‘Appy talk

If you’re single this year, you’re not alone. January 2016 was expected to see the highest ever take up of dating apps. So, if you’re tired of Tinder, found only sprats on Plenty of Fish and OkCupid wasn’t remotely OK, the new crop of dating apps to be rolled out this year may help you find Mr or Mrs Right or even Mr or Mrs Right Now.

Bumble
Bumble is free to join with users signing up from Facebook, which pulls your info to provide users with a better insight about a possible match. Women view profiles of potential dates and then it’s up to them to make the first move by swiping left or right Tinder style. If there’s a mutual like, the ladies will have 24 hours to start a conversation in the chat bubble. The handy ‘Backtrack’ feature allows you to give that last guy a second chance if you swiped left by mistake.

Hinge
If you’re more comfortable meeting someone through friends and want to know more about someone’s personality through their profile, then Hinge is the dating app for you. Only matching you with friends-of-friends on Facebook or third degree connections, Hinge’s profiling also includes handy personality tags such as Wine Lover or Science Nerd. Giving you a limit of 5 -15 matches a day there’s no time for procrastination as the countdown clock kicks in and matches will disappear if you don’t message them within 24 hours.

Happn
Great for spontaneity, Happn matches you with someone you’ve already crossed paths with, but not yet met. Every time you pass by a spot with another member in the vicinity you’ll get an instant notification to say that a possible match is nearby. To like someone’s profile tap the heart button and if the feeling is mutual, you’ll be notified. Soon to be rolled out across the globe, Happn takes the chance out of chance meetings and connects you to someone who hangs out in the same places you do.

The Grade
Great at weeding out the creeper messages, clever algorithms are used to grade users from A to F in three categories — their profile content, their message quality, and their response rate, so no hiding behind a profile or sending pictures of you-know-what without getting yourself downgraded. Female focused and innovative, The Grade holds daters accountable for their actions, making the whole experience more honest and virtually creep free.

Coffee Meets Bagel
Simple and laid back as the name suggests, CMB is a pared down and less overwhelming way for singles to find love online. Every day at noon you’ll receive one match (a bagel) from a friend-of-a friend. “Like” or “Pass” within 24 hours or even give the match to a friend. Great for serious daters and very engaging, CMB lets you focus on one match a day as opposed to sifting through an avalanche.

Amanda Horlington is the founder of web design and internet marketing company Fusion Marketing. Contact Amanda at amanda@fusion-marketing.co.uk or via Twitter @jiggertyjig