Dating apps in UK cities: local guides for singles

Whether you live in Hackney, Headingley or off the Ormeau Road in Belfast, you will find the same services in the App Store. Match and eharmony suit people who want something lasting, Ourtime is built for the over 50s, and Hinge, Bumble and Tinder are free to download if you would rather start without paying. None of them is tied to one city.

Set your area, then widen it if needed

Every app lets you set a distance or a location. In a big city a small radius keeps dates easy to reach. In a smaller place, or if you work in one town and live in another, widening the search a little gives you more profiles to choose from. Commuter links matter too: someone in Salford, Gateshead or Penarth is often only a short ride from the centre.

Our city guides

Each guide explains how to use the apps locally, where to meet people offline – festivals, nightlife areas, speed dating – and which places work well for a first date. Choose London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Cardiff or Belfast. Not on the list? The same advice applies, and our guide to dating app safety works wherever you live.