Dating as a trans person can be a thrilling, exhausting, and often dangerous experience. Too often, platforms built by and for cis folks subject trans people to harassment, fetishization, or outright bans simply for showing up as themselves.
That’s why we did the legwork for you. Whether you’re a trans woman, trans man, or nonbinary person looking for something serious, something fun, or just someone who understands, you deserve more than being tolerated. You deserve a safe place to connect.
We tested and reviewed today’s most-used dating platforms, ranking the best dating apps for trans people based on safety features, moderation policies, inclusivity, and transphobia risk. We also included direct links so you can dive in or delete without having to search.
Why Dating Apps Matter for Trans People
According to recent studies, over 56% of transgender people using online dating platforms have experienced harassment. Even in 2025, it remains a common occurrence for trans users to face bans or ghosting following reports, simply for expressing their true selves. That’s why choosing the right app isn’t just about romance; it’s about self-protection and self-respect.
Top 3 Best Dating Apps for Trans People in 2025
Lex – Best for Queer Community and Text-Based Connection
Inclusivity: ★★★★★
Safety: ★★★★☆
Transphobia Risk: Very Low
Use it on: Lex Website | iOS | Android
Lex is the cool queer zine of dating apps. It ditches swipe culture in favor of text-based personal ads that focus on identity, connection, and consent. It was built with trans and nonbinary people in mind, making it one of the most inclusive dating platforms around.
Why we love it:
- No limiting dropdowns; gender and pronouns are open fields.
- Trans people dominate the user base.
- A culture of safety, not performative progressivism.
Limitations: Smaller user base in rural areas.
HER – Best for Queer Women, Trans Women, and Enbies
Inclusivity: ★★★★★
Safety: ★★★★☆
Transphobia Risk: Low
Use it on: HER Website | iOS | Android
HER is more than a dating app; it’s a social network for queer women and nonbinary people. Designed by and for LGBTQ+ users, HER is explicit in its trans-inclusivity and has an active moderation team that enforces community safety rules.
Why it’s great for trans users:
- Verified profiles to reduce catfishing.
- Groups, events, and news feed features foster community.
- Trans women are explicitly welcomed in all app copy and policy.
Note: Not ideal if you’re a trans man looking for connections with cis men.
OkCupid – Best Mainstream App for Trans Dating
Inclusivity: ★★★★☆
Safety: ★★★☆☆
Transphobia Risk: Moderate
Use it on: OkCupid Website | iOS | Android
Of all mainstream dating apps, OkCupid ranks highest for transgender inclusion. With over 60 gender identity options and customizable pronouns, it gives users real control over how they’re seen, and who they see.
What works:
- Can filter who sees your profile by gender and orientation.
- Value-based matching leads to better conversations.
- Community tends to skew progressive.
Caution: Reports of transphobia still surface. Moderation is improving but inconsistent.
Proceed With Caution: Mid-Tier Trans Dating Apps
Hinge – Popular but Cis-Centered
Inclusivity: ★★★☆☆
Safety: ★★★☆☆
Transphobia Risk: Moderate
Use it on: Hinge Website | iOS | Android
Hinge allows you to display your pronouns and personalize your gender identity, but its default design clearly favors cishet romance. Many trans users report being fetishized, misgendered, or ignored.
If you are patient and understand the risks, it is worth trying.
Bumble – Looks Progressive, Acts Problematic
Inclusivity: ★★☆☆☆
Safety: ★★☆☆☆
Transphobia Risk: High
Use it on: Bumble Website | iOS | Android
Despite its feminist branding, Bumble has a well-documented history of banning trans women after they match with cis men. The app gives cis users far too much power to report trans people under the guise of “impersonation.”
Tread carefully, especially if you’re a trans woman dating cis men.
The Worst Dating Apps for Transgender People
Tinder – Swipe Left on This One
Inclusivity: ★★☆☆☆
Safety: ★☆☆☆☆
Transphobia Risk: Very High
Use it on: Tinder Website | iOS | Android
Tinder may be a household name, but it’s notoriously hostile toward trans people. Trans women, in particular, are frequently reported and banned after matching with cis men. Shadowbanning is common, and customer support is unhelpful at best.
Grindr – Dangerously Fetishizing for Trans Women
Inclusivity: ★☆☆☆☆
Safety: ★☆☆☆☆
Transphobia Risk: Extreme
Use it on: Grindr Website | iOS | Android
If you’re a trans woman, Grindr is not safe. It remains one of the most toxic environments for trans and nonbinary people, full of users who treat trans people like kinks or jokes. Reports go mostly ignored, and harassment is rampant.
Block and delete. You deserve better.
Plenty of Fish (POF) – Stuck in the Past, Unsafe for Trans Users
Inclusivity: ★☆☆☆☆
Safety: ★☆☆☆☆
Transphobia Risk: High
Use it on: POF Website | iOS | Android
An outdated interface, binary gender settings, and unmoderated harassment make POF one of the worst dating apps for trans people. Trans users are regularly banned for “impersonation” just for being themselves.
Don’t waste your time.
Honorable Mentions: Niche Apps for Trans and Queer Users
Taimi – LGBTQ+ Social Platform with Potential
Taimi blends dating and LGBTQ+ social networking. It offers solid gender options, but moderation and spam remain weak points. It’s more affirming than Grindr, less toxic than Tinder, but still growing.
Use it on: Taimi Website | iOS | Android
Feeld – For Poly, Kink, and Gender Exploration
Feeld is openly inclusive of all genders and orientations, including nonbinary and trans people. If you’re polyamorous or exploring alternative relationships, it can be a great fit—but expect some fetishization if you’re not firm about boundaries.
Use it on: Feeld Website | iOS | Android
What to Look for in a Dating App as a Trans Person
Choosing the right dating app as a trans person isn’t just about features; it’s about whether the platform actually sees you and keeps you safe. So before you commit, ask yourself a few key questions.
Does the app let you write your gender and pronouns in your own words, or are you stuck choosing from a limited, binary list? Open fields are usually a good sign they care about identity beyond the checkbox.
Next, make sure your pronouns are front and center. If the app conceals your pronouns or prevents you from displaying them, it’s a cause for concern. You shouldn’t have to fight just to be referred to correctly.
It’s also worth checking how much control you have over who can see your profile. Is it possible to filter out individuals who may not be seeking someone with your profile? Some apps let you restrict visibility to certain genders or orientations, which can go a long way toward avoiding awkward or unsafe matches.
Support matters, too. If something goes wrong, is there an actual human being you can contact—or are you stuck yelling into the void while a bot tells you nothing’s wrong?
And finally, listen to the community. Trans people talk. Check out Reddit threads, TikTok breakdowns, or Discord groups to see what folks are saying about their real experiences on these apps. You’ll learn more in five minutes from other users than from any app store description.
At the end of the day, you’re not just looking for an app; you’re looking for a space where your identity isn’t up for debate. Choose the one that makes you feel seen, respected, and in control.
The Bottom Line
Dating as a trans person, especially online, can feel like stepping into a room where you’re either completely invisible or put under a spotlight you never asked for. You might brace yourself before every swipe, hold your breath when someone finally messages back, or rehearse how you’ll disclose, if you choose to at all. And that constant pressure? That quiet fear? It’s exhausting. But sweetheart, it doesn’t have to be this hard.
There are people out there who will see you, not as a puzzle to solve or a curiosity to explore, but as the whole, radiant, magnetic person you already are. People who won’t ask invasive questions, won’t flinch when you correct them, and won’t make your identity the centerpiece of every conversation. You deserve that kind of ease. That kind of joy. That kind of love.
So when you open that app, whether it’s Lex or HER or one you’ve never tried before, do it knowing that your worth isn’t determined by who matches with you, how many messages you get, or whether someone else sees the magic that you carry. Because it’s already there. And the right person, or people, will see it without you having to shout.
Flirt boldly. Unmatch quickly. Set boundaries. Break hearts if you need to. And most importantly, only ever do it on your terms.
You’re not too much. You’re not too complicated. You’re not alone. You’re you, and that’s already more than enough.
Go find someone who gets it. Or better yet, who gets you.
