25 Best Dating Apps & Sites in Germany That Really Work – Free and Paid

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Are you single and looking for a date in Germany? Do you feel that German people are too cold and unapproachable? It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a casual encounter or the love of your life in Germany, you will find a dating app & site that best suits your need.

In this guide, we will talk about the best dating apps & sites for serious relationships, casual dating, singles over 50, or gays and lesbians in Germany. We also include the 10 best free dating sites & apps to use in Germany.

A summary of the 25 best dating apps & sites in Germany

If you don’t have much time, here are the highlights of the best dating apps and sites in Germany.

The 6 best dating apps & sites for serious relationships in Germany

Dating app & site

Personality test

Profiles are checked

Best for age

Features

ElitePartner

✔

✔

End of 20 to the beginning of 50

70% of members have an academic degree

Parship

✔

✔

25 – 59

Focus on educated and professional singles

LoveScout24

Χ

✔

25 – 34

• For both serious relationships and flirting

• Join live events for singles

 

Dating Cafe

Χ

✔

Above 30

Spend your vacation with other singles

Edarling

✔

✔

Over 35

Profile suggestions based on personality tests

LemonSwan

✔

✔

25 – 50

High safety measures with ID check and all profile pictures are hand-checked

The best dating app & site for casual dating in Germany

Dating app & site

Profiles are checked

Best for age

Features

C-Date

✔

25 – 54

• Good for casual dating, sexual adventure, affairs, and open relationship
• Free for women who are searching for men

The 2 best dating apps & sites for singles over 50 in Germany

Dating app & site

Personality test

Profiles are checked

Features

Zweisam

✔

✔

• Best for serious relationship
• Join group activities to connect to other link-minded people

Silber Singles

✔

✔

Best for serious relationship

The 6 best LGBTQ+ dating apps & sites in Germany

Dating app & site

Features

Parship (former GayParship)

• For gay and lesbian singles

• Focus on serious long-term relationships

• Focus on educated and professional singles above 30 years old

• Personality test

Gay.de

• For homosexual men

• Good for flirting, casual dating, sexual adventure, and affairs

• Join event near you

Grindr

• A large social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people.

• Sex is often the main topic

• Free to use with advertisement

• In English

Romeo

• A social network for gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender people

• Free to use

• Sex is often the main topic

• In English

Zoe

• One of the best-rated lesbian dating apps worldwide.

• Good for both casual or serious relationship

• Free to use

• English is available

Lesarion

• For lesbians and bisexual women

• Free to use with advertisement

• Good for both casual or serious relationship

• An active forum to connect with other link-minded women

The 10 best free dating apps & sites in Germany

Dating app & site

Features

Lablue

• Best for singles over 30 years old

• Focus on serious relationship

Bildkontakte

• Every profile needs to have a photo

• Users mainly between 35-49 years old

• Focus on casual relationship

Bumble

• Good for serious relationship

• Best for users between 20ish to 30ish years old

• Women make the contact first

Finya

• Good for flirting, friendship, or relationship

• Personality test is available

OkCupid

• Good for all kinds of relationship

• Best for users between 20 to 30ish years old

• Answer questions during registration to receive suitable match suggestions

Candidate

• Good for both serious or casual relationship

• Best for users between 18 to 35 years old

• Based on asking questions instead of physical appearance

Tinder

• Good for flirting or casual dating

• Most users are 18 to 34 years old and live in urban areas

• Select your match based on swiping

Lovoo

• Good for flirting or casual dating

• Most users are 18 to 34 years old

• Select your match based on swiping

Badoo

• Good for flirting or casual dating

• Most users are 18 to 35 years old

• You can see the time and approximate place when you last met another user in real life

Happn

• Good for casual relationship

• Best for users between 18 to 30 years old who live in big cities

• Location-based matching: you can see users nearby you at the moment

Keep on reading for more details about each of the best dating apps & sites in Germany.


Note that the data in the above tables and in the following sections are accurate as of the date when this article is written. These offers from the best dating sites and apps in Germany can change at any time in the future. Please check the dating sites and apps directly for the latest information.

Should you use a dating app & site in Germany?

Is using online dating apps & sites a thing in Germany?

Let’s have a look at some statistics. According to Statista,

  • 23% of the German people have been active on online dating platforms
  • Half of them have found a long-term or casual relationship via the platforms
  • Online dating apps & sites are the second most common places for couples to meet (second to meeting through friends)
  • About 9 million people used online dating services in Germany in 2021
  • It is forecasted that more people will use online dating apps & sites in the coming years

Who is using dating apps & sites in Germany?

  • Online dating apps & sites are most popular among teenagers and young people
  • 39% of German people between 30 to 49 years old and 16% over 65 years old have used online dating apps & sites before
  • For those who are active on online dating platforms, about half of them are men and half are women.

Should you use dating apps & sites in Germany?

As you can see, there is a big market for online dating apps & sites in Germany. If you have been looking for love in Germany for some time without success, you may want to try an online dating app & site.

Depending on your lifestyle, sometimes it can be really hard to know other single people in your area. But you will find millions of users on the dating apps & sites who are single and looking for the same thing just like you. Due to the big market and its popularity, you will have a better chance to find what you want with a dating app & site.

Why using a free dating app & site may not be the best when looking for a serious relationship?

I have several good female friends in their 30s. They are really good. Beautiful. Smart. Good educational background. High-income job.

The problem is that they cannot find a serious partner. They want to get married and have kids. They are stressed because their clock is ticking. All of them do one thing in common: they swipe through Tinder. And after years, they are still single.

What they told me was very similar. They had no feeling anymore when swiping. Everyone on the app was just a profile. Unserious men asking for sex or saying ridiculous things. Searching in the dating app has become a chore for them.

It doesn’t mean that you cannot find your life partner with a free dating app. You definitely can. It just takes time. And a lot of luck.

If you have been using a free dating app for some time now and feel frustrated, you may want to try using a paid app that is specialized in finding a serious relationship. Here is why.

People with all kinds of intentions are on the free dating apps

Most free dating apps & sites do not focus on one type of relationship. They want to attract more members. So, even though you will know a lot of single people there, their intention can be very different. It can be anything from casual dating, sex, or a life partner.

If you are looking for a serious relationship, you will have to search through many profiles. It will cost you a lot of time and energy.

Many fake profiles and scams

Free dating apps & sites tend to attract a lot of fake profiles and scammers. It is because it is easy to register and free. Many free dating apps & sites also do not put enough resources to screen out those fake profiles.

On the contrary, paid dating sites like Elitepartner hand-check all the profiles. You will have a better user experience as the number of fake profiles is at a minimum.

Besides, it takes much more effort to sign up at paid dating sites such as Parship. You have to fill in most of your profile and also the personality test which can take you up to an hour to complete. It means that it is less attractive for scammers or other unserious people to register. And you will likely find only serious people on the dating site just like you.

Paid dating apps & sites are more specialized

With a free dating app, anybody can register. But a paid dating site such as Elitepartner or Parship focuses on single people with a high academic background or a professional job. These dating sites also focus on serious relationships. So, you can be sure that the people you meet there are looking for the same thing just like you. 

You can also easily find people who have a similar lifestyle as you. It all means that the success rate of finding your life partner is much higher with these dating sites.

Personality test

Most free apps are swiping-based. They are mainly based on physical appearance and can be quite superficial. 

On the other hand, paid dating sites such as Elitepartner or Parship require their members to fill in a comprehensive personality test. Based on the test result, they will suggest you to other members who match with you. These tests are scientifically based. It means that you have a much better chance to find someone who will match you based on your requirement and personality. 


So, I am not telling you to stop using your free dating apps. I encourage you to try different ways to see what works best for you. If you have spent enough time and energy on a free dating app and still have no result, it is time to rethink your strategy and try something else.

The 6 best dating apps & sites for a serious relationship in Germany

Are you looking for a serious relationship? If so, the best is to use the below best dating apps & sites in Germany. They are specialized in helping single people to find long-term relationships.

1. ElitePartner

ElitePartner is one of the market leaders in Germany if you are looking for a serious relationship.

With ElitePartner, you can do a relationship personality test. The test will show your needs in a relationship and also your values and goals in life. You can also set criteria such as age, level of education, desire to have children, and height so that you only see profiles that are matching.

It is free to register and set up your profile at ElitePartner. You only have to pay if you want to exchange unlimited messages.

Some highlights

  • Focus on serious relationship
  • Every registration on the site is hand-checked to ensure only serious and high-quality profiles
  • 55% women and 45% men on the platform
  • 70% of members have an academic degree
  • The age of members is between the end of 20 to the beginning of 50, with 52% up to 39 years old
  • More than 3 million registered members, and about 7,000 new members per week
  • 42% of premium members found their partner via Elitepartner
  • 93% ElitePartner couples are happy with their relationship
  • Search for a partner near you
  • Video dates: get to know the other person virtually without exchanging your phone number
  • The platform is in German only
  • Mobile app available

ElitePartner is a great place to find a high-quality partner for a serious long-term relationship. It comes with a price though (see below). But I guess it is worth it if you can really find the love of your life there.

Duration

Monthly price

6 months

69.90 €

12 months

49.90 €

24 months

35.90 €

Elitepartner_best dating app and site in Germany for serious relationship

Sign up with ElitePartner for free now!

2. Parship

Parship was founded in 2000 and is based in Hamburg, Germany. It is one of the best dating sites in Germany if you are looking for a serious long-term relationship. Besides Germany, it is also available in many other European countries.

The registration process at Parship includes a comprehensive personality test with 80 questions, which will take you up to an hour to complete. To contact other members, you will have to complete at least 50% of your profile. All these time commitment screens out people who are not serious.

Based on the result of your personality test, Parship will suggest some suitable partners for you. You can compare your test result with other users and also see a compatibility score. 

You can register as a free user. But then you cannot see pictures of other profiles. You can receive some messages. But there is a limit on the number of messages you can send.

Some highlights

    • Focus on educated and professional singles
    • 91% of members searching for a serious long-term relationship
    • High safety measures with ID check 
    • Profiles are checked to avoid fake profile
    • The core target age group is between 25 to 59, while 53% of members are between 30-49 years old
    • 51% women and 49% men on the platform
    • 40% success rate
    • 9 out of 10 Parship-couple are happy with their relationship
    • About 1.8 million new registration yearly worldwide
    • Contact guarantee: if you don’t have at least 5 contacts after a 6-month membership, Parship will extend your membership for free
    • Search for a partner near you
    • Video dates via the Parship app: get to know the other person virtually without exchanging your phone number
    • Mobile app available

Parship is one of the best dating sites in Germany if you want a serious relationship. Its high quality is reflected in the price below. 

Duration

Monthly price

6 months

79.90 €

12 months

65.90 €

24 months

45.90 €

 

parship_best dating site and app in germany for serious relationship

Sign up with Parship for free now!

3. LoveScout24

LoveScout24 is a big dating site founded in 2000 with a headquarter in Munich. Besides Germany, it is also active in many other European countries. LoveScout24 focuses on both serious relationships and flirting.

When you register, you have to answer some questions about yourself and also the criteria of your ideal partner. Unlike Parship, LoveScout24 does not base on auto-suggestion. You have to search for other members actively.

Some highlights

    • Focus on both flirting and serious relationship
    • More than 6 million members
    • Most members are between 25 to 34 years old
    • More than 1.6 million people have successfully found someone on the platform
    • Profile and photo are checked to avoid spam 
    • A security measure that stopped people from registering if their IP addresses are not in the supported countries
    • You can choose to allow only users who match your criteria to contact you
    • Get to know other people by joining live events hosted by LoveScout24
    • Offer coaching and dating advice
    • Also suitable for gay members
    • Video dates via the mobile app
    • The site and app for Germany are only in German

You can start using the LoveScout24 dating site and app for free. But you will need a premium account if you want to have unlimited searches and messages. The price starts from 9.99 EUR per month.

lovescout24_best dating app and site in germany for serious and casual relationship

Sign up with LoveScout24 for free now!

4. Dating Cafe

Dating Café was founded in 1998 in Hamburg, Germany. It provides an environment where couples can meet online at a virtual “cafe”. Just like if you meet someone in a cafe spontaneously. 

About 95% of members at Dating Café are looking for a long-term relationship. You can register as a free member with limited functions. If you want to have unlimited communications and video dating with other members, you will have to pay for a subscription.

Some highlights:

    • Focus on long-term relationships
    • Over 2 million members
    • 49% women and 51% men on the platform
    • 51% of members find their partners at the end of the membership
    • Best for singles above 30 years old
    • Profiles are checked to avoid fake profile
    • Voluntary ID check
    • Video chat possible
    • Search for a partner near you
    • Vacations for singles are available
    • Mobile app available

You can see the price for different membership duration below:

Duration

Monthly price

1 month

39.90 €

3 months

21.90 €

6 months

17.90 €

12 months

13.90 €

 

Sign up with Dating Cafe for free now!

5. Edarling

Edarling was founded in 2008 in Berlin, Germany. It is an international company offering services in many different countries.

When you register, you will have to complete a very comprehensive personality test with more than 200 questions. It can take up to 40 minutes to complete the test. After registration, Edarling will recommend suitable profiles to you daily.

You can register as a free user to try it out. But you cannot do much without paying for a premium membership. For example, you will have to pay to see pictures and also communicate with other members.

Some highlights

    • Profiles are checked to avoid fake profile
    • 52% women and 48% men on the platform
    • Focus on serious long-term relationships
    • 2.6 million members in Germany and 14 million in Europe
    • Best for singles over 35 years old
    • Comprehensive personality test with more than 200 questions
    • Very limited usage with the free version
    • Hundreds of singles find their love via eDarling every week
    • Profile suggestions based on personality tests
    • Mobile app available

Edarling is one of the best dating sites in Germany if you want a serious relationship. You can see the price of the premium membership below.

Duration

Monthly price

3 months

49.90 €

6 months

37.90 €

12 months

24.90 €

 

Sign up with Edarling for free now!

6. LemonSwan

LemonSwan was founded in 2017 by the same founder of ElitePartner. It has its headquarter in Hamburg, Germany. It is one of the best dating sites in Germany if you are looking for a serious long-term relationship. 

LemonSwan works similarly to ElitePartner. But it has fewer users relatively. The premium membership has a much more affordable price though.

You can register for free. But you will have to pay for a premium membership if you want to see clear pictures and send unlimited messages. The best thing about LemonSwan is that it is free for single parents, students, and trainees.

Some highlights

    • Over 500,000 members
    • Focus on serious relationship
    • High safety measures with ID check 
    • All the profile pictures are hand-checked to ensure only serious intention and no scams. Only 75% of the membership application is accepted
    • 56% women and 44% men on the platform
    • Good for singles between 25 to 50 years old
    • Comprehensive personality test
    • A free premium membership for single parents, trainees, and students
    • 70% of the members describe themselves as attractive or very attractive
    • Over 40,000 people have found their partners via LemonSwan
    • Search for a partner near you
    • Contact guarantee: LemonSwan guarantees that you get a certain number of contact if you have a premium account. If not, they will extend your membership for free.
    • Mobile app available
    • Available only in German

LemonSwan offers affordable pricing. You can see the different plans below.

Duration

Monthly price

1 month

99.90 €

6 months

29.90 €

12 months

19.90 €

24 months

14.90 €

The best dating app & site for casual dating in Germany

If serious dating is not your thing, here is the best dating app & site if you are looking for casual dating in Germany.

C-Date

C-Date was founded in 2008 and is based in Luxemburg. The platform focuses on casual dating and sexual adventure. It is free to use if you are a woman looking for a man.

Some highlights

    • Good for casual dating, sexual adventure, affairs, and open relationship
    • Free for women who are searching for men
    • Registration takes only a few minutes
    • Members are mainly between 25- to 54 years old
    • 3.7 million members in Germany and 36 million worldwide
    • 52% women and 48% men on the platform
    • Profiles are checked to avoid fake profile
    • Over 25,000 new members daily
    • Over 10,000 flirts per day
    • 74% of premium members get at least 1 answer within 7 days
    • No personality test
    • Mobile app available

Women who are searching for men can use C-date for free. However, women who are searching for women or couple needs to pay. You can see the price for men below:

Duration

Monthly price

3 months

71.90 €

6 months

59.90 €

12 months

39.90 €

Sign up with C-Date for free now!

The 2 best dating apps & sites for singles over 50 in Germany

For singles over 50 years old, it is even more difficult to find a partner in their daily life. Try with the below best dating apps & sites to locate other like-minded singles easily.

1. Zweisam

Zweisam is an online dating app & site for singles over 50 years old. It was founded in 2017 by a German company. Zweisam focuses on serious relationships. It also hosts different activities offline for members to join and connect with each other.

Some highlights

    • Best for singles over 50 years old looking for a serious relationship
    • 250,000 members
    • 45% women and 55% men on the platform
    • Profiles are checked to avoid fake profile
    • A personality test is available
    • Join group activities to connect with other like-minded people
    • Chat with other members via video call
    • Mobile app available

You can register for free at Zweisam. But you will have to pay to have unlimited communication with other members. The price of the membership depends on the duration, starting from 24.99 EUR per month.

Sign up with Zweisam for free now!

2. Silber Singles

Silber Singles is an online dating app & site for singles over 50 years old. It was run by a German company in Berlin and is available in many different countries. 

When you register, you will fill in a scientific personality test. Silber Singles will give you partner suggestions based on your test result.

Some highlights

    • Best for singles over 50 years old looking for a serious relationship
    • 200,000 members
    • 60% women and 40% men on the platform
    • A personality test helps you to match with other suitable partners
    • Mobile app available

You can register for free at Silber Singles. But you will have to pay to have unlimited communication with other members. The price of the membership depends on the duration, starting from 24.90 EUR per month.

Sign up with Silber Singles for free now!

The 6 best LGBTQ+ dating apps & sites in Germany

Note that most dating apps & sites let you choose the gender when searching for a partner. So, it is possible to find other LGBTQ+ singles there. But if you want to use a dating app & site that is exclusively for the LGBTQ+ community, below are the best choices for lesbian and gay singles in Germany.

1. Parship (GayParship)

GayParship was founded in 2000. It used to be a separate platform and part of the online dating site Parship. In 2023, it has integrated with Parship and it is not a separate site any more. It is the leading online matchmaking agency for gay and lesbian singles in Germany.

To register, you have to fill in a comprehensive personality test. The result of the test helps you to find a suitable partner. It is a great place if you are looking for a serious relationship.

You can register for free. But you will need to pay if you want to communicate with other members.

Some highlights

    • Focus on serious long-term relationships
    • More than 1.4 million users in Germany
    • Focus on educated and professional singles above 30 years old
    • 38% of premium members found a new life partner via GayParship
    • Profiles are checked to avoid fake profile
    • Matching based on the result of the personality test

Parship is one of the best LGBTQ+ dating sites in Germany if you want a serious relationship. Its high quality is reflected in the price below. 

Duration

Monthly price

6 months

79.90 €

12 months

65.90 €

24 months

45.90 €

 

gayparship_best dating app and site in germany for gay

Sign up with Parship for free now!

2. Gay.de

Gay.de is a dating platform for homosexual men. It focuses on casual dating and erotic adventure. All the basic functions are free to use.

Some highlights

    • Good for flirting, casual dating, sexual adventure, and affairs
    • 700,000 members worldwide
    • Anonymous usage
    • Free to use
    • You can join events near you

You can use all the basic functions in Gay.de for free. If you want extra features, you can join a premium membership starting from 4.49 Euro per month.

gay.de_best dating app and site in germany for gay

Sign up with Gay.de for free now!

3. Grindr

Grindr is a large social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. It was launched in 2009 in California, USA.

Some highlights:

    • 3 million daily active users worldwide, about 200,000 users in Germany
    • Sex is often the main topic
    • Free to use with advertisement
    • Mobile app only
    • In English

You can use all the basic functions in Grindr for free. If you want extra features, you can join premium membership.

4. Romeo

Romeo is a social network for gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender people. It started back in 2002 in Berlin. The site is available in different languages including English and German.

Some highlights:

    • 2 Million gay, bi, and trans members
    • Free to use
    • Sex is often the main topic
    • English site available
    • Mobile app available

You can use all the basic functions in Romeo for free. If you want extra features, you can join a premium membership starting from 4.99 Euro per month.

5. Zoe

Zoe was founded in 2018 and it is one of the best-rated lesbian dating apps worldwide.

Some highlights:

    • More than 3.9 million registered users
    • Good for both casual or serious relationship
    • Free to use
    • Profiles can be verified
    • Mobile app only
    • English is available

You can use all the basic functions in the Zoe app for free. If you want extra features, you can join premium membership.

6. Lesarion

Lesarion is a dating app specifically for lesbians and bisexual women. It was founded in 2002 in Munich, Germany.

Some highlights:

    • Free to use with advertisement
    • Good for both casual or serious relationship
    • An active forum to connect with other link-minded women
    • 350,000 users in Germany
    • SMS verification to avoid fake profile
    • Mobile app available
    • English is available

You can use all the basic functions in Lesarion for free. If you want extra features, you can join premium membership.

The 10 best free dating apps & sites in Germany

If you are tight on your budget, you can see below the best free dating sites & apps to use in Germany. Since it is easy and free to sign up, you need to be more careful of fake profiles and scammers when using these dating apps. 

Even though it is possible to find a serious relationship with these dating sites & apps, most of them tend to aim more at casual dating in Germany. 

You can use all the basic functions (such as contacting other members) for free. But you will have to pay if you want other extra features.

1. Lablue

Lablue was founded in 2002 in Stuttgart, Germany. It offers services in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is best for people over 30 years old who are looking for a serious relationship.

Lablue is financed by advertisements. With a free membership, you can chat with other members. You can also pay for a premium membership to use Lablue with no advertisement.

Some highlights:

    • Free to use
    • Registration in 2 minutes
    • Best for singles over 30 years old
    • Focus on serious relationship
    • Over 500,000 members in Germany
    • All photos are manually checked to avoid scams
    • Search for a partner near you
    • Mobile app available
    • Available only in German

Sign up with Lablue for free now!

2. Bildkontakte

Bildkontakte was founded in 2000 in Cologne, Germany. As the name suggests, the platform focuses on pictures and everybody must have a picture to register.

The focus of Bildkontakte is casual relationships. But it is not uncommon for members to develop serious relationships later on.

A good thing about Bildkontakte is that you can communicate with other members without paying. There is also a premium version where you can have a better profile search function and see no advertisement.

Some highlights:

    • You can write and receive messages with a free membership
    • Profiles are checked to avoid fake profile
    • Every profile needs to have a photo
    • Over 4 million members, over 2,000 new members per day, and over 50,000 members are online daily
    • 51% women and 49% men on the platform
    • Registration in a few minutes
    • Video chat possible
    • Users are mainly between 35-49 years old, but also in all other age groups
    • Focus on casual relationship
    • Mobile app available
    • Available also in English

The price for the premium membership is very affordable. You can see the price for different membership duration below:

Duration

Monthly price

1 month

14.90 €

3 months

9.97 €

6 months

8.32 €

 

Sign up with Bildkontakte for free now!

3. Bumble

Bumble is an online dating app founded in 2014 with a headquarter in Texas, USA.

The special thing about Bumble is that it encourages women to contact men first. If you are a woman, you have 24 hours to write a man after you receive a match. Then, the man has 24 hours to reply back to you. If this does not happen within the time frame, the match will expire.

You can use Bumble in 3 ways:

  • Bumble Date is for dating.
  • Bumble Bizz is for professional networking.
  • Bumble BFF is for making new friends.

Some highlights

    • More than 100 million members worldwide, and about 100,000 in Germany
    • Good for serious relationships
    • Best for users between 20ish to 30ish years old
    • Free to use
    • Used by many international people
    • Video dates: get to know the other person virtually without exchanging your phone number

Bumble is free to use. But a paid membership will give you extra features. The price of the membership depends on the duration. 

4. Finya

Finya was founded in 2001 in Hamburg. It is financed by advertisements and 100% free to use. You can register within minutes. But you can also choose to do a personality test that helps to match you with other suitable members.

Some highlights

    • 100% Free to use
    • More than 7 million registration
    • Registration in a few minutes
    • Good for flirting, friendship, or relationship
    • A personality test is available
    • Suitable profile suggestions
    • Communicate with other members via chat and messages.
    • No audio or video communication
    • Many advertisements
    • Many fake profiles compared to other paid platforms
    • Mobile app available
    • Available only in German

5. OkCupid

OkCupid is a U.S.-based online dating app and site founded in 2004.

OkCupid is different from other dating apps as it is not just about swiping. During registration, you can choose to answer different questions relating to your preference, sexuality, and habits. OkCupid will match you with the others based on your answer. You can also see a compatibility rate between you and another user. 

People on OkCupid are looking for all types of relationships, ranging from new friendships to casual dating, or serious relationships. You can only write to another user if you have both liked each other.

Some highlights:

    • More than 50 million members worldwide, and 4.2 million in Germany
    • Good for all kinds of relationship
    • Best for users between 20 to 30ish years old
    • Free to use
    • 40% women and 60% men on the platform
    • Answer questions during registration to receive suitable match suggestions
    • Used by many international people
    • Many fake profiles and scams
    • Also good for LGBT+ singles

OkCupid is free to use. But a paid membership will give you extra features. The price of the membership depends on the duration. 

6. Candidate

Candidate was founded in 2015 in Austria. This dating app is not based on physical appearance. Instead, it is based on playing games.

You can create a game and ask up to 5 questions. The questions can be about anything but there is a character limit. Up to 5 other members will answer your questions. You can then rank the answers and match with those who give you the best answers. You can only see each other’s pictures if you have a match.

Some highlights

    • About 900,000 members
    • Good for both serious or casual relationship
    • Best for users between 18 to 35 years old
    • Easy and fast registration
    • Based on asking questions instead of physical appearance
    • Free to use
    • 45% women and 55% men on the platform

Candidate is free to use. But a paid membership will give you extra features. The price of the membership depends on the duration. 

7. Tinder

Tinder was founded in 2012 in Log Angeles, USA. With 75 million monthly active users, it is the largest international dating app.

Tinder is very simple to use. You just need to upload your photo and start swiping. Swiping right means that you like a profile. Swiping left if you don’t like it. If the profile likes you back, you can start chatting.

You can find all kinds of users on Tinder, including all age groups and backgrounds. Some people criticize that the use of Tinder is very superficial. You may also see a lot of fake profiles or scams when using the app. Even though it is possible to find your true love on Tinder, a lot of users are simply looking for something casual.

Using Tinder can be a fun experience at the beginning. But it can get boring after some time. Since it is easy to register an account, you may find a lot of weird people out there. It is certainly possible to find good friends and relationships with Tinder. But you will need a lot of time and luck to meet someone serious.

Some highlights:

    • Available in more than 190 countries
    • Good for flirting or casual dating
    • 75 million monthly active users worldwide, about 2 million users in Germany
    • Create a profile in a minute
    • Free to use
    • Most users are 18 to 34 years old and live in urban areas
    • Many fake profiles and scams
    • 24% women and 76% men on the platform
    • Simple to use with intuitive design

Tinder is free to use. But you can also purchase a paid membership for premium features. The price depends on your age, the membership type, and the duration. You pay more if you are older.

8. Lovoo

Lovoo was founded in 2011 in Dresden, Germany. It is like a German version of Tinder and works very similarly. The difference is that you can write another member even if you two don’t have a match. You can also use ghost mode to view other profiles anonymously.

Lovoo is great for flirts. However, it is also possible to find love and relationship there.

Like with all the other free apps, there tend to be more fake profiles and scams on Lovoo. Lovoo lets its users verify themselves voluntarily by sending a picture of themselves holding a piece of paper with their usernames on it. You can try to only contact members who have the verification symbol to avoid scams.

Some highlights

    • Good for flirting or casual dating
    • 70 million members worldwide, and 8 million in Germany
    • Free to use
    • Most users are 18 to 34 years old
    • 25% women and 75% men on the platform
    • Easy and quick registration
    • Users who are verified have a verification symbol
    • Many fake profiles and scams
    • Video chat is possible
    • Search for other members near you

Lovoo is free to use. But you can also purchase a paid membership for premium features. The price depends on your age, the membership type, and the duration. You pay more if you are older.

You can send gifts to other members or use other premium features by spending your credits. You can either buy the credits or earn them by doing different actions in the app.

9. Badoo

Badoo was founded in 2006 and has a headquarter in London. It operates in 190 countries and is available in 47 different languages. Badoo is one of the largest dating apps in the world. 

It works similarly to Tinder. You can swipe other profiles right or left. The difference is that it lets you know if you have met another user in real life by showing you the time and approximate place.

People in Badoo are looking for all types of relationships. Not all users are looking for a date. Some are simply looking for new friendships. In general, users are looking for a less serious relationship. You can also use Badoo to meet new people when you are on vacation.

Some highlights

    • 318 million members worldwide, and 3 million in Germany
    • Good for flirting or casual dating
    • Free and easy to use
    • Most users are 18 to 35 years old
    • 45% women and 55% men on the platform
    • Show if you have met someone in real life
    • Many fake profiles and scams
    • Meet new people when you are on vacation
    • You can see users who are near you

Badoo is free to use. But a paid membership will give you extra features. The price of the membership depends on the duration. You can also buy points for sending gifts to other members.

10. Happn

Happn is a French online dating app & site founded in 2014.

The unique thing about Happn is that it is location-based. You can set a maximum distance. Then, the app will show you users whose paths you have crossed on the same day. You will see how many times you two have crossed the path, as well as the time and location of your last encounter.

The dating app will also show you users who are nearby you at the moment. Of course, it will not show you the exact location of another user due to security reasons. But you can talk to that user if he or she approves. And then, you two can decide if you want to meet up.

Since the app is based on location, it is best for people who live in a big city.

Some highlights

    • 50 million members worldwide, and 20,000 in Germany
    • Free to use
    • Good for casual relationship
    • Best for users between 18 to 30 years old
    • Location-based app
    • The location-based feature may drain your phone’s battery
    • Best for users in big cities

Happn is free to use. But a paid membership will give you extra features. The price of the membership depends on the duration. 

How to choose the best online dating app & site in Germany?

Price

The price difference between different online dating apps & sites can be great in Germany. While some apps are completely free to use, some others can be really expensive. 

Just bear in mind that free does not necessarily mean the best to use. Free dating apps usually have more scammers, fake profiles, and unserious people. It may be fine if you are just using the dating app casually for some fun. But if you are determined to find the love of your life as soon as possible, you will have a better chance of success with an appropriate paid dating app.

Number of members

You will have a better chance to find someone if the dating app has more users. This is especially important if you do not live in a big city.

Read also: Living in Germany – Big City vs. Small Town

Your intention

People want different things when they use a dating app & site. Some want to find a long-term partner and start a family. Some want to have casual relationships with no commitment. Others want to have adventure and fun. And some others have no idea what they want. They just want to try out the dating apps to see what happens.

Based on your goal, you should choose an appropriate dating app & site. While some dating apps have no special focus and people with all types of intentions can register, some other apps have a clear focus. For example, Elitepartner is for serious relationships only. And C-Date is not for something serious. 

So, it will be a waste of time, energy, and money if you are looking for your dream partner on the wrong platform. You will have a much better chance to find what you want when you use an appropriate dating app & site.

Security

Before choosing a dating app in Germany, you should check what are the security measures taken by the app. Some dating apps & sites have strict security measures such as ID checks. Some others may have no measures in place and everybody can open an account easily. While it may be convenient, it tends to attract a lot of scammers and fake profiles on those dating apps.

If you are serious about finding your love online, you should choose a dating app & site that has some safety measures in place. Firstly, you will then spend less time dealing with ridiculous people on the app. Secondly, you don’t want to fall victim to scammers.

8 tips on using a dating app & site in Germany

1. Create a high-quality profile

Your profile description is an important element to attract the right people to contact you. It is like your cover letter when you are looking for a job in Germany. You should write something about yourself in the profile. Something unique that attracts the right people. An empty profile or a profile description that looks like the other 100 profiles on the app will not help you to stand out.

2. Have a good profile picture

Because of the large number of users on the dating apps & sites, users normally only spend a few seconds looking at your profile. To make a good first impression, you need to put your best picture on your profile.

A clear and charming picture is a must. Ask a friend for advice if you are not sure which picture of you looks the best.

3. Be proactive

Even if you have a match with someone on the dating app, nothing will happen if you do not talk to each other. So, you should be proactive and initiate a conversation. If you are a woman, you don’t have to wait until a guy talks to you first. You own your future and it requires effort to make it happen.

4. Be patient

On the dating app & site, you may have to talk to many people until you find the right one. It is time-consuming. But finding your love requires effort. Be patient and accept the fact that it can take some time until you find your dream partner.

5. Be respectful

Always be polite and respectful to other people on the dating apps & sites even if you are not interested in them. Remember that they are human even though you are not meeting them in person. 

If you are a woman, check this out to prepare for your date: Dating in Germany – Dating a German Guy

6. Be honest

Always be honest about your intention. If you are looking for a casual relationship, don’t say that you are looking for a life partner. German people value honesty. You can be open about what you want and you will still find the right people for your need. 

You should always be yourself when you look for your partner on the dating apps & sites. Don’t try to fake your behavior because you think it will make you more attractive. Remember that you may find the love of your life on the dating app. And your behavior will determine if your relationship will be successful in the long term.

7. Video chat

Many dating apps such as Elitepartner and Parhsip have a video chat function. This allows you to have a video call with your match without exchanging your phone number. You can make use of this function to see if you are getting a good vibe from your match before actually meeting up in person. 

Read also: 

8. Try different dating apps & sites in Germany

If you have been using a dating app & site for a while now and still get nothing out of it, it is time to rethink your strategy and consider trying another app. Are you searching for the right thing in the right app? Does the dating app you use have enough users? Maybe an app with a personality test instead of pure swiping will work better?

There are so many dating apps & sites in Germany. It involves a lot of trial and error to find the best one based on your need. If you start to feel like a chore when you are using the dating app, it is time to take a break and rethink your strategy.

What to do with your date in Germany?

During my time dating in Germany, our activities weren’t anything out of the ordinary. We went for meals at restaurants, caught movies at the cinema, and occasionally took leisurely walks around the city or parks. Germans seem to appreciate walking. We even visited IKEA once.

For afternoon dates, we’d have coffee at a café and stroll around. Sometimes we stayed in and cooked together. And every now and then, we’d attend football matches together. Overall, it was a laid-back and pleasant experience.

If you are looking to do something special with your date, you can try to look up for special events here. A super romantic experience can be a candle light concert. You can also find food events like  sushi making or dining in the dark while blind folded. If you want to have an adventure with your date, you can try mystery picnic or painting in the dark.

Of course, there are also funny comedy shows, music festival, live concert, and more. In short, on this website, anyone can find an interesting event in their area that suits them best. 

Conclusion 

So, now you have the full list of the best dating apps & sites to use in Germany. You can register with all of these dating apps & sites for free. Just try them out to see which one is the best for you.

Have fun and happy searching!

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Disclaimer

Please be aware that we picked the best dating apps and sites in Germany based on our personal experience, online review, and in-depth research. We do not provide a complete market overview.

The data in this article is accurate as of the date when this article is written and is subject to change any time in the future. Our blog makes no guarantee as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information in this article. And we do not accept any form of liability resulting from reading this article. Please check the dating apps and sites directly for the latest information.


Are you using any dating apps and sites in Germany? Which dating apps and sites do you think are the best to use in Germany? Leave a comment below and share your experience!

About the author

Originally from Hong Kong, Sindy spent 13 years in Germany before moving to the US. Her blog is your ultimate resource for navigating Germany, offering pro tips on bureaucracy, job hunting, education, culture, family life, and more.

With a "been there, done that" attitude, Sindy, a certified public accountant, draws on her extensive finance and accounting background to provide professional insights with a friendly touch.

Having navigated German life with her German husband and raising two kids there, Sindy brings a personal touch to her advice. Let this blog help fellow expats like you navigate the ins and outs of life in Germany!

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