Best Dating Apps for Singles in their 20s (Serious or Casual)

Hollywood makes it look like random “meet cutes” and passionate sleepovers are a daily thing for people in their 20s. Unfortunately, Hollywood magic isn’t part of real life, so hot dates won’t just fall into your lap. Instead, you need to take control by hopping on one of the best 20s dating apps.

But what sites are the best, and should everyone use the same one? We have all the answers, plus some extra info that’ll help you give your dating life a glow up. Let’s dive in so you can master online dating in your 20s.

The 4 Best 20s Dating Apps:

RankingDating AppClaim Trial 
#1ZooskTry FreeZoosk logo
#2eHarmonyTry Freeeharmony logo
#3The LeagueTry FreeThe League Dating App Logo Icon
#4Higher BondTry FreeHigher Bond logo

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1. Zoosk – Best 20s Dating App for Modern Casual Dating

Zoosk Dating Site Homepage

You spend a lot of time deciding who you are and what you want in your 20s. That includes your wants and needs around dating, relationships, and sex. You need some experience to figure things out, so casual dating’s common in your 20s.

But this isn’t your parents’ version of casual dating…

These days, 20-somethings prefer meeting people they connect with on a deep level, even if it’s just a quick fling. Also, safety’s a priority for all relationships, including short-term dates. After all, you grew up in the digital age, and you know how creepy things can get when trying to hook up on Reddit or Snapchat.

And that’s why Zoosk is one of the best online dating sites for your 20s.

Zoosk has more than 40 million members, and most are seeking casual and short-term relationships. With so many members, you won’t have trouble making connections, but that’s not the best part.

Zoosk also has a behavioral-based matching algorithm and tons of search preferences, so it fits right into your casual dating playbook. And since safety’s so important for 20-somethings, you’ll appreciate features like verified profiles, virtual dates, and safety audits. It checks all the important casual dating boxes, so set up an account on Zoosk today.


2. eHarmony – Best Dating App for Young Marriage (That Lasts)

eHarmony Dating App Homepage

Right now, the median age for a first marriage is around 28 years for women and a couple of ticks higher for men. And not everyone is waiting until they close in on 30 to get married. A lot of folks in their early to mid-20s tie the knot, especially in Utah, Idaho, and across the South.

Unfortunately, it’s estimated that 50-60% of people who get married before 25 end up divorced. This happens because 20-somethings often rush into marriage before getting to know their other halves. Then, they realize they’re married to folks who are poor communicators, bad with money, and so much more.

And that’s why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites for your 20s.

See, eHarmony has members take personality tests and then matches them based on the 32 Dimensions of Compatibility. No matter how much you rush, you’ll still be compatible with the people you match with on here. And that’s why eHarmony has a lower-than-average divorce rate, even for people in their 20s.

Everyone deserves a chance at happily ever after, regardless of age. If you’re in your 20s and ready to get serious, head to eHarmony to set up a free profile today.


3. The League – Best App for Ambitious Singles in their 20s

The League Dating App Homepage Screenshot

If you’re a rising star in your 20s, you probably feel like you’re surrounded by “average joes” in your daily life. It’s not like many people in their 20s are trading in Bitcoin or starting their own companies. Let’s just say for every Steve Jobs, there are like a million quiet quitters who are happy with putting in work that’s “good enough.”

But while you might not find many rising stars out and about, you sure will on The League.

Seriously, this is the best of the 20s dating sites for ambitious folks, and the membership base will blow you away. It has a ton of members in the 25-29 age range, including young executives, entrepreneurs, and others who are making a massive impact on the world. And don’t worry if you’re in your early 20s. While there aren’t as many younger members, you’ll still have your pick of high achievers.

Ambition and direction are two hot commodities in the dating game, even more so when you’re in your 20s. Cash it in by setting up your account on The League today.


4. Higher Bond – Best for Young Christians Who Don’t Want to Be Pressured

Higher Bond Homepage Banner

With so much talk about young people losing their religion, it’s hard to believe that over half of Americans in their 20s are Christians. Plus, around four out of ten say religion’s very important to them.

A lot of 20-something Christians say the dating scene’s stressful, mainly due to the pressure around intimacy. Non-Christians and less-devout folks are OK with having premarital sex, and that can be awkward.

That’s why Higher Bond is the best of the Christian dating sites for your 20s.

You’ll let the site know your thoughts on premarital intimacy when signing up. That even includes kissing and making out. Then, it’ll match you to people with the same views, so you won’t feel pressured.

Oh, and here’s another reason this is great for 20-something Christians. The first three months are free, so you don’t have to add something else to your budget. Head over to check it out today.

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5 Reasons These the Best Apps for Dating in Your 20s

  • Date People in Their 20s or Older – The best 20s dating sites give you the option to choose people around your age or go for someone older. Heck, you can even choose an 18- or 19-year-old on these sites if you prefer going younger.
  • No Games – Since each dating site is known for a specific relationship style, you won’t have to worry about playing games. You can hop on a site geared toward serious, casual, or even religious dating to reach your relationship goals without negotiating.
  • Match by More than Age – Sure, you have your age in mind when dating, but you also want to find someone with a killer personality and similar interests. Each of these 20s dating apps uses algorithms and considers personal preferences when sending matches your way.
  • Diverse Membership Bases – Research shows that younger people are more open to interracial relationships, another reason that these are the best dating apps for singles in their 20s. These sites attract a diverse membership base, so you won’t be stuck dating someone with the same background if you don’t want to do so.
couple in their 20s
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Demographics of Single People in Their 20s

Your 20s are a great time to be on the dating market. There are tons of single people, so you have lots of choices. That’s true if you want to date around or start a serious relationship.

The Pew Research Center analyzed adults aged 18-29, providing some interesting insights into the dating pool. We know that 18 and 19 aren’t quite 20 yet, but these numbers still paint a picture of what you can expect if you use one of the 20s dating apps.

For starters, 41% of the folks in this demographic are single. You won’t find more single people in any demographic, so you’re in good company if you’ve yet to find your plus one. And with all those options, it’s easy to see why dating sites are so popular with singles between 20 and 30. People know that they’ll have lots of choices at their fingertips as soon as they log in.

But here’s where things get a little more complicated…

Fifty-one percent of the guys aged 18-29 are single, compared to 32% of the gals. That makes it pretty clear that a lot of women date people who are older. Fortunately, both men and women can find lots of options on the best dating sites for singles in their 20s. That includes men and women who are older if you prefer dating outside of your age range.

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Creating an Online Dating Profile in Your 20s: Casual vs. Serious

There are two main dating styles in your 20s: casual and serious. Choosing the right 20s dating app will help you connect with people who are pursuing the type of relationship you want. However, you also need to be mindful when creating your profile to ensure you attract like-minded singles.

Go over some tips for creating profiles for casual and serious dating. Also, check out some additional online dating profile advice for more help.

Creating a Casual Dating Profile

If you’re into casual dating, keeping your profile somewhat light and breezy is a good idea. Personality is really important when finding a compatible person for casual dating, so let yours shine through.

Also, explain what you’re looking for in a short-term partner. Maybe humor is important to you, or you crave someone who’s independent. You don’t have to write a thesis but go over what you want and need out of a relationship. Then, it’ll be easier to connect on one of the top dating apps for people in their 20s.

Creating a Serious Dating Profile

Now, things are a bit different if you’re looking for a serious partner. You still want to show some personality, but it’s also important to talk about your relationship values.

We do want to issue a warning, though. Don’t go over specific, even if you’re looking for something serious. Online dating in your 20s gives you a chance to open yourself up to more people than normal. If you’re too rigid in your approach, you might miss out on the ideal partner.

With that in mind, we don’t recommend listing a bunch of dealbreakers in your profile. Remember, you’re still figuring yourself out in your 20s, so you might think something’s a dealbreaker when it isn’t.

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Best Dating Sites for Early, Mid, and Late-20 year olds

You can use any of the dating sites on our list, regardless of where you are in your 20s. Still, some sites are more geared toward younger or older 20-somethings.

Let’s start with the best dating site for your young 20s.

Zoosk fits that bill. Research shows that 20-somethings are often open to serious and casual relationships. However, many want to start with casual before moving to something more serious. That’s why this is such a great fit for your early 20s. You can get some experience before moving to something more serious.

Zoosk heart logo

Now, let’s look at the best dating site for your mid-20s.

The League attracts a lot of people in the 25-year-old range, making it a great fit for your mid-20s. By that age, you’ve had some time to establish yourself, and you probably feel more confident, too. You can let that confidence shine when using this 20s dating app.

The League Logo in black font

And finally, it’s time to look at the best dating app for your late 20s.

Since lots of people are ready to settle down in their late 20s, eHarmony is our site of choice. It’s full of marriage-minded folks who can’t wait to find “the one.” You’ll be right at home here if you are ready to find your forever partner.

While these age ranges are a guide, you will find people in their early, mid, and late 20s on all the sites on our list. Don’t let your age hold you back. Feel free to create a profile on any of the top dating apps for your 20s, so you can start making connections.

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