Yahoo Lifestyle Can’t Decide Between Bumble and Tinder? We Broke Them Down for You.
Whether you are newly single or have been navigating dating apps for a while, you’re probably well aware there are a lot of ways to find your next flame. If you’re here though, odds are you’ve likely narrowed it down to two of the most popular apps in the game: Bumble vs. Tinder. Honestly, these two are so well-known, you’ve likely heard of ‘’m, even if you’ve never swiped before. The catch, of course, is figuring out which dating app is best for your romantic sitch.
First things first: If you’re a dating app newbie, you might be a little nervous to download anything—totally normal! But Melissa Cook, PhD, a psychologist and relationship expert at FunWithFeet and Sofia Gray, says despite what you might have heard, dating apps are actually a great way to meet potential partners in the modern age. “Dating apps allow individuals to be direct with their preferences and wants, which makes it much quicker to meet someone compared to traditional dating methods,” she explains.
Of course, the process *can* get a little frustrating, mainly because of how many choices there are. That’s why we’ve done the hard work of researching every little detail of every single app so you can sign up for the one that’s best for you and your dating situation. So if you’re torn between Tinder and Bumble, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re looking for your soulmate or just someone to have a little fun with for the night, you’re in good hands. We’ve created an ultra-comprehensive, expert-driven breakdown of Tinder and Bumble so you can pick the best one for your unique dating needs. Who knows? Your future spouse (or next hot situationship) might just be a swipe away.
Tinder: The Breakdown
What You Need to Know
Launched in 2012, Tinder pretty much modernized the dating app landscape. It’s fun, straightforward, and hella effective. Very simply, you swipe through profiles (right for “like” and left for “nah”) to match with folks who fit your desired demographic. Cook explains that because there’s a very large user base, there’s a good chance you’ll find interesting folks in your vicinity. And while yes, the app has become known for quick hookups, Cook says many users have found meaningful connections through the app as well.
Once a match is made (meaning you both swiped right on each other), either person can message the other to get the conversation going. The catch is that if no one initiates a conversation within 24 hours of matching (and then if the other person doesn’t answer in another 24 hours), the match disappears.
Platform Info
Available on iOS and Android
Desktop and mobile versions
Pros
Lots of users.
It’s the one app pretty much everyone knows about.
You only have to upload two pictures (but the more, the better).
It’s easy to use and set up.
The Rewind feature, available to all paid subscribers, lets you backtrack in case of an accidental swipe.
There’s an option to verify your profile using ID and photo.
The Priority Likes feature ensures that Platinum users’ Likes and Super Likes are seen more quickly by potential matches.
You can switch up your location while traveling.
Cons
It’s got a ~rep~ for being a hookup app (not that there’s anything wrong with using apps for hookups!), likely because they were one of the first dating apps to go mainstream and have been around for over a decade.
More users means more people to wade through.
You get limited Likes on the free version.
If you don’t message someone in 24 hours, the match disappears.
Bumble: The Breakdown
What You Need to Know
Bumble, which came into the picture in 2014, was created as a feminist alternative to Tinder. Originally, the app’s Big Thing was that women had to send the first message (which, in theory, helps weed out some weirdos). That concept changed slightly in April 2024, when the platform launched its “Opening Moves” feature, allowing female users to let male matches message first in response to a specific question. For queer users, either match can message first.
Similar to Tinder, users have 24 hours to message a match, and that match then has 24 hours to respond before the match disappears. Another cool feature? The fact that Bumble isn’t just for dating. The app has sub-platforms: Bumble for Friends (for people who are looking for friendship) and Bumble Biz (for folks who are trying to network).
Platform Info
Available on iOS and Android
Desktop and mobile versions
Pros
Women still *generally* have the power to message first.
You can take a break from the app with Snooze Mode (without losing your activity or chats).
You can get people to notice you even more with ~SuperSwipes~.
Incognito Mode (a paid feature) lets you swipe in private (and only be seen by those you swipe on).
The paid version gives you unlimited Likes.
Fun and helpful prompts/questions to jump-start the convo.
You can link your Spotify and connect your Instagram.
Cons
You simply might not want to make the first move, and that’s okay!
Limited swipes with the free version (and the paid version is honestly muuuch better).
The travel mode only lets you pick one location at a time.
Setting Up Profiles
Since you don’t wanna waste all your time setting up the damn thing, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of creating your profile (and how long it might take you…). Before we get into the differences between Bumble and Tinder profiles, let’s talk about the general dos and don’ts of setting up a profile.
“As with any type of dating, it’s important to stay true to yourself and also try to enjoy the process,” Cook says. “Being authentic in your profile and actions will help to attract like-minded people and lead to more genuine connections. Be clear about your intentions, and don’t be afraid to communicate this openly and honestly with your matches to avoid any misunderstandings.”
Cook stresses that safety should always be a top priority in addition to keeping things real. Be cautious with your personal information, arrange initial meetings in public, and let a friend know where you’re going! With that said, let’s break down the differences between the two profiles, shall we?
The Tinder Profile
The great thing about Tinder is that setting up a profile can be as quick or as in-depth as you want it to be. All you have to do is add two pics (but you can have up to nine on your profile), some simple info, and you’re set! Beyond the basics, though, there are a lot of helpful tools that can make your profile stand out. In addition to a bio and interests section, fun quizzes, and tons of Spotify connection options, you can also answer up to three prompts to help swipers get to know you better. My fave feature? The Smart Photos option that automatically ensures your best pic is always seen first. Technology, y’all!
What’s Included
Name
Pronouns
Education
Work
Location
Looking for
Relationship type
Languages
Hometown
Height
Exercise
Ethnicity
Religion
Zodiac sign
Kids
Drinking
Smoking
If you want to go the extra mile, there are options to include things like whether or not you’ve gotten the COVID vaccine, family plans, communication style, and even your sleeping habits!
The Bumble Profile
Bumble is honestly pretty similar to Tinder in that you can make it as simple or in-depth as you’d like. You need to upload four photos of yourself (you can add up to six though), but from there you can customize as you feel fit. A fun addition is being able to add three written prompts along with an “opening question” to help break the ice. Again, there’s a biiiiig space to include all of your interests and plans, and like Tinder, you can link up your Insta and Spotify to help swipers see some other sides of you.
What’s Included
Name
Pronouns
Education
Work
Location
Looking for
Hometown
Height
Exercise
Ethnicity
Religion
Languages you speak
Zodiac sign
Kids
Drinking
Smoking
Bumble vs. Tinder: The Overall Experience, A Comparison
Truthfully, Bumble and Tinder are pretty similar when it comes down to how they work (swiping) and what they offer. The biggest difference between the two apps is how conversations are initiated. “Historically, women must message first on Bumble, which can lead to more intentional and respectful conversations,” Cook explains. “On Tinder, the easy swiping mechanism allows either party to start the conversation. This makes it more flexible but also less structured.”
You can find both long-term or short-term relationships on either app. Ultimately, if you like the idea of making the first move, Bumble is likely the way to go, whereas if you’d rather let someone else initiate, Tinder could be a good option.
Bumble vs. Tinder: Comparing Price
While, yes, both apps are free to download, they each have premium options that—naturally—make your profile stand out above the rest. Here’s the breakdown of each app’s different tiers:
Bumble
Bumble offers Bumble Boost and Bumble Premium. Here’s the rundown about what those offer:
Bumble Boost
Unlimited swipes.
Lets you backtrack on people you accidentally swipe left on.
Extend matches by 24 hours.
Rematch with expired connections.
Put yourself in the Spotlight, which advances your profile to the top of the stack so more people can see you.
Five SuperSwipes per week.
Cost:
$14.99 for one week.
$29.99 for one month.
$49.99 for three months.
Bumble Premium
Access to unlimited advanced filters.
Access to your Beeline (which lets you see who’s already Liked you).
Travel Mode, which lets you select the city your profile appears in for seven days.
Backtrack.
You can extend time on your current matches.
Rematch with expired connections.
Unlimited swipes.
One Spotlight per week.
Five SuperSwipes per week.
Incognito Mode on mobile lets you initially hide your profile from other users only to appear for those whom you have swiped right on.
Cost:
One week: $27.99.
One month: $54.99.
Three months: $109.99.
Tinder
Tinder offers Tinder+, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum. Here’s what they each entail:
Tinder+
Unlimited Likes.
Unlimited Rewinds.
Unlimited Passport Mode (to match with anyone anywhere in the world).
Control your profile (to only show what you want people to see).
Control who sees you.
Control who you see (pick the types of people you want to connect with).
Hide ads.
Cost:
One week: $12.99.
One month: $24.99.
Six months: $99.99.
Tinder Gold
All perks of Tinder+.
See who Likes you.
1 free Boost/month.
3 free Super Likes per week.
Top Picks (get a curated selection of profiles to peruse daily).
Cost:
One week: $18.99.
One month: $39.99.
Six months: $139.99.
Tinder Platinum
All perks of Tinder Gold.
Priority Likes (your likes are seen sooner).
Message Before Matching (to send notes to your Super Likes).
Cost:
One week: $24.99.
One month: $49.99.
Six months: $179.99.
The Respective Dating Pools
Because most dating apps don’t release user info (hi, privacy), we don’t have the *exact* breakdown regarding who’s swiping where. Honestly, they’re both so popular and so similar that you can expect a comparable group of users. Thanks to a 2023 study from the Pew Research Center, though, we do have a little extra insight.
According to the research, Tinder is the most popular app for both the 18 to 29 and the 30 to 49 age groups. That said, Bumble is a close second for the under-30 crowd, with 27 percent of those surveyed saying they’ve used the app (as opposed to the 42 percent that said they’ve used Tinder). While Bumble isn’t as big for the over-30s, close to 10 percent still say they’ve tried it, so it might still be worth checking out.
Why Not Just Download Both?
There’s no rule that says you can only be on one app, and, tbh, plenty of folks utilize multiple to increase their odds of finding a match. The downside? Navigating a bunch of profiles can get kinda exhausting. “Individuals need to be aware of online dating burnout,” Cook explains. “As dating apps are so easy to explore, it’s not uncommon for users to spend hours on them. Take breaks if needed and step away if you find yourself becoming overwhelmed.”
Whether you pick a single app or download multiple, just remember: Swiping is just one way to meet people. If a particular app isn’t working for you, there are plenty of others out there that might be more your speed. And if not? Meeting someone IRL is still an option; no profile creation required.
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