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October 14, 2023

Whether you travel frequently for work or pleasure, the best international dating apps are a great way to build connections while you’re on the go. Opening yourself up to dating internationally can make for some rich life experiences and romantic connections.

“[International dating sites] are perfect for adventurous souls who are open to exploring diverse cultures, learning new languages, and forming connections no matter the geographical location of their prospective partner,” says therapist LaTonya Washington, LICSW.

Washington has helpful insight on how to date while traveling and which apps are best for international dating. Keep reading to learn our experience testing them for ourselves.

Best international dating sites of 2023:

• Best for marriage: eHarmony
• Best for introverts: Match
• Best queer-friendly: OkCupid
• Best for women dating men: Bumble
• Best for professionals: The League
• Largest user base: Tinder
• Best for serious relationships: Hinge

How we picked

• Security: We looked for apps with strong security features to protect data, keeping dating app safety top of mind. 
• User base: Each site on our list has a large user base with representation from diverse backgrounds. 
• Expert insight: We’ve interviewed dozens of dating experts and kept their insight top of mind when selecting the best international dating sites.
• Testing: To truly know which sites are best for international dating, you have to try them for yourself. We tested every international dating site to evaluate the sign up process, app interface, and overall user experience.

Best for marriage

eHarmony

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We tested eHarmony: Check out our full eHarmony review.

There’s a reason this dating site has been around for so long. Your experience begins with a comprehensive 80-question quiz, which gets into the nitty gritty and helps the app provide more relevant matches. 

While some users don’t love that you really have to pay to get any real benefits from eHarmony, it’s a great way to weed out anyone who isn’t serious. One of the best dating apps for serious relationships, eHarmony comes recommended by Washington for those seeking marriage. 

After filling out your profile, eHarmony takes over the heavy lifting by using an algorithm to pair you with matches and provide a compatibility score. You’ll know lots about someone before even contacting them, which is particularly great when you’re considering meeting someone in another country.

Pros

• Profiles are comprehensive
• Personality test is detailed
• Ability to see who viewed your profile

Con

• Takes time to set up
• Very limited capabilities with free membership

eHarmony premium

• 6 months: $359 ($59.84 per month)
• One year: $388 ($32.25 per month)
• 2 years: $699 ($29.13 per month)

Best for introverts

Match.com

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About

Website & app with detailed profiles and fastest-growing user base for seniors

We tested Match.com: check out our full Match.com review.

Meeting someone online can be an intimidating experience (especially if you’re shy or introverted)—and dating internationally is even more nerve-wracking for many. Match asks users to fill out in-depth personality quizzes and profiles, helping users really get to know potential matches before even starting a chat with them. 

What’s more, you have the option to be paired with a dating expert, have one-on-ones with them, and take advantage of their advice to ease into online dating. You can even attend live online events if that makes you feel more comfortable than jumping into one-on-one dates.

Pros

• One-on-ones with dating experts
• Live online events
• Detailed profiles

Cons

• Expensive if you want all the features
• Profile takes time to set up

Standard Membership

• One month: $44.99
• 6 months: $118.99 ($19.84/month)

Premium Membership

• 3 months: $116.99 ($39/month)
• 6 months: $129.99 ($21.67/month)

Best for women dating men

Bumble

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About

A swipe-based app where women always start that chat

We tested Bumble: check out our full Bumble review.

If you’re open-minded when it comes to the kind of relationship you are looking for (a safe bet, if you’re curious about international dating!), Bumble is a great fit. There’s a wide range of people using this dating app for hookups, casual dating, serious relationships, marriage, and even friendships. 

Most Bumble users are quite straightforward about what they are looking for exactly, since it’s one of the questions you answer when setting up your profile. This is a huge plus when it comes to international dating, since it’s best to go into it knowing your (and the other person’s) intentions.

Bumble is largely known for the fact that in heterosexual dating, women must message men first. The app enables and empowers women to initiate conversations, so that they can be the ones to set the tone of the chat.

Pros

• Great for making friends when traveling
• Many free features
• Large user base
• One week membership option

Cons

• Some may not like that women have to start the conversation
• Free version doesn’t allow backtracking

I (the writer!) have had great experiences dating internationally and at home on Bumble, whether I’ve been in New York City or traveling in Asia or Europe. I’ve tested this dating app and it’s carried me through different phases of my dating life. 

I’ve tried Bumble when looking for something serious, just a hookup, and even to connect with new friends—and something about messaging first (as the female) makes me feel more safe and in control, since it allows me to set the tone of our conversation.

Bumble Premium

• One week: $24.99
• One month: $49.99 ($11.66 per week)
• 6 months: $99.99 ($7.78 per week)
• Unlimited: $249.99

Best for professionals

The League

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About

An exclusive app curating just 5 potential matches per day

When dating internationally, you’re setting a wide, large net. If you want to be a bit more choosy, The League is a great option that’s available in 155 countries across six continents. Designed for ambitious people seeking equally ambitious people, the app is marketed towards people looking for more serious connections—that’s why we’ve chosen it as one of the best dating apps for working professionals.

When signing up for The League, you’re presented with an application process in which you submit your profile that’s connected to LinkedIn. You’ll be put on a waiting list, vetted by one of The League’s administrators, and then presented with a small handful of prospects daily. 

The app is designed to encourage users to talk and then meet up in person. Matches expire after 30 days, so you’re more inclined to forge a real connection outside of the app.

Pros

• Filters out work colleagues
• Meant for ambitious people seeking other ambitious people
• Verifies users through LinkedIn

Cons

• Limited prospects every day
• Paid options are pricey

Finding a serious connection with someone who is as ambitious as I am, is super important to me. Living in New York City, I meet tons of successful people organically—but I recently started a job that’s almost completely remote and I really wanted to meet more diverse people outside of the country. 

While apps like Bumble and Hinge have larger user bases, I appreciate that The League presents me with more curated options.

• Member subscription: $299.99 per month
• Owner subscription: $399.99 per month
• Investor subscription: $999.99 per month

Largest user base

Tinder

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About

The original swipe-based app focused on quick hookups

We tested Tinder: check out our full Tinder review.

Whatever your opinions on Tinder, you can’t change the fact that it has 75 million monthly active users all over the world. It’s the best option for anyone who wants a wide range—international daters included. 

The cool thing with Tinder is that it’s all about ease. Profile setup doesn’t involve any detailed questionnaire or quiz. Instead, you’ll just upload (up to nine) pictures of yourself and add a bio of (500 characters or less). 

You’ll be asked about your job title, company, school, location, and sexual orientation before you simply get to swiping—but this information is optional to fill out. Tinder even has a “smart photos” feature that puts your top-liked pictures at the top of your profile, so you don’t have to worry about rearranging.

Pros

• Good for casual relationships and different types of connections
• Available in 197 countries and you can see location of users
• Free version is excellent

Cons

• Not all people have descriptive profiles
• Can be superficial due to swiping process

Tinder Plus

• One month: $8
• 6 months: $24 ($6 per month)
• 12 months: $32 ($2.60 per month)

Tinder Gold

• One month: $24 per month
• 6 months: $75 ($12.50 per month)
• 12 months: $96 ($8 per month)

Tinder Platinum

• One month: $30 per month
• 6 months: $90 ($15 per month)
• 12 months: $120 ($10 per month)

Best for serious relationships

Hinge

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About

An app designed for relationships with limited likes (but has evolved for hookups)

We tested Hinge: Check out our full Hinge review.

Hinge has tons of options that really cater towards people trying to have more in-depth conversations that can lead to more serious, meaningful connections and relationships. The app really aims to match people based on shared interests and hobbies. 

With a free membership, you can get access to nearly the entire range of app features, but the paid version offers the ability to get more choosy with your filters. In that version, you can filter by political beliefs, height, level of education, and much more.

Pros

• Large user base for people looking for something serious
• Prompts can be answered with text or audio
• Queer-friendly

Cons

• Paid version is kind of pricey
• Limited options for indicating political beliefs

Hinge X

• One week: $24.99 per week
• One month: $49.99 per month
• 3 months: $99.99 ($33.33/month)
• 6 months: $149.99 ($24.99/month)

Best queer-friendly

OkCupid

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About

Swipe, backtrack, and sort potential matches with a free app

We tested OkCupid: Check out our full OkCupid review.

OkCupid has changed quite a bit since the dating site first hit the scene over a decade ago. It’s now one of the most inclusive dating apps out there. 

OkCupid offers a large selection of LGBTQ-friendly gender and sexual orientation options to identify with and is also supportive of non-monogamous relationships.

After answering a super in-depth personality quiz, OkCupid’s super smart algorithm will pair you with someone, but it goes even further than that. 

When users are shown options for matches, you’ll also see a compatibility score based on the app’s algorithm and how you both answered the questionnaire.

OkCupid Basic

• One month: $29.99
• 3 months: $59.99 ($19.99 per month)
• 6 months: $89.99 ($14.99 per month)

OkCupid Premium

• One month: $39.99
• 3 months: $79.99 ($26.66 per month)
• 6 months: $119.99 ($19.99 per month)

Simply put, an international dating site is one on which people from countries all over the world can connect and form romantic relationships. 

While some apps and sites have limitations on the distance/range of partners you can look at, others offer extremely wide ranges. A few are specifically designed for international dating, rather than just offering it as a feature.

International online dating can be a great experience for anyone who is open-minded and willing to be patient with the process. Washington adds that navigating cultural differences requires care, compassion, and patience. 

“While you may get excited about wanting to visit someone, consider the use of regular video calls to build an authentic connection and healthy foundation for developing a relationship first,” she says. 

Approach learning about your potential partner’s culture with curiosity, kindness, and sincere interest. Of course dating is all about having fun, but Washginton adds that it’s important to be cautious of scams. Be sure to never send money to someone you’ve never met in person.

You likely already know that dating can bring joy, connection, and a sense of fulfillment. Washington adds that positive relationships can also do even more than that. 

“[Relationships] can boost self-esteem, reduce stress, improve mental health, and physical health,” she says. 

Just make sure to always prioritize self-care, even while getting to know your potential partner. Pace yourself and ensure that you’re not rushing into anything you aren’t ready for.