Best Casual Dating Apps (2026)

Our Top 6 Ranked

How We Chose

We ranked these apps on how well they suit casual dating first, then by our overall review score. By casual dating we mean meeting people without committing to a long-term relationship from the start. We looked for apps where that intention is common and easy to state, and where the free version lets you try things before you pay.

Every score comes from our full reviews, which rate each app on six measures: safety, ease of use, features, value for money, user base and match quality. Safety carried extra weight for this list. That is why Bumble makes the cut despite its more serious user base, and why we point out fake profiles wherever our reviews found them.

Detailed Picks

1. Tinder: Best for the biggest pool of matches

Tinder has over 75 million users in more than 190 countries, and the swipe interface has no learning curve. In our review it suits every intention, from casual dates to serious relationships, and its Explore filters help you signal what you are looking for. The free tier now has daily like limits and frequent ads, and the 75/25 male-to-female ratio makes it competitive for men.

Pick it if: you want the most potential matches, you are in your 20s or early 30s, or you travel often and want to use Passport.

Skip it if: you are tired of bots and low-effort profiles, which our review found more common than on Hinge or Bumble.

2. Plenty of Fish: Best for free messaging

Plenty of Fish has over 150 million registered members, and its headline feature is free messaging, which is rare among major apps. The free plan also includes MeetMe, search, the Chemistry Test, live streaming and voice messaging. The trade-off is quality: profiles vary enormously, ads are frequent, and fake profiles and scammers are a persistent problem.

Pick it if: your budget is zero, you live in a smaller city or town, or you prefer a less curated, more open place to meet people.

Skip it if: safety is your main concern. Verification is optional, and anyone can create an account with minimal identity checks.

3. Feeld: Best for open-minded singles and couples

Feeld is built for people exploring ethical non-monogamy, polyamory and other non-traditional relationship structures. It supports solo and linked couple profiles, offers extensive gender and sexuality options, and its community values consent, communication and authenticity. The free tier works for basic matching and messaging, and Majestic membership adds visibility and filtering.

Pick it if: you live in London, Berlin, New York, LA or San Francisco, where its user base is concentrated, and you want a community that is open about what it is for.

Skip it if: you want a conventional dating app. In our review we describe Feeld as not for everyone.

4. Badoo: Best for dating outside English-speaking countries

Badoo has over 400 million registered users and is strongest in Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia, where it often has more users than Tinder. It mixes swiping with video chat, live streaming and a people nearby feature, and the free tier is generous, including messaging. Our review found profile quality highly variable and fake accounts prevalent, and its safety score of 6/10 is the lowest on this list.

Pick it if: you live in or travel to Europe or Latin America and want a large free pool.

Skip it if: you are in the US or UK, where our review finds mainstream alternatives generally better.

5. Happn: Best for city dwellers

Happn shows you people you have physically crossed paths with during your day, rather than everyone within a set distance. It has over 100 million users and is particularly popular in European cities. The free tier is functional, and Premium adds visibility and unlimited likes.

Pick it if: you live or work in a busy urban area and like the idea of matching with people you have passed in real life.

Skip it if: you live in a suburban or rural area, where the crossed-paths approach can produce very few results.

6. Bumble: Best for safety-first dating

Bumble has the highest safety score on this list at 9.2/10. Photo verification, AI scam detection, automatic image blurring and in-app video calling are all part of the app, and women send the first message. Its user base leans towards serious dating, so it ranks lower here for fit, and matches expire after 24 hours.

Pick it if: you are a woman who wants control over who can message you, or safety tools matter more to you than volume.

Skip it if: you dislike the 24-hour deadline or do not want to pay premium prices, which reach ~£39.99/month for Premium+.

How to Date Casually and Safely

Casual dating works best when everyone is honest about what they want. These habits help, whichever app you choose.

1. Be clear about your intentions. Say in your profile what you are looking for. Tinder's Explore filters help you signal this, and Feeld's community is built around open communication and consent.
2. Use verification. Tinder and Bumble offer photo verification, and Plenty of Fish offers optional profile verification. Verify yourself and favour matches who have done the same.
3. Video chat before you meet. Bumble has in-app video calling and Badoo includes video chat. A short call confirms that someone looks like their photos.
4. Meet somewhere public first. Tell a friend where you are going.
5. Never send money. Our reviews flag fake profiles and scammers on Plenty of Fish and Badoo in particular, and bots on Tinder. Block and report anyone who asks.
6. Start free. The free plans on Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Feeld, Badoo, Happn and Bumble are enough to see whether an app suits you. Upgrade only if you keep running out of likes.

For more advice, see our Online Dating Safety Guide.