Dating Abroad Apps
Dating Apps for Expats: Revolutionize Your Love Life
Finding a special someone in your home country is hard enough; looking for love abroad can be even harder. Luckily, dating apps for expats are here to help you get back in the game. These popular online tools maximize your potential to connect with someone by doing the work for you, without the uncomfortable pickup lines and awkward blind dates.
Here are the five top dating apps for expats to help expats swipe “right” instead of “wrong.”
I’m personally not a fan of dating apps being overrun by people looking for language exchanges (or just free English lessons), but there’s no denying it’s an option for meeting people abroad. Just be aware that while some locals are using a language exchange as a pretext for meeting someone new, there are plenty who aren’t even open to.
1. Tinder
- Known as the app with a heart, Lovoo is the top dating app for expats residing in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. With more than 70 million members, Lovoo users can play Russian roulette by “discovering” and “playing” with member profiles.
- Feb 14, 2018 I’m personally not a fan of dating apps being overrun by people looking for language exchanges (or just free English lessons), but there’s no denying it’s an option for meeting people abroad. Just be aware that while some locals are using a language exchange as a pretext for meeting someone new, there are plenty who aren’t even open to.
- #1 Ranked International Dating App – Elite Singles International singles from over 25 countries Local singles who have an international background Highly educated and successful singles.
- As the popularity of dating apps continues to rise, the stigma surrounding them has declined dramatically—so much so that dating apps are being used for more than just the traditional date.
The most downloadable dating app worldwide, Tinder has revolutionized the dating game over the last eight years and given a whole new meaning to the term “swiping.” Users can swipe their fingers left (to dislike) or right (to like) as they come across profiles of men and women in their local community. While Tinder has many great features such as private messaging for users that have both swiped right, Facebook and Instagram profile integration, and various levels of membership, its best feature lies in its accessibility worldwide. Not only is Tinder available in more than 40 languages, expats living across all seven continents (yes, Antarctica included) are using Tinder to find love, casually date, and meet new people every single day.
2. Badoo
Available in more than 47 languages across 190 countries, Badoo is the world’s most widely used dating network. Operating on a freemium model (i.e., core services are free), Badoo takes pride in its “Bigger than Dating” tagline. While similar to Tinder in having users swipe and find people nearby, Badoo is unique because it allows users to make connections across the globe through its search functionality. Additionally, expats can feel slightly at ease using Badoo’s safety measures against catfishing. The app lets users request selfies in real-time, connect via video chat, and undergo a photo verification process that is overseen by Badoo’s 5,000+ moderators.
Dating Abroad Websites
3. InterNations
Although not a traditional dating app, InterNations made this list because it is the largest global network specifically dedicated to expats. Think MeetUp.com, but for expats. Founded in 2007, and now with almost four million members across 420 cities, InterNations labels itself as a community that offers global networking opportunities, local meet-up events, and other expat relevant information. Membership is vetted through an approval process and is offered by various tiered pricing. Users can send other members a “twinkle,” which is InterNations’ way of saying “I think we share some common interests.” InterNations also hosts a worldwide forum where users can create threads, ask questions, and discuss issues related to expats.
4. Lovoo
Dating Abroad Apps For Seniors
Known as the app with a heart, Lovoo is the top dating app for expats residing in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. With more than 70 million members, Lovoo users can play Russian roulette by “discovering” and “playing” with member profiles. You can also look up users by applying search filters, hosting and watching live video sessions, and conversing through daily icebreakers.
5. Tantan
Have no fear, Tantan is here! For expats hoping to make a connection in China, India, or nearby Asian countries, Tantan has taken over the market as one of the top downloadable dating apps of 2019. For those who are experienced with Tinder, Tantan’s navigation will look quite familiar. Half social media, half-dating app, Tantan requires users to have an activated Facebook profile. With its getting-to-know-you quizzes, video/audio/chat functionality, and “cross-paths” feature, Tantan can be quite fun to navigate.
Technology gives expats opportunities to connect now more than ever before. Challenges of yesterday are met with solutions for today, and love may be at your fingertips – literally.
Dating in the digital age looks different for everyone. Maybe you’re an immigrant who wants to meet someone with the same background. Maybe you’re a U.S. citizen who’s interested in meeting someone who lives abroad. With so many dating apps and websites available today, you have plenty of options to find your perfect match — but it all starts with the right tool.
While these sites aren’t 100% dedicated to immigrants and international dating, they have unique features that can help you figure out where you want to devote your dating energy. We specifically chose options with free trials so you can set up a profile and browse other singles before you buy any premium features. Happy matching!
1. Hinge
Hinge is a dating app that’s “designed to be deleted,” which means it’s intended for people interested in long-term relationships. You’re encouraged to share your religion, education, and lifestyle habits to increase your chances of finding someone mutually compatible. Hinge also includes an ethnicity preference that’s specifically designed “to support people of color looking to find a partner with shared cultural experiences and background.”
2. Bumble
If you’re a woman who prefers to take the lead, Bumble might be your style. On this dating app, women initiate the conversation, and their match has 24 hours to respond. Bumble also offers two additional ways to expand your network: Bumble Bizz is intended for career opportunities, and Bumble BFF helps you create meaningful friendships. The app also offers a designated “travel mode,” a paid feature that lets you change your location to another city before or during your trip — which comes in handy if you want to meet people in new areas.
3. Color Dating App
What if you had an easy way to find a potential match with a similar background? Color Dating App’s goal is to help like-minded people find each other by emphasizing racial and ethnic preferences. It’s free to use, and users can pay for premium features like unlimited likes and the ability to view users who liked your profile.
4. Match
As one of the first and longest-running dating sites around, Match offers an extensive search algorithm to help you find potential partners. It’s available in 24 countries and territories around the globe, whether you’re an immigrant looking for a partner in the United States or a resident looking for companionship abroad. It’s free to set up an account on Match, with some paid features that make it easier to send and receive messages with potential dates.
5. Tinder
If you’re just looking to date, without the long-term commitments advertised on other dating sites, Tinder is a great option. Available as an app and website, Tinder focuses on the experience and endless possibilities of dating. To that end, it doesn’t offer any filters based on demographics like height, race or religion. Tinder is available in over 190 countries, and it offers a free Passport feature that lets you match with singles across the globe.
6. Zoosk
Zook is available in more than 80 countries and 25 languages, and it offers an app and website experience with plenty of ways to meet people. The platform’s algorithm is designed to personalize the dating experience by showing you likely matches based on your clicks and messages — which means that it gets smarter the more you use it. Zoosk is free to use, but premium memberships give you unlimited messaging features.
7. InternationalCupid
For those who are specifically looking for international singles, International Cupid is an established place to start. This dating platform features international singles from all over the world, although the majority of users are from the United States and European countries. InternationalCupid is free, and premium memberships give you access to more features and messaging capabilities.
8. eHarmony
Dating Abroad Apps For Women
If you’re looking for love, eHarmony’s algorithm is designed to match highly compatible couples and do the searching for you. Available as a website and app, this platform features millions of registered users throughout the United States and more than 200 countries worldwide, as well as guided messages to help you break the ice.