This content first appeared on Mashable aimed at a US audience and has been modified for the UK audience.

With just a tap and swipe on your smartphone, you can access nearly anything: Movies, music, takeout, an entire array of products available on Amazon. So why shouldn’t finding a date be just as easy? Indeed, we are living in a time of on-demand applications and immediate gratification. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for those seeking romance. For nearly two decades, apps and websites have taken the lead in the dating world. However, online dating is constantly changing.

Experts at Lovehoney — the beloved, forward-thinking sex toy company — claim we are in an era that is both passionate and wholesome. Lovehoney has declared 2026 as “The Year of Pleasure.”

This does not imply that one-night stands and casual encounters are on the rise. Studies indicate a decline in one-night stands. Today’s daters are now pursuing “purposeful pleasure” and “meaningful connections”. This reflects a desire for encounters that have genuine depth. We are still engaging in hookups, but we are becoming choosier. Therefore, selecting the right dating app is essential. Every dating app has its unique offerings, and you’ll need the right tools to meet someone you truly want to spend your time (and more) with. While getting a date might just mean tapping your device, it’s essential that it’s the right date. To aid your journey, we’ve analyzed the top apps and compiled tips from relationship and sex experts.

What to consider before you swipe

Before diving into app downloads, it’s important to understand how to navigate online dating. Our suggestion is to be entirely transparent about what and who you are seeking. It may also be wise to avoid the mainstream dating apps that focus more on romance and happy endings (looking at you, eharmony). The most effective hookup apps simplify communication (messaging, video calls, and other features), and even the free options should include functionalities like profile verification to enhance your safety. Most importantly, it’s advisable to focus on apps specifically designed for hookups, casual fun, and fulfilling your kinks (whatever those may be). Being open about particular desires can be both liberating and effective. Our comprehension of sex and relationships is ever-evolving — just consider the rapidly emerging “heteroflexible” sexuality — and hookup apps provide a space to discover interests without judgment or social apprehension.

No matter what you seek, whether it’s an opportunity to venture into new sexual territories, a friends-with-benefits arrangement,