I get asked about Dil Mil alternatives constantly. Sometimes it’s people who tried it and felt like the pool was too small in their city. Sometimes it’s people who had good matches but couldn’t convert them into actual dates. Sometimes it’s people who just want to know if there’s something better. I’ve been paying attention to this space for four years, so here’s my honest breakdown.
Why people look for Dil Mil alternatives
Dil Mil is the dominant South Asian dating app in the US with around a million users and an estimated $400K per month in revenue. Those numbers sound impressive until you look at where those users are concentrated. If you’re in NYC, Chicago, Houston, or the Bay Area, Dil Mil has a real pool. If you’re in a smaller market, the app can feel like a ghost town. The profile quality also varies wildly. Some people are genuinely invested. A lot of people downloaded it once and haven’t opened it since 2023.
The other issue is the experience itself. Dil Mil’s matching algorithm is decent but the in-app conversation flow is weak. Most matches go nowhere not because there’s no chemistry but because neither person knows how to break the ice over text with someone they’ve never met. The app doesn’t do much to help with that.
The best Dil Mil alternatives for South Asian singles
Hinge
Hinge is the biggest dating app in the US and has a large Indian user base, particularly in major metros. The prompts-based format helps with conversation starters and you’re much less likely to hit a dead pool in smaller cities. The downside is the lack of South Asian cultural filters. You’ll encounter people who don’t understand your context, people who are fetishizing you, and the standard Hinge noise. For South Asian users, Hinge works best as a volume play combined with very specific bios that filter for cultural fit upfront.
Muzz
If you’re Muslim, Muzz is worth serious consideration. It has 15 million users globally and is genuinely built for Muslim dating with features like chaperon mode and halal-oriented matching. The South Asian Muslim population on Muzz is significant. The app has grown fast and the user quality is generally high because people join with real intent.
Salams
Also for Muslim South Asians, Salams has 6 million users but runs roughly 80% male. If you’re a woman, that gender imbalance can actually work in your favor — you’ll have more matches than you can manage. If you’re a man, the competition is steep. Know what you’re walking into.
Aisle
Aisle is an Indian dating app that positions itself as more serious than Dil Mil — it charges for connections to filter out low-intent users. The South Asian focus is real and the intent level is genuinely higher. Like Salams it skews heavily male (around 70%) which shapes the experience differently depending on your gender. Aisle is best for people who are done with casual swiping and want to commit to the process.
Ishq
Ishq launched in October 2024 as an invite-only app specifically for South Asian singles. The exclusivity is a feature — the intent is to keep the pool curated. It’s early, the user base is small, but the signal-to-noise ratio is reportedly high. If you can get an invite, it’s worth trying.
The option nobody is talking about: IRL
Every app on this list has the same core problem: you don’t actually know if someone is interesting until you meet them. The best Dil Mil alternative for many South Asian singles isn’t another app. It’s getting off the apps entirely for a few months and going somewhere real.
As I wrote in my piece on IRL events for desi singles, in-person events compress the information you need in ways that apps can’t replicate. Five minutes of conversation at a desi mixer tells you more than two weeks of DMs. And if you’re in NYC, Garam Masala Dating is specifically built for this. Come watch the show. Stay for the mixer. Apply to be a contestant. You’ll leave with more than you came with, guaranteed.
Which Dil Mil alternative is right for you?
If you’re Hindu or secular and in a major city: try Hinge alongside Dil Mil. If you’re Muslim: Muzz first, Salams if you want more volume. If you want serious intent with a South Asian focus: Aisle. If you have an invite: Ishq. And if you’re exhausted by all of it: find your nearest desi IRL event and go there instead. The algorithm won’t fix what the algorithm broke.
