2019.08.07

Free Dating Apps Ranking 2021

UPDATED: Jan 21, 2021

Ranking 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Apps
tinder-icon
Tinder
bumble-icon
Bumble
hinge-icon
Hinge
coffee-meets-bagle-icon
Coffee Meets Bagel
hily-icon
Hily
Traffic
Month
(K)
125,333 7,500 532 142 81
Price Free Free Free Free Free Trial

1 week 14.99 USD
Feature More Users,
 
More Choices,
 
More Competition
“Feminist dating app“ 20s Majority More Choices for Women,
 
Bit Competition for Men
Similar with Tinder,
 
but Much Less Competition,
 
Less Choices
URL https://tinder.com/ https://bumble.com/ https://hinge.co/ https://coffeemeetsbagel.com/ https://hily.com

*Traffic Monthly Average Jul-Dec 2020

ranking-illust - eye

Tinder

tinder-googleplay
https://tinder.com/

Released in 2012, Tinder is the pioneer in the dating app industry and the blueprint for upcoming dating apps. The app’s swipe left, swipe right feature has since revolutionized online dating by simplifying the process of matchmaking and making dating apps easier to use.

Tinder successfully launched their brand and made a name for themselves thanks to its users and rise in popularity of online dating apps. It’s in the forefront of everything dating app and one of the leaders in this industry.

With its savvy marketing and advertising, Tinder has been featured and talked about on the news, TV and radio shows, on social media and print. All this exposure creates a buzz and makes the app popular, the more the public knows about it, there will be higher chances of attracting a wide variety of people to download the app and subscribe for its services.

As shown as the image above, there are cases of Tinder users being on the app to cheat on their partner or spouse. Everyone has different intentions on dating apps, so people should mind their own “business” and use the app for what they want it for. There are also Tinder users who are only looking for something casual or a one night stand. To create an account on Tinder you have to be over 18, this means you are an adult who is responsible for yourself.

Tinder Fee

Free to Send Messages
In-App Purchases
Tinder Gold $14.99
Tinder Plus $9.99

Tinder Review

Pros

tinder-review-applestore
App Store

tinder-review-googleplay
Google Play

Tinder is the blueprint for the modern dating apps with its simple functions and easy to understand layout. It’s one of the dating apps with the most traffic per month and users internationally.

Therefore, it is suitable for beginners to use and gauge how dating apps work and to learn social cues that may be hard to pick up on. Overall, the pros of Tinder is its large user base and large amount of profiles to choose from. But, users are advised to be firm and know what they’re trying to find on the app. Among all of them, you might be able to find your true love or a once in a lifetime fun.

Cons

tinder-review-googleplay-con
Google Play

tinder-review-googleplay-con2
Google Play

The large userbase on Tinder is like a double edge sword. People are on the app looking for different types of relationships and most of them are not direct about it. Tinder now has a reputation of being more of a hook-up/friends with benefits app rather than to find a genuine long term connection.

Therefore, new users should be clear of what they’re looking for and be attentive when it comes to spotting social cues. On top of that it is addictive to swipe on profiles, but because everyone is preoccupied with having a lot of matches and options, it is easy to get ghosted. Some people are on the app for validation and not for a connection.

After recent updates, there are also complaints about users getting banned for no proper reasoning. Tinder does have in-app purchases and there are complaints from users that the business model is shifting to be a more “money-grabbing” app and egging users to subscribe to premium memberships.

Tinder Users

【Jan 21, 2021】

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Tinder Verdict

For first time users, it’s usually safer to stick with the majority rule. Meaning that it is less risky to join something that’s popular and widely used. With that being said, Tinder has been the #1 dating app, dominating the dating app industry for years.

This can be a double edged sword as you may be able to have more choices, but there will also be more competition and distractions. Having too many users and choices on the app may complicate things, it can be a task to go through and filter different profiles because Tinder can be quantity over quality.

Tinder is like being on Facebook, users of the social media will ignore anyone they are not are not friends with and they will often not reply to messages even from friends if they are disinterested and just browse page after page liking things they are unsure about. Messages and conversation starters can get repetitive and boring, therefore it is important to stand out and be special.

On dating apps such as Tinder is similar to being in high school, because people are usually being drawn to good looking, funny or talented people. So, if you know how to play the Tinder game then you will reap its benefits. If you are a guy player or a hot girl who knows how to play the field then Tinder is for you. As a user of a popular dating app, the flow usually starts off like this. You match with someone and if both parties are able to communicate well and connect emotionally, then it’s off to the first date.

But it is important to be attentive of social cues or be honest about your intentions during the date or in conversations. This is because Tinder has become a popular app for hook-ups or friends with benefits, but not everyone writes it on their profile.

Many popular things are overrated but they are overrated for a reason. Apps like Tinder, has a massive amount of users so you will have a lot to choose from. The more, the better. This does not guarantee success because more users also means more competition.

It’s easier to get lost in the mix this way. It can be overwhelming but if there’s a dating app for beginners, Tinder is the best choice. Just remember quality over quantity, it’s not the number of left or right swipes, but the quality of the connection you have when you match with someone.
Tinder has been the top leading iPhone dating apps on the iTunes Store in Great Britain (GB) since it’s been released.

Bumble

bumble-top
https://bumble.com/

Bumble is a location-based social and dating application. In heterosexual matches, only female users can make the first move and start a conversation with matched male users, while in same-sex matches either person can send a message first.

The app is popular for its unique way of pairing people up and female-first messaging system. On Bumble, users can find romantic matches or be in “BFF mode” to make friends. Then there’s Bumble Bizz for business connections and networking.

The founder of Bumble, Whitney Wolfe Herd was a co-founder of Tinder, she left due to growing tensions with other company executives. She has described Bumble as a “feminist dating app”, hence the female-first messaging feature.

Users swipe right to “like” a potential match and left to reject them. There are no options for users to identify as genderqueer or transgender, in contrast to competitors OkCupid and Tinder. Bumble has many unique features.

Bumble Fee

Free to Send Messages

Bumble Reviews

Pros

bumble-review-appstore-pro
App Store

bumble-review-googleplay-con
Google Play

Unlike other dating apps, Bumble has additional features and options such as Bumble BFF to make friends or Bumble Bizz to network. There are a few users that enjoy the other sides of Bumble to enrich their lives with friendship or work instead of simply meeting dates.

On the other hand, it is proven that there are more users looking for a serious relationship in comparison to Tinder that is mainly used for casual purposes.

In conclusion, Bumble can be a good alternative to Tinder with more serious users and detailed bios. There are also settings to help filter preferences. Messages are automatically deleted in 24 hours if they are not initiated, which helps to prevent ghosting.

Cons

bumble-review-googleplay-pro
Google Play

bumble-review-googleplay-con2
Google Play

Of course, Bumble is not a perfect app. With its increasing popularity, there are complaints of drop in quality of users such as users who put in minimum effort in starting conversations. This can be especially frustrating as the female user has to make the first move on Bumble. There are also a few complaints in regards to Bumble’s new updates. Users have note that the quality of Bumble has been slowly deteriorating, free functions are getting rolled back and the app is slowly becoming a “money-grabbing” app.

Bumble Users

【Jan 21, 2021】

Gender Ratio

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Bumble Verdict

Bumble markets itself as a pro-feminist dating app when it comes to heterosexual matches, the female users have to make the first move when being matched with a male user. In some aspects, this may be empowering for the female users to make the first move. On the other hand, it also reduces the pressure of male users to constantly have to start the conversation.

Bumble tries to be different and have a variety of options, they are successful in doing so with their BFF mode and Bumble Bizz for aspiring entrepreneurs and business people.

Bumble app has a lower number of female users. Some reviews mention that users of this app appear more genuine and less superficial than the ones on Tinder. The quality of connections made are more on the serious relationship type, not just going on dates or hooking up as someone might claim is what Tinder is all about.

This app has generally good reviews. Some complaints are, the app has glitches and is way too advantageous for the female users. Some reviews mention that Tinder is better overall. Try Bumble if Tinder doesn’t work for you.

Hinge

hinge-top
https://hinge.co/

Hinge is a dating app founded by Justin McLeod in 2012, with their tagline being “Designed to be deleted.” Hinge is primarily relationship-oriented in comparison to other dating apps in the market. The app is more popular to the younger demographic.

They have features like “Your Turn” which decreases users’ from experiencing ghosting, which is when someone completely drops out of a conversation without warning. Their goal is to promote a more “idealistic” dating app, one that will make you stop using it because you have already found a partner after using their services.

Many users are unsatisfied with the customer service, especially with the slow response or lack of replies . Hinge is one of the top dating apps and they should know the importance of keeping the customers satisfied.

Hinge Fee

Free to Send Messages
(Limited Likes)

Hinge Reviews

Pros

bumble-review-googleplay-pro
Google Play

hinge-review-googleplay-pro2
Google Play

Hinge may be a breath of fresh air for users who are looking to find a genuine connection. The app provides users with in-app features that helps users to understand each other better.

For example, there are more things required to be filled in on Hinge in comparison to other dating apps, which helps to reduce the issues with empty bios.

Besides that, it also helps users to start conversations in a more organic way. On top of that, to reduce the amount of ghosting that happens in modern dating culture, chats with no communication after a period of time gets hidden.

Cons

hinge-review-googleplay-pro
Google Play

hinge-review-googleplay-pro2
Google Play

There are a few complaints from users in regards to the algorithm on Hinge. The profiles being shown are different from the user’s preferences and settings. There are also complaints in regards to biasness, users who do not adhere to the social standard of beauty tend to not be showcased on the app.

Besides that, there are issues with the messaging system having bugs. Like other dating apps, the main purpose would be to earn money from users. There are complaints from users on getting banned without proper reasoning but still being charged from the app.

Hinge Users

【Jan 21, 2021】

Gender

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Hinge Verdict

Hinge is quite popular, the app one of the top 5 dating apps available in the market. It’s for a younger audience, the targeted audience they are marketed towards are users in their 20’s. You might feel out of place if you are over 30, so there are other dating apps for that.

The younger users in this app can be quite alienating and hard to talk to specially if they are looking to communicate and date within their age. If you are looking for someone over 30, then Hinge might not be the best place to look for that.

It’s also for users of Facebook as the app connects you to other users through the social media giant. Besides that, their idealistic approach is that will help you “stop using the dating app” because they help you find “the one” and also they try to prevent users from suddenly dropping out of conversations with you is quite refreshing.

Besides that, the app encourages users to share more about themselves which encourages better conversations and meaningful connections.

With its good rating, it’s a great alternative to Tinder.

Coffee Meets Bagel

coffe-meet-bagle-top
https://coffeemeetsbagel.com/

Coffee Meets Bagel is a San Francisco–based dating and social networking service created by -the number of profiles users can interact with each day and offering unique ice-breaker information for matches.

Coffee Meets Bagel Fee

Free One Match Per Day
Premium Membership $35 per month

Coffee Meets Bagel Reviews

Pros

coffeemeetsbagle-review-googleplay-pro
Google Play

coffeemeetsbagle-review-googleplay-pro2
Google Play

One of the pros of Coffee Meets Bagel is that majority of the users are looking for genuine connections in comparison to hook-ups or friends with benefits. The special feature that Coffee Meets Bagel implements is the limit on swipes per day given, which helps to prevent binge swiping which happens frequently on Tinder or Bumble. There is also the option to find other profiles on the Discover page and use the daily free coffee beans. CMB is suitable for people who are looking for a more relaxing app and tired of filtering through hundreds of dating profiles.

Cons

coffeemeetsbagle-review-googleplay-con
Google Play

coffeemeetsbagle-review-googleplay-con2
Google Play

Undoubtedly speaking, the algorithm for Coffee Meets Bagel is not perfect for everyone. By comparing all the different dating apps, Coffee Meets Bagel is the most expensive per swipe as there is a limitation for free users. Some users may not be able to discover quality matches through the free daily swipes and have to buy bagels to connect with people on the Discover page instead. On top of that there are complaints about bugs on the app after the new updates such as messaging glitches and et cetera.

Coffee Meets Bagel tries to control the quality of users and matches by limiting the number of profiles users can interact with each day. This is great as it helps to prevent users from binge swiping, something that is quite common on Tinder and Bumble.

There are mixed reviews for this app. On the downside, there are reviews mentioning that there are less female users on the app. On top of that, the limit on swipes means that profiles shown will be heavily reliant on the algorithm. Of course, some complaints are about scammers and fake profiles but that’s not a surprise anymore on all dating apps. On the other hand, other reviews mention that the app has higher quality people who are more relationship-oriented, thus providing a higher success rate for compatible matches.

Coffee Meets Bagel is in the top 10 dating apps out there. It’s Tinder with a feminine twist, provides limitations and more serious connections. If you are looking for a dating app that is female sensitive and allows females to have the option to connect first when matched then this app is for you.

Coffee Meets Bagel Users

【Jan 21, 2021】

Gender

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Coffee Meets Bagel Verdict

Coffee Meets Bagel tries to control the quality of users and matches by limiting the number of profiles users can interact with each day. This is great as it helps to prevent users from binge swiping, something that is quite common on Tinder and Bumble.

There are mixed reviews for this app. On the downside, there are reviews mentioning that there are less female users on the app. On top of that, the limit on swipes means that profiles shown will be heavily reliant on the algorithm. Of course, some complaints are about scammers and fake profiles but that’s not a surprise anymore on all dating apps. On the other hand, other reviews mention that the app has higher quality people who are more relationship-oriented, thus providing a higher success rate for compatible matches.

Coffee Meets Bagel is in the top 10 dating apps out there. It’s Tinder with a feminine twist, provides limitations and more serious connections. If you are looking for a dating app that is female sensitive and allows females to have the option to connect first when matched then this app is for you.

Hily

hily-top
https://hily.com/

Hily is a geolocation dating app that implements an algorithm that helps to hand-pick and modrate profiles based on a user’s preferences.

The features of this app include sending unlimited private photos to your matches and sending funny GIFs, share private photos & video and even location right from the chat. Besides that, users can also know exactly when someone reads your message for free.

Users can sign up for an account by using social medias such as Facebook. The user interface is similar to Tinder, with the swipe right if you are interested and swipe left to pass function. Mutual matches are able to start a conversation with each other. The main targeted audiences are heterosexual relationships but people of other sexualities can also join this app.

There are issues in regards to scammers and in-app payment. Besides that, it is still a lesser known dating app, so there are not as many new members or choices. For example, Hily’s monthly traffic is less than 50,000 per month. Therefore, I would not recommend subscribing to a long-term premium and opt for a free trial instead.

Hily Fee

Free Registration
1 week 14.99 USD
 
3 months 53.99 USD
(18 USD per Month)
 
1 year 119.99 USD
(10 USD per Month)

I don’t recommend for 1 year. Check it out by free, then 3-6 months is max to use.
The numbers of new member’s aren’t so many. If you can’t meet 3-6 months, better to change the service for more choices.

Hily Reviews

Pros

hily-review-googleplay-pro
Google Play

hily-review-googleplay-pro2
Google Play

The pros of Hily is that it takes and implements features from other apps that helps to enhance the user experience.

For example, the matching system is similar to Tinder with the swipe left or right function. The messaging system has video calls to allow a more interactive conversation. It also integrates social medias into the app allowing users to post stories.

Cons

hily-review-applestore-con
App Store

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App Store

The cons of Hily is the lack of users on the app. Hily is still a relatively new app on the market, so there are less users and choices, especially in rural areas. There might also be issues with fake matches or unfiltered profiles as the security and moderating may not be as good. There are also complaints of charges to bank accounts when signing up for free trials or premium subscription, therefore users should read the fine print before committing to it.

Hily Users

【Jan 21, 2021】

Gender

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Age

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Hily Verdict

The basic functions of Hily is similar to Tinder. This happens when dating apps like Tinder become popularized, many other apps such as Hily will copy and follow suit. Hily has similar features to Tinder such as the swipe left, swipe right function to match. Hily is a completely unoriginal dating app, so it’s a good 5th option if dating apps like Tinder and Coffee Meets Bagel doesn’t work for you.

Hily tries to be an edgier version of Tinder with its additional features and design layout. There are mixed reviews for this app, it is not as well-known which means there are less users on it.

Since it is similar to many other dating apps, it doesn’t set itself apart from the competition, it might come in handy if you want to check out a different crowd of users but besides from that it is only worth it if you have extra money to spend and want to try a different app. It is more recommended to stick to the more popular ones for better customer service and security.

Summary

free-datingapps-traffic
*Traffic (Monthly Average) Feb-July 2020

Tinder has many users all over the world and the number of users is still growing.

Bumble has a large number of users in English speaking countries, but is not very well known outside of English speaking countries, as in Asian region.

Hinge has many new users are signing up.

Coffee Meets Bagle and Hily have less users. Hily users is declining.