Best LGBTQ+ Dating Apps: Safety, Features, and Real Costs
We compared five leading LGBTQ+ dating apps on safety features, identity options, and actual monthly cost — including the in-app purchases that don't show up in marketing copy.
Why we wrote this
Every “Best LGBTQ+ Dating Apps” list on the internet looks the same. Five apps, three sentences each, and a “$0.00” price tag that quietly turns into $30 a month once the free trial ends.
We wrote this for the reader who wants the boring, useful version: who runs the app, what identity options actually exist, how the photo verification works, and what the real monthly cost looks like after the trial.
Who this is NOT for
If you’re looking for hookups without any identity verification, this comparison will feel overly cautious. We’ve prioritized apps that take safety tooling seriously, which means some apps popular for casual dating rank lower here.
Selection criteria
- Identity & pronoun options: Does the app let users set pronouns and gender identity beyond a binary?
- Photo verification: Is there a real-time selfie verification, and is it enforced?
- Block and report tooling: How quickly can a user block, and does the platform act on reports?
- Real monthly cost: What’s the actual cost on the standard one-month tier, including the in-app purchases most users end up needing?
- Available regions: Does it work in the user’s country?
All prices below were verified on each app’s App Store listing on July 22, 2026.
Comparison
| App | Best for | 1-month | Verification | Pronouns | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HER | Lesbian, queer & nonbinary readers | $14.99 | Yes | Yes (free text) | Strongest community feel, expensive tier |
| Taimi | All LGBTQ+ readers, inclusive UX | $14.99 | Yes | Yes | Best pronoun/gender tooling we tested |
| Grindr | Gay & bi men | $19.99 | Limited | No | Largest network, weakest safety tools |
| Scruff | Gay & bi men, travelers | $13.99 | Yes | No | Decent travel features, smaller base |
| OkCupid | Mixed mainstream + queer users | $34.99 | Yes | Yes (free text) | Best free-tier matching, costly premium |
Individual picks
HER — lesbian, queer & nonbinary readers
Pros
- Free-text pronouns and gender identity. No dropdowns.
- Active community moderation in our test regions (US, UK, AU).
- Strong events feed for local queer community.
Cons
- Free tier aggressively limits who you can see.
- $14.99/month is the standard rate, but you’ll be prompted for “Premium Extras” within the app.
Who it’s for: Lesbian, queer, and nonbinary readers looking for community, not just dating.
Who should skip it: Anyone who finds constant in-app upsells exhausting.
Taimi — all LGBTQ+ readers
Pros
- Best pronoun and gender tooling we tested, including neopronoun support.
- Verified profiles get a badge, and verification is enforced within 24 hours.
- Inclusive by default — no “are you sure?” prompts when selecting nonbinary.
Cons
- Smaller user base than Grindr or HER in most regions.
- Live streams feature feels bolted on and noisy.
Who it’s for: Readers who want inclusive design and don’t need the biggest pool.
Who should skip it: If you want maximum reach in a specific city, Grindr or OkCupid will surface more local matches.
Grindr — gay & bi men
Pros
- Largest user base for gay and bi men globally.
- Fast, location-based matching works as advertised.
Cons
- No native pronoun field as of July 2026.
- Photo verification is opt-in and rarely enforced.
- Reports of slow responses to abuse reports are consistent across app store reviews.
Who it’s for: Gay and bi men who want the largest local pool.
Who should skip it: Anyone who needs strong safety tooling or identity options beyond “man seeking man.”
Recommendation by use case
- Lesbian & queer women: HER.
- Inclusive UX, any LGBTQ+ identity: Taimi.
- Maximum reach for gay & bi men: Grindr (with care).
- Travelers who want local queer connections: Scruff or HER.
- Free-tier matching without pressure: OkCupid.
A note on safety
No dating app can guarantee safety. We recommend:
- Using the in-app messaging system until you trust a match.
- Meeting first matches in public, during the day.
- Sharing your location with a friend before a date.
- Reading each app’s safety guide before signing up.
App pricing and feature verification date: July 22, 2026. App store listings change frequently — always confirm the current terms on the official app store before subscribing.