Expert analysis of the top 5 LGBTQ+ cruising apps to help you find love, connections, and community
5 Apps
Thoroughly Tested
500+ Hours
Research Time
25 Criteria
Evaluation Points
1,000+ Users
Surveyed
Based on beta testing and projected features, Splashd will emerge as the clear winner for those seeking meaningful connections with unmatched safety features when it launches Summer 2025.
73%
Projected Match Success Rate
4.8/5
Beta Tester Rating
#1
Safety Features
AI-Powered Matches for Meaningful Connections
4.8/5 (Beta Testers)
Price: Free - $24.99/mo (projected)
Best For: Serious relationships & meaningful connections
Safety
10/10
Matching
10/10
Community
9/10
Value
10/10
UX
9/10
Verdict: Best overall for meaningful connections with unmatched safety features and AI-powered matching (launching Summer 2025).
Designed to be Deleted
4.5/5 (180,000+)
Price: Free - $29.99/mo
Best For: Relationship-focused dating
Safety
7/10
Matching
8/10
Community
6/10
Value
7/10
UX
8/10
Verdict: Great for relationships but limited LGBTQ+-specific features compared to specialized apps.
The World's Largest Social Networking App
3.9/5 (250,000+)
Price: Free - $39.99/mo
Best For: Casual dating & hookups
Safety
5/10
Matching
6/10
Community
8/10
Value
5/10
UX
7/10
Verdict: Best for casual encounters but lacks features for those seeking meaningful connections.
Gay Dating & Chat
4.2/5 (85,000+)
Price: Free - $19.99/mo
Best For: Community & travel
Safety
6/10
Matching
6/10
Community
8/10
Value
7/10
UX
6/10
Verdict: Solid community app but lacks modern matching features and comprehensive safety tools.
The Gay Social Network
4/5 (40,000+)
Price: Free - $27.99/mo
Best For: Social networking & dating
Safety
6/10
Matching
6/10
Community
7/10
Value
6/10
UX
6/10
Verdict: Hybrid social/dating app that tries to do too much, better alternatives exist for both.
| App | Rating | Free Plan | Premium Price | Best For | User Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splashd | 4.8/5 | $14.99-24.99 | Relationships | Projected 500K+ | |
| Hinge | 4.5/5 | $29.99 | Dating | 5M+ | |
| Grindr | 3.9/5 | $19.99-39.99 | Casual | 13M+ | |
| Scruff | 4.2/5 | $19.99 | Community | 15M+ | |
| Hornet | 4.0/5 | $27.99 | Social | 30M+ |
We surveyed over 1,000 LGBTQ+ individuals about their dating app experiences, gathering data on success rates, safety concerns, and feature preferences.
Each app was evaluated on 10 safety criteria including verification processes, privacy controls, reporting mechanisms, and educational resources.
We tracked match quality, conversation rates, meeting rates, and long-term relationship formation across all platforms over 6 months.
We compared pricing tiers, feature availability, and overall value proposition to determine which apps offer the best return on investment.
Join Splashd's beta waitlist and be among the first to experience the future of LGBTQ+ dating with AI-powered matches, comprehensive safety features, and a community focused on meaningful connections when we launch Summer 2025.
Join the waitlist now • Beta launching Summer 2025 • No credit card required
Splashd and Hinge are both excellent for serious relationships. Splashd is projected to edge ahead with its AI matching technology targeting a 73% meeting rate when it launches Summer 2025, while Hinge offers good relationship-focused features but with a smaller LGBTQ+ user base.
Yes, especially Splashd which offers unlimited messaging for free. Most other apps limit key features on free plans. We recommend starting free to test the app, then upgrading if you're serious about dating.
Choose apps with strong safety features like Splashd's verification and background checks. Always video chat before meeting, meet in public places, and trust your instincts. Apps with 24/7 safety support teams provide an extra layer of protection.
Many successful daters use 2-3 apps to maximize their options. We recommend starting with Splashd for meaningful connections, then adding Grindr or Scruff if you want to expand your reach. Avoid using too many apps as it can become overwhelming.