Bumble vs Tinder – Which is Better?
Today, we’re looking at the two biggest dating apps on the market – Bumble and Tinder. You’ve surely heard these two apps mentioned, and you might even have heard your friends rave about one or the other. But in this article, we’re helping you make your choice. We’re helping you understand which app is better for you.
We’ll start by giving you the basics of the dating app scene. Then, we’ll take a comprehensive look at both Bumble and Tinder. Finally, we’re giving you the factors that you need to consider to make the best choice for you. After all, the best choice is really just the choice that is best for your own dating preferences.
Dating Apps
Dating apps seem like they have taken the world by storm in recent years! If you are a guy who is new to the dating app scene, then these apps might seem a little overwhelming. There are simply so many choices on the market. These choices run the gauntlet from dating websites to matchmaking services, to dating apps, and more!
Dating apps typically utilize a smartphone and location-based services to match users in close vicinity with other users who might have common interests. From there, users can utilize a variety of communication options to interact with each other.
Dating apps have entered the mainstream of dating culture within the last decade, especially with the introduction of Tinder in 2012. Nowadays, Tinder and Bumble are the two biggest dating apps on the market.
Are Dating Apps for Me?
One question you might have before you start comparing dating apps is whether dating apps are for you at all. This is a complicated question, and one without a simple answer. What we will say is that you should try not to think of the app itself, but who you can potentially meet through the app.
After all, the app is really just a tool for forming a genuine connection with another person, so it’s really just the end goal that matters. And if you think the app can help you meet people, then that’s really all that matters.
Your best course of action is to review the offerings of each app and see whether they match with your personal preferences as it comes to dating. You know yourself better than anyone, and you probably know how you most prefer to interact with and meet people (be it in person, by text, over the phone, or anything in between!). There are no wrong answers, but there are definitely different things that work for different guys.
So, read through our comprehensive guide below, and help think about which one is best for you!
If you’re more of an old fashioned person, check out our ultimate guide for asking someone out on a date.
Bumble
Bumble is a dating app that was released in 2014 and has become quite popular since. Bumble was started by one of the founders of Tinder after she became dissatisfied with the company’s direction and went on to pursue other projects.
Outline
Bumble is similar to Tinder in that they are both location-based dating applications. Meant to make it easier for people to meet people in their area and start conversations. Essentially, the user creates a profile by connecting the app to their Facebook account.
The profile includes pictures of them, as well as some information about themselves. They are then shown other user’s profiles and given the opportunity to “swipe” their profiles to indicate whether or not they would like to be matched with them. If both users “swipe” to indicate they are interested, they have the opportunity to talk with each other.
A major feature of Bumble, and the primary selling point over Tinder, is that the girls have to start the conversation. If a girl chooses to start the conversation, then the guy has a chance to respond within a day. If the couples are of the same sex, then either can start the conversation.
Bumble is free to use, with a few paid features, which we will outline below. Bumble has become very popular since it’s inception, although it still has a smaller user base than Tinder.
Features
Now that we’ve covered a general outline, let’s dive deep into the features of Bumble to help you make your decision. Remember, the best dating app is the best dating app for you. So read through these features with an idea as to what you are actually looking for in a dating app.
Cost: Bumble is free to use, although there are some paid features which we will outline below. The basic Bumble package allows you to create a profile, make connections, and have conversations. You can basically use Bumble in its normal sense without having to pay anything, although some Bumble users do opt for the paid features.
Profile Maker: Bumble allows you to add photos to your profile, as well as a bio, to include more details about yourself. You can choose up to 6 photos from your Facebook account to be included on your Bumble profile. This is meant to give people some variety, and also to get an accurate gauge on what the person looks like. The bio is limited to 300 characters. You also upload personal information, such as age, gender, and location.
Paid Features: There are numerous paid features on Bumble, which are generally meant to increase your chances of getting matches. These features become available through in-app purchases, and their price depends on the features you are buying.
These features include “Super Swipe,” which is a way to indicate you are particularly interested in matching with someone. There is also a Bumble Spotlight, which will increase the exposure of your account for a certain time, increasing your chances of receiving more matches.
There are also a few improvements that can be had by purchasing Bumble Boost, which is a paid subscription. This includes using multiple filters to filter out matches, re-connecting with expired matches, and the ability to see who has “liked” your profile before you like theirs.
More Than Just Dating: Bumble also has features for meeting people for purposes other than dating. This includes a matchmaking section for friendships or activities, and also for business connections. These work in a similar manner to regular Bumble, but are meant for people who are seeking matches for other reasons.
User Base: Bumble is a very popular dating app. Although their user base is smaller than Tinder, they still have a very substantial amount of users. As of September 2019, they had around 5 million users per month. This makes it very likely that no matter where you are, there are going to be quite a few people to potentially match with on Bumble.
Review
Bumble is a very popular dating app for a reason. It functions just as intended, with a very easy and intuitive interface and easy-to-understand matching criteria. Tinder and Bumble rose to popularity in the first place because of how intuitive they made online matchmaking.
When it comes to Bumble, it might depend on how much you resonate with their key differentiating factor, which is that women start the conversation on Bumble. Some may think that this will make Bumble less desirable for guys, but the reality is that everyone plays by the same criteria.
You’re really at no further disadvantage than any other guy on Bumble. Success with this app is all about building a great profile and showing that you are someone worth getting to know!
Tinder
Outline
You have surely heard of Tinder at this point. The mega-popular dating app was launched in 2012 and quickly rose to extreme popularity in the world of online dating. Tinder works in much the same way as Bumble (as Bumble was actually based on Tinder).
With Tinder, you build a bio, which includes pictures and a short description, and then are given the opportunity to “swipe” on other user’s profiles, to see whether there is a potential match. The popular cliché “swipe right” was actually based on Tinder’s matchmaking methods. If both users “swipe right,” then a match is created, and the two can start a conversation.
Below, we will dive deeper into the features of Tinder to help you make your choice.
Features
In this section, we’re outlining the key differentiating features of Tinder. You will find that it is quite a similar app to Bumble, with a few key differences. As with anything, you should keep your own preferences and ideals in mind when reading this list. This way, you can make the best decision for yourself.
Cost: Like Bumble, Tinder is free to use, with a few paid options that increase your likelihood of matches. The basic “Tinder experience,” as you might imagine, it is completely free to use. You can create a profile and swipe through users for potential matches. You can also then start conversations and maintain connections. All of this is included in the free package.
Bio: A Tinder bio also allows you to upload pictures from your Facebook account. You can choose a variety of pictures, but the pictures must be from your Facebook. This is Tinder’s way of verifying that the pictures are actually of you. Additionally, you can create a short bio that tells people more about your interests, hobbies, and more. The bio also includes details about your age, gender, and location.
Paid Features: Tinder includes optional paid features that will perform different functions in how you use the app, and which results you get. Tinder offers these features on a subscription basis, with three “tiers” of subscription in Plus, Tinder Gold, and Platinum. There are quite a few features worth noting for Tinder users.
Some paid features affect the matchmaking system on the app. This includes the ability to “like” as many photos as you want, as well as the ability to go back if you accidentally “swipe” the wrong direction. There is also the ability to leave a “super like” on someone’s picture, indicating particular interest. There is also the ability to see who has “liked” your pictures before selecting theirs.
Some subscriptions also include a “Boost,” which will increase the visibility of your profile for a certain time, increasing the likelihood of matches. There is also Tinder Passport, which allows you to match with people far outside of your geographical range.
User Base: Tinder has around 8 million active users in the USA alone. It is the biggest dating app by quite a substantial margin. Simply put, no matter where you use Tinder, you will likely have no problem finding people to match with.
Review
There is no denying that Tinder is an incredibly popular dating app. If you like the sound of the features above, then you will probably find that Tinder is for you. It rose to popularity because it is simply an easy-to-use, highly intuitive dating app that simplifies the entire process to a “swipe.”
And with dating apps, so much of their worth is determined by their user base. There are so many people that use Tinder that you should have no problem finding people to match with no matter where you are.
The one downside to a user base so large is that it may be difficult to find a certain kind of person. If you have a certain preference in people you are looking to date, you might be better off with one of the many niche dating sites on the market.
Overall, Tinder is what it is. A mega-popular dating site with a huge user-base. Tinder works very intuitively and is very simple. There isn’t much more we can say about it that you wouldn’t already know!
Conclusion
Thanks for checking out our review of Tinder vs. Bumble! As you can see, both apps have a lot going for them, and both offer their own unique set of advantages (especially for guys!). That being said, both apps are also quite similar. So think about what you are most looking for in an app, and match it to our features above. And remember, you can always get both apps if you can’t decide!