These International Dating Apps Will Help You Have A Meet-Cute Overseas
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In a perfect world (read: romantic comedy), I’d meet the love of my life after physically colliding on the streets of Notting Hill or reaching for the same pair of black cashmere gloves. And while sadly, I live in the real world—where I probably won’t meet my future husband in an AOL chat room under the pseudonym Shop Girl—dating apps have done a pretty good job forming relationships nonetheless.
Even if the meet-cute doesn’t feel quite as cinematic on your phone screen as it does the big screen, Hinge, Bumble, and other virtual platforms quite literally provide you with hundreds (if not thousands) of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes to swipe through on the daily. And while, sure, sometimes you’re swiping from your couch, you can also use these apps from an Airbnb in Rome, or your new sublease in Tokyo. Tapping into dating apps on an international scale can be a way to explore new cities and create connections that you might not make otherwise, whether you’re planning to stay abroad for the short term or forever.
“If you’re going to be moving to another country, that is a really daunting process, psychologically. Especially a country where you have relatively few connections,” says Jess Carbino, PhD, a sociologist who specializes in online dating. Connecting with others via apps is an easy way to get involved in a new community and “learn about the culture, the norms, [and] social conventions” in that area at the same time.
Meet the experts: Jess Carbino, PhD, is a sociologist who specializes in online dating. Morgan Anderson, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and author of Love Magnet based in Bozeman, Montana. Gabriela Reyes, LMFT, is a relationship therapist based in Florida.
Beyond the obvious (it’s an easy way to meet new people), dating apps allow you to vet someone before you commit to an IRL meeting. “It’s an incredible tool to connect you with people that you would’ve never met before, and it allows you to feel a little bit more supported and safer, because you can get to know someone a bit before meeting them in person,” says Morgan Anderson, PsyD, a clinical psychologist based in Bozeman, Montana.
You might be thinking, “What now?” Finding the right online dating app for you can feel like just as much of a hurdle as dating itself, which is why Women’s Health did the work for you. Ahead, a comprehensive list of the best platforms for international dating, according to relationship therapists and experts.
Tinder
Tinder is an OG in the international dating space, and not just because it’s available in 56 languages and across 190 countries. The platform’s Passport feature lets you search by city or drop your pin anywhere on the map, so you can start chatting with singles across the world before you’ve even arrived.
“You can change your location so that you are swiping in Paris or Delhi or Buenos Aires,” says Carbino. “Maybe you’re planning to move there, maybe you’re going on a trip there. [But] you have the capacity to meet people and be able to interact with people before you get there, which is really fun and exciting.”
Pros:
Available in 19 countries
A massive pool of users
Easy function
Cons:
Has a reputation for casual hookups, so might not be a fit for every user
More appearance-focused than apps like Hinge
Cost:
Tinder Plus: $7.99 for one month, $4 per month for six months, or $2.67 per month for 12 months
Tinder Gold: $24.99 for one month, $12.50 per month for six months, or $8.33 per month for 12 months
Tinder Platinum: $29.99 for one month, $15 per month for 6 months, or $10 per month for 12 months
Bumble
On Bumble, women are the only ones who can start the convo in heterosexual swiping dynamics, which can provide an added sense of safety and security when you're in a new place. And while typically, your phone GPS will set your in-app location, Bumble Premium users can even tap into Travel Mode and swipe in another city before their travels.
“One app I really like for international dating is Bumble, especially for women,” Anderson says. “I love the idea that you get to choose who you match with and you get to make the first move. That adds a feeling of safety, which is important when you’re international or not used to the country.”
Pros:
Women start the convo
Prompts let you incorporate more personality into your profile
Can set Travel Mode pre-trip
Cons:
You must send the first message (and receive a response) in 24 hours, or the match goes away
If you don't like making the first move, this isn't for you
Cost:
Bumble Boost: $8.99 for one week, $16.99 for one month, $33.99 for three months, and $54.99 for six months
Bumble Premium: $19.99 for one week, $39.99 for one month, $76.99 for three months, and $229.99 for a lifetime
Hinge
Hinge’s whole thing is that the app is designed to be deleted. The company prioritizes relationships over hookups, but it’s still affordable enough to be used casually. It’s also one of the more well-rounded platforms, as it allows users to incorporate photos, prompts, polls, and even voice memos so you can really get to know the other person before you even hit “like.”
“Genuine, long-term connections are what most people look for when using a dating app,” says Gabriela Reyes, LMFT, a relationship therapist based in Florida. “I believe Hinge encourages users to engage in meaningful conversations right from the start. It creates a safer space for those who know that they want something a little more serious.”
And while some apps, like Tinder, require a paid subscription to change your location, the setting is free on Hinge. You can simply drop your pin in whatever city you please—whether it’s your current destination or you’re prepping for an upcoming move.
Pros:
You can get to know potential matches better via prompts
You can filter by age, religion, distance, ethnicity, and more
The algorithm is based on compatibility
Cons:
You don't have unlimited likes unless you pay
The algorithm hides compatible matches behind a paywall
Cost:
Hinge+: $29.99 for one month, $59.99 for three months, $89.99 for six months
HingeX: $59.99 for one month, $99.99 for three months, $149.99 for six months
eHarmony
According to Anderson and Carbino, eHarmony is a top pick for international daters looking to find the real thing. The platform is in nearly every single country across the world, which makes it an accessible option for singles, while its focus on compatibility ensures you’re finding the right person, not just a person.
“If you’re looking for something serious—let’s say you’re ready to get married—one of the best things you could use is eHarmony, which also works internationally,” Dr. Anderson says. “It is so thorough. There are up to hundreds of questions that you can answer.”
Pros:
There's a huge emphasis on compatibility
Available in nearly every country
Many users are looking for serious relationships
Cons:
More expensive than other dating apps
The shortest membership option is six months
Cost:
Premium Light: $65.90 per month for six months
Premium Plus: $49.90 per month for 12 months
Premium Extra: $35.90 per month for 24 months
Hily
Hily is the new girl on the block, so to speak, but an up-and-coming one at that. What makes this platform so different from other mainstream apps is that it’s designed specifically for international dating. It not only has a global presence but allows you to connect with compatible singles across the world, no matter where you are.
“What’s so cool [about Hily] is that it’s specifically for international dating,” Anderson says. “There’s a lot of safety features on it as well, and you can make calls within the app [before meeting up].”
Pros:
Lets you find matches anywhere
Includes a live-streaming feature so you can get to know your matches better
Offers icebreakers to start the conversation
Cons:
More expensive than other platforms
Has a smaller pool of singles than other apps
Cost:
Premium: $14.99 for a week, $74.99 for three months, $119.99 for one year
OkCupid
OkCupid is available in a whopping 180 countries and can be accessed via app, mobile web, or your desktop. And while that alone is a bonus, according to Anderson, it also has a massive pool of singles. I’ll do the math for you: more people equals a higher chance you’ll actually meet someone you vibe with. “[The app] is a great option across the board because it has a very large user base, meaning there is likely someone out there for everyone,” Anderson explains.
Much like eHarmony, OkCupid places a large emphasis on data-backed compatibility so users “may experience finding better, more suitable fits in terms of what they are looking for in a match or partner,” Anderson adds. After all, the brand’s entire slogan is “match on what matters.”
That’s what makes the platform so meaningful and effective. Users are required to answer questions that range from more serious deal breakers to light-hearted topics. That data goes into pairing the individuals.
Pros:
Cheaper than eHarmony, but offers similar benefits
There's an incognito mode
Larger focus on compatibility than other apps
Cons:
Not the best platform if you're looking for a more casual relationship
You have to pay for more features
Cost:
Basic: $29.99 per month, $19.99 per month for three months, $14.99 per month for six months
Premium: $39.99 per month for one month, $26.99 per month for three months, $19.99 per month for six months
Incognito: $19.99 per month for one month, $14.99 per month for three months, $9.99 per month for six months
Meetic
While only available in 21 countries across Europe, Meetic has long been a chosen platform across the pond, which makes it an excellent choice if you’re heading that way.
“If I were in Europe, I would try Meetic. It would be a fun app to use because it was originally a European, namely French, brand,” Carbino says, adding that “Meetic’s algorithms are very strong in terms of matching individuals on the basis of their profiles.” That is, after all, the whole point.
The app was acquired by online dating giant Match (which also owns Hinge, Tinder, OkCupid, and more) but unlike its more mainstream counterparts, Meetic also offers IRL events that could get you out and about in your new international community. Plus, there are live coaching sessions so you can get personalized dating support to up your romance game.
Pros:
Has a wide range of search criteria to help you find the right match
The app features audio prompts and live rooms
You can get personalized, live dating advice
Cons:
Available exclusively in Europe
More expensive than other dating apps
Cost:
29.99 € for one month, 59.99 € for six months (approximately $33 for one month, $65 for two months)
Zoosk
Zoosk is another great pick for younger and older users, according to Anderson. “Most of its user base is made up of millennials, but there’s also a Zoosk Seniors option that is great for older individuals who may be coming back into the dating scene after a divorce, and are open to meeting a match in a fun way,” she says. “One thing that’s neat is the live-streaming feature, which allows users to stream videos. It’s available in a ton of countries, too!”
Unlike some platforms that match you based solely on compatibility (i.e. your age range, religion, ethnicity preferences, etc.), Zoosk’s algorithm learns about your likes and dislikes and adjusts your options based on that. Sounds promising, right? It’s available across more than 80 countries and offers 25 different languages, so you can communicate around the world.
Pros:
You get daily match recommendations
The algorithm notices who you like and don't like, and adjusts suggestions accordingly
There's a live-stream feature
Cons:
Some users complain that the app interface isn’t the easiest to navigate
You can't message a match until you've paid for a subscription
Cost:
$29.95 per month, $19.98 per month for three months, $13.35 per month for six months, $10 per month for one year
Badoo
Badoo is actually one of the most global-friendly dating apps out there, and comes highly recommended by Carbino. With availability in over 190 countries, as well as 47 language options, the possibilities are endless. And while the platform already has a whopping 12 million active users, it’s on the climb. According to market research, it has an estimated one million new subscribers every week.
“Badoo’s long history as one of the first dating apps positions it as an early mover in the industry,” says Cambino. “[It] also has interesting features related to proximity, such as ‘bumped into’ or ‘people nearby.’”
These features make it especially great for new residents or visitors who are looking to meet people in close proximity. It quite literally notifies you to anyone passing by, which can easily translate to an IRL meet-up if that’s what you’re looking for, too.
Pros:
Can match with people in your direct vicinity
There are video and voice-chatting features
Offers advanced filters
Cons:
Features are limited, unless you upgrade to a paid subscription
Might not be the best option for serious relationships
Cost:
$12.99 for one month, $31.99 for three months, $47.99 for six months, $79.99 for a lifetime membership
How do I choose the best international dating app for me?
Budget
Think about how much you’re realistically looking to spend and consider that when downloading dating apps. While plenty of apps allow you to swipe for free, others are difficult to use without upgrading to a paid subscription tier.
Your desired type of relationship
While there are all types of people (looking for all types of relationships) on each app, some are geared more towards casual relationships while others prioritize serious connections. “If you’re ready for marriage, you might consider eHarmony. Looking for something potentially serious? Hinge or Bumble are great options,” Anderson says. “For something more casual or fun, Tinder is always a great option.”
Video-calling capabilities
If you don’t have immediate plans to visit the city or country you’re swiping through, you might want to choose an app with video calling. That way, you can get to know these international singles before moving or visiting the destination.
Cultural compatibility
If cultural compatibility is an important bullet point on your search for a relationship, “look at apps that either cater to a specific cultural background” or try one with “a diverse international user base, like Hinge,” says Reyes. “This can make finding a partner who shares your cultural values and traditions easier. It can also create a space where there’s already something big in common. It’s easier to create conversation.”
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