In the dynamic world of digital entrepreneurship, inclusivity is the key to success. With the growing awareness and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations, the demand for specialised dating apps catering to various niche communities have surged. This has made it lucrative for businesses or entrepreneurs to launch dating apps for niche communities.
This holds good for the LGBT community as well. With governments of many countries supporting their cause, apps have come up so that individuals can find a partner of their choice. As businesses increasingly recognise the potential of this niche market, it becomes imperative to explore and understand the top dating apps for the LGBT community.
Online Dating Industry Statistics
The online dating industry has experienced impressive growth in recent years due to various factors. In 2022, there were over 366 million online dating users worldwide, by 2027 this is projected to reach 440 million. This year the industry is expected to generate over $17 billion in revenue.
Trends in the online dating realm suggests diversification of dating apps with the introduction of apps catering to specific niches, such as religious dating, ethical non-monogamy, and dating for people with disabilities. The focus will be on user experience that will necessitate introduction of features such as AI-powered matching, video chat, and personalised recommendations.
Top Dating Apps For The LGBT Community
The traditional dating scene may not always cater to the unique needs and preferences of the diverse LGBT community. Dating apps specifically designed for the LGBT community serve a crucial purpose in fostering connections within a safe and understanding space.
These apps not only provide a platform for romantic relationships but also serve as a support system where users can share experiences, find like-minded individuals, and build meaningful connections without the fear of judgment or discrimination.
This blog will delve into the features, target audience, and unique aspects of the best LGBT dating apps, making it an essential guide for entrepreneurs aiming to venture into this domain.
Planet Romeo
Target Audience: Primarily gay men seeking long-term relationships and meaningful connections.
Unique Selling Proposition: Extensive user profiles and in-depth matching algorithms, promoting compatibility and deeper connections.
User Base: Over 10 million users worldwide, with a strong presence in Europe
Stand-out Features
- Planet Romeo is for gays, bi, trans, and queers.
- Offers a comprehensive list of features including chat, events, and travel options.
- Emphasises privacy and security for its users.
This German based app was launched in 2002 and loved by many in the LGBT community. The app allows users to instantly chat or video call. Another useful feature is the app displays the genuineness of an account based on the number of users who know them.
Grindr
Target Audience: Gay men seeking a wide range of connections, from casual encounters to meaningful relationships.
Unique Selling Proposition: Location-based matching and real-time chat features, facilitating spontaneous meet-ups.
User Base: Over 10 million active users worldwide, making it one of the most popular LGBT dating apps.
Stand-out Features
- Primarily for gay, bi, trans, and queer individuals.
- Known for its geolocation feature that facilitates real-time connections.
- In-app customisation possible for personal preferences.
Grindr has been around since 2009 and is among the top social networking app for gays. This geospatial app allows users to chat and meet with other nearby men. The best functionality of this app is that users can look for hook-ups or long term relationships and link your social media profiles. You also have to option to mark your HIV status or read resources on STDs.
Scruff
Target Audience: Primarily gay men seeking casual encounters and hook-ups.
Unique Selling Proposition: Focus on muscular and bearded men, fostering a hyper-masculine aesthetic.
User Base: Over 15 million users worldwide, with a strong presence in urban areas
Stand-out Features
- Aimed at gay, bi, trans, and queer individuals.
- Features include a diverse range of profiles, events, and travel options.
- Robust security features ensure a safe online environment.
Scruff app is among the top dating apps for the LGBT community that is reliable for gay, bi, trans, and queer persons. Over 15 million users are on Scruff to find friends, create hook-ups, forge relationships, attend events, and much more. Scruff provides huge browsing and searching data for users to satisfy their requirements.
Chappy
Target Audience: Young gay men seeking casual encounters and hook-ups.
Unique Selling Proposition: Swipe-based interface with a focus on fun and flirtatious interactions
User Base: Over 1 million users worldwide, particularly popular among Gen Z gay men.
Stand-out Features
- Targets gay men seeking meaningful connections.
- Employs a “Chappy Scale” to categorise users based on their intentions.
- A strong emphasis on inclusivity and eliminating stigma.
This Bumble-backed app, is among the top dating apps for the LGBT community launched in 2017, providing gay men genuine, discrimination-free connect with others in their community. The app allows users to rate a relationship, from “cute to sexy.”
Her
Target Audience: Lesbian, bisexual, and queer women seeking a variety of connections, from casual encounters to serious relationships.
Unique Selling Proposition: Gender-inclusive matching and a focus on creating a safe and supportive space for women.
User Base: Over 10 million users worldwide, making it one of the most popular lesbian dating apps.
Stand-out Features
- Created for LGBTQ+ women, nonbinary, and trans people.
- Not just a dating app; also serves as a social network for the queer community.
- Accepts various gender identities and sexual orientations.
Her is built for lesbians and queer women and stands among the best lesbian dating apps with 4 million lesbian, bisexual and queer individuals on it. You can host parties and hold socials in 15 cities across the world. The app is active in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Netherlands, U.K, and the U.S.
Growlr
Target Audience: Bears, cubs, and admirers, catering to a specific niche within the gay male community.
Unique Selling Proposition: Focus on body positivity and inclusivity, creating a welcoming space for diverse body types.
User Base: Over 1 million users worldwide, fostering a tight-knit community.
Stand-out Features
- Tailored for gay bears, chubs, and their admirers.
- Unique features include a bear-centric news feed and events calendar.
- Focused on fostering a sense of community among users.
Growlr app is among the top dating apps for gay men of the LGBT community with over 10 million members worldwide who are older and are bear chasers. Users can send and receive instant private messages, do live video calls, share pictures, and video. Growlr is only for above 18 males and they can post nude photos as well.
Hornet
Target Audience: Gay men seeking a diverse and inclusive dating experience, with a focus on social networking and community building.
Unique Selling Proposition: Group chats, forums, and events, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.
User Base: Over 20 million users worldwide, known for its active and engaged community.
Stand-out Features
- Targets gay men with a diverse user base.
- Features include articles, stories, and events to enhance user engagement.
- Stresses inclusivity and creating a sense of community.
Hornet app has over 25 million users. This “meet LGBT friends” app provides a huge collection of photos and in-app collectibles. This dating app encourages community platforms, rather than being a dating app just for gays. It’s gradually rising in position as the top gay hook-up app.
Blued
Target Audience: Gay men in China and Asian countries
Unique Selling Proposition: Features tailored to the specific cultural context of Asian countries, including live streaming and voice chat.
User Base: Over 40 million users worldwide, with a strong presence in Asia.
Stand-out Features
- Primarily for gay, bi, trans, and queer individuals.
- A social networking app with live streaming features.
- Strongly advocates for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
Blued is a popular gay dating apps with 40 million users on it globally. The app includes features such as likes, share, and comment on posts and trending topics. Uses can go live and broadcast a stream. Folks looking to build a community can give Blued app a try. There’s also a travel feature, wherein you can meet those who love to travel and the two of you can see the world together.
How to make money through a dating app?
- Subscription-based model: Users looking for a specific service, can opt for a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription.
- In-app purchases: Integrate features that users have to pay for to utilise.
- Affiliate marketing: Connect with YouTubers and blog writers in this niche to collaborate with them to promote your application.
- Sponsored post promotion in your app: Allow other companies to post content and see their products via your app. You can earn commission for any sale they generate.
Conclusion: Top Dating Apps For The LGBT Community
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, entrepreneurs looking to tap into niche markets should consider the thriving world of LGBT dating apps. In a society that is progressively embracing diversity, these dating apps are not just avenues for romantic connections but vital tools for community building and support.
By understanding the unique features and target audiences of the best LGBT dating apps like Scruff, Grindr, Planet Romeo, Growlr, Chappy, HER, Blued, and Hornet, businesses can make informed decisions and contribute to fostering a more inclusive and connected world for the LGBT community.
By carefully considering these factors and tailoring their approach to the specific needs of the LGBT community, aspiring entrepreneurs can create successful and impactful dating apps that foster meaningful connections and empower individuals to find love and belonging.
After an Engineering degree and a Diploma in Management I devoted 16+ years working in the automotive industry. My innate skill and extreme passion in writing, encouraged me to adopt it up as a profession. I have been writing for more than 10+ years in the software industry. The 400+ blogs I published are informative, exhaustive and interesting to a professional and causal reader.
