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The Absolute Best Dubai Dating Sites [2024's Top 5 List]

There’s no lack of attractive, eligible singles in the UAE - but striking up a conversation at a crowded club isn’t always so easy.

If you want to meet someone special, give one of these 5 most popular Dubai dating sites and apps a try!

Our expert team has been helping singles with their online dating since 2009, optimizing profiles, swiping, and messaging on their behalf. 

We’ve seen first hand how all the dating apps and sites have evolved over the years, so we thoroughly understand the unique benefits and drawbacks of each one. Our wealth of experience enables us to guide singles like you toward the platform that best suits your dating goals!

Muslima

Muslima screenshot

One of the best dating sites in Dubai, Muslima is a great place to launch your quest for romance - especially if you’re not in the UAE yet.

Part of the Cupid Media organization, Muslima is one of the largest - and most legit - dating sites for people who want to meet Muslim singles all over the world.

It also adheres to the Islamic rules on courtship, making it one of the top dating sites in UAE.

Creating your profile and browsing for matches using all the detailed advanced search functions won’t cost you anything. You can also exchange messages with Platinum members for free.

But you’ll find many of the beautiful Dubai women you’re interested in learning more about don’t have a paid membership, and free (Standard) members can’t exchange messages with each other.

You’ll need to upgrade to a premium membership if you want to message anyone you find intriguing.

Memberships range from around $11 to $39 per month.

You can download Muslima's dating app for Android devices.

Tinder

tinder logo transparent

It’s usually a safe bet that anywhere there’s a large population of singles in their 20-30s, Tinder will be their dating app of choice.

It’s no different in Dubai, so if you’re looking to casually meet attractive singles in the UAE, start swiping. You probably already know the drill - right for yes, left for no. When it’s a yes on both sides, a match is made and messages can be sent.

One drawback to using an app like Tinder over a dating site like Muslima - you’ll probably find quite a few “pros” in your match feed.

The high percentage of escorts promoting their services is a common complaint when it comes to Tinder in Dubai, but it’s generally pretty easy to spot them. If she’s posing provocatively or includes her contact information in her bio, she’ll probably command a fee for her company.

Tinder is a free dating app, although you’ll be limited to right-swiping up to 100 profiles every 12 hours unless you upgrade to a premium membership.

If your work has you travelling around the UAE, or you have multiple destinations during your trip, access to the Passport feature makes it worth investing in Tinder Plus. By changing your location on Tinder, you can get dates in the works at your next destination ahead of time.

Another premium membership option is Tinder Gold, which includes all the Tinder Plus features. You’ll also see everyone who has already “liked” your profile in a special grid view.

From there, you can “like” them individually, or do an all-inclusive right swipe and get tons of matches instantly.

For a full Tinder review, go here.

Download Tinder for Android or iOS devices.

Happn

happn

Happn is the perfect dating app for a densely populated area like Dubai.

Your match feed is full of eligible singles who have ventured within your preferred dating distance, which you can expand out to 90 kilometers. They will all appear on your timeline, with the most nearby people displayed first - and you can “like” any of the ones who interest you.

When they “like” you back, it forms a “Crush” - and the two of you can start exchanging messages. The app also displays how many times you’ve crossed a particular person’s path, as well as when and where it happened.

You’ll also be notified if another Happn user who meets your criteria is currently within range, although for privacy reasons it won’t tell you *exactly* where they are. But if the two of you “like” each other, that means you could potentially convert a message exchange into a face-to-face conversation in just a few minutes.

Happn also has a super convenient “I’m Free To” section where you can suggest one of these date activities:

Happn date suggestions

For the next 6 hours, any Happn users who wander into your 250-meter bubble can respond to your suggestion. If you’re interested - boom, instant date.

You’ll also see the activities other Happn users have posted. Responding costs 1 credit, which is Happn’s form of internal currency. You can earn credits as you use the app, or pay $1.99 for 10.

Happn offers a premium membership, called “Happn Essentials”. Benefits to upgrading include seeing who has “liked” you, saying “Hi” to up to 10 people a day, and using the app ad free.

Happn crush time

You’ll also be able to play “Crush Time” twice as much. This is an in-app game that shows you 4 profiles of people on your timeline, one of whom has “liked” you already. You ‘win’ by guessing which person it is.

A correct guess = an instant “Crush”. And if not, well, you just “liked” their profile so hopefully they will like you back!

For more information on this popular Dubai dating app, check out this Happn review.

Download Happn for Android or iOS.

Bumble

Bumble logo

Looking to find a more serious relationship in Dubai? You’ll likely have better luck on Bumble than you would on Badoo.

This popular Tinder alternative follows the same “swipe/match/message” format used by most dating apps, but it does have one big signature twist.

Once two people have shown mutual interest, guys have to wait for the woman to send the first message in this “ladies first” app. And here’s the kicker - she only gets 24 hours to send it before the match expires.

The time limit applies to guys too - once she sends a message, there’s a 24-hour countdown for you to reply to it. But after that, no more deadline worries. The two of you can send messages back and forth as long as you’d like.

bumble extend

Everyone gets one free “extend” per day, which adds 24 more hours to the countdown on when a match expires. If you aren’t great with deadlines, you can invest in a premium membership called Bumble Boost or Bumble Premium and do that as often as you need to.

The premium subscription also allows you to re-match right away with previously expired matches, instead of having to wait for them to come up again in your match queue. With so many singles in Dubai, that could take awhile.

And lastly, having a Bumble Boost subscription unlocks the “Beeline”, which is a match feed of all the people who have already “liked” your Bumble profile.

For plenty of expert Bumble tips, check out the Ultimate Guide To Bumble.

Download Bumble for Android or iOS.

Badoo

badoo logo

Like Tinder, Badoo is a go-to dating app (and site) for singles all over the world.

While the quality of your matches may not be what you’ll find on Muslima, it’s a good option if you’re only looking for some casual fun in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE.

You can check out profiles in the “Encounters” section, where you’ll find Dubai singles Badoo thinks you have something in common with. You’ll see one profile at a time, and match with the ones who show mutual interest.

There’s also the “People Nearby” area, which is exactly what it sounds like. You can see profiles of other Badoo users in your area, and “like” their profiles or send a message.

Badoo is a great free option for dating in Dubai, as you can message and check out profiles for free.

There are also “Super Powers” - premium features - that you can pay for:

badoo features

The more time you commit to up front, the less you’ll pay for all the perks:

Badoo price

Click here for more info on Badoo.

Download Badoo for Android or iOS.

Want To Know The Easiest Way To Meet Attractive Singles In The UAE?

Dating in Dubai doesn’t have to be frustrating! Whether you’re a resident, on a temporary work assignment, or just want an amazing time while you’re on vacation, VIDA’s team of dating experts can help you meet incredible, high quality singles.

No more worries about message exchanges fizzling out, or struggling to write the perfectly irresistible dating profile. VIDA does all that for you, and more!

Whatever type of relationship you’re looking for, wherever in the world you’re looking for it - let VIDA help you meet your perfect partner.

To learn more, click here.

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