Bumble
What is Bumble? Bumble is a self-proclaimed feminist dating app that prides itself on being a game-changer. Bumble was launched in December of 2014 by the co-founder of Tinder, Whitney Wolfe. It is a location-based dating app that always gives females the power to make the first move.
In addition to Bumble dating, the company also offers two other social networking services: Bumble BFF and Bumble Biz.
How does Bumble work?
Users can browse through profiles and either swipe right if they like what they see, or swipe left if they don't. If both users mutually swipe right, they make a match, and a connection is made. From there, women can choose if the interaction will go any further by initiating a conversation via video chat or messaging. After the match is mutually made, the woman has 24 hours to contact the male user; if she chooses not to reach out within the allotted time, the connection and the potential dating opportunity disappears.
While ladies have the power to make the first move in opposite gender matches, you should know that anyone can sign up for Bumble. The difference is that in same-sex matches, either party can make the first move by sending the first message.
Bumble is a location-based dating app. You have to enable your mobile device's geolocation permission to use the app. When you go to swipe for matches, you are presented with local daters first. Once you get past the local users, the distance moves out further.
Bumble believes that healthy relationships are central to living a positive and productive life. Bumble is an online dating app and a social network that encourages women to feel empowered as users make meaningful connections. Whether Bumble users are looking for friends, increasing their professional network, or finding love, Bumble is one of the most vocal dating apps that advocates for integrity, kindness, equality, confidence, and respect.
What can you do for FREE on Bumble?
Like most online dating platforms, Bumble is free, but offers paid upgrades. However, unlike most platforms, you can do lots of things truly for free, including swiping, matching, and messaging — that's right FREE MESSAGING.
This is compared with many online dating sites where free users don't have full access to messaging, like Zoosk, or aren't allowed to see the whole profile, like Match.
What are the premium or paid features on Bumble?
While most things you can do for free on this dating app, there are a few benefits to users who pay for premium features.
Bumble Boost
With the premium Bumble Boost subscription, you get the following added benefits:
- Added filters — A free membership gets anyone access to two free search filters for things like height, pets, religion, education, fitness, users with verified profiles, connection preferences (whether you are looking for something casual, an LTR, or marriage) and more. Boost subscribers get unlimited filter access.
- Extend the time limit on matches
- Re-match with connections that have expired
- See everyone that has right-swiped on your profile
Subscriptions are available as in-app purchases and vary from just a one-day boost to a Lifetime option. Here's what it will cost to upgrade to Bumble Boost:
- 1 Day — $2.99
- 1 Week — $9.99
- 1 Month — $22.49
- 3 Months — $16.66 per month ($49.99 total)
- 6 Months — $13.33 per month ($79.99 total)
- Lifetime — $119.99
Bumble Coins
Bumble Coins are purchasable in the app to give you access to premium features like Spotlight and SuperSwipe. Coins can be purchased in the app, in groups of 5, 15, or 30:
- 5 Coins — $7.99
- 15 Coins — $19.99
- 30 Coins — $34.99
Spotlight
For two Bumble coins, your profile gets shuffled to the top end of the deck for everyone swiping for 30 minutes, so you are visible to more people instantly.
SuperSwipe
For one Bumble Coin, SuperSwipe lets you tell someone that you are 'super' interested, so you stand out from other connections. They even get a notification saying that you are really interested in them.
Keep reading our 2020 Bumble app review for pros and cons of using this online dating platform. To find out what other online daters are saying about this dating site, scroll down for Bumble reviews.
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The Good
- User-Friendly App
- Not Just For Dating
- Unique Approach
- Post-Match Chat Rate
- Focuses on Safety
- Lots of Users
- Photo Verification
- Snooze Feature
User-Friendly App
The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. To get started:
- Download the app (iOS or Android)
- Set up the profile
- Choose the preferred gender (Men, Women, or Everyone)
- Start swiping
Previously, users were required to initially log in through their Facebook account to access Bumble. However, since the Cambridge Analytica debacle, users now have the option to sign up with a phone number instead.
If you do sign up with your Facebook account, the platform pulls from their social media profile, making it faster and easier to build your dating profile. You can even import photos from your Facebook profile. The app displays employment history, age, and education information on users' profiles unless otherwise specified. In addition to Facebook, users also have the option of linking their Spotify or Instagram account.
Another way that Bumble offers a more user-friendly experience is by offering more inclusive gender descriptions. Rather than having to select your gender as Male or Female, as you often are required to do on some of the more old-school dating sites, Bumble offers inclusive gender identity and sexual orientation options on its app.
Not Just For Dating
Although Bumble started primarily as a free dating app, users can also use their Bumble account to expand their career opportunities and social network. On Bumble Bizz, members can pursue a career change, meet team-members, co-workers or become a mentor.
Bumble Bizz was created so that professionals can connect with other professionals and help make networking feel more natural.
Bumble BFF is an excellent option for people who are new to a city or are wanting to expand their social circle. BFF was designed to make it easier for users to build a supportive community. No matter where users are located, Bumble BFF makes it easier to create meaningful and lasting relationships.
All three modes are available to access easily in one account, without needing to download multiple mobile apps.
Unique Approach
Unlike the majority of dating sites, this app gives men a break and females the power. Bumble hopes that by giving women the power to make the first move, it creates a safer dating environment built on equal ground. Stereotypically, the man is the one who is expected to initiate the conversation, and Bumble is trying to bring equality into the mix.
So how does Bumble work?
It only allows communication once both users have mutually selected each other, a safety and compatibility feature that many women enjoy when using the app. Going into that first conversation, both individuals will have already expressed some form of interest for one another.
This app is also great for men that find initiating conversations with women stressful or daunting. Men on the app commonly claim that when women contact them, it makes them feel "flattered." However, for men who have their eyes set on a woman who did not contact them in the first 24 hours, they can choose to extend the allotted time to 48 hours, once a day. Even with the time extension, however, it is not guaranteed that the women will respond. If she chooses not to, the connection still disappears.
In addition, Bumble is a same-sex friendly dating app, if there is a mutual connection, both users have the ability to make the first move and start the conversation. If you are interested in pursuing a same-sex relationship or a platonic relationship on the Bumble app, keep in mind that the 24-hour time frame still applies for either of the two parties to start the conversation.
Post-Match Chat Rate
Common complaints about dating apps like Tinder are that once a match is made, users don't always follow-through and chat with their matches. With this dating service, Bumble's unique approach to matching and messaging and its 24-hour rule, provide a higher incidence of post-match messaging.
Focuses on Safety
Bumble aims to create a safe and enjoyable experience for every member using the app/site. As Bumble has a diverse community, the company urges its users to be respectful of others' beliefs, interests, and property. Bumble states that it takes a strong stance against hate speech, rude or abusive behavior, bullying, and misogyny. The online dating app encourages all its users to report any inappropriate behavior.
Bumble also has particular photo guidelines:
- No kids on their own. They must be in the photo with an adult, and fully clothed
- No photos in bikinis/swimwear indoors
- No pictures in underwear
- No Shirtless/underwear Mirror Selfies. (praise the maker)
- Face must be clearly visible in all photos
- No watermarks or text overlaid
- No pornographic material
- No graphic hunting photos
- No guns
Bumble users can also report a fake profile by scrolling to the bottom of the profile and clicking on the ‘Block and Report’ option. Users will then be asked to give a report reason and include any additional comments for the Bumble moderation team to consider.
On top of that, iOS users can try out the Private Detector, which will warn you if any lewd photos are sent to you via messaging.
Lots of Users
As of September 2019, Bumble was the second-most popular dating app in the United States by size, with an audience of 5.03 million. The first place was Tinder, with 7.86 million.
What does it mean for you?
Using one of the most popular dating apps means that your local dating pool should be larger, than if you use a less popular option. According to Statista, less popular options include online dating apps like Plenty of Fish (4.28 million), Match (1.95 million), or OK Cupid (1.79 million).
Photo Verification
To help cut down on fake profiles, Bumble has an option to verify your profile. The system provides a selfie pose that you have to copy. Once you submit the picture, it will be reviewed by a real (human) administrator, within a few minutes.
Once your profile is verified, you can request verification on your matches' profiles as well.
Snooze Feature
Bumble offers a snooze feature that keeps you out of potential matches' dating/swiping pool while preserving your account and any saved connections. There are a few different snooze time limit options:
- 24 hours
- 72 hours
- 7 days
- Indefinitely
So, if you are too busy to Bumble, you don't have to worry about not responding quickly enough to potential matches, before they expire. You can also take a social media cleanse, without having to delete your app or profile.
The Bad
- Only 24 Hours to Connect with Someone
- Bumble Profile Limitations
- Lack of Complete Algorithm
- Not All Features Are Available on the Website
Only 24 Hours to Connect with Someone
Some men are frustrated that women don't always start the conversation in the 24 hour period, resulting in a lost dating connection. The time limit adds pressure and can make the process feel inorganic and rushed. Not only that, but the 24 hour time period is easy to forget. If women don't initiate the conversation with guys in the allotted time, he is left powerless, and the match disappears. If turned on, push notifications can act as reminders for women.
There is an Extend option. All app users get a free Extend per day. If you subscribe to Bumble Boost, you get unlimited Extend use.
Bumble Profile Limitations
Bumble only allows users to have 6 pictures, their job title, place of employment, education, and then a tagline that is limited to 300 characters on their complete dating profile. Users don't have access to much information right off of the bat, but setting up your account is way faster than dating sites that require a long questionnaire.
Like Tinder though, a majority of users base their decision on the physical attractiveness of your profile picture, so word count might not be the biggest issue on this platform.
Lack of Complete Algorithm
There is no formula or complete algorithm to how matches are chosen. Bumble will match based on age, Facebook information and location. While users can add their education, and job information, there is no verification process to make sure those are correct. When specifying preferences for what the user wants in the other person, the only customizable options are age gender preference.
As far as distance goes, Bumble will first show the closest options. Once those run-out, the dating app will show options farther and farther away.
Not All Features Are Available on the Website
While Bumble recently made its online dating services available on the web, Bumble Web currently does not offer Bumble Bizz, Bumble BFF, Beeline, or Advanced filters. In addition, purchases for Bumble Boost and Bumble Coins must be processed via mobile device on the Bumble app (you can find the dating app on the app store) to access all the features that this dating platform has to offer.
The Bottom Line
Bumble is a popular dating app. Users can swipe through profiles of nearby singles and, once a connection is mutual, ladies (in opposite-gender matches) have the option to contact. Messaging is free. Bumble boasts about having over one billion swipes across the entire platform since its beginning. Bumble encourages women to break the stereotypical gender role by acting as the initiator. This dating app is great for women who are tired of receiving unsolicited messages, cheesy pickup lines, and unwanted pictures from guys.
The app does seem to cater toward those looking for a hookup or casual dating site (the profiles aren't extensive and there doesn't seem to be a comprehensive matching algorithm). However, that doesn't mean you can't find a real and meaningful connection, just be prepared to sort through a number of potential suitors.
Scroll down to read real Bumble reviews to decide if Bumble is right for you. If you have used this app, would you recommend it to a friend? Let us know about your online dating experience with a quick review below.
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User Reviews
Star Rating
76 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Rocio Diaz
Bumble has helped me make connections with people close to where I am. Bumble allows people to connect without having to necessarily see each other, unless they have Bumble boost. Great resource to meet people near you.
Austin Stelmach
I prefer the design layout of Bumble over the likes of Tinder. However, Bumble simply does not have the same usage as its counterparts. If more people used this app, I think it would be a great app. Unfortunately, this is not the case so there are not as many people to choose from, compared with Tinder.
Trey Farner
Bumble is really easy to use and navigate. It has its own unique vibe rather than most other dating apps. And the ability for girls to message guys first is the best feature about it because there’s more quality matches rather than on other apps.
jkenny90
Great way to meet people and I have had many great dates through the app and I like the idea of the girl messaging first. But I don't like the 24 hour time limit when you first match. I may not log into the app in that time and could potentially lose out on meeting someone I matched with. I understand that you can rematch but you shouldn't have to pay to have that capability.
Ashley Roberts
As a female I feel very safe on bumble and I like that I have to message first. I can chose who I talk to and It was an easy to use website
Benjamin LeBlanc
Bumble, being one of the oldest and original dating sites out there, still attempts to compete with today’s dating services. Surprisingly the quality of experience still holds up.
Thomas Andersen
I have had a great experience using Bumble, especially with their app set up of how the girl messages first. That was a great idea!
Janie Dennis
I found one of my best friends on here! It’s a great tool to meet new people in a college town! I had good experiences when it came to dating. There were a lot of people I matched with that wanted something serious. I just had too much going on.
OwenE.
The app is cool but I have found other apps that work better and faster, like tinder.
hmarashi
The women message first feature of bumble allows for much more open conversations and meaningful connections.
Natalia Correa MDTribe
The concept they have that the girl needs to message first make it a little more interested. It is a good app to meet people.
Jennifer Donnelly
I like bumble because you are able to put more info on your bio. I like how there are questions that you have to answer so people can see your interests. My friend also just met her boyfriend on there and he is an amazing guy,
Jasmine King
I have made many interesting and funny connections on Bumble, and would recommend it to a number of my friends. It's easy to use, and very easy to make both friendships and relationships on.
Seth Boudoin
Bumble brings the idea of having the female talk first. This really helps in them avoiding creepy guys and help everyone avoid being ghosted. Win/win situation for your experience.
Stephanie Love
Ive enjoyed using bumble because it’s not just a dating app. I love that it has a little for everyone and what kind of relationships you are looking for. It has options like, looking for a girlfriend, a boyfriend, gay, lesbian, business, just looking for friends to hangout with. It has lots of options and I’ve already found a few friends that I have connected with. Its been very easy to use as well. It took the pressure off of dating. I will continue using bumble.
Dominic Jeong
Bumble is a really interesting concept, but I find it hard to get matches since its compatibility algorithm doesn't seem to work as well
Dayna Lyons
Good luck ever canceling your subscription. Tried 3 times to cancel and they keep auto renewing. Now they are blaming Apple and saying sorry we can't help call Apple. Really?!? Horrible customer service
Cade Boudreaux
Bumble is a good app. It’s a lot more assessable than tinder and a lot more safe. I feel as I could get a better connection with people than I do on other dating apps.
Bean’s Jo
I love the fact that on bumble you get the choice of whether you're on there for relationship searching or just to make friends. As someone who moved a lot, it was nice to have a way to meet new people wherever I went
Nesha Leonard
Love how the woman gets to make the first move. Profile is easily created. Like the option of setting what I’m looking for.
Lyssa
I like the idea of this one giving the women the first option to initiate conversation but I also don't necessarily like the pressure that puts on us. However, I think better connections are probably made this way.
Jillaine Clark
I have used Bumble a lot and I feel like the quality is decent. I like how the girls get to make the first move.
Bryndie
Interesting idea for a dating site. Definitely unique that only the women can message first, it gets old after a while though.
Mykahla Nelson
This was an okay dating app! The guys on there were a little creepy ! I would not try it again.
Amanda
I enjoyed using Bumble more than other dating apps because it felt a bit safer and had more options.
Seth
I actually really like the concept of the girl initially starting the conversation. I have personally had friends be successful with this app. I wasn’t but I’m glad it worked for them!
Aimee Mortensen
Bumble allows you to choose if you’re on the app for dating, business networking, or friendship. Great idea! The problem is you can only do one of the options at a time. If you’re new to an area you may be needing all three simultaneously.
Jesse Rice
I have found so man wonderful men in my area we go on great dates and have amazing conversation
SkylarPickens
I met my fiancé on Bumble and i’ve never been happier! It’s a great way to connect!
Michelle W
It's a cool site that allows women to have the upper hand when it comes to making connections. It's a way to make them feel safer when mingling with strangers, and I'm glad that it enables women to send the first message to the men they make connections with.
Juan
I did meet a few people on bumble but it never went anywhere more than just casual friendly convos. I would recommend for people trying to make new friends in the area
Roberson
Full of bots and people looking to exploit others. The app could use a major face lift.
Connor
Bumble takes the creepy out of dating apps. It's nice that girls have the control so as a guy I never had to be the first one to make a move, which helps tell a lot more about the girl, and if she's actually interested or not.
Shannon B
Of all the dating apps I like Bumble the best. I feel like there are quality people on the app that are actually interested in going out on dates. I matched with my current boyfriend on there and make all my single friends download it!
Amanda
Bumble was fine. I like that they have a BFF feature and it's not only for dating
Bethany Simko
Bumble is a very interesting online dating app because it’s all about the girl making the first move. You get an entirely different experience. The app is made well and is comprehensive
Desi
I like bumble because it's pretty safe for females and a really easy app to use. You can meet some awesome people on here!
John
This company is hiding a suspicious online business behind Orwellian newspeak and creepy/weird user requirements. Beware! After they try and bait you into a "forever free" extremely limited experience (especially for men) that is said to require only either your FB or phone number, you can actually get the access to your whole account (settings included) suspended anytime unless you give Bumble app access to your webcam and send their staff pictures of yourself posing as they ask (specific gestures). This is done in the name of 'identity verification' and you have no choice. If only for that matter, a dating experience based on putting women in charge of making the first move is a vast feminist absurdity. Online dating statistics (OkCupid, POF, and others) have confirmed countless times that almost all women will actually almost always wait for men to initiate so that they can choose whether to follow up or not. I'm said to be an attractive man by my peers (good-looking enough, 35 yo, tall, fit, well-dressed, college-educated, generating stable income, etc), yet have had zero match using the app despite 'liking' around 50 men and 150 women (Bumble friends & dating) over a period of three weeks (I would log in quickly every day). Absolutely zero match except for the first day I joined Bumble where the matching queue had two blurred faces in it that may have even been algorithmic bait. In addition, I am extremely private about my phone number and only shared it with a handful of select people who would never share it without my consent. There is no way it would leak because of them. Since I don't have any FB and could only use my phone number to join Bumble, I gave it a try. My phone is now spammed every single day with up to 10 phone calls starting 516, 8xx, 9xx, all coming from scammers. I'm positive Bumble is responsible for this as it started one or two days after I joined and I've had the same number for years now. I contacted the support to get my account deleted since I couldn't do it myself. I got no reply but my account was apparently deleted.
Monica Bertha
This seems a lot less trashy and sketch than tinder so good for them! I think it’s a more fun app
ValCar
Connected online with many guys, but they never keep up a conversation. I think some of the ya on here are fake. Guys have been pretty respectable. Even though girls make the first move guys still have the last day.
Anonymous
so maybe it is not bumbles fault however it seems even though you report fraudulent members asking for I'm sick and love to come see you give me cash to fix my car and so on those members still come up on your feed of people that you match with maybe find a safe way to remove?
Leo
Bumble sucks. It’s irritating frustrating and exhausting, and discouraging.
Magda
This app is not difficult to open, it seems safe, although it clashes with strange situations, people who disappeared, profiles that were repeated, This app is a trap when we want to leave it I sent 3 letters to the human resource notifying me that I wanted to unsubscribe. try to confirm it and call the bank and 2 months later continue to discount the card
Kathy
The site was very confusing & I ended up signing up twice. For two weeks I have been asking them to transfer my funds to the most current account. Of course they had me cancel the other account & to date I still don’t have an active account & they have my money
Sage Robertson
Bumble is one of the more simple dating services to use. They have great customer service as well.
Todd
Guys this site is a joke. Pay close attention to the area they live in compared to where you are at. (After last picture) It will say they are live in a different city 1000 miles away but also say they are 5 miles from you. I had one show up as 50 miles away and in reality the city is well over a 2.5 hour drive. THIS SITE IS A FRAUD
Mazi Marcel Womack
This website is so easy to use and I love the set up of it. I have told all my friends about it.
Sean
It's a scam. You wont see much difference. There are so many fake profiles and apparently there are "robots" responding back, then they disappear. The Bumble team are useless. No customer service and they don't care what happens as long as they are still running us and keeping their money. Don't get scammed....stay away.
Courtney Eames
I heard about bumble through social media so I gave it a try just for fun and I ended up making a really good friend off of bumble! Great place to meet your girl gang!
Rebecca
Not a huge fan of this app. It’s nice, but I don’t like the requirement for girls to message first. Feels a little forced and the matches often expire before I have time to say anything.