10 Best LGBTQ+ Dating Apps UK 2024 | HER, Taimi, Grindr and More

In at number one we have chosen the HER app. Primarily focused on lesbian dating, HER also makes a point of being inclusive and accepting of all types of queer and non-binary people. Being the biggest dating app for LGBTQ+ women, it's an excellent environment to meet lots of likeminded users as both a dating tool and a community.

With some similarity to sites like Pinterest and Tumblr, your profile functions more like a mood board. There's also a "feed" section but you have to choose three "communities" to be part of before it's visible, some examples are; NSFW, Queer Womxn of Color and Recipes & Foodies. Well-designed and fun!

You may be surprised to see Bumble so high on our list at number two. Though it was originally designed for straight users with the focus on putting women in control, Bumble is also becoming increasingly popular in the LGBTQ+ community, especially for those who are looking for more serious dating, or indeed, a relationship.

A wide pool of gay, bisexual and trans users come here and that could partially be due to Chappy (a popular gay dating app) being bought by Bumble, to help develop the presence of an LGBTQ+ community. Or, it could be because Bumble has a much more inclusive attitude towards gay, bisexual and trans users than other "regular" apps.

Grindr is the number one app in the world aimed at gay, bi, trans and queer people, however, it is mainly used for its original purpose – to help gay men to date and find hook-ups. Being the biggest and most utilitarian GBTQ+ app, it creates the best chance of finding gay connections.

Fundamentally based around location, men appear in order of proximity, so the closer they are, the more you will see them. Grindr has a very broad spectrum of users and interests and its image-based interface allows you to let someone know you're into them without saying a word. Efficient, fun and gets the job done (so to speak)!

The best-rated lesbian dating app of 2020 on the app store, Zoe is a cutting edge site for lesbian, bisexual and queer women to find friends, dates or a relationship. Having only come out at the beginning of 2018, Zoe is still building up its base but seems to be going from strength to strength.

Signing up requires a verification process to prove you are a woman, which does in fact also take into account trans womxn too. Zoe is interesting to use and is more of a personality than an app! It has detailed questions you can fill out such as whether you are optimistic or pessimistic or on time or always late, in order to find your perfect match.

Taimi is the largest and the first fully-inclusive LGBTQ+ platform with more than 7,000,000 real gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual users. It's only accessible to users who verify themselves, and once you have, you can chat for free, create posts and stories, make calls and videos or become part of one of the communities on site.

The concept is pretty exciting in itself – it's a place for the whole spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, instead of individual communities being pigeon-holed. However, moderation can be strict and users can find themselves warned or blocked for sometimes seemingly-minor reasons. With any luck, Taimi will find its flow over time.

Known for being like Grindr but for men with beards, fuzz or a bit of a "scruffier" style, Scruff actually features a much wider demographic with many "gay tribes" represented here. Because it has a huge share of the gay app market, second to Grindr, it's really easy for gay men to find a wide choice of possible connections.

Used throughout the world, it can be a good app for travelling whether you're looking for a hook-up or a potential date. Including the "woof" feature, which has now been copied by Grindr and other apps, it's a fun and quick way of letting someone know that you think they're super hot!

Probably the most exclusive option out there, Raya is a private, elite, members-only dating app. Celebrities such as Cara Delevigne and Ben Affleck have reportedly been spotted on Raya, however, it's marketed as a place for all sorts of creatives, influencers and those who are "experts in their area", not just the rich and famous.

To get onto Raya, firstly you need to be referred by a current member, and your application is then assessed by an algorithm and an anonymous global committee. If you love the challenge of an exclusive party and think you might have what it takes, Raya is suitable for both straight and LGBTQ+ people.

Do you self-describe as a bear or are you looking for a bear specifically? If so, GROWLr could be the perfect app for you – especially if you are somewhat body-conscious and want to be in a space where your type is coveted, or you're a bear chaser looking for a sleuth of options!

As far as practical aspects go the app is very user-friendly, many of the features are free and it's available on both Android and iOS devices. In terms of originality, GROWLr's features are pretty standard but work well. Its true USP is having a sincere commitment to the bear community.

ROMEO, ROMEO, where for art thou, ROMEO? Well, the answer to that question is Northern Europe – particularly in German-speaking countries. UK usage is low, but if you travel to Berlin, Munich or even Vienna or Zurich, ROMEO is the most popular place to find other gay men (if that's who you're looking for).

The app feels outdated and its corresponding desktop site is almost prehistoric when it comes to usability. However, it's useful for getting travel tips or arranging dates or meetups in its popular regions. ROMEO also publishes an annual list of LGBTQ-friendly places around the world which is a great bonus for travellers, too.

Hornet is mainly used by men in countries by where homosexuality is a criminal offence, but it's widely known in the UK by those who travel extensively for family or work. Although Hornet is available globally, it is a saving grace in places where other gay dating apps are banned or dangerous to use, such as Saudi Arabia or Chechnya. 

In fact, Hornet is the biggest gay dating app in Turkey but is only safe to use in Istanbul or Ankara, due to fake profiles being set up to incriminate users in other parts of the country. Unfortunately, it has some bugs and technical problems which can crash regularly on some users' systems. Hopefully, this can be ironed out as Hornet truly provides an invaluable service, particularly for those in the Middle East.