In a world where dating horror stories are almost a rite of passage, I can take consolation in a few things. One, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Two, most of those fish are dating from their phones, making it easier to connect than ever.

Ahead, check out these 20 best dating sites that are worth swiping right in 2022:

Still, with so many fish to reel in (and, let’s be real, your fair share of bottom feeders to avoid), online dating can be overwhelming. These days, singletons are flooded with options, says Dr. Shawntres Parks, PhD, LMFT, a licensed ily therapist, relationship coach, the co-founder of Parks & Powers Psychotherapy, and a member of the Women’s Health advisory board. “Dating has become as competitive as the job market,” she says.

So, how do you sift through thousands upon thousands of profiles to find a lasting match? Start with a little free therapy homework from the pro: Take a few weeks to write down the essential characteristics you want in a partner, and what your non-negotiables are. Want someone who eats vegan and is going to run 5Ks on Thanksgiving morning? Good to know! Looking for more of a laid-back hookup who enjoys ordering a large pepperoni pizza at midnight? Also fine, but you may need to look for love in a different place, er, app.

Once you’re clear about who exactly you’re looking for, you can join a dating app that fits your interests, identity, and desired relationship status.

You get the advantage of talking to the most people possible, but also the disadvantage of a larger than life dating pool, says Dr

Why wait for the weekend to meet up with your online crush when you can see them on a Thursday instead? The name of the app speaks for itself and is “perfect for people who are tired of spending countless hours communicating on dating apps only to never have a date happen,” says Parks.

The gist of this new dating platform: Thursday is only available for use on-you guessed it-Thursdays. Within those 24 hours, daters can decide if they want to take their conversation from online to an IRL meetup that day. Plus, “Thursday offers a fun opportunity to liven up a formerly uneventful day of the week,” Parks adds.

Dating as a single parent can feel intimidating, but there’s plenty of ways to go about the dating scene, including seeking out someone in a similar situation. Stir is designed specifically for single parents on the hunt for love. However, you don’t need to have kids of your own to join the app-you can still join the app to meet someone who already does.

“This app offers a chance to be free of the ‘when do I share that I have kids’ dilemma,” says Parks. “Daters who previously might have had trouble working around their busy parenting-filled days, will instantly have something in common with the community on this app.”

Chances are you’ve already waded in the dating swamp known as Tinder. It’s the app that skyrocketed app-based dating into the mainstream with its infamous swipe left or swipe right model. Left=no, right=yes in case you’ve been boo-ed up during the Tinder era.

This app may get a bad rap for being more sex-focused, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Parks. “You’ve got to make sure you use this app with intention, and you’re not just sitting on your couch swiping with the TV on in the background.”