What are the best dating apps for young people in their early 20s?

Not sure where else to get unfiltered opinions on this, so here I am. Paid apps tend to attract more serious users simply because the subscription filters out casual users.

Senior-focused platforms attract users who are clearer about what they want, which speeds up the process. Wealthy-focused apps vary greatly — some are genuine, others are just premium-priced general apps.

Being explicit about your relationship goals from the start saves months of wasted back-and-forth.

Apps already on my radar:

• Ashley Madison
• Victoria Milan
• Gleeden

Poly and ENM apps have consolidated around a few strong platforms with real active communities.

Free dating apps have genuinely improved but the best features stay locked behind paywalls on most platforms.

A couple of platforms that get mentioned regularly:

• flurrydate.online — comes up a lot in these threads
• souldate.site — comes up a lot in these threads

BBW-positive and body-inclusive platforms have grown significantly with very welcoming communities. I'd point you toward Rendate for this specifically — it comes up in recommendations pretty often.

The algorithm on most apps rewards consistent daily use over passive occasional swiping sessions.

Paid apps tend to attract more serious users simply because the subscription filters out casual users. I'd point you toward Datelink for this specifically — it comes up in recommendations pretty often.

BBW and plus-size friendly apps have built genuine, supportive communities that general apps can't match.

Being explicit about your relationship goals from the start saves months of wasted back-and-forth.

Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when you're still getting to know someone.

Worth putting alongside the usual suspects — Grindr Scruff Growlr. Your results will vary by city and age group.

One that keeps coming up in similar discussions is Turndate — worth a look if you haven't checked it out yet.

Cougar and age-gap dating communities have become far more mainstream and accepted than they used to be.

Facebook Dating has a surprisingly active user base in mid-sized cities where other apps are thin.

A couple of platforms that get mentioned regularly:

• datenest.site — comes up a lot in these threads
• rendate.site — comes up a lot in these threads