The 10 best LGBTQ+ dating sites compared
Prices below are the current entry points I paid or confirmed as of August 2026. Every site here is free to join and browse; the "free to message" column is where each platform makes its money.
| Site | Best for | Starting price | Free to message? | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PinkCupid | Queer women worldwide | Free; Gold ~$30/mo (~$10/mo yearly) | No (Gold to message) | 4 / 5 |
| Her | Lesbian, bi & queer women | Free; Gold ~$15/mo, Platinum ~$25/mo | Reply to people who liked you free | 4 / 5 |
| Hinge | Serious LGBTQ+ relationships | Free; Hinge+ ~$15/mo, HingeX ~$30/mo | Yes (8 likes/day free) | 4.5 / 5 |
| BiCupid | Bisexual & bi-curious daters | Free; Premium ~$33.99/mo (~$19.99/mo 6-mo) | No (Premium to message) | 4 / 5 |
| Taimi | Every LGBTQ+ identity | Free; 1-week trial, then paid tiers | Must match first | 4 / 5 |
| Lex | Text-first queer connections | Free | Yes | 3.5 / 5 |
| MenNation | Gay & bi men, casual | Free; Gold ~$29.95/mo | Generous free chat | 3 / 5 |
| OkCupid | Inclusive, intention-based | Free; Premium ~$10/mo and up | Yes (free between matches) | 4 / 5 |
| #Open | Polyamory & open relationships | Free; Premium ~$15/mo | Limited on free | 3.5 / 5 |
| NUiT | Astrology-based matching | Free (no paid tier) | Yes | 3.5 / 5 |
How I tested these LGBTQ+ dating sites
I tested every site on this page the same way: I created a real profile, set my orientation and pronouns, added photos, and spent at least a week actively messaging before scoring it. Where a feature sat behind a paywall, I paid for it out of my own pocket so I could judge the real experience, not the free-tier teaser.
I scored each LGBTQ+ dating site on five things: how genuinely inclusive the gender and orientation options are (not just a "male or female" toggle), how safe and welcoming the space feels for queer and trans users, how active the community is for your specific identity, how honest the pricing and paywall are, and whether conversations actually led to dates. Ratings roll up to a score out of 5, and I flagged the sites where the free tier is basically a billboard.
PinkCupid: best for queer women worldwide
My verdict: PinkCupid is the best pick for queer women who want a global, women-only pool. It's part of the established Cupid Media network, every profile is checked by the PinkCupid team, and the advanced search filters are free. It's free to join, browse, and show interest; Gold starts around $30 a month and drops toward $10 a month on the annual plan, which is when you can actually message.
The 3-step signup is fast and the built-in translator helps for international connections. The downsides are pop-up ads on the free version and a distance filter that only moves in 50-mile increments. For lesbian, bisexual, and queer women who travel or date long-distance, it earns its spot. Read my full PinkCupid review.
Her: best overall for lesbian, bi and queer women
My verdict: Her is the best dating app for queer women, full stop. It was built by queer women for queer women and non-binary people, and it's as much a community as a dating app, with Pride Pins, event groups, and social feeds alongside matching. It's free to join, browse, and reply to people who liked you; Gold runs about $15 a month (around $89.99 a year) and Platinum about $25 a month.
Safety is a real priority: you can't screenshot the main feed, which cuts down on outing and creeps. The catch is that the free tier is limited (you mostly see who liked you first) and the ads are intrusive. Still, for lesbian, bi, and queer women it's the most active space I tested. Read my full Her review.
Hinge: best for serious LGBTQ+ relationships
My verdict: Hinge is the best mainstream app for LGBTQ+ people who want a real relationship, and it's my highest-rated pick here at 4.5 out of 5. It matches you across three gender groups (man, woman, non-binary), lets you add or hide your own gender, and its orientation filters are reliable. It's free with 8 likes a day and one rose a week; Hinge+ is about $15 a month and HingeX about $30 a month (up to roughly $300 a year).
The prompt-based profiles pull real personality out of people instead of a hobby list, and video identity verification cuts down on catfishing. The only real gripes are that the best features need a paid upgrade and it's mobile-only. If you want intention over swiping, start here. If you're specifically after something committed, my best serious dating sites guide goes deeper. Read my full Hinge review.
BiCupid: best for bisexual and bi-curious daters
My verdict: BiCupid is the best dedicated home for bisexual, pansexual, and bi-curious daters, with around 230,000 monthly users. It's inclusive of fluid, queer, trans, and non-binary identities, and it uniquely welcomes couple profiles for people in open relationships. It's free to join, search, and send winks; Premium is about $33.99 for one month and drops to around $19.99 a month on the six-month plan.
The profiles are detailed, the "Spark" swipe game makes matching quick, and the Bi Blog is a nice touch. It's held back by pricey premium tiers and an app that can get buggy. For bi daters tired of being an afterthought on mainstream apps, it's worth a look. Read my full BiCupid review.
Taimi: best all-in-one app for every LGBTQ+ identity
My verdict: Taimi is the most inclusive app on this list, a social network and dating app rolled into one with a huge range of gender and sexuality options. It has live streaming, community content, and a Stealth Mode to hide without deleting your account, plus a no-screenshots rule that's great for privacy. There's a one-week free trial, then paid Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
The 24/7 support is a genuine plus for a queer app. The trade-offs: it's app-only, some updates bring crashes, and the tiered pricing is confusing. You also have to match before you can message. If you want one space that covers every identity, Taimi is it. Read my full Taimi review.
Lex: best for text-first, low-pressure queer connections
My verdict: Lex is the best app for queer, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people who'd rather connect through words than photos. It's a text-based personals app where you get to know someone by what they write, and it's almost entirely free to use. The Lexmoji option lets you stay anonymous, which matters if you're not fully out.
The community skews real and friendly, and the low-pressure format is a relief after endless swiping. The flip side: the lack of photos bothers visually-driven daters, you have to share your location for full features, and the user base can be thin outside bigger cities. For a calmer, safer vibe, it's a gem. Read my full Lex review.
MenNation: best for gay and bi men who want casual
My verdict: MenNation is a straightforward casual site for gay and bisexual men seeking men. Signup is easy, the free features are generous (chat rooms, webcams, a Hot-or-Not game), and Gold membership is reasonably priced at about $29.95 a month. It's less about relationships and more about connecting quickly.
The look is dated (think 90s chatrooms and IMs) and there's no dedicated mobile app, so it feels clunky next to modern apps. It's also overwhelmingly male, so it's not for women. If casual is the goal, also see my best hookup dating sites. Read my full MenNation review.
OkCupid: best for inclusive, intention-based matching
My verdict: OkCupid is the best mainstream app for LGBTQ+ daters who want compatibility over quick swipes. It has extensive gender and orientation options, a deep bank of compatibility questions, and free messaging between mutual matches, which is rare. It's free to use, with Premium from about $10 a month for extras like seeing who liked you.
The Match Game shows one profile at a time so it feels personal, and phone verification cuts down on fakes. The main costs are a long 15-plus-question signup and needing Premium to see your likes. For queer daters who actually read profiles, it delivers. Read my full OkCupid review.
#Open: best for polyamory and open relationships
My verdict: #Open (Hashtag Open) is the best app for polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous LGBTQ+ daters. You can link your profile with a partner so people see you're a couple, set an "open type" like triad or V-shape, and browse a judgment-free, privacy-first community. It's free to start, with Premium around $15 a month.
The community felt genuine and upfront about what they wanted, which is exactly what you need for ENM. The main limitation is a smaller user base, and the app can be slow. If you're exploring non-monogamy, it pairs well with my best swinger dating sites. Read my full #Open review.
NUiT: best for astrology-based (and free) LGBTQ+ matching
My verdict: NUiT is the best free option here if you're into astrology. It matches you by birth-chart compatibility, has a genuinely pretty interface, gives you a free basic and advanced birth chart, and is completely free with no paid tier. For LGBTQ+ users there's an option to hide from straight people, and the orientation settings are inclusive.
Because it's niche and free, the user base is thin in many areas (I had to set my distance to "Universe" to see people), and there's no email validation, so watch for fake profiles. Engagement options are limited too. Treat it as a fun, low-stakes extra rather than your main app. Read my full NUiT review.
How much do LGBTQ+ dating sites cost?
Most LGBTQ+ dating sites are free to join and browse but charge to unlock messaging, usually $15 to $35 a month. Hinge+ and Her Gold are the mid-range picks at about $15 a month, while PinkCupid and BiCupid run higher (around $30 or more) unless you commit to a longer plan that drops the monthly rate. OkCupid lets matched users message for free, and Lex and NUiT are genuinely free with no paid tier.
The pattern to watch is the credit-free but feature-gated model: you can sign up and look, but discovering new profiles, seeing who liked you, and using filters need a subscription. Longer plans always cost less per month, so if a site clicks for you, the annual rate is where the value is.
What is the best free LGBTQ+ dating app?
The best genuinely free LGBTQ+ dating apps are Lex and NUiT, both of which you can use without ever paying. Her and OkCupid are also free to join and let you message (people who liked you on Her, mutual matches on OkCupid), though their best discovery features sit behind a subscription. Taimi and PinkCupid give you a free trial or free browsing but gate messaging.
My advice: use a free app first to gauge how active your specific community is nearby. If Lex or Her is quiet in your area, a paid plan on a bigger platform won't magically fill your inbox, so test the water before you spend.
How to date safely as an LGBTQ+ person online
Dating as an LGBTQ+ person online comes with extra considerations: being outed, safety in less-accepting areas, and apps that treat queerness as an afterthought. The single best habit is controlling who can see you: use Stealth Mode on Taimi or the hide-from-straight-people option on NUiT, and keep your location and identifying details private until you actually trust someone.
Beyond that, keep it simple and firm: verify with a video chat before meeting, meet the first time in a public, queer-friendly place, tell a friend where you'll be, and never send money to someone you haven't met. If a match pressures you to move off the app fast or share your identity before you're ready, treat that as the red flag it is.
Are LGBTQ+ dating sites safe and inclusive?
The established LGBTQ+ dating sites on this page are legitimate and, for the most part, genuinely inclusive, but inclusivity varies. Her, Taimi, and Lex are built by and for the community, so the gender and orientation options go far beyond the basics. OkCupid and Hinge are mainstream apps with strong, reliable queer filters. All of them, like every dating platform, carry some fake profiles.
Protect yourself the usual way: use a dedicated email, lean on block and report tools, keep financial details out of the chat, and be wary of anyone who love-bombs you or asks for money. Inclusive design helps, but your own caution is still the best safety feature.
Frequently asked questions about LGBTQ+ dating sites
What is the best LGBTQ+ dating site?
Her is the best LGBTQ+ dating site for queer women, Hinge is the best for serious relationships across all orientations, and Taimi is the best all-in-one app covering every gender and sexuality. The right choice depends on your identity and whether you want casual, community, or commitment.
Is there a Tinder for gay and queer people?
Yes. Taimi and Her both use a swipe-style match system built specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, Hinge is very queer-friendly with orientation filters, and MenNation is a swipe-and-chat option for gay and bisexual men. You don't have to rely on a general app to find queer matches.
What is the best free LGBTQ+ dating app?
Lex and NUiT are the best genuinely free LGBTQ+ apps, with no paid tier required to use them. Her and OkCupid are also free to join and let you message, though their best discovery features sit behind a subscription.
What is the best dating app for queer women?
Her is the largest and best dating app for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, followed by PinkCupid for a worldwide, women-only community. Both are built specifically for women seeking women, rather than being a general app with a filter bolted on.
Is Hinge good for LGBTQ+ dating?
Yes, Hinge is one of the best mainstream apps for LGBTQ+ dating. It offers inclusive, optional gender and orientation settings, reliable filters, and prompt-based profiles that reward personality, and it scored 4.5 out of 5 in my testing.
Are LGBTQ+ dating sites safe?
The established ones are safe and legitimate, but every dating app has some fake profiles. Use built-in tools like Stealth Mode, keep your location and identity private until you trust someone, never send money, and meet the first time in public.