Yes, Tinder is a pretty good dating app for online dating. But what happens when you’re either bored of it, or you’re just not getting any matches on Tinder?
Or maybe you need another dating app to work alongside Tinder so that you get more dates. After all, the more dating apps you use, the more chances you’ll have of landing a date!
Tinder is, of course, one of the world’s most popular dating apps. It’s used by people who are looking for a hook-up, short-term dating, long-term dating, and even new friends. It’s also completely free to send messages.
The good news is that there are several dating apps that are better than Tinder out there that you can sign up for right now to look for dates.
In this article, we're going to take a look at the top dating apps that are better than Tinder for serious relationships and hook-ups.
Move Over Tinder: These Dating Apps Offer Better Results
1. Bumble
Bumble was actually created by one of Tinder’s co-founders and its premise is really similar. Like Tinder, Bumble is a “swipe” dating app. Bumble doesn’t have a search function, but instead, you need to swipe left or right on profiles that are queued up for you. You can only message someone once you’ve matched with them. Unlike Tinder, though, only women can send first message on Bumble. Also, matches disappear if no one starts a conversation within the first 24 hours, which creates a sense of urgency and – theoretically – encourages more conversations. Bumble has a premium feature called “Bumble Boost.” It shows you, people who looked at your profile, extends matches even after they are expired, rematches with your expired connection, and gives unlimited filters.
PROS: Bumble gives you tips on what to say in your opening message, as well as how to make your dating profile stand out.
CONS: Just because someone has matched with you, it’s not a guarantee that they’ll message you.
Available for iPhone and Android
2. Hinge
Hinge is a mobile device-only dating app that’s more aimed at those seeking something longer-term. Indeed, its tagline is “the dating app that’s designed to be deleted.” Hinge is different from most dating apps like tinder in that you don’t need to create a bio from scratch. Instead, Hinge gives you a series of prompts, called Hinge prompts, that you just need to answer, such as “I’ll brag about you to my friends if …” A person can then “like” your response, or even reply to it to get a conversation going. Or, they can just like one of your pics. Hinge also curates potential matches for you based on your answers. Recently, Hinge also introduced voice prompts which make profiles more interactive.
PROS: Daily curated matches are ideal if you’re low on time and don’t fancy sifting through dating profiles all day long.
CONS: It would be nice if there was a desktop version for those who aren’t keen on using their mobile device all the time. Also, a lack of a proper search function is negative.
Available for iPhone and Android
3. AdultFriendFinder
Adult Friend Finder is a hookup site that caters to all kinds of sexual preferences and tastes. It’s used by both singles and couples who are horny as hell. To that end, AFF offers live webcam shows and adult movies alongside its dating section. It's better than Tinder if you're only looking to get down and dirty.
PROS: AFF has built a real community where people from all walks of life can find the casual sex encounter they’re looking for. You can find hook ups on here as well as new friends who have the same sexual kinks as you do.
CONS: The AFF website requires a revamp as it still sports the same dated, basic design that it’s had for several years.
Available on App Store and Android
4. Match
Match.com is one of the oldest and most reputable online dating sites around. It comes with a very user-friendly layout; you can search for profiles according to your own filters, or you can perform a random “shuffle.” If you're interested in someone, you can send them a “like” but they can only see your like if they’ve upgraded their account. Similarly, you can only send messages to each other once you’ve upgraded your account. Match.com is a very premium dating service; if you're serious about finding your soulmate then Match.com is the best dating service because its user base is very much looking for the same.
PROS: Great layout. We also like the “5 common interests” feature that’s attached to each profile, as it helps you decide whether or not you should make contact with someone.
CONS: You can’t even see who’s viewed you until you upgrade.
Available for iPhone and Android
5. OkCupid
OkCupid is a free-to-use dating app like tinder that’s made a few changes over the years. It’s aimed at straight people, but it’s also a very popular dating app in the LGBTQ+ community. Indeed, OkCupid markets itself as a “safe space” for non-judgemental daters who are open-minded and tolerant of other views. For example, you can add a Black Lives Matter badge to your profile to attract like-minded people. And to prevent harassment, you can only send one message to someone until they’ve matched you. If they like you back, you can continue chatting with them. Until they like you back, though, their profile disappears after you’ve sent an opening message.
PROS: Most of the OkCupid profiles are very detailed. It asks a lot of personality quiz questions to give you a match percentage with potential matches.
CONS: The messaging system can get frustrating. While it has its pros, the fact that it could take days or even weeks to even realize someone has sent you a message is a bit problematic.
Available for iPhone and Android
6. Happn
Happn is one of the unique and top dating apps in that it seeks to pair you up with people you’ve already met in real life or crossed paths with. Does that sound weird? Well, Happn app uses geolocation data to let you know each time you pass by an active Happn user. Or, if you hung out in a bar where another Happn user also hung out, it will let you know. The chances of you actually hooking up with someone you’ve already met is a bit slim, but the beauty of Happn is that it gives you the chance to start chatting with someone who’s in the same room as you right now, and who is also looking for the same thing you are.
PROS: Happn app makes it so much easier to walk up to someone in a bar.
CONS: The whole concept sounds a tad creepy.
Available on iPhone and Android
7. Coffee Meets Bagel
CoffeeMeetsBagel is the ideal dating app if you hate being deluged by new matches every Tinder. Whilst it’s similar to Tinder in some respects, the major difference is that CMB gives girls just one match per day (at noon). Men receive 21 matches every noon, then they show their interest in those dating profiles by liking them. Then, based on the information, CMB arranges the best-curated match for the women. Hence, women get very quality matches. You can start chatting with each other as soon as the match is created.
PROS: CMB wants to end mindless swiping. Instead, of limiting your daily matches, it wants you to give someone a proper chance.
CONS: The fact that you only get one match per day can also be a bit frustrating.
Available on iPhone and Android
8. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish (POF) is one of the world’s oldest dating apps like tinder. POF comes with a proper search feature and it’s free to send messages and is super popular. Just enter your email address and you'll be ready to experience a lot of things for free. For example, you can view match profiles for free, you can send unlimited messages for free. Their advanced search filter works great too.
PROS: You can see who’s viewed your profile without upgrading, and sending messages is entirely free.
CONS: The fact that it's free means there’ll be lots of time wasters on POF. There are also numerous fake profiles being created (and deleted) constantly.
Available on iPhone
9. Zoosk
Zoosk underwent a revamp a few years ago and is now a high-traffic online dating app that claims to have more than 40 million members around the world. You need to upgrade your account to send messages and access other features. Zoosk comes with a cool matchmaker function that uses advanced Behavioural Matchmaking Technology to pair you up with other members you might like. This saves you from endless searching and the algorithm is usually fairly accurate.
PROS: There are lots of great features that make Zoosk a fun, exciting dating site. Uses personality quiz questions for quality matches.
CONS: Uploading a profile pic isn’t mandatory, which can leave some profiles looking sparse. You’re also really limited in terms of what you can do as a free member.
Available on iPhone and Android
10. HER
HER is the lesbian version of Tinder. It’s aimed at lesbian, queer, and bisexual women, it’s really easy to use, and you can send as many messages as you want for free. To sum it up, it's better than Tinder.
PROS: HER is both a dating app and an online community. You can connect your social media accounts and share them with the user base. Once that’s done, people can send you friend requests via the app.
CONS: HER is so focused on the community bit that it falls a bit short as a dating app.
Available for iPhone and Android
11. Grindr
Grindr is basically the gay version of Tinder. It has more user engagement than all other gay dating apps, with almost 230,000,000 messages sent each day. You match with other people based on location, and mostly everyone who uses it is – generally – looking to meet as soon as possible. It’s a premium dating app, though, and you need to upgrade to access features such as live chat.
PROS: The fact that user engagement is so high means it won’t be long before you’re chatting to people and – potentially – setting updates.
What we don’t like about it: Users often complain that they’re deluged with messages.
Available for iPhone and Android
12. The League
The League’s premise is simple: Find dates who are just as successful as you are. Essentially, it’s an upscale dating app aimed at those who are out of everyone else’s league. It’s perfect for elites (think CEOs) who are tired of matching with unambitious, unsuccessful individuals on Tinder. Because of its nature, all new members have to go through a highly selective vetting process. Membership is far from guaranteed, but this simply improves the matches for everyone else. Plus, it means that everyone who joins is a genuine person. No fakes here. You can link your social media accounts but on the downside, The League offers just 5 matches per day (way less than Tinder) and it is on the pricey side.
Hookups or relationships? Both.
PROS: A vetting process ensures every single member has been properly approved.
CONS: Less than 20,000 daily logins means it’s slim pickings.
