Dating app fatigue is real, but the right swipe still counts
Mashable’s 2026 dating app testing says burnout is widespread, yet online dating remains a major way young people meet partners.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Dating apps may feel like another unpaid job for singles, but Mashable’s 2026 testing found that the better bet is not quitting the apps altogether. It is choosing the one that matches what a user actually wants.
The report, based on years of app reviews and a fresh round of swiping, matching and messaging across dozens of platforms, says app fatigue is a real problem for online daters. Still, it argues that the platform should fit the goal: someone seeking long-term commitment may be better aligned with a service like eharmony, while apps such as Tinder are often associated with more casual dating.
Davide De Pierro, author of The Letters I Never Sent, told Mashable that the number of apps can make dating feel overwhelming, but he said a user’s mindset can matter more than the platform. His advice, as reported by Mashable, was to be direct about identity and intentions rather than trying to perform a different version of oneself on each app.
The report also points to data showing why dating apps remain hard to ignore. A 2025 SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus found that 65 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds have used a dating app. A 2023 Pew Research Center report found that one in five young people met their significant other through one.
The apps Mashable would leave off the phone
Mashable’s reviewer said name recognition was not enough for a dating app to make the cut. The report singled out several popular or heavily advertised platforms as ones readers may want to avoid, citing effectiveness, safety, cost and user experience.
Plenty of Fish: Mashable noted that Plenty of Fish began as a dating site in 2003 and said the platform now feels outdated. The reviewer said that, based on personal testing and broader user feedback, the service has problems with bots and scams, making it a poor use of time for people looking for quality matches.
Raya: The report described Raya as selective, costly and impractical for many daters. Users must apply, and Mashable said the vetting process can last from days to years. The reviewer said it may appeal to people interested in networking or meeting influencers, but called it a weak recommendation for ordinary dating. The League was mentioned in the same category.
Niche hookup sites: Mashable also warned against sites such as BeNaughty and Fling. The report said its research and user reviews raised concerns about bots and billing practices, including complaints about surprise charges and subscriptions that were difficult to cancel.
The companies named in those warnings were not quoted with responses in Mashable’s report.
Mashable’s bottom line for 2026 is brisk: dating apps can still work, but users should match the app to the outcome they want before investing time, money or emotional energy.
This story draws on original reporting from Mashable.