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Meeting people in real life is ideal, but waiting for a meet-cute to happen organically isn’t always realistic. That’s especially true when your life involves working late into the evening, launching a startup, juggling multiple clients and side hustles as a busy freelancer, and just generally trying to have it all.
So, how do you find time to meet people when you’re too busy for happy hour? Fortunately, the philosophy of “work smarter, not harder” can be applied to your love life, too.
Enter the world of online dating, but not the kind you’re used to. We’re talking about elite dating sites for professionals, curated for singles who understand the challenges and rewards of a demanding career.
Yes, we know you’re online all day for work, and the last thing you want to do is spend more time on your computer or phone trying to find a partner. But the best dating apps and sites for professionals let you connect with potential partners on your own time and terms.
This means you can forego the awkward, almost-maybe-not relationships and immature time-wasters to create a dating experience that fits your lifestyle.
We have to talk about Tinder
When you think of dating apps, two things probably come to mind: hookup apps like Tinder (or worse, Facebook Dating) and the question of how you’ll ever find someone who understands that your busy lifestyle is just who you are.
First, let’s deal with the Tinder problem. Yes, it’s super popular, and for a good reason: people are getting laid! But if you’re looking for something more than a casual fling, endless swiping is not the answer. Many dating apps have features designed for single professionals interested in making meaningful connections. You don’t even need to download Tinder (unless you want a hookup app on standby).
Now, let’s talk about finding someone who understands and respects your busy lifestyle. You’re hardly the only single person with an excess of ambition and a shortage of time, and the right dating app will connect you to like-minded professionals. You deserve someone who can lift you up and support you, not someone to settle for.
How can you find this person? Through the very peculiar power of niche dating sites.
What’s the best dating app for professionals?
If you want to cut right to the chase: Based on our testing, we think Match is the best dating app for professionals, but runner-ups Raya, Bumble, and The League are also worth downloading.
Whether you’re looking for the top dating sites for professionals over 50 or dating apps for people earning six figures (or more), you have options. To get your search for a partner started, we’ve created this guide to the best dating apps for professionals. Keep in mind that paid dating apps will be your best bet, as they act as an automatic filter on time-wasters.
Our Pick
Read our full review of Match.
Who it’s for:
If you’re a professional in your early-to-mid 30s who’s interested in starting a serious but not too serious relationship, then Match is definitely an option worth looking into — it’s a non-committal alternative to marriage-focused dating sites like eharmony. On balance, we think it’s the best dating site for professionals.
Most of the folks on Match are in the 35-50 age range, making it a sweet spot for professionals over 35 who are not only established in their careers but are also looking for someone at a similar stage in life.
Why we picked this:
Match (owned by the dating app behemoth Match Group) is a popular dating app for people who want to have conversations, not just swipe through dating profiles. It’s been around since 1995 and has the credentials of connecting 1.6 million people with their partners.
Even if you’re not the chattiest person, Match can help you get started. AskMatch, a dating advice feature, offers a virtual team of dating experts who can help you beef up your bio, get tips on how to start that first convo, or deal with fake profiles. (Though, we think it may only be available to daters in NYC and Chicago so far.)
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Who it’s for:
If you prefer to keep your business and personal life separate, consider Raya. It’s an exclusive app that requires an application to join. The New York Times reported back in 2018 that only 8% of users were accepted, making it harder to get into than Harvard Business School.
You have to pay for that exclusivity, as there’s no free membership option. Instead, pricing starts at $25 a month. However, the app has rules against screenshotting or screen recording — doing so results in immediate termination of membership. Therefore, if you want to make sure your dating life stays private, aka no screenshots of your profile or messages posted to the internet, Raya is the only app to offer that level of discretion.
Why we picked this:
Raya is known as the “celebrity dating app,” as a variety of celebrities including Ben Affleck, Cara Delevingne, and Chris Rock have been spotted in the user base. And these aren’t catfish profiles either, as all Raya users must apply and have their applications reviewed by a committee of elite superusers. After your application is reviewed, you’re either accepted or waitlisted. Being on the waitlist is a sort of purgatory — any day you could find yourself magically accepted.
You don’t need to be a celebrity or have a massive social media following to join. In fact, Mashable editor, Chance Townsend, applied for Raya and was accepted quickly to the app. Unless you’re in New York or LA, you probably won’t find celebrities on there; however, you will find users who care about their profession, whether it be consulting or creative direction.
Raya provides discretion and warns against screenshotting or screen recording within the app. Members who ignore the warnings or are caught photographing content within the app will have their membership terminated.
During his time on the app, Townsend noted a lack of diversity among the profiles, finding the community to be primarily white users. Raya also limits the number of likes you get in addition to limiting the number of users you pass on, trying to keep you in the Goldilocks zone. Since there’s no free membership offered on Raya, you have to be ready to commit to the $25 a month, but if that seems like too much money, then Raya probably isn’t for you anyway. Besides, you can’t put a price on privacy.
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Read our full review of Bumble.
Who it’s for:
Bumble is a dating app for women and non-binary professionals who are so over getting unsolicited messages from creepy dudes. This app isn’t just about swipes and matches; it’s where women can control the conversation.
While the app tends to attract a crowd of young professionals, with most users in their 20s and early 30s, there’s an opportunity for everyone to meet someone, including more seasoned singles who are looking for a meaningful relationship.
Why we picked this:
Bumble’s ingenious 24-hour time limit on messages keeps the conversation going, or at least gets it started, which helps to establish a quick connection that could potentially blossom into real-world meetups. Plus, Bumble’s famous women-message-first approach serves as a shield against the sleazy and unsolicited messages that are commonplace on apps like Tinder.
In April 2024, Bumble revamped its “First Move” feature. It’s now called “Opening Moves” and allows women and non-binary users to set a question (they can choose from a list or write their own) for their matches to answer. The app also added to its “Dating Intentions” section to include options like “life partner” and “marriage.”
Whether you’re a professional woman, a non-binary individual, or a more reserved person who’s intrigued by strong, dynamic individuals who prefer to take the reins, Bumble offers a more positive and respectful dating experience for the busy professional on the go.
Beyond its core dating function, Bumble also offers Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz, which is kind of like Linkedin.
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Who it’s for:
Now owned by Match Group (as of July 2022), The League is a highly selective dating app for ambitious, goal-oriented professionals. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re OK with going through an admissions process to be a part of an elite society (maybe even a bit elitist), then The League dating app might be the perfect match.
Launched in 2015, The League is for look-good-on-paper people who want to meet other look-good-on-paper people. Targeted toward young professionals, this exclusive dating site prioritizes education and job title — one of the social networks you connect is your LinkedIn (though it has a system that lets users block their profile from coworkers).
It’s all about status, status, status. So, if you’re looking for dating sites to meet people with six-figure incomes, i.e., dating sites for rich people, this is your best bet. Other than that, the app functions much like Tinder, with a two-week expiration on matches. While it’s not so great for those who live outside major cities where white-collar professionals flock, if you live in places like New York or Kansas City, you might want to give it a try.
Why we picked this:
The League does the work for you by sending you five matches per day at 5 p.m., aka “Happy Hour” in the app’s lingo (which is good when you have a day packed full of calls and meetings). The pricing reflects its exclusive client base: Get ready to fork out some money if you’re accepted for membership — it’s pricey, and unlocking certain features will result in another charge to your credit card.
However, The League is one of the few dating apps that takes goal setting seriously. With its GoalMates feature, members can select up to 10 goals from a list of 100+ to place on their profile, and the app will match them with other members who share their same goals. This is a great way to find a motivated, ambitious partner who supports your dreams.
While the argument could easily be made that The League is an incredibly elitist app — and it’s received a lot of flak for lack of diversity — it’s still a popular pick with the future 1% and those looking for a serious relationship.
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Read our full review of eharmony.
Who it’s for:
If you’re in the market for something more serious, especially the “M” word (yup, we’re talking marriage), eharmony is a name you can trust. Despite evolving with the times, the platform hasn’t let go of its foundational scientific approach to matchmaking.
Historically, eharmony has been a popular choice for users with conservative values, including those who value religion. However, there are other dating apps that cater specifically to religious users, such as Christian Mingle and Lox Club.
eharmony used to have a binary view of gender preferences, but it’s made some progress in becoming more inclusive of non-binary users. The app now allows users to choose from an expanded list of genders; they can also choose whether to display their gender on their profile and indicate whether they’re seeking men, women, nonbinary people, or a combination.
Why we picked this:
eharmony is one of the most popular and successful dating apps, and it has a proven track record of helping people find love. Nobody wants to waste time, money, or energy on people who aren’t right for them or offer up serious red flags. Having the app’s algorithm and science match you with highly compatible people goes a long way toward finding people you have a high probability of getting on with and who are just as focused on their careers as you are.
And if you’re not comfortable meeting strangers in person right away, eharmony has a video call feature that lets you have your first date virtually. This is a great way to get to know someone before you meet them in person, and it’s also a great way to connect with people who live far away.
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Who it’s for:
Happn is a dating app for people looking for a more organic way to meet people. It’s a good option for busy people who don’t have time to plan to meet new people — like carving out time for happy hour at the bar.
Why we picked this:
Happn is the dating app for people who believe in missed connections and serendipitous encounters. It uses your device’s GPS to show you other users you’ve crossed paths with in real life. If you’re both interested, you can start chatting and potentially turn that fleeting moment into a real meet-cute connection.
While it doesn’t match you based on interests or values, its unique premise makes it ideal for busy professionals who are always on the go. Happn turns your daily commute or errands into opportunities for romance, allowing you to connect with people who frequent the same places (and elite circles) you do.
It’s a great way to spark spontaneous dates or find someone who shares your neighborhood and lifestyle.
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Who it’s for:
If your work schedule has you swamped with projects and Bumble connections tend to fizzle out before you can even catch a breath, Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) could be your new go-to. Think of it as the EliteSingles for younger professionals, offering a similar focus on quality over quantity but with a more laid-back vibe and a lower price tag.
CMB takes a refreshing approach by delivering a curated selection of potential matches directly to your inbox every day at noon so you can scroll through during your lunch break (or whenever you find convenient).
Why we picked this:
Sure, dubbing matches as “bagels” might come off as a tad quirky, but once you move past that, this app is great for busy people who could use a nudge or two to dive into the dating scene. Its daily curated matches ensure that your dating life stays on track even if you’re super busy at work.
You’ll get pinged with encouragement to set up a date with matches or to message users — while some find it annoying, those who don’t have much bandwidth might appreciate the reminders. Plus, profiles tend to go a bit more in-depth than Tinder (think more Hinge in terms of revealing icebreaker prompts).
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Who it’s for:
If you’re a young professional looking for a serious relationship, Hinge is a great option. It’s more selective than Tinder and encourages users to start conversations and get to know each other before they match.
Hinge is basically a dating app for people who are tired of the swiping game. It’s designed for people serious about finding a relationship, and it shows. With 99% of Hinge users being college-educated and hailing from industries like banking, consulting, media, and fashion, you’re guaranteed to find someone who gets the hustle and bustle of your 9-to-5 life.
Why we picked this:
Hinge is based on more than thinking someone is hot; the app is designed for thought-provoking engagement to spark a connection with a bit more substance right from the get-go.
A dating guide helps you get your profile into optimal shape in the least amount of time, and a prominently featured one is about how to move your convo into an IRL date. Profiles also feature questions that help you figure out the potential partner’s sense of humor, so there’s a dating expectation set from the start. (Your matches are also curated by your own answers to the same questions).
The app has a cap on how many matches you can have each day, which helps you focus on finding a potential match you’re genuinely interested in. So if the endless scrollability of Tinder distracts you from your work to-do list, it can be nice to have a built-in cap.
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Who it’s for:
EliteSingles is a dating app for educated and ambitious professionals serious about finding a relationship. More than 90% of its members have an above-average education and are 30-plus, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for someone who’s on the same page as you are in terms of their goals and values.
Plus, if you’re looking for quality matches without the high price tag of apps like The League, EliteSingles offers a more affordable alternative.
Why we picked this:
Like eharmony, EliteSingles starts you off with a comprehensive personality test based on the Five-Factor Model. This isn’t your average “What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” quiz. This test assesses your personality traits across five key dimensions: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
After you’ve revealed who you are, the app shows you your matches. Unlike Tinder, which greets you with an onslaught of matches and then tells you to check back later when you’ve swiped through all of them, EliteSingles recommends three to seven matches per day that it thinks are a good fit for you.
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Read our full review of OkCupid.
Who it’s for:
OkCupid is a dating app for people who are done swiping and want to start dating with intention. This dating platform helps users find potential matches based on their political beliefs, social views, lifestyle choices, and career goals.
It’s pretty popular among young professionals and millennials, but it’s open to users of all ages. Though singles in their 40s and 50s may fare better on Match or SilverSingles.
Why we picked this:
With a user base that skews towards the 25-34 age range, OkCupid is a great place to meet other young professionals who are looking to make a meaningful connection.
And because who has the time to swipe through hundreds of profiles after a long day at work? OkCupid’s prompts and detailed questions make it easy to create a profile that reflects your true personality and values, and its search filters allow you to quickly find matches who share similar interests and goals.
If you’re serious about finding love, you can upgrade to a paid membership to access features like unlimited Likes, Dealbreakers, and the ability to see who has already liked you.
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Read our full review of Zoosk.
Who it’s for:
If you’ve found yourself at the crossroads of dating apps but still have hope, Zoosk may be a good last-resort option.
This app isn’t really for any one person; it has a large user base, and literally anyone can join. The demographics are all over the place, and there are a ton of fake profiles.
Why we picked this:
Zoosk is a dating app that promises to make it easy to find matches, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. The website is a bit dated and full of spam accounts and fake profiles, and it’s pretty expensive, especially when you consider that there are better dating apps out there that are more affordable.
Another downside of Zoosk is that it restricts its messaging function to premium users only. This means that if you want to send messages to your matches, you’ll have to pay up.
Overall, Zoosk isn’t the best dating app out there. There are better options available, such as Hinge, Bumble, and Match.
If you’re looking for a dating app that’s easy to use and full of real people, we recommend skipping Zoosk and trying one of the other apps on this list instead.
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Curious how we determined the best dating sites (and apps) for busy professionals? Here’s how we did it:
We didn’t just take the platforms’ word for it. Our team of reviewers personally tested each platform, creating profiles, exploring features (both free and paid), and engaging with other users. We wanted to see how these apps performed in the real world, not just on paper.
We evaluated each site based on key criteria important to busy professionals:
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Ease of use: We looked for intuitive interfaces and smooth navigation because no one has time for a glitchy and outdated interface.
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Quality of matches: We assessed the type of people each platform attracts, ensuring a good fit for ambitious, career-oriented individuals.
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Safety and privacy: We examined each site’s security measures to protect your personal information and ensure a safe dating experience.
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Overall value: We considered the cost of premium features and whether they truly enhance the user experience.
We went beyond the basics to get a feel for the “vibe” of each app. We tested how they responded to different profile types, looked for red flags like excessive notifications, and assessed whether they genuinely understood the needs of busy professionals.
Our team of experienced writers and relationship experts then distilled their findings into honest, insightful reviews. So, what you’ll find here isn’t just data and tech specs, but real-world insights from people who understand the challenges and rewards of online dating as a busy professional.
No clichés, no marketing hype — just an honest take on the dating app scene, tailored specifically for you.
Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer, editor, SEO & content strategist. Aside from writing for Mashable, Tabitha is also the founding editor-in-chief of DO YOU ENDO — a digital magazine by individuals with endometriosis, for individuals with endometriosis. She has a Master’s degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism from The New School of Social Research and is a grad of Sextech School. You can find more of her work in various online pubs, including National Geographic, Insider, Kinkly, and others.
