What is the Best Gay Dating App? Top 10 Free Gay Apps

There are a lot of great dating apps out there for gay men, but which one is the best? Here is a list of the top 10 free gay dating apps, perfect for hookups, casual dating, or finding a long-term partner. In the end though, the best gay dating app really comes down to what you are looking for.

Best Gay Dating Apps for Hookups and Casual Dating

When it comes to the best gay apps, many are geared towards meeting new people, hookups, and more casual dating. Yes, it is still possible to find something more serious, but the following apps are designed specifically for queer and gay men looking to meet new people. We will let you decide what the best gay dating app is, but in general, the biggest and most widely used gay app is no secret.

Most Popular Gay Apps

Grindr

This app is aimed at gay and bisexual men and is one of the most popular dating apps out there. With over 13 million monthly users, it’s great for finding hookups or casual dates. Grindr has the most diverse crowd catering to all ages and scenes.

Grindr is free to use, but also comes with a paid option known as “Grindr Xtra” that unlocks more features such as advanced filter options, read-receipts, global browsing, and an ad-free interface. There is an even more premium option “Grindr Unlimited” which offers chat translations, message un-send, and incognito.

Thanks to its diverse user base and popularity, it is by far the best gay dating app overall for most people.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($5-$25/month)
Monthly Users: 13 Million
Scene: All types of guys
Good for: Hook-Ups, Casual Dates

Scruff

Scruff is also geared towards gay and bisexual men and has over 12 million users worldwide. It is the best gay dating app for those looking for something a little more serious than a hookup. Grindr is more popular with a wide range of users, whereas Scruff is geared toward mature males searching for a relationship.

Scruff is free to use, but also offers a paid membership, Scruff Pro that unlocks features such as message read receipts and advanced search filters.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($19.99/month)
Monthly Users: 12 Million
Scene: Hairy, Mature Guys, Bears, and Daddies
Good for: Hook-Ups, Dating, More Mature Interactions

Gay Apps with Extra Features

Hornet

Hornet is a gay dating app that has over 18 million users worldwide. It’s a great option for those who are looking for something a little more serious than a hookup. The app is easy to use and has a lot of great features such as private photos, group chats, and a user-friendly interface. It is the best gay dating app for people looking for deeper social media features such as timelines, events, and news.

Hornet is free to use, but also has a paid subscription called “Hornet Premium” which unlocks features such as advanced filters, no ads, and incognito browsing.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($9.99/month)
Monthly Users: 18 Million
Scene: All types of guys
Good for: Hook-Ups, Casual Dates, Long-term Relationships

Adam4Adam

Adam4Adam is a gay dating app that has been around since 2003 and has over 10 million users worldwide. It’s a great option for those who are looking for something a little more serious than a hookup. The app is easy to use and has a lot of great features such as private photos, group chats, and a user-friendly interface. Adam4Adam is designed for more mature users and is very 18+. The app also features an online store, as well as live-cams and other features.

Adam4Adam is free to use, but also has a paid subscription called “A4A Network” which unlocks features such as no ads, and incognito browsing.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($5-$15/month)
Monthly Users: 10 Million
Scene: All types of guys
Good for: Hook-Ups, Casual Dates, Long-term Relationships

Growlr

This app is geared towards bears (a subculture within the gay community) and their admirers. With over 10 million users, it’s great for finding both hookups and dates. It’s also one of the most popular gay dating apps in Asia.

Growlr is free to use, but also has a paid subscription called “Growlr PRO” which unlocks features such as no ads, advanced filters, and incognito browsing.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($5-$15/month)
Monthly Users: 10 Million
Scene: Bears and Admirers
Good for: Hook-Ups, Dates, Long-term Relationships

Jack’d

Jack’d is another popular gay dating app with over 5 million users worldwide. Jack’d is one of the most popular gay dating apps (especially in Asia) and is geared toward a more youthful crowd. It’s perfect for those who are just dipping their toes into the gay dating scene or for those who want something a little more casual. It’s great for hookups or casual dates.

Jack’d is free to use, but also has a paid subscription called “Jack’d Pro” which unlocks features such as extra photos and videos, advanced search filters, and the ability to view who has viewed your profile.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($9.99/month)
Monthly Users: 5 Million
Scene: Young, Twinks, Jocks
Good for: Hook-Ups, Casual Dates

Best Gay Dating Apps for Finding a Boyfriend

Gay dating isn’t all just hook-ups and casual sex. There are also some great options for people looking for a boyfriend, or something more serious. Although many of these dating apps are not exclusively gay, it is easy to match with quality guys looking for a bit more. These are the best gay dating apps for finding a relationship.

OkCupid

This app is perfect for those who are looking for something a little more serious and values personality over superficial looks or appearance. It has a long questionnaire of up to 1000 compatibility points that helps to match you with people who have similar interests and values. Each person is given a unique match percentage based on their common values and personality type.

Their algorithm is helpful for understanding other users on a deeper level. OkCupid is free to use, but also has a paid subscription called “A-List” which unlocks features such as no ads, and advanced search filters.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases ($4.99-$24.99/month)
Monthly Users: 1 Million
Scene: All types of guys
Good for: Serious Relationships, Long-term Relationships

Dating Apps with the Most Users

Tinder

While Tinder is not a specifically gay dating app, it is one of the most popular dating apps out there. It’s perfect for those who are looking for something a little more casual to start off or for those who want to dip their toes into the online dating scene. It’s easy to use and has a lot of great features, such as the ability to swipe left or right on potential matches, and the ability to view who has viewed your profile.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases (From $9.99/month)
Monthly Users: 50 Million
Scene: All types of guys
Good for: Hook-Ups, Casual Dates, Long-term Relationships

Badoo

Badoo is a great option for those who are looking for something a little more serious. It has a large user base and is perfect for those who are new to online dating. The app is free to use, but also has a paid subscription called “Super Powers” which unlocks features such as no ads, and the ability to see who has liked you.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases (From $9.99/month)
Monthly Users: 100 Million
Scene: All types of guys
Good for: Hook-Ups, Casual Dates, Long-term Relationships

Dating Apps with Special Features

Hinge

Hinge is another great option for those who are looking for something a little more serious. It uses your Facebook profile to create matches, which makes it more accurate than other dating apps. The app is free to use, but also has a paid subscription called “Hinge Preferred” which unlocks features such as no ads, and advanced filters.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases (From $7.99/month)
Monthly Users: 6 Million
Scene: All types of guys
Good for: Serious Relationships, Long-term Relationships

Happn

Happn is a newer app geared towards a younger audience and is great for those who are looking for something a little more serious. It uses your location to create matches, which makes it great for finding dates while you’re on the go. The app is free to use, but also has a paid subscription called “Happn Premium” which unlocks features such as no ads and the ability to see who has liked you.

Cost: Free with in-app purchases (From $9.99/month)
Monthly Users: 10 Million
Scene: All types of guys
Good for: Serious Relationships, Long-term Relationships

No matter what kind of relationship you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a dating app that will suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a hookup, a casual date, or a long-term relationship, there’s an app out there for you. So get swiping and find the man of your dreams!