As a single millennial, I can honestly say that dating culture is all about swiping and liking.
The world has quickly gone from “Oh my gosh, you met your match on a dating app!” to “Wow, you’re dating someone! What app did you meet them on?” With the ever-increasing popularity of dating apps, it seems like new ones are always popping up. But let’s face it: not all dating apps are created equal! I say that with confidence because, well, I’ve been on many (and I mean many) of them. While I lucked out on some and quickly eliminated others, I found that each app has its own set of endearing qualities and uniqueness. I spoke to my friends with experience in this field, and they helped me rank the three most popular dating apps.
Tinder
I'd be remiss if I didn't start this by mentioning the original dating app: Tinder. Launched in 2012, Tinder was the first of the dating apps (not to be confused with the first dating website, match.com) and is apparently the most popular (the Beyoncé of dating apps, so to speak). With millions of users worldwide, 19% of whom are aged 30-44, 15% aged 18-29, and 8% aged 45-54, many people over 30 consider it the most attractive dating app.
The premise behind Tinder is simple: swipe right if you “like” someone, swipe left if you’re “not interested.” Tinder allows users to set many restrictions (age, location, religion, height, etc.) to increase their chances of finding a compatible match. Along with the restrictions, Tinder displays each user’s location (in a one-mile radius format) relative to other users, allows members to have 1-10 photos on their profile, has a bio with a bit about the user, and allows users to connect their Instagram account to their profile. If two people swipe right on each other, it’s a match, and they can then message and get to know each other through the app.
Sounds simple, right? It is, and that's what makes Tinder so appealing to many. But, with its growing popularity, over the years, Tinder has earned a reputation as a "hook-up" app rather than a "relationship" app. There's been a lot of controversy surrounding Tinder's safety, with many users questioning whether Tinder's founder should still classify it as a dating app. My opinion? Well, Tinder gets my vote for least favorite dating app. I've heard plenty of horror stories about all dating apps, but none more so than Tinder. I can attest to the "hook-up" reputation Tinder has earned, and I've never had much luck with on-app dating. On to the next one!
Score: 2/5
Hinge
Of the apps mentioned, Hinge is the newcomer to the dating app scene. What I love about Hinge is that it requires users to complete their profile before they can fully access the app. There's nothing worse than coming across an attractive potential suitor only to discover they only have photos on their profile and no additional information. Do you have pet peeves or not, Dave? I need to know! This requirement allows each person to judge others based on more than just appearance. Hinge has a rapidly growing demographic, with the majority of users being young professionals between the ages of 24 and 32. Like Tinder, Hinge allows users to set many restrictions (age, location, religion, height, etc.) and swipe left or right on potential suitors.
Hinge has my seal of approval. The app's format is very appealing, and the young professionals demographic offers plenty of options suited to millennials. The best thing about Hinge? If you hit it off with another user but aren't comfortable giving them your phone number yet, the app lets you call and video chat within the app! Yes, please!
Score: 4/5
Bumble
My vote for the best dating app goes to Bumble (drumroll please). I love everything about Bumble. It's a very millennial-friendly app, and the majority of its users are between 18 and 29 years old. While the setup is very similar to Tinder and Hinge, I've found Bumble to be the best of the best for one unique reason: women make the first move. That's right, once two people swipe right, the women should initiate the conversation. I don't know about you, but being able to set the tone of the conversation always makes me feel empowered.
Bumble is an app created by Whitney Wolfe Herd, who often refers to it as a “feminist dating app,” and I agree! By requiring women to initiate the conversation, Bumble seeks to empower women to be just as confident in the dating arena as they are in other facets of their lives. We love to see it! Bumble has also taken a strong public stance against “hate speech, rude or abusive behavior, harassment, and misogyny” on the app. If a user is reported for violating these rules, Bumble will quickly investigate, remove, and ban the violator from the platform. I’ve had the most success dating on Bumble, and it’s by far the dating app I frequent the most!
Score: 5/5
All in all, dating apps aren't all that bad! No matter your age, race, sexual preference (all of the apps mentioned above are LGBTQ+ inclusive!), if you're looking to dip your toe into the dating app world, go for it! While each app has its pros and cons, I encourage you to try them out for yourself! I've found, in talking to several friends across the country about dating apps, that success varies by location and preference. No matter which apps you choose to explore, always remember safety first. If you decide to meet a potential suitor, always do so in a public place. Be sure to tell a few close friends or family members who you're meeting, where, and share your location if you can. The saying "there are plenty of fish in the sea" might not be true, and dating apps prove it! If one of the 3 apps mentioned above doesn't work for you, but you're still eager to explore the dating app world, here are a few more that might interest you:
• Match.com App
• GrindR
• Chappy
• OurTime: perfect for those over 50
• Plenty of Fish
• OKCupid
• SingleParentMeet
• eHarmony
• Coffee Meets Bagel
Happy date!