Online dating has become all-the-rage over the past couple of decades, transforming the way that single people find a suitable partner.
From a technological perspective many of the best dating apps are pretty sophisticated – a factor that has helped them become a worldwide phenomenon.
In an age where people have increasing demands placed on their time, dating apps can take some of the stress out of trying to discover your perfect match.
As with any type of technology not all dating apps are created equally, so read on as we look at some of the best in the business.
Tinder
According to a recent Betway study into the world of online dating, Tinder is the unrivalled number one when it comes user satisfaction.
Their research showed that Tinder was the highest-rated dating app in the iOS app store in 86 percent of the 165 countries researched.
With two billion views per day, the app’s ‘swipe right’ feature to contact potential partners is a term that has become firmly embedded into popular culture.
According to Tinder’s website, the app is responsible for setting up around 1.5 million dates per week, while over 60 billion matches have been made since the app was launched.
Badoo
Badoo claims to be the most popular dating app in the world, although Betway’s study suggests that it is has been blown out of the water by Tinder.
Launched in 2009 by Russian entrepreneur Andrey Andreev, the app employs geolocation tools and facial recognition software to find suitable matches for users.
The latter feature allows users to upload an image of a person they like and find other Badoo users who look similar.
Badoo bears some similarities to social networking sites, with the ability to share photos and videos setting it apart from many of its dating app rivals.
Hinge
Aimed firmly at the Instagram generation, Hinge arguably offers a far greater level of accountability than many other dating apps.
When you download Hinge, you are given the option to join with your mobile number, although an increasing number of people choose the option to use Facebook when they sign-up.
It uses a sophisticated algorithm to help facilitate connections, with a new ‘most compatible’ feature taking the guesswork out of finding a suitable partner.
While Hinge is free to download, their paid-for preferred membership plan guarantees to generate at least twice as many dates and comes with more in-depth personal preference options.
Happn
Have you spotted someone in your local coffee shop who takes your fancy, but don’t have the courage to chat them up in person?
If the answer to that question is ‘yes’, Happn is the app for you as it uses geolocation technology to match singles based on their proximity to other users.
Where Happn really excels is the quality of their moderation, meaning that you are very unlikely to encounter someone with a fake profile.
Although Happn is more geared to singles who live in or near big towns and cities, it is unquestionably one of the best dating apps around.