Best Dating Apps in India (2026): An Honest Guide to Picking the Right One
By the Pookeez team · · 8 min read
There’s no single best dating app in India. The right one depends on what you’re looking for, where you live and how much you want to spend. Here’s a straightforward look at the most popular dating apps in India, what each is known for, and how to choose.
Full disclosure: we make Pookeez, which is on this list. We’ve tried to describe every app fairly. Features and prices change often, so check each app’s current plans before you sign up.
How to choose a dating app
Before you download five apps at once, ask yourself:
- What are you looking for? Something serious, something casual, or just to see who’s out there?
- How are profiles verified? Fake profiles and catfish are the most common complaint about dating apps in India. Look for strong ID or selfie verification.
- What’s actually free? Many apps are free to download but put key features, like seeing who liked you, behind a subscription.
- Who’s on it in your city? An app is only as good as the people near you. Some are bigger in metros, others in smaller cities.
Popular dating apps in India
Tinder
Best known for: the swipe. Tinder is one of the most widely used dating apps in India, with a huge user base in big cities.
Good if: you want the most options and are open to anything from casual to serious.
Keep in mind: the core app is free, but many features sit behind paid plans. With so many users, profile quality varies a lot.
Bumble
Best known for: giving women more control over the first move. It also has modes for making friends (BFF) and networking.
Good if: you want a more women-first experience or are also looking for friends in a new city.
Keep in mind: matches expire if no one messages in time, and several features are part of paid tiers.
Hinge
Best known for: prompt-based profiles and its “designed to be deleted” pitch. You like or comment on a specific photo or answer.
Good if: you want conversations that start from something real and are looking for a relationship.
Keep in mind: free users get a limited number of likes per day, and its user base in India is smaller than the biggest apps.
Aisle
Best known for: being an Indian app focused on serious relationships, with detailed profiles.
Good if: you’re looking for a long-term partner and want an app built around Indian dating culture.
Keep in mind: much of the core experience relies on paid features.
TrulyMadly
Best known for: being an Indian app that leans into verification and safety.
Good if: you want an India-first app with a focus on verified profiles.
Keep in mind: premium features are paid, and activity levels vary by city.
QuackQuack
Best known for: a large user base beyond the metros, including many smaller cities.
Good if: you live outside the biggest cities and want more people nearby.
Keep in mind: as with any big app, take your time verifying who you’re talking to.
OkCupid
Best known for: its questions and match percentages.
Good if: you like matching on values, opinions and lifestyle rather than photos alone.
Keep in mind: answering questions takes time, and some features are paid.
Pookeez (our app)
Best known for: every profile being ID-verified with an Aadhaar eKYC check and a live selfie, and every feature being free, including seeing who liked you, super likes and boosts.
Good if: you’re tired of fake profiles and paywalls, and you’re in Bengaluru.
Keep in mind: we’re brand new and launching in Bengaluru first, so we’re not available in other cities yet. You can join the waitlist at the end of this post to get in early.
Quick comparison
| App | Known for | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tinder | Swiping, huge user base | Most options, anything goes |
| Bumble | Women-first first move, BFF mode | Women-first dating, making friends |
| Hinge | Prompts and comments | Relationships, better openers |
| Aisle | Indian, serious intent | Long-term relationships |
| TrulyMadly | Indian, verification focus | India-first, verified profiles |
| QuackQuack | Reach beyond metros | Smaller cities |
| OkCupid | Questions and match % | Matching on values |
| Pookeez | ID-verified profiles, all features free | Bengaluru, no catfish, no paywalls |
Tips for whichever app you choose
- Use recent photos that clearly show your face, and write a bio that says something real.
- Be clear about what you’re looking for. It saves everyone time.
- Video call before you meet, and meet somewhere public.
- Never send money to someone you met online.
For more, read our safe online dating tips, and if you’re in Bengaluru, here are first date ideas in Bangalore.
Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Aisle, TrulyMadly, QuackQuack and OkCupid are trademarks of their respective owners. Pookeez is not affiliated with them. Descriptions are based on each app’s publicly available information as of October 2026 and may change.
Dating app FAQs
Which is the best dating app in India?
It depends on what you want. Tinder has the most users, Hinge and Aisle lean towards relationships, Bumble gives women more control, and Pookeez focuses on ID-verified profiles with every feature free.
Are dating apps free in India?
Most dating apps are free to download, but many keep key features behind paid plans. Pookeez makes every feature free for everyone.
How do I avoid fake profiles on dating apps?
Choose apps with strong ID and selfie verification, video call before meeting, and reverse image search photos that look too polished.
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- Dating in Bangalore: A Guide for People New to the City
- Dating Tips for Introverts: 10 Ways to Date Without Draining Your Social Battery
- 15 First Date Ideas in Bangalore (That Aren’t Just Coffee)
- First Date Tips: How to Make a Great Impression (Without Trying Too Hard)
- Gen Z Dating Terms Explained: Situationship, Ghosting, Breadcrumbing and More
- Green Flags and Red Flags in Dating: 20 Signs to Look Out For
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- How to Ask Someone Out: Over Text, in Person and on Dating Apps
- How to Get Over a Breakup (and Know When You’re Ready to Date Again)
- How to Know If Someone Likes You: 15 Signs Over Text and in Person
- How to Set Boundaries in Dating (with Examples)
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- How to Stop Overthinking in Dating and New Relationships
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- Long Distance Relationship Tips: 12 Ways to Make It Work
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- 12 Romantic Places in Bangalore for Couples
- 12 Safe Online Dating Tips for India (How to Spot Fake Profiles and Scams)
- 15 Second Date Ideas (and What to Talk About)
Want a dating app with no fakes and no paywalls?