Mashable Ranks 11 Best Dating Apps of 2026, Naming Hinge No. 1

1 articles · Updated · Mashable · Jul 17

Hinge topped Mashable’s 11-app list for 2026, ahead of Tinder, Match and Bumble, with the outlet calling it the best overall choice for users seeking more intentional relationships.
75% of Hinge’s Gen Z daters check “Dating Intention” before liking someone, Mashable said, citing prompts, AI conversation tools and mandatory Face Check verification in the U.S. since March 2026.
Tinder remained Mashable’s top hookup app, while Match was favored for singles in their 30s to 50s and Bumble for women and non-binary users despite its ongoing product overhaul.
65% of people aged 18 to 29 have used a dating app, according to a 2025 SSRS survey cited by Mashable, while a 2023 Pew report found one in five young people met a significant other on one.