How to decide between using dating apps and hookup apps in 2019

If you’re considering looking for love online, you’re not alone. Whether you’re seeking romance or a more physical kind of love, there are tons of dating and hookup apps to choose from.

Here’s the problem: Dating sites and hookup apps are very different beasts. And if you’re not using the right type, you’re opening yourself up to a whole lot of disappointment.

To find what you’re looking for, you’ll need to evaluate what it is you want and what app is most likely to offer that. Let’s take a look at how you can determine what type of app will work best for you.

First steps

If you want to make an informed decision on which app to download, start by reading some well-researched reviews. The best articles will mention the writer’s personal experience with the apps in question. If it doesn’t, it’s likely nothing more than a puff piece advertising the apps being reviewed. Once you have a handle on the best sites out there, it’s time to narrow down the choices.

There are a few great reviews for hookup apps out there as well as for more general dating apps. Any of these apps will serve you well as long as you choose one designed to meet your needs. Once you have a list of the best dating apps available, it’s time to evaluate what you’re looking for. Here’s a guide to help you determine if you should choose a dating site or a hookup app:

When to use a dating app:

1. If you’re looking for a relationship

If you want commitment, then you’ll want to choose accordingly. There’s no point in looking for it in the wrong places—you’ll simply be left disappointed. A dating app is right for you if you’re searching for a boyfriend/girlfriend, the love of your life or anything in between.

2. If you’re looking for companionship

If personal interaction is just as important to you as sex, then a dating app is the best choice. Dating apps appeal to people looking for someone they can have a real relationship with. Someone they can laugh and talk with, someone they can count on and someone they can be intimate with. It doesn’t always have to lead to marriage, but people on dating apps do want someone with whom they can be exclusive.

3. If you just moved to a new area

Dating apps are the perfect way to meet singles when you’re new in town. Singles on dating apps want meaningful connections, so you’ll meet some great people who also want to get to know you. Maybe you’ll find your soul mate. Or maybe you’ll meet people you simply enjoy hanging out with. Either way, a dating app can be a real lifesaver when you’re lonely in a new place.

4. If you’re looking for low-pressure introductions

If you’re looking for a relationship but hate the pressure that comes with approaching a woman at a bar or club, then a dating app is exactly what you need. The right dating app will not only match you with a compatible partner, but it will give you a chance to chat with your match. Getting to know someone online first makes that first in-person date much less stressful. 

When to use a hookup app:

1. You’re only interested in getting laid

If you enjoy sex but the idea of commitment makes you shudder, a hookup app is perfect for you. There are many reasons you may decide to go this route. Perhaps you’re young and don’t want to be tied down. Or maybe you were hurt in a past relationship and aren’t ready to commit again. Regardless of your reasons, the right app can put you in contact with like-minded singles. So whether you’re looking for a one-night interlude or a short-term fling, only a hookup app will give you what you want.

2. You want a casual relationship

Even if you’re not into one-night stands, you may still be better served by a hookup app. That’s because these apps work just as well for those who want a casual relationship as they do for those who prefer one-time trysts. A casual relationship, or a friend with benefits, is becoming an increasingly popular dynamic. There are a lot of people who want everything a relationship offers, minus the commitment. So if you want something longer-term but casual, a hookup app is the way to go.

3. You’re too busy for commitment

If your job, or life in general, keeps you too busy to be in a relationship but you want to scratch the occasional itch, a hookup app can help. These apps are filled with singles looking for casual sex. You can also use these apps as often or as little as you want without leaving anyone feeling disappointed that you didn’t get back to them.

4.  You’re a couple looking to experiment

If you’re in a relationship but want to mix it up a bit, you’ll want to bypass dating apps in favor of a good quality hookup site. Whether you and your partner are looking for a man, a woman or another couple to get freaky with, a hookup app is the best place to find interested partners.

Whether you want to use a hookup app or sign up with a dating site, remember to choose wisely. Your choice of app is vital to helping you find exactly what you’re looking for.