Hinge and Tinder are two of the most popular dating apps out there right now, boasting millions of users around the world. So, naturally, people often want to know which one is better. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about these two apps, respectively, and then you can decide which one is best for you and your dating goals.
Hinge was launched in 2012 by Justin McLeod. Inspired by a breakup, McLeod set out to create an easy-to-use app that would help people find love. In 2015, the app underwent a rebranding, dubbing itself the dating app that is “designed to be deleted.” Thus the app sought to position itself as the app for people looking for meaningful connections and long-term relationships.
Tinder emerged the same year as Hinge: 2012. The app was created by Sean Rad, Justin Mateen, Joe Munoz, Dinesh Moorjani, Jonathan Badeen, and Whitney Wolfe Herd. The app soon exploded in popularity largely due to its swiping interface, and it is credited with making the swipe feature a standard across the dating app genre. Today the app markets itself as the ideal app for people with a range of dating preferences–casual, serious, long-term, and everything in between.
In addition to asking you to upload photos, Hinge asks users to answer prompts that highlight unique aspects of their personality. Some prompts include: “Dating me is like…”, “This Year, I Really Want to…”, etc. You get the idea. The prompts offer you a way to let your personality shine through. This way, you’re more likely to get into a conversation with users who share your interests and with whom you’re more compatible. Hinge also includes a photo verification feature, allowing you to demonstrate that you are who you claim to be–always important when we’re talking about online dating!
Tinder’s profile creation is a little more basic. You don’t answer any prompts; instead, you punch in your name, age, and a short bio. The bio is your chance to show your personality and unique interests. You upload photos on Tinder, too, and the app does include a photo verification process.
Hinge matches users through its “Most Compatible” algorithm, which recommends matches based on your past interactions and preferences. It refines its suggestions over time based on the profiles you’ve engaged with over time.
Like Hinge, Tinder has a matching algorithm, but it seems to function a bit differently. Tinder’s algorithm mainly focuses on location, mutual interest, and the popularity of profiles (how many right swipes a profile gets). As you use the app, Tinder starts to get a sense of your preferences. Compared to Hinge, Tinder’s matching approach is less focused on overall compatibility, but it gives you the chance to match with more people more quickly.
When you use Hinge, you can start a conversation by liking or commenting on specific aspects of a person’s profile, whether a photo or a prompt. This enables you to say something to another user before you’ve even matched with them, and it has a greater potential for sparking a meaningful dialogue.
Unlike Hinge, Tinder doesn’t allow you to send a message with a like. Instead, you can only message once you and another user have actually matched. From there, the messaging interface couldn’t be more simple or straightforward. Send texts, GIFs, photos–whatever will help build a connection!
Hinge’s prompts and likes are what set Hinge apart, allowing you to answer pre-written questions that add depth and dimension to your profile. Hinge also lets you like and comment on specific parts of a profile, setting it apart from apps that rely solely on swiping.
Some unique Tinder features include boosts and super likes. A Tinder boost sends your profile to the top of the queue in your area for a 30-minute stretch. Super Likes indicate to users that you really like them, helping you stand out among the other options.
To protect its users, Hinge uses photo verification, the ability to report and block users, and the ability to hide your profile.
Tinder also takes user safety seriously. The app uses photo verification, includes a panic button (in case a date situation turns dangerous), and safety center resources. It takes particular precautions to protect LGBTQ+ users, notifying such users when they are traveling in places where their rights aren’t protected.
Hinge is highly user-friendly, featuring a modern design built around prompts. This is a big part of Hinge’s wide appeal.
Tinder boasts a similarly easy-to-use interface. Its swipe feature is the heart of the app’s design, allowing you to browse profiles with speed and ease.
If money is a concern, fear not: Hinge offers a range of free features. With the free version, you can create a profile, as well as like and comment on profiles. You can also see who liked you, though that feature is limited in the free version.
Hinge offers a premium subscription – dubbed Hinge Preferred – that lets you send unlimited likes and tailor your search criteria to recommend more specific matches.
Tinder’s free version is similar to that of Hinge, allowing you to create a profile, swipe profiles (with limits), and chat with your matches. The free version of Tinder also lets you send exactly one Super Like per day.
Tinder offers a number of subscription options: Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum. These tiers each grant you increased access to swipes, the chance to see who liked you before you swipe, access to top picks, and more Super Likes and Boosts.
Compared to Tinder, here are some advantages Hinge offers:
Here are some disadvantages of Hinge compared to Tinder:
Here are some advantages of Tinder compared with Hinge:
Some disadvantages of Tinder compared to Hinge include:
If a serious relationship is what you want, Hinge would seem to be the better choice. If you’re open to either casual or serious dating, Tinder might be the better bet.
Think of it this way: If you want an app experience that promotes deeper conversations, you’ll probably enjoy Hinge’s prompts. If you’re looking for something faster and simpler, Tinder’s interface would seem the preferable option.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preferences. Both Hinge and Tinder have advantages and disadvantages, depending on what you’re looking for.
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