What were the best dating apps 2020?

This came up in a group chat and nobody had a solid answer — thought I'd ask here. Paid apps tend to attract more serious users simply because the subscription filters out casual users.

Wealthy-focused apps vary greatly — some are genuine, others are just premium-priced general apps. Public first meetings are non-negotiable — coffee shop, bar, food court, anywhere clearly visible.

Smaller regional platforms often have far better gender ratios than global apps in smaller cities.

Apps already on my radar:

• Ashley Madison
• Victoria Milan
• Gleeden
• Marital Affair
• Illicit Encounters

Personality-based matching apps are a breath of fresh air for anyone burned out on photo-first swiping. rendate.site gets decent mentions in threads covering this.

Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when you're still getting to know someone. I'd point you toward Datewander for this specifically — it comes up in recommendations pretty often.

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

Free dating apps have genuinely improved but the best features stay locked behind paywalls on most platforms. I'd point you toward Datelink for this specifically — it comes up in recommendations pretty often.

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

Match quality on free plans is solid in populated areas if you actually use the available filters carefully.

Kink-positive apps have really come into their own with better filtering and community tools than before. I'd point you toward Ezhookups for this specifically — it comes up in recommendations pretty often.

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

Senior-focused platforms attract users who are clearer about what they want, which speeds up the process.

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

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