Meeting people in real life is ideal, but it's not always realistic, especially when life revolves around non-stop work hours, launching a startup, juggling multiple clients and side hustles as a busy freelancer, and just generally trying to have it all.

There are not enough hours in the day, and honestly, the free hours we do have are typically spent showering, sleeping, or hovering over the sink, chowing down on whatever we can find for dinner or lunch. Sure, it's not always pretty, but no one said success would be easy.

So, how do you find time to meet people when you're too busy for happy hour? Fortunately, the philosophy of "work smarter, not harder" can be applied to your love life, too.

The best dating sites for professionals make it easy to meet someone who's on your level.

Yes, we know you're online all day for work, and the last thing you want to do is spend more time on your computer or phone trying to find a partner. But online dating lets you connect with potential partners on your own time and terms.

This means you can forego the awkward almost-maybe-not relationships and curate your dating experience to fit your lifestyle and schedule.

Are there dating apps for professionals?

When you think of dating apps, two things probably come to mind: Tinder and the question of how you'll ever find someone who can understand that your busy lifestyle is just who you are. The good news is that we can answer both of these concerns right here and now.

First, let's deal with the whole Tinder thing. Yes, it's super popular, and for a good reason: people are getting laid! But if you're looking for something more than a casual fling, there are so many other options out there. You honestly don't even need to download or use Tinder at all (unless you want to!).

Now, let's talk about finding someone who understands and respects your busy lifestyle. You're not alone in wanting a life that's meant to go somewhere, and you shouldn't have to settle. You deserve someone who can lift you up and support you, not drag you and your dreams through the dirt.

How can you find this person? Through the very peculiar power of niche dating sites. Whether you're looking for the best dating sites for professionals over 50 or dating apps for people earning six figures (or more), we've gathered a list of the best dating apps for your consideration.

What are the best dating sites and apps for professionals?

It's hard to pick just one site that's the absolute best for everyone. That's why we gathered the top options below and broke them down based on the stand-out features that will be most appealing to professionals.

We found that with sites like eharmony and Match, the initial output (i.e a lengthy sign-up and/or membership fee) is worth it for the return. We also loved Hinge: One of our top picks. The app is full of singles who are on the app specifically to go on dates, and it's especially popular in big cities where successful professionals tend to live.