Which dating apps do people in the UK actually use? Almost every major app is available, so the real question is which one fits what you want. Below is how many UK ratings each app has, what makes each different, and which to pick for your goal.

Full disclosure: LoverSpot is our app. All rating figures come from Apple's public App Store data for the UK storefront, checked on 12 October 2026. Where we could not verify something, we say so.

Short answer

  • The big three: Bumble, Tinder and Hinge each have roughly 200,000 to 275,000 UK App Store ratings. No other app comes close.
  • For a serious relationship: Hinge. For Muslim marriage: Muzz.
  • For actually getting to a date: LoverSpot, which plans the date in the app.

Dating apps on the UK App Store

The ratings each app has collected on the UK storefront are a cumulative count of iPhone ratings, not a count of current users, so treat them as a rough comparison only.

AppUK ratingsAverage ratingWhat sets it apart
Bumble275,7754.2Swipe with profile prompts
Tinder273,3514.2The best-known swipe app
Hinge196,6664.3Prompt-based profiles, built for relationships
Badoo40,4134.5Swiping plus a "People Nearby" grid
Muzz39,7604.4Built for Muslim marriage
happn30,3634.1Shows people you have crossed paths with
OkCupid16,8774.2Detailed compatibility questions
LoverSpotToo new to have ratings yet–Plans the actual date in the app

Source: Apple App Store public lookup data, UK storefront, 12 October 2026. All of these apps had been updated in 2026 as of that date. Android figures are not included.

Which app fits which goal?

  • A long-term relationship: Hinge. Its profiles are built around prompts and photos you can reply to directly, which leads to better first messages than a bare swipe.
  • The best-known option: Tinder, or Bumble, which has as many UK ratings.
  • Marriage with family involvement: Muzz, which verifies every profile and lets a guardian (Wali) join the chat.
  • People from your own area: happn, which only shows people whose paths you have actually crossed.
  • Less texting, more meeting: LoverSpot. You propose a time and a place inside the app instead of chatting for weeks. Every profile passes a selfie check before it appears, and you can video call before you meet.

Free or paid?

Every app here is free to download, and all of them let you match and message without paying. Subscriptions (Tinder Plus, Gold and Platinum, Bumble Premium, Hinge+ and HingeX, Muzz Gold, LoverSpot Plus, Gold and Premium) mostly add visibility, more likes and filters. Use the free version for a week or two before deciding whether an upgrade is worth it.

Staying safe

  • Meet somewhere public for the first date, and tell a friend where you will be.
  • Prefer verified profiles, and video call first if the app supports it.
  • Be wary of anyone who wants to move to WhatsApp quickly or asks for money. That is the standard romance-scam pattern; report the profile in the app.
  • Expect age checks. The Online Safety Act gives platforms stronger duties to protect children, and some dating apps now ask UK users to verify their age at sign-up.

Frequently asked questions

We cannot establish which app has the most active UK users from store data. By UK App Store ratings, Bumble and Tinder are level at the top, with Hinge close behind; independent audience research such as Ofcom's Online Nation report is the better source for monthly reach.

Which dating app is best for a serious relationship in the UK?

Hinge is the most relationship-focused of the big three. Muzz suits marriage-minded Muslims. LoverSpot also suits serious dating, because it moves conversations to real, planned dates quickly.

Are dating apps free in the UK?

Yes. All the apps listed can be used for free, with optional paid subscriptions.

Looking elsewhere? See our guides to the best dating apps in the US and which dating apps work in Morocco.

Last updated: 12 October 2026. Ratings re-checked on the UK App Store on that date.