Grindr for lesbians? Here are the best dating apps for LGBTQ women.
Online dating as a lesbian can be both exhilarating and challenging, offering a unique blend of opportunities and obstacles. For many queer women, the journey to find love has evolved from traditional methods such as personal ads and bars to more modern platforms, including social media and specialized dating apps. However, the landscape is not without its frustrations; many users report the annoyance of encountering straight individuals in their feeds or being reminded of past relationships through the presence of ex-girlfriends and their connections. In 2025, the digital dating scene for LGBTQ women has become increasingly diverse, with a variety of niche and mainstream apps catering to their needs. From exploring potential partners on WLW TikTok to entrepreneurial efforts creating dating platforms specifically for queer women, the quest for love continues to inspire creativity and innovation.
While niche lesbian dating apps like HER have gained popularity, mainstream dating platforms such as Hinge, Bumble, OkCupid, and eharmony are also viable options for finding love. These apps have implemented features that allow users to filter matches by gender and accommodate various relationship styles, including polyamory. For those living in less populated areas, these broader platforms can yield a greater number of potential matches compared to dedicated lesbian dating sites. HER stands out as a particularly recommended option for lesbian women, boasting over 15 million registered users worldwide. The app not only focuses on dating but also fosters a sense of community, encouraging users to connect with fellow queer women and non-binary individuals for friendship and support.
In the quest for the best dating apps for lesbians, it’s essential to consider both niche and mainstream options. The article provides insights from dating and relationship experts, offering a comprehensive guide to the most popular platforms, complete with user experiences and reviews. Whether seeking a casual encounter or a long-term relationship, queer women today have an array of choices at their fingertips, allowing them to navigate the dating landscape with confidence and creativity.
Online dating
as a lesbian can be a joyous experience, but it can also
involve having your space
invaded by straight people or seeing your ex-girlfriends (and your ex-girlfriends’ ex-girlfriends) show up in your feed over and over.
Over the decades, queer women have turned to personal ads, roaming bars, and word of mouth to find love. These days, it’s not too different. From trying to find a date on
WLW
TikTok to entrapranureal lesbians creating new apps just for them, LGBTQ women are down to get creative to find their special someone.
Thankfully, in 2025, there are both niche and general apps where queer women can find a partner — whether for one night or for life. Which ones are the best dating apps for lesbians? We tested the most popular dating sites and apps and got some insight from our
Dating & Relationships
writers to find out.
How to find the best dating apps for lesbians
Niche lesbian dating apps aren’t your only option for finding love.
Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable
Mainstream dating apps attract the most users — including queer users. That means niche lesbian dating apps aren’t your only options for finding love. These days,
Hinge
,
Bumble
, OkCupid, and
even eharmony
all have clear filters to help you match with people of the same gender (or any gender at all), as well as filters that acknowledge the existence of
non-traditional relationships
(like polyamory). Especially if you don’t live in a densely populated area, going for the more popular dating apps over lesbian dating sites can often lead to more results.
With that said, there is one dating app lesbian women should try. HER is an app by and for queer women, and it’s grown to have a strong user base. According to
its website
, the app has more than 15 million registered users worldwide. The app also emphasizes finding community and making friends, in addition to dating, providing you with numerous ways to connect with other queer women and non-binary users.
Check out our guide below for the full rundown of our recommendations and dating app reviews.
