If you and your sweetheart live miles apart, then you ought to have a peek at my list of the best apps for long distance relationships. They can make you feel a lot closer than your smart phone’s GPS says you are, and since they’re designed for lovers, they’re meant to be private and secure. Whether you’re looking for something naughty or nice – or both – keep reading! Here are my picks for the best apps for long distance relationships… and most can also be useful for lovers close together, too!

1 Avocado

A good long distance dating app will allow you to select locations that interest you, and then let you see profiles from that city’s singles. If you travel a lot, this feature could be a life saver. Search for a location a week or two before traveling and start searching for singles who may be your type. For long-distance couples both new and established, being away from the one who makes your heart the happiest for an extended period of time can be tough. Luckily, it’s 2015, and modern technology has brought us a selection of the best apps designed to help you manage your LDR.

I love the idea behind this app, created by a pair of lovers. It’s a social media and sharing app made for two, inspired by the avocado tree, which won’t product fruit unless there’s another tree nearby. I love that everything you do with your love is archived, too, so you can track your relationship as it progresses… and this, along with how easy it is to use, is why Avocado earned the top spot on my list of the must-have apps for long distance relationships.

2 Couple

Is there anything sweeter than a Couple app ThumbKiss? That’s my favorite part of this sweet little app. Touch your phone with your thumb, and when your sweetheart does the same, your phone will buzz a bit. There’s a lot more you can do in this app, too, but that’s my favorite feature.

3 SnapChat

There’s been some debate about whether or not the photos on SnapChat are actually deleted, but I tend to believe they are, as the app promises. That’s why this is one of my favorite apps for long-distance lovers, or any lovers for that matter. Spice up your sweetheart’s day from half a continent away by taking a risqué pic and sending it… for only a few seconds.

4 Bliss

Even lovers who live a world apart get the chance to connect once in a while, and when they do, this is the app for them! It celebrates intimacy, not just sex, with a set of fun games made just for lovers like you. Want to try it before you buy it? There’s a free “lite” version, too.

5 IJML

Once you’re done using Bliss, use this randy/handy little free app to let everyone know where and when you … ahem … played the game. I think this is such a fun app for lovers, long-distance or close by.

6 Love Quiz!

This is so much fun! There’s a little humor built into this little quiz app for lovers, and it seems to be designed for long-distance sweethearts, because you can play no matter how near or far you are.

7 Call Sweetheart

Aww, this app is so… sweet! Use it to make a shortcut from your smart phone to your sweetheart’s. At the tap of one cute little heart, you’ll be connected. It’s just another small way to add convenience, while also showing your lover how much they mean to you.

8 Words with Friends

If you’re a brainy chick in love with an equally smart boy, this word game will bring you closer while improving your vocabulary. It’s addictive, and you’ll find you’re maybe a little more competitive than you thought.

9 Skype

In any LDR, you have to see each other, which means that you've got to invest in Skype! Skype will allow you to be up close and personal with your partner, no matter where you each live!

10 Pair

This particular app is fairly new and it's all about having the ability to send each other messages securely and secretly! You can also send along photos, sketches and there is even something called a 'thumb kiss' that you can do!

11 Cupple

Here is another particular app designed just for those in LDRs! This particular app allows you to check into places, add captions and even post photos, all without your information showing up on Facebook, it'll just be between you and your beloved!

With so many sweet little apps made just for lovers, no matter how near or far, there’s bound to be something for you and your boo! Which of these apps do you think you’ll try first, and why? Or is there another app for long-distance relationships you’ve tried and fallen in love with? Do (kiss and) tell

This article was written in collaboration with editor Heather Jensen.

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Technology makes it possible to meet people from all over the world, and when it comes to dating, apps and websites certainly make it possible to cast a wider net. But if you meet someone online that you're interested in, should you start a long-distance relationship with someone you met online — especially when long-distance relationships are notoriously challenging in and of themselves?

The short answer is that it depends on your needs, limitations, and what it takes to feel fulfilled in a romantic relationship. 'Success' in a relationship is not necessarily defined by a particular duration of time or a particular end result (e.g., co-habitating, marriage),' Dr. Stefani Threadgill, a sexologist, PhD, LMFT, and founder of The Sex Therapy Institute explains. 'I define a successful relationship as one that creates pleasure and happiness for both people in the couple, for as long as the relationship lasts.'

That said, if you decide to give it a go, Dr. Sue Varma (@doctorsuevarma on social media), a couples and sex therapist and sex educator, says that the first step is to clarify your intentions. 'I’m big on people being clear and up-front about [their intensions], in their own mind and for the other,' she says, adding, 'If you are looking for a long-term, committed relationship, you may be willing to make the extra effort [of dating long-distance].'

There are also some other questions to ask yourself as you go forward with a far-away romance. Ahead, some things to consider before taking that digital step.

What Do You Need From Relationships?

In any case, before falling for the romance, both parties should be aware of their emotional needs. (Need help de-mystifying? Take a quiz to discover your love languages). 'If you are someone who needs physical touch and/or quality time activities together to build a relationship and be happy with your level of connection, you'll be setting yourself up for more heartbreak and disappointment,' warns Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD, sociologist & intimacy coach, and author of the forthcoming book From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinventing Sex for Women. But on the flip side, those who respond best to words of affirmation and gift giving/receiving may be perfectly content with virtual conversations and special surprises sent by mail. Further, 'People who already have very busy and full lives, and also people who are independent or content living alone (if they don't have a roommate), may appreciate the flexibility and lowered expectations of a long-distance relationship,' she says.

How Far & How Often Are You Willing To Travel?

Another aspect to consider is how far a distance you'd be willing to travel, and how often, in order to see your partner. For instance, would you be okay with making a four-hour drive to spend the weekend together, or flying halfway across the world two times a year? Or, would you consider a two-hour train ride a huge inconvenience, given your need to be with your beau? 'How much distance you're willing to deal with depends on how busy you already are, and how much physical touch matters and being able to do activities together,' says Dr. Gunsaullus. 'It also matters how much time and money you have to be able to travel and vice versa, because a long-distance relationship, where you're traveling quite a bit, means that your friends and work could be negatively impacted, as well as your wallet.' Of course, the commute may be more tolerable if one of you is willing to relocate, should things get serious.

Do You Trust This Person?

And last but certainly not least is the matter of trusting someone's authenticity when you haven't actually — you know — met. (After all, you've seen Catfish, right?).'While it's amazing to be able to meet people to potentially date from around the world, there are bigger issues to think about before diving into a long-distance relationship that doesn't begin by first spending time together in person,' Dr. Gunsaullus says. 'The fact that you've never spent actual time in the same physical space together has two primary concerns: First, the other person may not be who they present themselves to be online or from a distance, so they could be leading you on. Also, it's hard to assess sexual chemistry if you haven't spent time together.'

Dating Apps Long Distance Friends

Red Flags

Still, there are some red flags you can look out for through your correspondence. Dr. Varma says that flakiness, unreliability, canceling potential meet-ups, and telling stories that don't add up should raise your suspicious. And in general, she advises, you should always trust your gut. For example, 'if they are only interested in phone sex, sending sexually provocative images or messages early on, you will know their intentions, so don’t be fooled,' she says. Also, Dr. Threadgill notes, it can be easy to experience a false sense of security after just a few days of continuous messaging — and that's not always a good thing. 'Faux intimacy can be a consequence of relationships initiated through apps/online dating or texting,' she explains. 'It is the sense one ‘knows’ another person, yet in reality, they have never met; it is a hazard of dating in the digital age.'

Long Distance Dating Site

But with all this in mind, the experts agree that starting a long-distance relationship with someone you met online isn't automatically a bad idea. In fact, it can be incredibly fulfilling for those who proceed with caution and are willing to make some sacrifices. Dr. Gunsaullus shares her final thoughts: 'If you have a connection with someone that feels particularly special, unique, and supportive in a way you haven't been able to find in your home area, then maybe you want to give it a shot.'