Many single L.A. parents are ready to move beyond dating apps, says Sophy Singer, founder of Sophy Love matchmaking service, which has locations in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco. Among her clients, about 45% are single parents, including a significant number in the Los Angeles area.

“Single parents often face unique challenges in the dating world, from balancing busy schedules to navigating complex family dynamics,” Singer says. “Matchmaking services provide a highly personalized approach to help them find meaningful connections that align with their goals and values. My success rate is around 85%, meaning that 85% of clients who work with me are in some form of a relationship within 18 months.”

By comparison, the general success rate for finding a lasting partner on dating apps is much lower — about 42%, according to Pew Research. While apps are the most popular way to meet people, they often don’t lead to lasting connections. Another concern is apps’ impact on mental health. Research shows that the brain gets a dopamine hit from the act of swiping, similar to playing slot machines. This gamified experience can be addictive, dehumanizing and damaging, reducing people to profiles and fostering burnout. “Most clients share feelings of disconnection and anxiety from app dating, saying it’s exhausting and emotionally draining,” Singer says.

Still, Singer and other dating experts see apps as a valuable tool. “We like to integrate the vast pool of dating apps with our matchmaking services, offering the best of both worlds to our clients,” Singer says “We recommend this hybrid approach because it lets single parents tap into dating apps without the fatigue from managing them.” Sophy Love’s concierge service manages clients’ online dating, including creating profiles, crafting bios, arranging photoshoots, handling messages and vetting matches with background checks — a relief for single parents.

In L.A., popular matchmaking services include Three Day Rule, seen on “Shark Tank,” for those on a tighter budget; Matchmakers in the City, which has a celebrity vibe and, if the sky’s the limit, The Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger’s Millionaire’s Club, touting more than 100,000 members.

Sophy Love sets itself apart with a holistic approach. “Finding a partner isn’t just about meeting the right person — it’s also about understanding yourself and what you need to build a meaningful connection,” Singer says. “We help our clients explore past relationship patterns and develop a deeper sense of self-awareness. This process often involves addressing old wounds or unhelpful habits so that they can approach new relationships with clarity and confidence.”

Getting the most out of dating apps

Julie Spira, a Los Angeles-based online dating expert, certified dating coach and founder of Cyber-Dating Expert, specializes in coaching single parents and helping them navigate and put their best profile forward on dating apps, still the most popular way to meet a match in 2025.

The biggest challenges she sees for dating while parenting and co-parenting are scheduling and determining the best time to introduce children to someone new. She also acknowledges the swipe fatigue for parents from online dating. “If you get burned out on dating apps, take a one to three-week break and jump back in when refreshed to match with new members,” she advises.

She shares that newer app Stir, with a focus on single parents, offers the option for users to share their custody schedules in their profiles and to connect in the app’s communities. But most singles are still using well-known apps such as Bumble, eHarmony, Hinge, Match and Tinder.

One of the considerations for single parents when using dating apps is the cost factor, she explains. For instance, Stir can get pricey, starting at $39.99 for one month or $71.99 for a six-month plan. However, Bumble and Hinge offer more flexible “freemium” (no cost) plans that allow parents to state whether they have kids or want more children, which can help with matches. On Match, users can state if kids live at home full-time, part-time or away from home.

Newer apps such as Feeld, This Round’s On Me and speed dating apps feature meeting in person. Other popular and trending features on several dating apps include enlisting your friends to play matchmaker. These features combine well with hiring a matchmaking service, Spira says.

And Facebook is a popular option for parents, too. “Many single parents are using Facebook socially,” Spira shares. Facebook dating, the heart icon on Facebook, is a free dating platform. It also includes a “friendship” feature that allows single parents to state their dating intent, whether looking for friendship, casual chatting or a long-term relationship.

Michele Raphael is a culture, lifestyle and travel writer based in Los Angeles.  Find her @michelebraphael on Instagram.

For more on navigating the dating world, read Michele’s other story, “Dating While Parenting.”