The 9 best dating apps for men that really work in 2026

Read our full Grindr review.

Read our full Grindr XTRA review.

Grindr is THE app for gay, bi, trans and queer men. Hookups, dates, friends, something serious – whatever you’re looking for, Grindr connects you with other men in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s great for exploring the local scene, especially when traveling. Bottom line: If you’re into guys, Grindr is where you’re at. It’s a place to be yourself and find what you’re looking for (whatever that might be).

An important note: While Grindr used to be one of our favorite free dating apps, the free version is becoming increasingly boring to use as Grindr pushes users toward paid plans.

You know what you get with Grindr: serious attention, pushy messages, and lots of dick pics. But finding and meeting men on Tinder or OkCupid isn’t always easy, especially if you’re in a small town with a meager queer community. Whether it’s your first time with a man and you want someone experienced, or you’re an experienced man, it’s nice to have Grindr in your back pocket.

And it’s not just for connections. Many couples meet on Grindr. One survey even found that more than half of Grindr users believe they can find love on the app. Grindr for Equality also advocates for LGBTQ+ sexual health and safety. The company has also worked to make the app safer, using AI and a dedicated moderation team to crack down on underage users.

The application also relies heavily on new technologies. As part of its “AI-first” evolution, Grindr recently launched “EDGE,” an ultra-premium subscription powered by its proprietary AI, gAI (pronounced “gay-eye”). For a staggering price of up to $499.99 per month, depending on the pilot city’s specific test price, “EDGE” is designed to deliver a higher signal experience with less scrolling. It includes features like “A-List” (an AI-driven summary of meaningful chats and missed connections), personalized profile recommendations, and detailed “profile information” like response rates and active hours. For instant dating, the “Right Now” feature has been upgraded with a Sniffies-style “Map View,” a live map of nearby guys who are ready to hook up, although it’s only available in select cities at the moment.

Of course, new features sometimes mean new bugs and new paywalls. Bisexual men have also reported mixed experiences on the app, including biphobia. This thread of Reddit users have experienced it in one way or another, describing the disappointment they feel at not being supported by their LGBTQ+ community and receiving messages like “vaginas are disgusting” at the first mention of being bisexual. This is part of a larger challenge the platform faces when it comes to content moderation. The app has faced inconsistent policies, as evidenced by the brief ban (and subsequent reversal) of the phrase “non-Zionist” in user profiles in late July 2025.