Which are the best online dating sites for gay men?

If you’re a guy seeking to connect with other guys for dates, intimacy, or just a bit of fun, your starting point is likely to be to use the technology and sign-up to an online dating site.

One of the challenges is that there are so many dating apps and websites out there - there’s lots that cater for everyone, and there’s a big range of sites that cater specifically to men-seeking-men.

If you ask around, there's a handful of sites that most guys will be using but their favourites will vary. The reason for that is because finding the right dating app for you really depends on what you’re looking for. 

Here's some questions to help guide your selection process.

What kind of connection are you looking for?

Before you set your profile up and start messaging guys, make sure that you ask yourself what kind of encounter it is that you’re looking for. It’s really important that you’re up-front with yourself and the guys that you’re chatting with. Are you looking for a quick hook-up? Do you want a romantic date? Are you looking for a boyfriend?

That intention not only shapes the conversations that you’re going to be having the guys you chat with, but it also plays a pretty big role in which dating app is right for you.

Some apps work best for quick hook-ups and no-strings-attached encounters. Others are more designed for cruising. There's also sites that aim to encourage conversations and going on dates before leaping into physical intimacy.

What’s the budget you’ve got available for online dating?

The good news is that you can easily set up an online dating profile and start chatting with guys without paying any money. Most sites and apps will offer users a free version of their services.

The bad news is that in order to get the most out of an online dating site, you’re probably going to need to sign up to one of their paid subscription plans. 

Benefits of signing up to a paid service is that you’ll be able to remove advertising and you’ll also get access to lots of tools and features that will make your search easier.

The cost between different dating apps varies, so it’s worth shopping around.

What kind of online dating experience are you wanting?

When you’re comparing the prices of the different subscription plans of dating apps, you’ll quickly realise that there’s quite a bit of variation in the features that each site will offer.

This is important information to take into consideration when making your choice. Some features will better suit the kind of encounters you’re looking for - conversely, there’s no point paying for features that you’re not going to use.

What type of online experience are you looking for?

A lot of online dating can feel very transactional. That's ideal if you're looking for someone near you for right now - you need an app that will help you sort out the logistics and get down to business. If you want to have a bit more of a conversation with the guys that you're connecting with, look for sites that offer chat-rooms and video-messaging.

Which online dating app should you choose?

Most guys will have a couple of different hook-up or dating apps on their phone. That's because you will probably use a different app depending on what you're looking for - it's horses for courses. But you will get the best results if you focus in on just a couple of platforms - that way, you'll regularly appear in the searches of the guys near you, and you'll be able to build online connections with the guys that you're interested in.

Put the technology to work and connect with men near you!