13 Best Dating Sites & Apps in Chicago To Find Your Dream Partner
by John Santana
If you’ve been living in Chicago for awhile, you have probably already realized how tough dating can be in the city. The Windy City is face-paced with a diversity of cultures and lifestyles. Everyone is operating at their own pace, which can make it difficult to connect with like-minded singles in Chicago.
The good news is that there are plenty of Chicago dating apps that can help you find your perfect match. Whether you’re seeking love, casual dating, marriage, or something more specific, these dating sites have it all!
In this article, we share thirteen of the best dating sites for Chicago people.
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Ashley Madison
Ashley Madison first rose to fame in the online dating world for its extramarital affairs. Regardless of what people say, Ashley Madison is one of the best dating sites in Chicago, with a wealth of available candidates who are ready to mingle.
The dating site’s registration process is a walk in the park. All you have to fill in is your age, height, weight, marital status, etc. Then you can start browsing profiles for casual hookups. You will need to provide your email address, but it’s best to use an account that doesn’t display any of your identifying information.
Ashley Madison allows women to message for free. This is one of the main reasons why this dating site has such a strong female database. So, if you are a female, then you have access to plenty of free options with Ashley Madison. But if you are a guy, then your free options are pretty limited. You will need to buy credits to communicate with other users.
Pros:
- Highly active userbase
- It’s super easy to find a casual hookup or fling
- It is easy to navigate the site
- The free version for women
- Extremely discreet
Cons:
- There are scammers on the site
- It can be expensive, especially for males
Adult Friend Finder
Adult Friend Finder is the best dating site for single people who are looking to have hookups with other people. It was founded in 1995 and now has over 7 million users on its database. On average, there are about 100,000 active users on a daily basis. These active users are mostly males.
If you opt for a free membership on Adult Friend Finder, you won’t really be able to hook up with anyone, but there are a lot of other things you can still do. You can enjoy extra features like adult chat rooms and live sex cams.
A free membership allows you to receive messages for free. You can discover who lives close by, who is online, and who the hottest users are. You can also get more information from people’s profiles and refine your search using the age and gender filters. The premium membership plan matches you with even more potential matches. You can also use the advanced search filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Pros:
- There is a huge database of millions of users
- The signup process is free
- The premium membership plan is not very costly
- Access to 24/7 customer support
- Members are very open-minded
- You can use the dating app version on your mobile phone
Cons:
- There are numerous fake profiles and scammers
- Too many advertisements
- Certain pages redirect you to other businesses
Bang Locals
The dating website, Bang Locals, falls under the sex dating category. It welcomes people of a variety of sexual orientations. It does have a lengthy sign-up process that requires you to fill in ten fields.
Bang Locals has an advanced filter which you can use to find people according to their age, gender, picture, online status, and proximity. You can easily find people in Chicago who are looking to date. The dating site allows you to block specific users from contacting you. This is helpful, especially if you are receiving too many messages from users you are not interested in.
On Bang Locals, you can send other users an invite or enter private chats with them. If you are not a Bang Locals member, you will not be able to view other users’ profiles. This gives you a standard level of privacy. You can also upload more than one photo and select who can see your pictures.
Although Bang Locals has a user-friendly website design that can be used on a laptop, computer, or smartphone, it does not have a dating app yet.
Pros:
- Private profiles
- Able to report fake profiles
- Live-chat
Cons:
- No identity verification is required
- Not very discreet
- There is no dating app available
BLK
BLK is one of the most popular online dating apps for black singles. It is a niche dating platform where black men and women can connect through shared culture and find love. BLK is an exclusive community with only 40,000 users.
The BLK dating app offers basic features, but you can upgrade to the paid version for cool addons. The paid plan can help members increase their chances of finding a potential match by 30%.
Registration is completely free. You can log in with Facebook, which links your profile details and pictures to the app, or you can register with a phone number. Signing up with a phone number takes a couple of minutes and requires basic personal details.
The BLK dating app offers basic customer support options. You can send queries or complaints via email, or you can leave a review on the app. The response time for email support is much quicker than the response time for reviews. But there is no instant support option.
Pros:
- A safe community for black singles to meet
- Registration and planning are both free
- Fairly large user base for a young app
- Supports modern dating culture
Cons:
- Poor design features
- Confusion about membership pricing plans
- Lots of spam profiles
eHarmony
eHarmony is one of the most popular and famous online dating apps in the world. The dating app has been around since the beginning because its system works. It has everything you could want in an online dating website.
eHarmony is the most popular dating app for singles who are seeking serious, long-term relationships. If you are looking for a casual hookup, then this app isn’t ideal for you. The registration process takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. You can create an account manually with your email address, log in with your Apple account if you are using the eHarmony app, or sign in with Facebook.
You will also be asked to complete an eHarmony compatibility quiz. These are questions about yourself and what you are looking for in a partner. Some questions may be a little strange, but they sure yield incredible results. This dating app has singles from every age group. Although the majority of its users fall between the mid 20’s and the early 50’s. But you will also find some singles in their early 20’s.
Pros:
- High-quality members to choose from
- New video dating feature in the app
- More than 2 million people have found love on eHarmony
- Sophisticated matching system
- Simple and clean interface
Cons:
- A little pricier than other dating apps
- Lengthy sign up process
- Not a good fit for singles looking for hookups
- Limited free plan
Tastebuds
Tastebuds is a UK-based online dating site that matches singles through music. It is a great platform to meet friends and explore music genres. The site uses music as a medium for people to see if their personalities match. So it’s no surprise that the majority of its 500,000 members are musically inclined individuals.
Tastebuds is for singles who are looking to fall in love with people that share their interests. It is for people who are seeking friendships and genuine connections. The dating site is not ideal for singles who are looking for casual dating and hookups. It is definitely not for people who are not that into music.
Tastebuds offers a free plan and free basic services, which include building a profile, searching for filters, and participating in group discussions. Every user can send messages for free, and you can read the first message you receive for free. You can upgrade your plan to unlock more fun features.
Pros:
- Large music library
- Safe verification system
- All members are verified
Cons:
- Not all users want closed relationships
- The dating app is only available on Apple
- Big age difference between genders
Tinder
Tinder is one of the most well-known dating websites in the world. But, it doesn’t have an impressive reputation. The dating app is notorious for its fake profiles and members who would do anything to engage in sexually explicit conversations.
If you are between 18 and 30 years old and looking for flings or casual relationships, then Tinder is a great option. The paid plans may just be worth it too. It is one of the best free dating sites in Chicago. But, if you crave long-term commitment and a meaningful connection, then Tinder is not for you.
The actual app does not have advanced features. Basically, all you do is swipe right and left on pictures until someone strikes your fancy and you strike theirs too. If you opt for the paid membership plan, then you will have access to more features.
Some of these features include boosting your profile so that you appear at the top of other people’s lists, allowing you to engage with people around the world; and undoing your previous swipe.
Pros:
- It’s simple to use
- Ideal for hookups and casual dating
- There is a no-cost option
Cons:
- The free plan has limited swipes
- Not ideal for a serious relationship
- Lots of ads on the app
Down
Down was created with the sole purpose of helping its members get some action. The newly developed dating app was designed to locate casual hookups in your area. So if you aren’t looking for a long-term relationship, then this app is a great fit for you.
Most users look genuine. This is most likely because you can only upload photos from your Facebook or Instagram accounts. Although you can upload more than one photo, a lot of members opted to use only one. The Down profiles don’t have enough space for a bio. All you can add is your photo, age, and location.
Down is an aesthetically pleasing app. It has a clean and sleek interface that’s also user-friendly. The free version actually feels like a premium plan; that’s how good it feels. The free membership plan limits you to only ten profiles per day. But you can also filter your age preferences and get in touch with people you have been matched with.
Pros:
- Reliable app
- Safe and comfortable to use
- Clean interface
- Sleek design
- Perfect for hookups
Cons:
- You can only log in with Facebook
- The user base is very inactive
- The free version is bombarded with ads for premium plans
- Not ideal for serious relationships
Zoosk
Zoosk is one of the top dating sites in the world. It has more than 35 million members and over 3 million messages are sent on a daily basis. Zoosk does not have too many features, but it is real. Some of the features include Zoosk Live, Gifts, Boosts, Super Sends, Carousel Feature, and Zoosk Great Dates. It has lots of members, remarkable matching tools, and a solid track record of potential matches.
This site is ideal for casual dating, long-term relationships, and even for people who are just looking to hookup. Unlike the swipe-style dating of other apps, Zoosk has a traditional setting. Members create profiles, upload pictures, answer a series of questions, and state what they are seeking in a relationship.
But, Zoosk does have a swipe feature if you are into that. Although it’s not the key function of finding matches and connecting with other singles. Zoosk is a very easy-to-use dating site. The interface is clean, and the functions are displayed in a witty way. The sign up process is also quick and takes about five minutes to complete.
Members have two ways to contact customer support. They can either fill in the contact form, which gives them direct contact with the support team, or they can take a look at the frequently asked questions section. There is no instant messaging feature or live chat.
Pros:
- A massive dating pool with over 35 million members
- Good balance between male and female users
- Desktop and mobile apps are both available
- Meet local singles by using the Swipe feature
- Reasonably priced membership plans
- Available in 25 different languages
Cons:
- Incomplete profiles
- Free features are limited
- Lots of options, which can be overwhelming
Inner Circle
Inner Circle is a very exclusive dating site that has a user base of singles who are looking for in-depth, serious relationships. The dating app has a panel of moderators who carefully scan through applicants and select only the most attractive and talented singles for the platform.
It is definitely worth it if you get selected. Only 50% of singles are approved. The best part about Inner Circle is that it’s free to sign up, so there’s no harm in trying your luck. If you are chosen, you will have access to the best features, live events, and member quality of any online dating site. Some of the cool features include invisible mode, advanced filters, gold tick, and Who’s Up For.
The quality of people on Inner Circle is something else. Users are selected based on their social media accounts. The extreme member selection process eliminates fake profiles, scammers, catfish, and the irritating accounts found on free dating apps.
It’s super easy to register with Inner Circle. You just need to link your Facebook or LinkedIn account. Your approval status can take a minimum of 24 hours or a maximum of thirty days.
Pros:
- High standard of singles
- Great for serious singles
- User-friendly
- Protected from scammers and catfish
- Paid plans have unique features
Cons:
- Account approval procedure is brutal
- Can only connect with social media accounts
- The free plan is extremely limited
Lolo
Lolo is one of the best dating sites in Chicago. It’s nothing like your typical dating app. Lolo offers what most other dating sites offer, and more. Things like in chat messaging, likes and dislikes, and swipe style dating. But what makes Lolo stand out is its use of games to connect and engage with other profiles. These games help members to get the conversation flowing, and they also act as great ice breakers.
If you are tired of having meaningless chats or messaging without knowing what to talk about, Lolo fixes this awkwardness with a game. You can talk about the game you two are playing and start a conversation based on that. It’s a super cute app that helps you meet creative people. Lolo makes conversations way more fun than your average dating app. You can also challenge your potential matches to guess your quiz answers.
Pros:
- One-of-a-kind game feature
- Start off a fun conversation with your match
- Interesting blind game option in which you play a game and interact with someone before seeing their profile
Cons:
- It can be a little too casual, removing good tension
- Competitiveness can become an obstacle
The League
The League is a dating app that acknowledges that elite singles have a tough time finding compatibility on most dating apps. The dating website has an exclusive, private member-only approach to finding love online.
The dating app boasts one of the highest calibers of singles. Members need to get onto a waiting list before being selected by an internal panel team. What makes The League even more special is that it is launched by city rather than a national launch. The team adjusts the algorithm and practices so that it perfectly fits the city to ensure the best results.
The League includes some really interesting features like power moves, concierge support, and messages before matching. Because of the intense verification process, you can expect to only see the best profiles of high-quality singles. You can link your social media accounts for verification. You won’t need to look for red flags because every single person on the app is a real catch.
In terms of customer support, The League offers its members an extensive frequently asked questions section, or support via email. VIP members can enjoy live customer support.
Pros:
- Save time by finding singles that are on the same life level as you
- The private membership approach protects you from scammers and liars
- No standards are too high
Cons:
- It’s expensive to get your membership approval
- You can be on the waitlist for more than a week
- Prolonged verification process requiring social media links and photo uploads
CoffeeMeetsBagel
CoffeeMeetsBagel offers a casual and simple approach to the online dating scene. It is the best app for finding matches that have been tailored to meet your dating needs and wants.
The app uses a matching algorithm to help singles find a few more meaningful connections in their dating journey. Users receive manageable lists of singles every day. The good thing is that you only receive messages from profiles you have liked, so your inbox won’t be flooded with pick-up lines.
Many users on CoffeeMeetsBagel are looking for a long-term relationship, not a casual hookup or fling. If you are tired of other dating apps matching you with people who don’t have long-term aspirations, then this app is for you.
CoffeeMeetsBagel acts as a matchmaker. The app uses algorithms to give you five matches every day. The point of this is to save you time and help you find singles who share the same goals as you. The app also offers features like activity reports, discovery, and suggested profiles. These features will help you narrow down your potential matches.
Pros:
- Compatibility algorithms for tailor-made matchmaking
- Earn in-app currency by participating in activities
- Encounter a reasonable number of matches each day
Cons:
- Five matches a day can slow down the process of finding the perfect partner
- An uneven gender split with less than 40% of men
- Ineffective algorithm
Final Thoughts
Chicago is a city full of movers and shakers. There are people from all walks of life, which can make it a little tricky to find a partner. The best dating apps, like those mentioned above, will help filter out potential singles and make the process of finding a suitable partner so much easier for you.
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