Don’t worry if your summer fling fizzled out. As Mashable’s deputy culture editor, Olivia Tauber, wrote, fall is the best time to date.
Between cozy sweaters and dates at the apple orchard, autumn is a great time to find your special someone. And while several single women and men recently told Mashable that dating in 2026 isn’t necessarily fun, that doesn’t mean there’s no hope.
While singles are increasingly frustrated with dating apps, one coach we spoke to said the apps aren’t keeping people single; it’s how they’re using them. If you’re swiping into the void and avoiding talking to people, yes, it may be hard to find a date! But it is absolutely possible to find your person online. In fact, Mashable recently interviewed several married couples who met on dating apps.
According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. If you’re a younger adult and/or LGBTQ, you’re more likely to have met your significant other online: one in five adults under 30 and nearly one in four for LGBTQ adults.
The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So, if that’s you, you’re certainly not alone, despite what you might see people lament on TikTok.
But with so many apps, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be challenging to determine which ones to invest in. And the discourse on dating app culture can be unrelenting. In 2025, singles told Mashable they’d rather meet a potential partner in person, but they’re begrudgingly on the apps. Some, like Tinder, have seen their revenue decrease in recent years, while Hinge is growing. Even then, though, daters bemoan even the most popular of apps. A Kinsey scientist recently told Mashable where daters are going wrong: use dating apps as a tool, not to let them run the show — and stop self-optimizing, already.
Despite the frustration over The Apps™, it’s undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your home, they’re the way to do it. If you’re, say, introverted or have difficulty approaching someone in person, an app can still be useful.
What is the #1 best dating app?
Considering the variation in experiences on all the dating apps, it’s difficult to quantify which ones are the “best.” Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups.
That being said, if you’re looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you’re looking for in your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one’s ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel also have a reputation for more “serious” connections.
Depending on the type of relationship you’re seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you’re in a space meant just for you.
Which dating site is best for serious relationships?
Mashable has researched to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are available for both Android and Apple users, so the type of phone you have won’t determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We’ve also included some “niche” options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.
Here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:
Source: https://mashable.com/roundup/best-dating-apps-for-serious-relationships
