racism on other apps. It has been designed to focus and prioritize trans and non-binary folks, especially black and brown trans women.
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6. TAIMI
With a clean user interface and intuitive design, Taimi aims to become the most popular LGBTQ dating app for people of the LGBTQ community. Taimi started as a unique Gay Dating, but now it has broadened its base and is a dating app for queer people – it is open to the community of open-minded and easy-going LGBTQ people who live their lives in all the colours of the rainbow. At the same time, you can swipe, match, chat, call and meet the partner of your dreams! You can enrich your network with like-minded queer people and meet someone special.
If you want to improve your app experience, you can purchase an optional subscription package TAIMI XL. It comes with features like video chatting and complete profile customization, Taimi is becoming very popular among LGBTQ people. The app can be accessed for free but there are some paid features which give you more visibility and help you meet more members. The gay app has been created by Silicon Valley engineers who wanted it to become a social networking site for people of the LGBTQ community so that they can make new connections.
7. HORNET
Described as a premier social network for LGBTQ people, Hornet is like a digital home for this community. It has more than 25 million members and provides a very easily accessible platform for LGBTQ members to connect with each other. You can search for other members around the world and follow them for getting all their updates. The gay app is known for its casual hook-ups but you can also find meaningful relationships through the platform or find friends if you are not looking for a romantic relationship.
It also offers a LGBTQ+ magazine which comes with the latest news about this community and the users can interact with each other using the in-app chat service. You can also upload multiple photographs on the app and search for other members using popular hashtags..
8. ONE SCENE
A free website for the LGBTQ community, One Scene is created by a homosexual owner who operates the website. It has both the desktop version and a mobile app and you can find friends or partners if you are looking for casual fun and relationships. Creating an account is very easy on the app and you can join through your Facebook profile too. The exhaustive profiles of every member help you to decode their lifestyle easily and instantly chat with them via the app messenger. You can also send icebreakers to other members to open the conversation. The search function of the app is a little basic but you can narrow your search by adding extra filters.
You can create a favourites list with members whom you like more than other profiles so that you can access these profiles directly through your dashboard. The gay app is completely free and does not have any in-app purchases you have to spend money on. The site takes a lot of measures for the safety of its members and does not access your personal information on Facebook also.
One of the most popular LGBTQ dating apps of all time, Match.com supports all genders and has many members from the LGBTQ community. With an extensive matching algorithm, this website sends you matches daily as per your preferences and has many active members. It takes some time to approve members but it is only for the safety of its members. It is suitable for all members who are looking for casual fun as well as meaningful relationships. The extensive search option allows you to narrow down your matches easily.
9. MATCH.COM
One unique feature of this app is the missed connections feature which helps you meet members who are situated near to you and you have to switch on your location services to use this feature. The app offers a free version which has a lot of features but some features can only be accessed if you have a premium membership which is a bit costly. You can take a monthly membership or save some money by taking a membership for three or more months.
10. MOOVZ
Moving on to the end of our list of Top 10 LGBT dating apps, not to forget an important app Moovz that provides plenty of features, where you can search, find and be found easily. Claims to be a Social Network for Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Trans One, users can share the news, thoughts and stories related to the LGBT community which is otherwise unavailable in any other app. So, you can know the interests of people from the community and connect with them easily.
It is not exclusively a place to look for dates, but Moovz offers space to interact with people in the LGBTQ community who share the same interests. With a similar interface to Facebook, there is no focus on security and not a lot of work around verifying profiles. At As You Are, we understand the need for safety, the profiles are manually verified to make sure the profiles are genuine. So, you can just focus on getting to know the person while not worrying about the genuineness of the profile!
Feel at Home with AYA– LGBTQ Dating App made in India for Indian LGBTQ Singles
Home is where the heart is; While Indian LGBTQ people have been visiting the Apps mentioned here, there is good news for all of you guys out there. Now you have a home-grown App—AYA (As You Are), launched in May 2020. It is an Indian App exclusively created to give safe space for the LGBTQ community. So, what’s stopping you? Do not lose your chance of finding friends and partners with similar backgrounds and from your very own country.
The tagline of this App, ‘Find your person, easily, safely, discreetly’, tells you clearly the modus-operandi of the App —the main idea is to maintain confidentiality. Another very interesting feature it offers is matchmaking. So once you share your details including the kind of person you are looking out for, AYA will even matchmake for you taking guidance from a team of psychologists.
Happy visiting AYA (As You Are).
The LGBTQ community has as much right to date and be in a relationship as anyone else, and it’s only fair that they get a safe space to do so. LGBTQ Dating Apps are indeed one of the best spaces to be in when looking for love and friendship from people of the same community.
Not to forget, equality is still an elusive concept in many walks of life and there is a constant need for mindsets and perspectives to change. The creators of these apps are doing their part in bringing this very change. For people who belong to the community and want to connect, the options are only going to grow.
