For the bold and brainy: Best dating sites for geeks, nerds, and sci-fi buffs

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Who it's for:

Match boasts a diverse user base with plenty of opportunities for everyone. According to their website, 19 percent of users are between 18 and 29, 44 percent are between 30 and 40, and 37 percent are 50 or older. This mix makes it an excellent starting place for those new to online dating or anyone looking for a broad range of potential matches.

If you're serious about finding a soulmate and have some disposable income, Match is the place to go. This online dating community is also one of the largest and most reputable matchmaking services online, with millions of active users logging in daily.

Why we picked this:

Match might not be the first name that pops into your head for geek dating, but it's got a few tricks up its sleeve. Sure, it might not be the cheapest option for singles, but when it comes to finding your Player Two, sometimes a little extra effort goes a long way. The platform is user-friendly, has a clean interface, and features a lengthy matchmaking questionnaire to help optimize your dating profile and narrow your matches as efficiently as possible.

The app's profile customization options give you plenty of chances to show off your personality. Blast your love for anime, horror marathons, or the latest VR tech with a massive library of interest tags. Let everyone know you're the ultimate Comic-Con attendee or that you crave "Intellectual Stimulation" (because who doesn't?).

Match even lets you geek out further with essay-style answers to specific topics. The paid features help weed out casual browsers, and requiring at least one clear photo (you can add up to 26 to your profile) shows everyone on the platform is here to put in the effort.

Read our full review of Match.

Who it's for:

Hinge is the ideal dating app for geeky 20 to 30-somethings looking to see where a connection takes them. It's not as serious as eharmony and a little more hip than Match, with on-profile videos, prompts, and a fresh, modern design.

Hinge is a top-three dating app among young people between the ages of 18 and 29 (Tinder and Bumble have more users), according to research from the Pew Research Center. The organization found that approximately one in five young people have used Hinge, and among online dating app users in this demographic, 39 percent used Hinge.

Why we picked this:

Even though Hinge is a part of Match Group, it takes a more personalized approach to dating. With Hinge, you can embrace your geekiness and showcase your interests through the app's profile prompts and on-profile videos. The more you put yourself out there, the higher your chances of finding your lobster (or that special someone).

Because users are encouraged to respond to profile prompts and engage in conversations based on shared interests, Hinge provides a platform where geeks can connect on a deeper level beyond looks.

While some users have complained that Hinge uses an "attractiveness score," we haven't found any concrete evidence of it within the app itself.

Who it's for:

EliteSingles is designed to help educated, mentally, and emotionally mature singles find a potential match. This dating site isn't for one-night stands or endless swiping. These singles are busy and don't have time for that BS.

Why we picked this:

With its in-depth, 200-question personality test that assesses important traits like agreeableness, openness, extraversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism, this dating app takes matchmaking to a whole new level.

EliteSingles knows us analytical geeks appreciate a thorough approach. The in-depth test unlocks your unique personality and nerdy passions, then uses that data to find matches who are genuinely compatible on an intellectual level.

Unlike other apps that rely on endless swiping, EliteSingles simplifies the process by curating a selection of three to five highly compatible matches for you each day. This thoughtful approach saves you time and energy, allowing you to focus on getting to know your matches on a deeper level.

Read our comparison of EliteSingles vs. eharmony.

Who it's for:

You know how when you see a cute stranger you hope they'll miraculously pop up on your dating apps? This app ups the chances by showing people you've seen in real life based on your smartphone’s location tracking. Think of it as meeting your next great love in line at a coffee shop — without awkward in-person icebreakers.

Why we picked this:

For those who've always dreamed of having a meet-cute moment straight out of a romantic comedy, happn brings that fantasy to life. By leveraging your location, this niche dating site creates opportunities for spontaneous connections with people you've crossed paths with in your daily life. It's like having your very own rom-com script unfolding right in front of you. Maybe that person you've seen at the local game store but have been too shy to go up to will pop up.

Happn's unique approach to dating is the ideal setup for rom-com geeks who appreciate the allure of unexpected encounters and the potential for a true love story to emerge from the most unlikely places. Instead of swiping through endless profiles, happn focuses on those meaningful moments when your eyes meet across a crowded street or cross in a bustling café.

Who it's for:

The eharmony brand has been matching singles online for over 20 years — but the platform feels fresh and modern despite being online for a long time. The trusted dating site is ideal for singles who are ready to settle down and find their forever person. Remember that the guiding ethos of eharmony is true love and marriage — so if you’re not ready to get that serious, you might want to choose another platform.

Why we picked this:

eharmony's advanced matching algorithm sets it apart from other dating platforms. With 32 different dimensions of compatibility, it delves deep into your personality traits, values, beliefs, and preferences to ensure highly compatible matches. This meticulous approach increases the likelihood of finding a partner who aligns with your core values and aspirations.

Like most dating apps, eharmony has a space to add interests and hobbies. Though none are specifically nerdy, you can definitely use the extensive profile to share what you're passionate about so you can connect with your fellow nerds looking for a long-term connection.

And if you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you'll be happy to know that eharmony has pivoted far from its historically heteronormative approach. In fact, the platform has evolved so much that it's angered quite a few religious groups, including One Million Moms, which even started a petition to have the company remove its same-sex ads from TV.

Read our full review of eharmony.

Who it's for:

Zoosk isn't the trendiest or most visually appealing dating platform, and unfortunately, it doesn't have great features for daters either. That's why we recommend you steer clear of this dating site unless you're really dying to use a dating platform not owned by Match Group. (Zoosk is owned by Spark Networks, which also owns Christin Mingle, Jdate, and EliteSingles.)

Why we don't recommend this:

There are a ton of options out there for dating sites these days, and Zoosk doesn't stand out. It's filled with bot accounts, isn't cheap, and requires paying for most basic features, like messaging. Considering there are free dating sites for serious connections and paid sites that tend to attract more real (literally, not just emotionally) people, we'd say you'd probably do best to take your geeky interests and open heart elsewhere.

Read our full review of Zoosk.