11 best dating apps for single parents, according to relationship experts
Did you hear the latest gossip at the school gates? Yep, we really are revealing the best dating apps for single parents.
In Love is Blind Season 9, single dad Jordan Keltner got real about the challenges of dating while raising a child. He got engaged to Megan Walerius in the pods, but she ultimately struggled with the realities of stepping into life with a little one. Single parents everywhere will nod along as finding someone who ‘just gets it’ can feel like mission impossible.
That’s where the right dating app comes in. We’ve rounded up the best dating sites for single parents, so you can put yourself out there without carrying your parenting life like a secret baggage. Kids are a blessing, and your love life should be too.
Whether you’re sticking with classics like Bumble or Hinge, or want to try niche options like PlayDate or Even, there’s an app to match your style (and parenting schedule). We've covered the best dating sites for professionals and dating sites for married people keen to try polyamory, so now it's your turn. Grab a babysitter, prep your best ‘kid-free’ date outfit, and get ready to dive back into the dating pool.
How I choose the best dating apps for single parents:
Here at Glamour, it's important that we provide unbiased, trustworthy and honest reviews of everything we test – from dating sites to sex toys. To compile this guide, I downloaded every app to compare the following:
- Ease of use — Was the app easy to set up? Is the interface simple to navigate?
- Suitability — What kind of matches does the app help me secure? Is it suitable for all sexualities?
- Efficacy — How long did it take me to secure a match, and/or a date?
- Safety — How safe did I feel on the app? What kind of safety and profile verfication measures are in place?
- Value for money — Would I be happy to commit to a monthly membership?
And for those I've not yet had the chance to test, we've referred to experts and user reviews. Of course, those I wouldn't recommend to a single friend didn't make the cut.
Why you can trust me:
Dating takes up much of my days and nights, and I’ve been covering personal experiences, trends and innovations in the dating world for three years. I’ve written a series of dating guides for Glamour and reviewed individual dating apps for other leading publications.
Beyond writing, I’ve interviewed top experts, dissected reality dating shows, and attended press events devoted to our relentless pursuit of love — sometimes with a laptop, sometimes over drinks in Shoreditch, London. As a result, I can confidently advise on what to look for in the best dating sites and apps, how to make the most of your time and money, plus how to ace that all-important first date.
Where we'd head to swipe right.
Ahead, the best dating apps for single parents, according to relationship experts:
Best dating app for single parents overall
Usually, the idea of picking the ‘best’ app is daunting — I can never even decide where we’ll get dinner — but this time it was a no-brainer. Let me introduce you to Even.
“As a dedicated dating app for single parents, Even aims to create a welcoming and accepting space,” shares Sarah Louise Ryan, Dating and Relationships expert at Even. “When it comes to meeting a potential partner’s kids, the app helps make the interaction smooth for everyone, easing any pressure.”
“We encourage single parents to approach dating with clear priorities, so they can enjoy honesty, clarity, and fun throughout their dating journey,” continues Ryan. “We understand that they are so much more than just a parent, and no one should feel the need to hide that they have children. Single parents should embrace their whole selves in dating.”
Users report that the app is easy to navigate and simple, requiring minimal time investment. Many also appreciate the ability to see who has liked them — a feature not always available on other apps—which can help break away from your usual type and try something new.
All users are verified when joining to prevent catfishing, and a dedicated moderation team responds promptly to reports. That said, some users have occasionally encountered people who aren’t single parents on the app.
Pros: Designed specifically for single parents who get what you’re going through. Emphasises safety with profile moderation, photo verification, and in-app audio/video calls.
Cons: Only single parents, which rules out the possibility of dating someone who doesn’t have children (yet). Also means a smaller dating pool.
Cost: Free to use for messaging and basic browsing; optional features may require a subscription.
Best dating app for single parents runner-up
Stir is a dating app for single parents where you don’t have to apologise for a hectic schedule — that’s the whole point. “A place where you can leave the kids at home, but you don’t have to leave them out of the conversation,” reads the website.
It’s quickly become one of the most talked-about dating apps for single parents, with chatter popping up at school pickups and bake sales alike. Rachel Rose is a relationship coach with several clients who met partners on Stir.
“I’ve heard that Stir is really taking the scene by storm,” says Rose. “Even though it’s fairly new, it helps single parents skip the potentially awkward introductory conversation about having kids.”
She adds a caveat: “There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Even the best app won’t work without a clear strategy. You need to be intentional about searching for a partner rather than just winging it and blaming the dating scene when things don’t pan out.”
Stir offers tools like Stir Time and an integrated calendar to help single parents coordinate schedules before and after matching. These features allow users to share their availability, making it easier to plan dates around childcare and custody arrangements. This is a total lifesaver for parents with shared custody.
Privacy and safety are top priorities on Stir. The app uses smart moderation tools to keep interactions respectful and remove inappropriate behaviour, while giving you full control over your profile. You can choose to be more visible or switch to private mode, so you decide exactly who sees you, making dating as a single parent a little less stressful and a lot more fun.
Pros: Schedule-focused dating with tools to plan in-person dates directly through the app — a bit like Uber Eats for love, in the best way.
Cons: User numbers can be limited, and many people are also on Hinge or other apps, which may make a paid subscription feel unnecessary. Some users have reported slow customer service, which is frustrating when single parents simply don’t have the time to wait.
Cost: Free to join. Premium membership options include $19.99/£15.05 (1 week), $29.99/£22.60 (1 month), or $71.99/£54.20 (6 months).
Best easy-to-use dating app for single parents
We’d like to introduce someone who really needs no introduction: Match. One of the UK’s biggest dating sites, it boasts over 3 million users nationwide, and, as corny as it sounds, 1.6 million people have reportedly met their “match” through the platform.
Beyond the massive user base (plenty of fish in the sea, anyone?), Match scores points for its user-friendly interface. Unlike some apps that bombard you with ads, notifications, and chaotic layouts — as overwhelming as a solo bedtime routine — Match takes a slower, more intentional approach. You see one profile at a time and decide whether to match or skip. Sound familiar? Yep, just like Tinder. But unlike Tinder, Match gives you more context about each person, so you’re judging them on more than just a profile pic.
Here’s the kicker: 59% of Match users are single parents. That makes it an ideal starting point for parents dipping their toes back into the dating pool and looking to meet someone who truly “gets it.”
Pros: Highly customisable profiles let you showcase photos, interests, and your quirks to attract the right match. Boasts one of the largest user bases in the UK, especially among single parents.
Cons: The user demographic tends to skew older, which may make it trickier for younger single parents. Plus, people can see if you’ve viewed their profile without matching — a little awkward, to say the least.
Cost: Free to join, with paid plans starting at £12.99 per month.
Best dating app for young single parents
Bzzzz…ready to find some new worker bees for your hive?
Bumble’s main age demographic is 18 to 35, so keep that in mind when swiping. Users come with all kinds of intentions, as some are after serious relationships, others casual dating, and a few just a cheeky fling. And let’s be real, not every single parent is hunting for a LOML; sometimes you just want a fun night when the kids are asleep. No judgment here!
One thing Bumble can really boast about is its fairly equal male/female split. Plus, women make the first move, with male matches having just 24 hours to respond before the connection disappears. It can feel a bit intimidating, but it’s also refreshingly empowering, forcing everyone to be more intentional about their dating life.
It's worth noting that Bumble is one of the few completely free dating sites for parents.
Pros: Offers a wide range of profile prompts, both visual and written, and lets you indicate whether you have children or want them, making it easier to find like-minded matches.
Cons: The pressure of women starting conversations and the 24-hour response timer can feel overwhelming, which might cause some to freeze up. Probably not the best choice for first-time dating app users.
Cost: Free to join, with premium options available for a few pounds.
Best dual-function dating app for single parents
“Playdate is the best dating site for single parents because it was created by a single parent for single parents,” says Nevine Coutry, founder and CEO of Playdate. “It avoids the superficiality of swiping, which only gives you photos rather than any understanding of the person.”
What sets Playdate apart is its focus on the realities of dating as a parent. The app offers in‑app access to discounted childcare via its partner, Bubble — AKA, the UK’s leading childcare and nanny platform. So a lack of a sitter is no longer a deal-breaker. There’s also a ‘kid-free days’ planner, letting users coordinate dates around custody schedules — a refreshingly practical approach to modern romance.
“Everyone on Playdate is a single parent, so connections are more authentic because there is already a shared experience,” Coutry explains. “Users can filter based on whether they want more children, and on their relationship status, whether widowed, separated or divorced. The app also supports solo parents. You are matched with people who genuinely understand your situation.”
This kind of filtering can be surprisingly useful. Two people might both be single parents, but their approach to family and dating can be very different. My mum, for example, has said that when she starts dating again, she’d prefer a fellow widower over someone divorced, because they would ‘just get it’. Not all singles are equal, and Playdate recognises that those differences truly matter.
Pros: A one-stop shop for all the practicalities of dating as a single parent, particularly calendar coordination and childcare logistics.
Cons: The pool of users may be more limited compared with mainstream dating apps; some users report technical issues with onboarding and account management (eg: trouble deleting or verifying profiles).
Cost: Free to join with an optional premium membership (eg: 1-month Premium at £19.99, 3-month Premium at £12.99).
Best dating app for single parents to meet non-parents
It turns out plenty of single parents are finding love on Hinge! Comment sections are full of users recommending the app for parents looking to date while juggling a full household. Hinge has been honing its focus on intentional dating, moving away from its casual reputation — a change that seems to resonate well with single parents.
You can indicate whether you have children and whether you want more, which also opens the door to dating people who don’t have kids yet — perfect for enjoying a night off with a good date. The app’s various prompts let you showcase different sides of your personality beyond parenthood, and the popular voice note feature gives a much deeper sense of someone than photos or text alone.
Hinge is a single-parent dating app that's actually free to use, as you can chat and meet up with people without any cost.
Pros: Large pool of users, including those without children who may be open to dating a parent. Free to use, unlike many other apps on this list.
Cons: Matches rely heavily on the algorithm; some users may be put off by parental status, and the user base skews younger.
Cost: Free to download, with subscriptions starting at £10.49 per month.
Best dating app for queer single parents
Looking for the best dating site for queer single parents? That crown undoubtedly goes to HER. With 13 million users worldwide, it’s a popular platform for queer women, non-binary, non-conforming, and trans people. The app is beloved for its extensive gender and sexuality options, so you never have to force yourself into a label that doesn’t fit.
For those in quieter towns, HER lets you extend your dating pool to nearby cities with a more vibrant LGBTQIA2S+ scene.
The app is also packed with educational content, perfect for anyone navigating the sapphic lifestyle for the first time, or even discovering a new side of themselves later in life. HER acknowledges that self-discovery happens at your own pace, whether you’re in your twenties, thirties, forties, or beyond.
Finally, HER takes privacy seriously, which is crucial for single parents. Its careful vetting system helps protect your identity and your children while filtering out catfish and anyone not ready to treat others with respect.
Pros: Built for the queer community, fostering kindness, understanding, and authentic connections. Also, a great place to meet new friends.
Cons: Free version has limited features, and the overall user base is smaller compared with other dating apps on this list.
Cost: Core features are free, with premium options from £13.99.
Best dating app for single parents over 40
Now let’s shine a spotlight on single parents over 40, who’ll find plenty to love on Our Time. This dating site takes a thoughtful, matchmaking-first approach rather than relying purely on an algorithm. You complete a series of questions to paint a full picture of your lifestyle and relationship preferences. The time investment helps filter out anyone not serious about dating.
While not all your matches will be parents themselves, they are guaranteed to be in your age range and looking for something real — and who knows, they might even love the idea of dating someone with kids.
Owned by the Match Group, signing up means your profile could appear on other sites in their network, broadening your pool of potential partners. Just something to keep in mind.
Our Time also hosts regular singles events, where you can bring up to three friends for moral support. Perfect if you’ve been out of the dating game for a while and prefer a little face-to-face reassurance.
Pros: Encourages intentional dating, prioritising personality over looks. In-person events make dating feel more personal and approachable.
Cons: The user base skews older, and your profile may appear on other, less-relevant Match-owned sites.
Cost: Free to join, with paid plans starting at £19.99 for full features.
Best dating app for single parents for non-monogamy
Life as a single parent can be complicated, and Feeld embraces those nuances. Features like Incognito Mode, which lets you browse privately, and Desires, where you can express what you’re curious about — from friendship to intimacy — mean you can move at your own pace, on your own terms. There’s no pressure to define everything right away, or to know exactly what you and your family are ready for.
“Feeld is a dating app for the curious: people open to exploring connection and relationships in new ways,” says Graham Riske, Marketing and Communications Lead at Feeld. “For single parents, that curiosity often comes with depth and self-awareness: you’ve lived, loved, learned, and are ready to explore what feels authentic now.”
“Feeld is popular with parents of all ages who are redefining what dating, desire, and connection can look like after major life changes,” Riske adds.
While some assume Feeld is purely sexual or kinky — and sure, it can be if that’s what you’re after — it’s much more than that. Whether you’re seeking companionship, co-exploration, or simply reconnecting with yourself beyond parenthood, Feeld provides a supportive, open-minded community that understands modern love rarely fits into a single box.
Pros: Inclusive, open-minded community with 20+ gender and sexuality options, 60+ desire tags, and the ability to connect through shared interests that go beyond traditional dating.
Cons: Without a matching algorithm, you may come across users who aren’t interested in children or partnering with a parent, which could be a potential hurdle.
Cost: Free to download and use, with premium features from £17.99 and additional in-app purchases available.
Best dating app for single parents for long-term relationships
Now let’s talk about an app that wasn’t specifically designed for single parents but still earns its place on the list.
“eHarmony stands out as one of the best dating apps for single parents because it focuses on genuine, meaningful connections, not just casual matches,” says Dr Lalitaa Suglani, eHarmony’s relationship expert.
Dr Suglani notes that one of the biggest challenges for single parents is finding someone who truly “gets it” — someone who understands that family comes first and that time is precious. “eHarmony’s compatibility-based system helps single parents meet other singles at a similar stage in life,” she explains. “This could be someone who has past relationships and is open to being part of a blended family, or someone ready to build something new and meaningful. There’s no need to apologise for limited availability or prioritising your kids, the system encourages understanding and respect for each other’s priorities.”
The app itself takes a deep-dive approach to matchmaking. Instead of endless swiping, you start with a detailed personality questionnaire that explores your values, lifestyle, and relationship goals. Once complete, you receive carefully curated matches, with explanations like ‘you both prioritise honesty’ or ‘you handle conflict similarly’.
The upfront commitment might feel intense, but it means you’re much more likely to meet someone looking for a serious, lasting connection rather than a casual fling. So definitely don’t try to make your profile while you’ve got a toddler on your hip or you’re getting everyone ready for the school run.
Pros: Comprehensive compatibility-based matching that considers personality, values, and lifestyle, making it easier to connect with fellow single parents or people open to children. Attracts users genuinely interested in serious relationships.
Cons: Time-intensive setup as the detailed questionnaire and profile creation require a significant upfront commitment.
Cost: Free basic membership available, but premium plans are required for full access. Subscriptions start at £7.95 per month (24-month plan).
Best dating app for single parents for community
Frolo has one clear mission: “No single parent should ever feel alone.” More than just a dating app, it’s a supportive community where like-minded parents can connect, share advice, make lasting friendships — and maybe even find romance along the way.
Frolo offers two modes: Community and Dating. In Dating, you can indicate whether you have children or want more, your co-parenting situation, relationship values, and more. Profile prompts make it easy (and fun) to fill in, with suggestions like describing your perfect family day out. Safety is taken seriously, too, with compulsory ID verification and facial recognition.
In Community mode, you can ask questions, seek guidance, and share experiences with other single parents navigating the messy, beautiful realities of raising little ones. It’s part advice hub, part social network, all designed with single parents in mind.
Pros: Everyone on Frolo shares a strong focus on family, and you can clearly outline your unique parenting situation. A great way to meet fellow single parents, even just for friendship!
Cons: According to Frolo app reviews, matches can be limited depending on location, and the user base skews predominantly female, which can make finding heterosexual matches more challenging.
Cost: Free to join, with paid plans starting at £22.99 per month.
How to use dating apps as a single parent:
Okay, you’ve got the tools, now it’s time to put them to good use. Dating as a single parent can feel daunting, almost as nerve-wracking as stepping into the Love is Blind pods. To help, we asked our dating experts for their top tips on finding love after kids.
“Don’t see being a single parent as a stigma because it’s only a stigma to the wrong people,” urges Rose. “Blended families are common, and being a single parent doesn’t mean you failed; it means you created a beautiful life from a relationship that ended. Be upfront from the start and never date anyone who says they couldn’t love another person’s child as their own. Do your due diligence before committing to anyone.”
Dr Suglani encourages single parents to keep their dating life distinct from their parenting role: “You deserve to experience romance, fun, and connection as yourself, not just as a ‘mum’, ‘dad’, or ‘parent’. Nurturing that side of you can make you a happier, more fulfilled parent, and it also sets a great example for your kids, showing them it’s okay to date again.”
A guide to swiping for seniors.
Always meet new people in public spaces at first, and make sure friends or family know where you’re going. Safety is especially important when balancing dating with parenting.
Riske urges parents not to limit themselves to just their parental identity. Share the many facets that make you, you. On Feeld, use the Desires and Interests features to express your passions, creativity, kinks, and individuality beyond parenthood. On other apps, a detailed bio and thoughtfully filled prompts can do the same by letting potential matches see the whole picture, not just the ‘parent’ part of your life.
Let potential matches know from the start about your schedule and responsibilities. Clear communication about your availability avoids misunderstandings and ensures that your dating life fits realistically around your kids.
Being a single parent can feel like you’re carrying a little extra “baggage,” but that doesn’t mean you should lower your standards. “It’s easy to think your options are limited, but you deserve a relationship that feels emotionally safe and expansive, not just convenient,” urges Dr Suglani. “Learn from past relationships and communicate your needs openly — you deserve a love that truly fits.”
Ryan notes that Even’s research found 81% of single parents benefit from combining everyday tasks with social connection. Something as simple as a dog walk can be the perfect way to meet a potential partner — ticking off a daily chore, getting some fresh air, and spending quality time together. It’s a practical (and romantic) way to blend routine with romance.
“My top tip? Don’t go into dating expecting a romantic relationship,” says Coutry. “You might make a new friend, or at the very least connect over your shared experience. If sparks fly, brilliant! If not, you’ve still enjoyed a free therapy session.”
Not every date needs to lead to a serious relationship. Some encounters may end in friendship, fun, or simply a confidence boost, and that’s perfectly okay.
Meet the experts:
| Dr Lalitaa Suglani | eHarmony relationship expert. |
| Rachel Rose | Author and Relationship Coach. |
| Graham Riske | Marketing and Communications Lead at Feeld. |
| Sarah Louise Ryan | Dating and Relationships Expert at Even. |
| Nevine Coutry | Founder & CEO of Playdate. |
