Dating as a single parent is hard. These 5 dating apps and sites can help make it a little easier

Who's it for:

For anyone who wants to date someone who'll just get single parenthood from the get-go, Stir is your answer. It's the only app out of our recommendations (and that we know of) where you can filter your potential matches so that you'll only see other single parents.

Why we chose this:

Stir was designed specifically for single parents, and it shows. Beyond having a user base made up primarily of single parents (or folks who are open to dating parents), profiles include features that tackle the problem of limited availability. For instance, if you choose to share your "StirTime" on your profile (aka the times you're usually available), you can see other users' StirTimes — the app even highlights your mutual availability. Like most other dating apps, there's a section to share your relationship goals, ranging from casual to more serious. Unlike other apps, there's also a section to say if you're open to phone or video dates before actually meeting up, which is essential for parents who are short on time. Speaking of time, the simple interface means you can check on matches quickly without checking a thousand different tabs and notifications.

Who it's for:

Niche dating apps can be great for finding your people, but if you're in a smaller town or simply like casting a wider net, signing up for a popular app can be the move. Folks who maybe don't have the time (or funds) to build out a profile on Match or eharmony and enjoy the casualness of a swipe, but are still interested in finding something serious will find the perfect vibe in Hinge.

Why we chose this:

Hinge feels casual enough to pick up only when you have the time, but serious enough that you actually match with people who are interested in making a connection. Free users are limited to eight likes per day, so you won't get stuck endlessly scrolling through profiles — or feeling like someone matched with you because they're liking every profile they come across.

While it's not specifically designed for parents, that time-saving feature does come in handy, as does the spot on your profile where you can indicate if you have kids, and if you'd like more kids in the future. Hinge is also known for its prompts that can show off your personality, which can definitely be a useful vetting tool. In the same vein, the app's integrated voice and video chat make it easy to go on a virtual date without a) giving out your personal info and b) using your precious limited time (and babysitting resources) to meet up with someone you might not click with.

Who's it for:

OkCupid was one of the first dating apps to actually acknowledge that queer people exist, giving users the option between 22 gender identities and 12 sexual orientations. For parents who might find other dating spaces a bit on the cis and heteronormative side, OkCupid has got you covered.

Why we chose this:

In addition to being a queer-friendly space, OkCupid has a ton of profile customization, including a field for you to indicate if you have kids and if you want more. Not only is this a great way for you to get that info out there, but it's also useful for other users to filter you in or out, depending on how they feel about being with someone who has kids. OkCupid's filters aren't 100% strict though, unless you set a preference as a "dealbreaker," which does require you to pay money.

Unlike other OG dating sites like Match and eharmony, OkCupid is still pretty functional for free users. Without paying a dime, you can match with people, message your matches, and see your daily curated set of compatible matches, which could be a real time save if you only have a few minutes in the day to check a dating app.

Check out our full review of OkCupid.

Who's it for:

If you don't want to leave it up to filters and algorithms to make sure you only see people who are interested in someone who has kids, heybaby takes a lot of the uncertainty out of the equation. Its tagline is the "dating app for family minded folks," so you'll find that not everyone on the app actually has kids, but pretty much everyone signs up because they're interested in having them, or cool with dating someone who has them.

At the time of writing, this app is only available for iPhone users, though there is a waitlist for Android users. You'll also probably need to be in or near a big city — the user base is definitely on the smaller side, so you're likely to see some repeat profiles.

Why we chose this:

In 2020, heybaby was one of the first apps targeted just for folks who were either already parents, or wanted to become them. Though we think Stir has improved on the formula, heybaby still deserves a mention because it's still a great place to meet people who are interested in parenting.

The first thing you'll see on users' profiles (right under someone's name, age, and picture), is whether or not they have kids, whether or not the kids they may have live at home, whether or not they want to have more kids, are open to adoption, and open to dating someone who has kids. In other words, you get a lot of the big questions out of the way before you even match with someone.

Who's it for:

You don't really casually date on Match. That's largely in part due to the fact that it'll cost you a pretty penny to use — at least $34.99 to be exact. While it requires some investment, it does mean that people on there are usually looking for something serious and committed.

Match has also been around since 1993, and its user base tends to skew a bit on the older side compared to the Tinders and Bumbles of the dating app scene.

Why we chose this:

You'll definitely invest time in building out your profile and money in actually using it, but Match's formula is designed to give you results for doing both. There's a huge user base on the site, and a search feature that lets you filter to users who want or already have kids (of course, this is something you can indicate on your own profile).

There are time-saving ways to use the site. Under the "Meet" tab on the app, you can opt in to seeing certain users for 72 hours and 72 hours only, with the idea that you'll actually plan to meet up. If that time constraint feels a bit intense for your lifestyle, no need to worry. Match also allows users to meet and talk at their own pace, and the site's focus on lasting relationships sparks more confidence that you're not wasting your time. Like Hinge, Match also has integrated video calls via the Vibe Check feature.

Who's it for:

If you're dying to sink your time into a dating app that's not likely to yield you much success, Zoosk is your best bet.

Why we don't like it:

You've likely heard of Zoosk because it's a dating app OG — it was one of Facebook's first apps in 2007. According to Zoosk, the website has 40 million users, but according to our experience testing the site, spam accounts seem to make up a sizable number of active users.

Beyond the user base, the site is needlessly confusing to get around, and nearly every feature — messaging included — requires payment, and plans start at $34.99 per month. Even for the best dating sites out there, that's a steep price. Zoosk also has features to send out mass greeting messages, and even automate responses for greetings you receive, which is great if you're goal is to message as many people as possible, but not so great if you're actually trying to make a meaningful connection. Being a parent can be overwhelming enough, so trust us, you don't need to let this spammy, confusing, and overpriced site anywhere near your dating life.

Check out our full review of Zoosk.

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.