By Angelica Bottaro

It’s that time of year again–Pride Month! And if there’s one thing to celebrate during the month of June, it’s love. This year is a little different in many places because of the whole COVID pandemic thing, but that doesn’t mean that you have to put your love life completely on hold. 

With the dawn of the digital dating app, meeting a potential match has never been easier. I mean, all you have to do is read, like, and swipe. Tinder used to be king when it comes to dating apps, but there are so many better apps you could use to help you find the love of your life—or at least a summer lover—this June.

Scruff

The Scruff app has a Tinder-esque reputation for being geared towards hookups, but the app is good for so much more than that. Hookups are cool too—no judgement here—but if you’re looking to keep your options open when it comes to future relationships and whatever strings they entail, Scruff may just be the app for you. 

The app caters to gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and even offers a key feature that many competitors just don’t have. That feature? Scruff Match. It basically narrows down your preferences by showing you people interested in the same type of relationship as you! 

Looking for dating and relationships? You’re only going to see people who are on the same journey. The app is free, but you can opt for a premium version if you’re willing to shell out $19.99 a month.

Hornet

Hornet was founded to be a “better version for Grindr” and is now one of the largest gay dating apps in the entire world. Their whole thing was creating a place for gay men to feel supported and have a chance at finding their Mr Right. 

In a world where many people are looking for their Right-Now, Hornet may just be the place for people looking to develop something a little deeper. An additional—and might I add pretty cool—feature available on the app is their stories section which provides vital information for people in the online dating pool, such as how to avoid grooming accidents. At only $9.99 a month for the premium version, Hornet really knows how to make online dating fun again.

Her

Her is an app that is explicitly catering to queer womxn and their unique behaviours and interests. The app’s creator wanted it to be a queer experience rather than just a simple swipe-right pastime.

There are 17 sexualities and 18 gender identities on the app, and those who join can choose more than one pronoun for their profile. The app is community-based, allowing people to connect with like-minded people and those looking for the same things you are. The Her app is free but also offers a premium $14.99 a month membership plan.

Hinge

Hinge is the place for people who truly want to connect on a deeper level. It’s like your own digital version of a real-life matchmaker. The Hinge app uses specific personality-revealing prompts that give people the ability to get to know one another on a deeper level. 

The owner is so confident in the app that their main goal isn’t to keep users coming back—it’s to have them find love and delete the app forever. How cute is that?

Lex

Lex is another dating app that takes superficiality off the table. It was born from an Instagram account that posted old-school-like personal ads for people looking for love and just built from there. 

The Lex app wants its users to focus on the genuine connection made from a meaningful conversation as opposed to hot-or-not pictures and a swipe right mentality. It’s like a really great digital blind date.

Feeld

If the Feeld app were a party, everyone would be invited! This dating app doesn’t cater to just one group but instead focuses on pure inclusivity. All genders, orientations, and sexual identities are welcome to join the platform allowing them to be free to be their authentic selves and hopefully meet the lid for their pot. 

They also have options for those looking for polyamorous relationships or couples who are looking to explore the love of a third (or more!). The company wants the app to normalize the unconventional. 

The app is free, but if you’re really into it, you can pay for their Majestic Membership for just $11.99 per month.

So, there you have it! These apps make online dating what it was meant to be—a place for people to share the love. You might as well check one out right now because, seriously, love waits for no one! Happy Pride Month!

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