Gay dating apps are something that you’ve heard of and have at least downloaded and uninstalled at least once if you are gay. Everyone can agree that the new people you meet are one of the best things about going on vacation. Whether it’s the cute guy you had a vacation romance with or the bunch of new friends you had an epic night out with, it’s what makes a trip from awesome to wonderful.
What helps is the wealth of gay dating apps available around the world. But these apps aren’t just about adventures and friendship; in some countries, you’ll visit, they’re also essential for learning more about the gay scene.
Sure, you might prefer to try gay saunas while traveling, but in countries where homosexuality is highly frowned upon or pushed underground, there’s no way to connect with the gay community other than gay hookup apps. So without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and look at some of the best gay dating apps.
1. Grindr
Grindr is one of the most popular dating app for people of non-traditional sexual orientation. The app was launched in 2009 by Grindr LLC. The app uses the geolocation of a mobile device to map the location of gay, bi, and trans people nearby. The number of participants is impressive.
More than 27 million people use the app’s services worldwide. Most of the members are from the US and the UK. So, if you want to get a huge amount of non-traditional members, join the Grindr community.
Grindr is a hookup app for gay men aiming to search for the nearest potential partner using geolocation. To start using Grindr, you must first sign up by providing your email, Facebook, or Google address. You must also specify your gender and location. The registration process is simple and will not take much time.
Grindr’s interface allows users to see when other participants are online and their location. You can choose a partner closest to you. By scrolling through the participants’ photos, you can choose the partner you like, enlarge their profile picture, study their profile information and see their location.
Grindr provides both paid and free features to its users. If the user you liked is close to you, you can start communicating. To increase your chances of dating, purchase a paid subscription that will provide you with additional features.
2. Scruff
Scruff is the slightly rough variant of Grindr, as you might infer from its name, designed for people who like a little, well, Scruff! It’s free and healthy when you want to narrow down your choices a bit. Consumers seem to be a little more veiled and a little older than on Grindr, but there are plenty of choices with its growing success.
Like their main competitor, Scruff seems to be used more for dating, but there’s always a matching option if you’re looking for a date. It doesn’t have nearly the same mass size as Grindr, though that means that in countries hostile to LGBT people, it flies a little further under the radar and is less likely to be banned. You can travel locally and around the world, and you can also set up a meeting in advance at your destination.
3. Tinder
Okay, we know that Tinder is not legally a gay hookup device, but please hear us out. While it may have been created like Grindr for straight men, it is now used by many gay men; just set your standards and enjoy the variety of options available to you. It leans a bit more towards dating, but it’s not limited to you.
For gay travelers, the obvious advantage is that Tinder is less likely to be banned because it doesn’t have the association with homosexuality that triggers censorship in oppressive systems. You have to match someone before you can post a message, but we’re sure you will- after all, you’re so cute!
4. Jack’d
This works the same way as Grindr and Scruff- you get matched with someone you like, then you both remove them. What makes it a little special is its goal to avoid the racism and bitterness that can be noticed on other apps, and there’s more variation here afterward.
You’ll be browsing “videos,” such as wolves, bodies, families, acquaintances, etc., and then locating others with common interests. Hopefully, your match will take you to the locations wherever you are if you travel!
Final thought
Using apps like Scruff, Grindr and Hornet is your way to access the gay scene and find secret gay bars, underground parties, and other events. As a warning, if you’re traveling anywhere where LGBT rights aren’t great, make sure you have a secure VPN on your phone to protect your privacy (and unblock these apps in some places).
You don’t have to be a celebrity to find the Grindr dating experience frustrating or unsatisfying. Just for everyone. Lucky for you, there are about 8,000 other dating sites and apps filled with hot local guys with databases.
Above, we’ve mentioned some of our favorite alternatives to Grindr. Even if it’s not your thing at home, you’ll want to download one (or more!) of these apps when you’re traveling to help you discover new people on your adventure and new things.
Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about gay dating apps.
