Dating apps dublin

So over Tinder? Shake up your dating life with the newest dating apps on the market - the good news is they're not all about one-night stands and over-filtered selfies.

When was the last time you struck up a conversation with a complete stranger at a bar, snared a boyfriend through a blind date or had a fling with some guy you met at a random concert? If the answer is not lately, it's no surprise.

Everyone knows that the dating scene is online - unless you're willing to televise your quest for love and sign up for the second series of First Dates, in which case, bravo.

Whether you've been on 100 online dates or have resigned yourself to the fact that you'll most likely die alone or worse, are considering allowing your mum to play matchmaker (because Tom from next door seems like husband material), in 2016, finding that perfect match is an art form.

If you're tired of swiping right and ending up with another creep, Tinder isn't the only dating app out there, there's a huge variety of apps to choose from.

Dating may be tricky but most mobile apps operate the same way. Download the app, create a profile, upload some fabulous pictures, write an equally impressive bio and voila.

But of course, not all dating apps are created equal; which is why we've turned to dating coach and relationship expert David Kavanagh as well as our in-house serial dater to give us their verdict on the apps that deserve to take up space on your home screen.

And if you've still feel hesitant about swiping right, more celebrities than you think have used their phones in pursuit of love. If it's good enough for Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Lily Allen, Matthew Perry and Hilary Duff, well, it's good enough for you.

Bumble

The slogan: "Women make the first move"

Availability: iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire or Android

Cost: Free

The low-down: Tired of unsolicited dick pics and creeps pestering you for nudes? Then you need Bumble in your life. Created by former Tinder co-founder Whitney Wolfe, the ultimate female-friendly app lets women run the show. Billed as a safe, friendly rival to Tinder, this app works on the same premise: users swipe right to approve and left to decline. If both users swipe right, they match.

The difference? It's only the woman that has the opportunity to send the first message. If you match and don't say anything to a new connection within 24 hours, they're deleted (for same-sex relationships, this works both ways). It's the perfect forum to end online harassment. In the words of Wolfe: "You're not going to go on a dating app where women make the first move if you don't respect women."

Also good to know: pornographic images are banned. A dating app that reduces the chance of harassment? Yes, please.

The expert: I really like the idea of this app because it creates a safe environment for women online. It's also the perfect opportunity for women to take control.

The only problem? I find that women are more cautious when it comes to initiating contact but this could be the perfect way to eradicate the 'damsel in distress' attitude, where women are seen as 'needing a man' to take the lead.

The serial dater: I would never chat a guy up or ask for someone's number, I couldn't deal with the rejection, so this was way out of my comfort zone, but I did love the fact that I had all the power.

I've often had men abuse me on Tinder for not responding quickly enough to a message or turning them down for a date, but on Bumble, it's a completely different vibe - the men on here are of a whole different calibre.

It will definitely encourage me to make the first move more often and it is empowering to be in the driving seat for a change.

Happn

The slogan: "Find the people you've crossed paths with"

Availability: iPhone and Android

Cost: Free

The low-down: Have you ever seen Mr Dreamy on the bus only for him to get off three stops before you, vanishing forever? While you're usually all about female empowerment, you're not wearing the right shoes to chase him down the street to exchange numbers, or you know, tell him he's The One?

Dejected, you can't help but think Mr Right is now untraceable - there goes your happy ever after. Enter Happn, the app which finds the people you've crossed paths with throughout the day.

Half creepy and half ingenious, the app uses GPS tracking to present you with a list of people you've come into contact with. Every time you cross paths with someone in real life, their profile shows up on your timeline. Happn allows for conversation only when you've both liked each other and you match.

The expert: This sounds like every stalker's dream, I'm not sure I would be convinced of its safety features, but it is a good way to make contact with someone who you've been eyeing from afar.

If you're the shy type, this app is the perfect buffer, if not, ditch the app and start conversation in the real world.

Because the app is proximity-based, it also make things easier when it comes to setting up the date.

The serial dater: I loved the idea of this app, every morning on my way to work I crossed paths with the same guy, but I was never brave enough to ask him out. As soon as I signed up we matched and we're about to go on a first date. The only downside is that my ex-boyfriend lives nearby so it's like he's literally always on my radar.

Once

The slogan: "The only dating app that brings you one hand-picked quality match per day"

Availability: iPhone and android

Cost: Free

The low-down: If you're plugged into the dating scene online, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the volume of matches and messages you get on dating apps. Sometimes there are so many, scrolling through the mundane deluge of 'Hi, how is your day going,' can seem like a complete chore. Once solves that problem by providing you with one match per day.

The app combines digital dating technology and a team of human matchmakers, generating a specifically hand-picked match every day.

The only catch? You have 24 hours to decide if you like each other - if you match, you can go from there. If not, there's always tomorrow's suitor to look forward to. In today's fast-food world of dating, it's the closest thing to romance on the market.

The expert: I like the fact there is an external human element to this app. I would always recommend using a dating service where someone is actually screening people for their compatibility. Too much choice can also be confusing for people, they get disinterested because there are so many other options - this is the perfect app if you want to slow things down.

The serial dater: I'm sick of talking to a million random men on Tinder - you inevitably get bored of the conversation and move on. I really like the idea of just investing in one person every day, and honestly, between work commitments and my social life, I don't have the time to talk to six different guys.

I loved this app, I was really excited to see who I would be matched with each day - if you're looking for a relationship, this is the place to start.

If you've had enough of swiping right and ending up with another creep, Tinder isn't the only option, writes Denise Smith. We've listed the newest dating apps to help you find love

Herald