Online dating culture in India is slowly catching up with the advent of smartphones and inexpensive internet access. Now finding a date is much easier, convenient and cheaper than ever before.

In fact, some of the most popular dating Apps in India claim to have tripled their customer base in the last 2 years. Find out more about these best dating sites in India and their unique features.

Online Dating in India

Online dating is relatively a new concept in India. A country where women have less access to smartphones than men, most of the dating sites have just 25-30% users as women.

Another reason for less number of women using such apps is safety and security concerns.

Read: 30 Fun Date Night Ideas: To Spice Up Your Relationship

The makers of dating apps in India are also aware of these problems and are adding various safety features that will help make women feel secure while using the app.

Below are listed such apps and dating sites in India that are trustworthy and have good verification process in place.

Best Dating Apps of India

Here are some of the most popular dating sites in India.

1. Tinder

Tinder is not only one of the most popular dating sites in India but also the most common dating app in the world with nearly 30 billion matches to its credit.

Tinder was started in 2012 with the aim of helping people connect easily in a stress free environment. The application even won the award of Best startup in 2013.

Today, Tinder is extremely popular all over the world with its presence in nearly 196 countries.

A person can register through either his/her Facebook login or through their phone number. Once you make your profile on the app, it tries to find suitable matches for you based upon your geographic location, interests and common friends.

Some tips for newcomers on creating the best dating profile are: add images, add a few adjectives that describe you best, list your favorite movies, TV shows, and restaurants, and add a short video about yourself if possible.

Though Tinder is the best free dating app in India, you can also sign up for its paid plan called Tinder Plus that gives you some extra features like unlimited right swipes, free super likes and so on.

2. TrulyMadly

TrulyMadly is one of the top Indian dating sites that are designed keeping the Indian culture in mind. That means that it lays a lot of stress on verifying its customers so that they can interact with each other fearlessly and openly.

Developed by the same team that founded MakeMyTrip, the app has a unique feature called the trust score.

Trust score is built up by getting your profile verified through your Facebook account, Linkedln account, submitting employment proof, government approved photo id proofs and so on. This feature makes the app one of the most trustworthy Indian dating apps.

Related: Dating in the Digital Age: How Technology is Changing the Game

3. OkCupid

OkCupid, an American dating app is making inroads in the dating scene in India by tailoring itself according to the culture of the country.

The app recently launched its digital ad campaign called “find my kind”. The ad reflects the apps aim of finding a partner who is like-minded and has similar preferences.

As soon as you register with OkCupid you are asked a series of questions. Depending upon your answers the app tries to find your perfect match.

Due to its innovative style of finding matches the app was rated as the top 7 dating websites in 2007 by the TIME magazine.

This free dating site has a paid version called A-List which can cost you about Rs. 2500 per month.

Read: Top 10 Best Matrimonial Websites in India To Find a Perfect Soul Mate

4. Bumble

Bumble dating app was launched by one of the Tinder founder’s, Whitney Wolfe. The app is aimed at empowering women and gives them the privilege to be the first one to initiate communication when they find their match on the app.

The “feminist” side of the app seems to have worked well as the app boasts of having 46% of its users as females, making it one of the most popular dating apps for single women around the globe. Tinder and other similar dating apps have a much lower female user percentage.

A common question that surfaces time and again is - Is online dating safe? Well, there have been cases of cheating and assault that are connected to various dating sites. Hence, it is important to play safe while using such platforms and remain alert while chatting with strangers on these sites.

5. Hinge

Hinge was launched in 2012, the same year Tinder was launched. But Hinge and Tinder are very different in their approach towards the online dating scene.

Tinder is used more for casual relationships whereas Hinge is more focused on serious relationships as its slogan “the relationship app” suggests.

The advantage of using Hinge is that your chances of getting matched up with strangers get increased considerably. This is because Hinge tries to match your profile with the profile of your mutual friends of Facebook. This is the reason Hinge is becoming one of the best dating apps for Indians.

This unique approach of Hinge has helped people find right partners. According to a claim made by Hinge, 75% people going on first dates using the app go on a second date too with the match found by the app. Looks like finding love quickly is becoming easier in this digital age!

6. Badoo

Badoo is a Russian dating site that was started way back in 2006. It is a perfect platform to meet people online either for finding a date or for simply chatting and making new friends.

Badoo has a unique safety feature called selfie request wherein a person can request the person he/she is chatting with to send their selfie. This way, they can know whether they are talking to the correct person or not.

Badoo is one of the largest dating sites in the world and is fast becoming popular in India too. According to a claim, 100,000 people join Badoo everyday giving you the opportunity to meet lots of people on a single platform.

Never provide financial help to people you have just met online. Do not divulge too much personal information like your contact number, bank account details and so forth. If you are going on a date make sure it is a public place and your family/friends are aware of it.

7. Happn

Happn is one of the more recent free dating sites. It was launched in the year 2014 and since then has seen an exponential growth in its customer base. From just forty thousand users in 2014 the site boasts of nearly 70 million users now.

The reason for the growing popularity of Happn is its approach towards finding location based matches. It tries to match you up with people with whom you may have crossed paths recently making it an ideal dating app for local singles.

The paid service of the app is called Happn Essential and costs around Rs. 600 per month.

Must See: Love Languages: Understanding How Your Partner Feels Loved

8. eHarmony

eHarmony was launched in 2000 as the first algorithm based dating website. A person registered on the site needs to answer more than a 100 questions. Based on the answers, the site searches for a match whose answers are also similar to what you have answered.

This unique algorithm of the site is called compatibility matching system which ensures that you find a person who is most compatible to you. This way the chances of the relationship working become more.

The aim of the website to forge a meaning and fulfilling relationship has made it a popular choice among Indian women looking for men for a long term relationship.

9. Tantan

Tantan is a Chinese dating app which is fast becoming popular among Indian millennial’s.

Other than features that are similar to Tinder the app also has a very strong verification process in place. The app is able to find and remove fake profiles thus providing people with an increased chance of meeting real people.

Tantan is reportedly in the top 5 list of most popular dating apps in India.

10. Woo

Woo is one of the top Indian dating apps that is specifically designed keeping women safety in mind. Most of features are women centric and ensure that women feel safe and secure while using the app.

A woman using the app can easily place a call through the app without any fear. The app keeps her number hidden and safe.

Woo is a freemium and has a paid service called WooPlus which helps you get matches much quickly.

Most of the dating apps in India are freemium but if you are looking for 100% free online dating sites then here is a list:

• Mingle2
• Indian Dating
• Indian Dating Hub
• Match

Wrap up – Best Dating Sites in India

There are hundreds of dating apps in India that provide services either fully or partially free. But, it is important to use sites that are trustworthy and have good reputation.

As a user of online dating sites it is your responsibility too to keep yourself safe. Use the sites as a means of introductions only and do your own research on people before you meet them. Trust your instincts and do not take everything on face value.