Gay Dating – In It to Win It

Gay. It’s a word with a history. It first appeared in English in the 12th century meaning joyful or carefree. By the 19th century, gay began to refer to homosexuals, primarily men. During the 20th century, the word gay continued to refer to homosexuals, but it also became a derogatory term. “That is so gay” was described something that was stupid, weak, or lame.

Today, it has come to mean many things – there is “Gay Pride” which refers to the events of whole LGBTQ+ community and sometimes to queer people in general.

So, what are we talking about here? We’re talking about gay men and their gay dating scene – ditch all of the other definitions.

Gay Dating

A Bit of History

Gay men have been dating since ancient times. In many civilizations, love between gay men was thought to be superior to straight love.

It all came to a public head in the 19th century when author and playwright Oscar Wilde had the audacity to have an affair with the son of a nobleman – big mistake. Homosexuality was illegal in the UK at the time but was rarely prosecuted. Wilde was sentenced to two years hard labor.

Into the 20th century, gay dating and affairs were illegal all over the world. The American Psychological Association listed being gay as a “sociopathic personality disorder.”

It has taken a long time and plenty of pressure and laws to decriminalize and de-stigmatize homosexuality, and gay dating and marriage are finally legal and socially acceptable in the developed world. That isn’t to say that there is no opposition, discrimination, and harassment. Every country has its conservative segments that see gay men as “evil and sick.”

Gay Dating Today

The gay community moves rather freely around today. With married celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka along with Elton John and David Furnish, gay guys feel free to move about the planet, in a lot of places, that is.

But, like most other 21st century consumer markets, dating has gone digital, the single gay dating scene included. With over 8,000 online dating apps and over 400 million using those dating apps, it’s clear that online has become pretty mainstream. And why not? Plenty of benefits for gay dating online.

  • Efficiency. Using gay dating apps, gay men can browse profiles, connect with potential matches, and decide if there is enough compatibility to move forward IRL. Rather like “try before you buy.”
  • Lower cost. Even if a gay man chooses paid membership options, a premium or pro subscription, he spends a lot less money than going on in-person date. Using dating apps to make meaningful connections up front means an in real life date will probably be worth it.
  • Accessibility. Any gay singles with an Internet connection and a mobile device can access dating apps at anytime, anywhere. A gay dating experience can happen on a lunch hour, during a commute, or curled up on a couch in their pj’s. Online dating apps are “on-demand” just like movie channels.
  • Meet new gay guys. One of the biggest benefits of online dating apps – a gay man is going to meet people he never would have met just hanging out in his usual gay haunts. Form genuine relationships with men who live within a reasonable distance that they wouldn’t have met before.

Once a gay sees these benefits, he wants to go online. The challenge now becomes this: which gay dating platforms are the best? Your personal experience with online dating and gay dating apps may not be deep, so finding the best gay dating sites could be challenge.

Not to worry. We have done the work and have a list of the best gay dating apps and sites for whatever relationships you might want.

Best Gay Dating Sites and Apps

Here’s your menu.

Taimi

Taimi is the largest all-inclusive LGBTQ+ dating app – 25+ million subscribers with millions of gay guys looking for connections

Free to join, register, and begin dating journey – supports every type of relationship desire.

Bunch of free features that other dating apps charge for.

Crazy good matching system based on user profile and preferences – members get closely aligned potential matches of the like-minded.

Operates its own social media platform with groups and chat rooms based on gender identity and sexual orientation – a fun community, including games, contests and events.

Taimi kinda leaves other gay dating apps in the dust.

Pros

  • Great matching process
  • Bunch of free features
  • Supportive community

Cons

  • No website version – must download from app stores
  • Occasional glitches

Grindr Unlimited

Gay guys looking for quick hookups – no small talk or exploring interests or personalities.

Once registered, gay men are presented with collage of photos and can tap on those of interest.

Everything is locally based. No boundaries – dick pics are common.

Best known among hookup apps.

Good site for gays in more rural areas who are willing to travel short distances to a more metro area.

Pros

  • Huge user base
  • Location-based matching
  • Works on iPhone and Android
  • Hookup usually within an hour

Cons

  • Issues with bots
  • Content must be kept in private space
  • Live chat on for paying members
  • Some reports of biphobia and racism
  • Some past data breaches

Scruff

Huge diverse user base of gay guys of all types looking for all relationship types – inclusive community

Scruff more serious relative to relationship goals – not as raunchy as Grindr

Everything from hooks-ups to long-term relationships with a genuine connection

Join free and some good features.

Lots more features with a paid subscription – unsend messages, unlimited viewings, advanced search features and filters, and stealth mode.

Site hosts parties and events on the app.

Pros

  • Free fast signup
  • Huge user base
  • Travel location feature
  • Great paid functions
  • Easy/clean user interface

Cons

  • Occasional app crashes
  • Too many pop-up ads with free version
  • Low quality dating profiles/some fake profiles

Archer

Relatively new free dating for those interested in serious and long-term relationships.

Gender identity options and orientation are gay, bisexual, and other queer men

Focus is on socializing to develop real connections and a lasting relationship with like-minded individuals first based on goals, values, and mutual interests

Safe space to explore sexuality and connect on deeper level. Inclusive and respectful place.

Totally free to use. Smart-Blur filter to prevent raunchy content until and unless ready.

Selfie-verify feature so others know you are genuine.

Unlike Grindr, most guys look for more than casual encounters

Pros

  • Fully free to download and use
  • Selfie-verification required
  • Customized tags to personalize profiles
  • DMs and video calls
  • Access to medical and mental health resources

Cons

  • No desktop version
  • Smaller user base cuz newer

OK Cupid

Formerly for straight people only. Now offers 22 gender and 13 sexual orientations

Recommends users share interests and opinions on political and social issues – get them out of the way before deciding on IRL dating.

Share profile pictures, meet locals, share personality, and filter by interests and passions – all available on free version. Similar features cost on other gay apps.

Not the huge numbers of other gay dating apps, but focus is on longer-term connections – quality over quantity.

Pros

  • Available on iPhone and Android
  • Free sign up, registration and profile creation
  • Large pool of identity options
  • Percentage of match compatibility
  • User-friendly and easy to navigate

Cons

  • Ads with free version
  • No video chat
  • Must pay for top features
  • Some reports of data breaches

Tinder

Huge dating app for everyone – not a niche platform for gay singles.

Among dating apps one of the big boys – 75 million users and huge pool that competes with gay dating apps. Competes well with the best gay dating apps.

Swiping function created on this app, quickly copied by other apps.

Great among all dating apps for rural users.

40+ gender and sexuality options. Badges on profiles to show what you are looking for.

Operates as a local gay app like other hookup apps but for diverse relationship goals

New ID verification with “photo selector” eliminating fakes better than other dating sites.

Pros

  • Huge user base – more than the best gay dating apps
  • Available on all mobile devices – iOS or Android
  • Quick and easy sign up process
  • User-friendly interface
  • All age ranges – great for older guys
  • Several paid membership options
  • Multiple photos allowed

Cons

  • Free users have limited features
  • No matchmaking algorithm
  • Lots of low-quality bios and cheesy pickup lines like hookup apps

Ready to Win It?

All the dating apps listed here have dating features to satisfy any active users who are willing to sign up and create dating profiles and profile photos that attract others. Every one is a free app with advanced search options via paid membership options for premium features.

Gay singles can find everything from hookup apps to dating sites focused on meaningful relationships by choosing the right best gay app for their needs. Sex or serious relationships – pick your poison.

Meet locals, start dating, check safety features, and get your gay dating on.