Top international dating apps

Using dating apps to meet people and build relationships across borders is increasingly common. And the good news is that there are plenty of options out there for people looking to create meaningful international connections, find new friends and broaden their horizons.

This guide covers some of the best rated and most downloaded international dating apps to help you find one which might suit your needs and preferences.

We’ll also touch on how you can save money on currency exchange when you travel, with a Wise Multi-currency Account.

Open a free Wise account online, to hold and manage 50+ currencies, get the real exchange rate whenever you need to switch from one to another, and spend in 200 countries with your linked debit card.

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What are the best international dating apps?

The best international dating app for you will depend on your personal preferences. It’s well worth checking out a few options to see which might fit what you're searching for — and the good news is that there are plenty to choose from. This guide runs through some of the most popular international dating apps out there to kickstart your research.

Popular dating apps worldwide

Tinder

At the time of writing, Tinder¹ is the biggest grossing app in the US² — as well as being super popular in many other countries around the world. Founded back in 2012, Tinder is available in 190 countries and in 40+ languages. With a huge 340 million global downloads, there are plenty of users out there to match with.

Bumble

Bumble⁶ is known as the dating app where women make the first move. Another hugely popular app option, you can also use Bumble to network or find friends — it’s not just about finding a date or starting a romantic relationship.

Once a connection has been initiated on the dating app, the other person has 24 hours to respond, or it will expire — Bumble prides itself on prompting users to be bold, which it says is behind the huge number of messages sent through the app (around 3 billion at the time of writing).

Hinge

As counterintuitive as it may sound at first, Hinge⁹ describes itself as the app that’s designed to be deleted. That’s because the team behind Hinge dating believe that you’ll be able to find a long term partner through the app, thanks to the advanced matching technology used. As with many of the world’s most popular international dating apps, you can get Hinge for free — or upgrade to a paid subscription if you’d prefer.

OKCupid

OKCupid¹² claims to make 90 million connections a year, leading to a whopping 50,000 dates a week. Set up in 2004, this is one of the more established dating apps out there, with a user base which covers a broad range of countries. It’s also the 4th highest grossing app in the US at the time of writing², allowing people to connect at home or across borders more easily.

Badoo

Badoo¹⁵ is another international dating giant that’s part of the same parent company which also runs Bumble¹⁶. Badoo has an emphasis on dating honestly, and encourages users to show their real selves through their profiles and interactions. At the time of writing over 500 million people around the world have signed up. As with Bumble, you can sign up to Badoo for free, or upgrade to a fee paid account for more features.

eHarmony

With 20 years behind them already, eHarmony¹⁸ is one of the more established dating apps out there, and has a specific international dating site which is aimed at people looking for, or open to, long distance relationships. You can get an eHarmony account for free or upgrade to a paid plan — it’s worth noting that paid plans are only available in 6, 12, or 24 month blocks¹⁹, so you’ll probably want to check out the free version before you leap in.

Happn

Happn²⁰ is the dating app to help you spot someone you like when you least expect it. Download the app and it runs in the background on your phone, looking for other users in your vicinity.

If you cross paths with another user — in a bar, walking down the street, on a day trip or vacation — you’ll get a notification, and you can like the profile if you choose to. If the other person likes your profile too you can chat — you never know when you might spot someone who catches your eye²¹ ²².

InternationalCupid

InternationalCupid²³ is part of the large Cupid Media network of dating apps, and has been around since 2004. With 8 million users and 4 million premium subscribers, there are people to connect with all around the world. The app is available on Android²⁴ or desktop, and usable in an impressive array of dozens of different global languages.

Zoosk

You can create a Zoosk²⁵ account for free, but this will only allow you to preview the site and view other member accounts²⁶. If you want to send messages or connect with anyone you’ll need to pay for a Zoosk subscription. The Zoosk plan costs 29.95 USD for one month, but there are progressive discounts for longer package subscriptions — so if you choose a 12 month plan you’ll pay less than half of that a month²⁷.

Niche apps

Many of the international dating apps we have featured above have more specific dating options if you’re looking to match with someone from a specific background or community.

However, there are also an increasing number of popular standalone apps which are designed to help users find and build relationships with people from the same background as them, even if they’re not in the same physical location. Here are a few popular examples:

Going abroad? Make the best of your travel money with Wise

The world is a connected place. If you’re traveling abroad for any reason, you could be better off with a Wise Multi-currency Account.

Open your Wise account for free online and top up in USD, then switch to whichever currencies you need for your travels using the real mid-market exchange rate. There’s no markup added, and no sneaky hidden costs — just a low transparent fee to pay.

You can then spend for free once you arrive in your destination, with the Wise international debit card. Hold and manage 50+ currencies in one account, and spend in 200 countries with your card. Your money can be every bit as international as you are, with Wise.

🚀 Get a Wise account

Use this guide as a starting point if you’re thinking of dipping a toe into the waters of international dating. Check out a few of the popular apps we’ve highlighted and see if any might work for you — and don’t forget to get your Wise Multi-currency Account to cut the costs of your next international trip.