Your Dating App Download

As a single, millennial woman I can honestly say the dating culture is comprised of swipes and likes!

The world has quickly gone from “*gasp* OMG you met your partner on a dating app?!” to “Aww, you’re dating someone?! Which app did you meet them on?!” With the popularity of dating apps increasing, new ones are seemingly always popping up. But, let’s face it – not all dating apps are created equal! I say this confidently because, well, I’ve been on many (and I do mean many) of them. While I had luck on some and quickly deleted others, I found that each app certainly has its own set of endearing qualities and uniqueness. I talked to my friends with experience in this field and they helped me rank the top three most popular dating apps.

Tinder

I’d be remiss if I didn’t start this by mentioning the OG 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 seemingly the most popular (the Beyonce of dating apps, if you will). With millions of users across the globe and 19% of them being between ages 30-44, 15% between 18-29, and 8% between 45-54, many people above 30 find it to be the most appealing dating app.

The premise behind Tinder is easy, swipe right if you “like” a person, swipe left if you’re “not interested” in a person. Tinder allows users to set many restrictions (age, location, religion, height, etc.) to increase their chance of finding a compatible match. Along with the restrictions, Tinder displays each user’s location (in a 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 via the app.

Sounds simple, right? It is- and that’s what makes Tinder appealing to many. But, with its increased popularity, over the years, Tinder has garnered the reputation of being a “hook-up” app rather than a “relationship” app. There has been much controversy surrounding the safety of Tinder, and many users have questioned whether Tinder’s founder should continue to classify it as a dating app. My thoughts? Well, Tinder gets my vote for least favorite dating app. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about all of the dating apps, but none more than Tinder. I can attest to the “hook-up” app reputation that Tinder has garnered and have never had much dating luck on the app. On to the next!

Rating: 2/5

Hinge

Out of the apps mentioned, Hinge is the new kid on the dating app block. What I love about Hinge is that they require their users to fill out their profile before they can fully access the app. There’s nothing worse than coming across an attractive potential suitor only to see they only have photos on their profile, and no additional info. Do you have pet peeves or not, Dave? I need to know! This requirement allows each person to judge others based on more than appearance. Hinge has a fast-growing age demographic, with most users being young professionals between the ages of 24-32. Like Tinder, Hinge allows users to set many restrictions (age, location, religion, height, etc.) and swipe left or right on potential suitors.

Hinge gets my stamp of approval. The format of the app is very appealing, and the young professional demographic provides plenty of suitable options for millennials. The best thing about Hinge? If you’re hitting it off with another user but don’t feel comfortable giving them your phone number just yet, the app allows you to call and video chat within the app! Yes, please!

Rating: 4/5

Bumble

My vote for best dating app goes to *drumroll please* – BUMBLE! I love everything about Bumble. It’s a very millennial-friendly app, with the majority of users being between the ages 18-29. Although the setup is very similar to that of Tinder and Hinge, I’ve found Bumble to be the best of the best for one unique reason: women get to make the first move. That’s right, once two people swipe right on each other, the ladies must initiate conversation. I don’t know about you, but being able to set the mood of the conversation always leaves me feeling empowered!

Created by Whitney Wolfe Herd, she often refers to Bumble as a “feminist dating app,” and I agree! By requiring women to initiate the conversation, Bumble seeks to enable women to be as confident in the dating sphere as they are in other facets of their life – we love to see it! Bumble has also taken a strong public stance against “hate speech, rude or abusive behavior, bullying, and misogyny” on the app. If a user is reported for breaking these rules, Bumble will quickly investigate, remove, and ban the offender from the platform. I’ve had the most dating success with Bumble, and it’s by far the dating app I frequent the most!

Rating: 5/5

All in all, dating apps aren’t so bad! No matter your age, race, sexual preference (all of the apps mentioned above are LGBTQ+ inclusive!), if you’re looking to dive into the dating app world, go for it! While each app has its pros and cons, I encourage you to check them out for yourself! I’ve found from talking to various friends all over the country about dating app- 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 meet in a public location. 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’s plenty of fish in the sea” could not be true, and dating apps prove this! If one of the 3 mentioned above don’t work for you but you’re still eager to explore the dating app world, here are few more that may interest you:

• Match.com app
• GrindR
• Chappy
• OurTime- perfect for those in the 50+ age group
• Plenty of Fish
• OKCupid
• SingleParentMeet
• eHarmony
• Coffee Meets Bagel

Happy dating!