- Tinder
Tinder
Tinder is an online dating app that was first introduced as a social network dating site on college campuses in 2012. The app uses location data to connect local singles who anonymously review member profiles and decide whether they are interested. Members are only connected when both parties mutually swipe right to like each other. Like several other big-name online dating sites, Tinder's parent company is Match Group, the parent company of match.com.
Typical dating sites require no introduction or approval before another member can begin messaging you. Tinder uses a double opt-in to reduce feelings of rejection, albeit digital. Before a line of communication can start between two Tinder members, both must swipe right — expressing interest in one another and giving consent for messaging.
While Tinder does not release exact statistics about its popular dating app, here are a few key points for people to know:
- 340+ million downloads
- 190 countries
- 40+ languages
- 5.9 million paid subscribers
- 50% of members are ages 18–25
- 1.5 million dates per week
- 26 million matches per day
This app caters to people who want quick, easy connections. However, you can set up your online dating profile to look for all kinds of relationships.
Keep reading to learn more about how Tinder works, view pros and cons, or skip straight to user reviews.
How do you sign up for Tinder?
You can access and sign up for Tinder either online via the Tinder for Web platform or by downloading the mobile app on Android or iOS. In less than five minutes, you can have your account set up completed and already be swiping through local singles.
To set up your Tinder account, you need to provide the following things:
- Your first name
- Birthdate
- Profile photo
- Phone number or Facebook verification
Attention: Tinder's user signup no longer requires a Facebook account.
Before August 2019, Tinder required a Facebook account to sign up. Now, you have two options when you register your new account: either associate your account with Facebook or your phone number.
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- Straight
- Gay
- Lesbian
- Bisexual
- Asexual
- Demisexual
- Pansexual
- Queer
- Questioning
Users can choose whether or not to have their orientation displayed on their Tinder bio.
That's all it takes to set up a Tinder profile. Next, you can browse through dating profiles, and change your Discovery settings to vary your deck of potential matches. Discovery settings include the following:
- Your current location
- Maximum distance radius (1–100 miles)
- Gender (seeking)
- Age range
To return to your Tinder account, you can sign in with the following credential options:
- Phone number
What can you do for FREE on Tinder?
Tinder's dating platform allows members to do quite a bit for free. On this site, you can even send and receive messages with other members for free — no credit card or free trial signup needed. You won't be able to do the same on eHarmony or match.com.
For free, you can do the following on Tinder:
- Create a dating profile (up to 6 photos and 500 characters) and connect it with social media accounts
- Browse and swipe through your daily potential match deck
- Like up to 100 profiles every 12 hours
- Send and receive text messages with matches
- One Super Like per day
- One Tinder Pick per day
How do Tinder subscriptions work?
Although you can use the free version of the Tinder app to connect and message with local singles, upgrading to a paid subscription offers additional benefits. Subscription options include:
- Two subscription levels: Plus and Gold
- 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month subscription durations
Here are a few premium features that you should know about:
- Rewind — Undo your last Like or Nope.
- Super Like — Express extra interest in someone by tapping the blue star. When you come to the top of their deck, your profile will be highlighted in blue.
- Boost — Get bumped to the top of people's Discovery queue for 30 minutes, for more immediate matches.
- Passport — Check out singles in other cities and countries.
- Likes You — See a list of other members who have Liked your profile, before you swipe yes or no on their profile.
- Top Picks — Featured member profiles that are selected for you based on occupation, education, hobbies, and other interests.
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Free Tinder |
Tinder Plus |
Tinder Gold |
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Ads |
Ads |
Ad-Free |
Ad-Free |
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Likes |
100 per 12 Hours |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
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Rewind |
✔ |
✔ |
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Super Like |
5 per Day |
5 per Day |
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Boost |
1 per Month |
1 per Month |
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Passport |
✔ |
✔ |
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Likes You |
✔ |
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Top Picks |
1 per Day |
1 per Day |
4–10 Picks Daily |
Subscribing to Tinder Plus starts at about $9.99 per month for people under 30 and $19.99 per month for users over 30. Tinder Gold pricing starts at $14.99 per month and increases for users over 30 years old. Exact pricing for each membership varies based on your location and age. If you opt for the 6- or 12-month subscription terms, you get a per-month discount for paying up-front, so it will cost you less in the long run than a month-to-month subscription.
Keep reading for pros and cons of using this dating app or skip straight to Tinder reviews from real users.
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The Good
- Easy to Use
- Location-Based Matching
- Tinder U
- Only Message Mutual Matches
- Free Messaging
- Large Pool of Users
- Tinder Top Picks
- Safety Measures
Easy to Use
Tinder is an extremely easy-to-use dating app with a game-style approach to matching online daters.
Customer Review: Seth from Dallas, Texas
"Great way to meet new people, make some friends, and help you get back in the dating life. Very easy to use and great for you to get back in the social life."
Each member sets their interests (in men or women) then swipes (scrolling left to right) through local Tinder member profiles. Profiles display multiple photos and a brief introduction or pick-up lines. Users swipe right to like another user's profile and swipe left to reject profiles.
Tinder U
If you are a college student in the United States, Tinder U can help you connect with other single students at your school. It's available at four-year accredited college and university campuses.
You must log in to Tinder while you are on campus and verify your profile with your .edu email address, for an added level of security.
Location-Based Matching
Tinder helps you quickly contact local users. Matches are based on your location and GPS data. This helps to combat one of the most significant issues that users have with online dating sites: long-distance connections. If you want more than a pen pal, Tinder helps users find someone that they could reasonably connect with IRL.
Adding GPS location data to Tinder's emphasis on profile pics adds to its reputation as a hookup app. However, users state what type of relationship they are looking for. While it is useful for local hookups, you can also find a large pool of local daters looking for all kinds of relationships.
If you travel a lot, the new Tinder Passport feature lets members get access to more singles.
Only Message Mutual Matches
Tinder keeps things fair for daters by only allowing communication to members who have already "swiped" or shared an interest in each other. This is helpful for people that don't want to be harassed or approached by every member of the site. Basically, swiping right on someone gives your consent for them to message you.
The double-opt-in saves you from rejection. You only connect after mutual interest is expressed.
Free Messaging
Most online dating sites require you to be a paid member to send and receive text messages. Though you can only message people that you have matched with, this is one of the online dating options that allows you to interact with other people without paying for a subscription.
Large Pool of Users
Tinder is the most popular online dating app in the United States, with an audience of more than 7 million users, varying across several age groups. Additionally, it is the most popular dating app in 27 states. A 2020 survey found that the dating platform is popular among city and country-dwellers. Six percent of rural adults, seventeen percent of suburban adults, and eleven percent of urban adults were currently using Tinder.
Many people view the popular dating app as a hookup app, but Tinder's website displays stories of relationships and marriages coming from the online dating social network. Tinder can be used for whatever type of romantic relationship you're looking for: "Friends, dates, relationships, and everything in between."
Tinder Top Picks
Tinder's newest update offers improved recommendations. Now, instead of users coming up randomly in your area, Tinder will try to show you matches that they think you will like (based on previous swiping history and what you have in common).
Safety Measures
When it comes to dating online, many services leave safety to the individual user. However, Tinder has a few safety features that users can take advantage of, including the following:
- Photo Verification — Verify your profile by copying a selfie pose. The photo is verified by human and facial recognition technology. Verified profiles are confirmed with a checkmark. This new feature is being rolled in stages and isn't available to all users yet.
- Noonlight — In the United States, Tinder has partnered with Noonlight, a personal safety/panic-button app. When you plan to meet someone IRL, you can add details about your date to your Timeline. If you don't feel safe, you can discreetly request emergency services to your location.
The Bad
- No Phone Support
- Gender Disparity
- Refund Policy
- No Matching Algorithm
- Swipe Limits
- Age-Based Pay Scale
- User Motives
No Phone Support
You can't call Tinder customer support on the phone. Requests can be submitted online or through your account. This is certainly not unique when it comes to online dating sites, but it can still be inconvenient for some users who prefer to call and speak to someone for assistance.
Gender Disparity
In the United States, 32 percent of men and 28 percent of women have ever used a dating site or app; however, male Tinder users make up the majority — over 75 percent are men. People seeking to match with women may find it a bit more competitive than other online dating sites.
Refund Policy
In-app purchases are nonrefundable. If your subscription auto-renews, you have 14 days from the transaction date to request a refund.
No Matching Algorithm
This dating service can seem exceptionally superficial. Members rate other daters purely on their photos and a short one-liner. There's not much depth in actually getting to know the daters until both members have matched, where they may have a conversation. This may leave out potential matches that could work out for a long-term relationship.
Generally, personalities can be easily overlooked because this app focuses on an all or nothing approach to rating each new person's profile pictures.
Swipe Limits
Without a paid membership, users are limited to 100 Likes (right swipes) every 12 hours. Upgraded users on either subscription get access to unlimited Likes.
Age-Based Pay Scale and Issues
Tinder has an age-based pay scale, so if you’re over thirty years old, upgrading will cost you more. Younger (under 30ish) users can subscribe starting at $9.99 per month; it can be up to double for people over 30.
Pricing is based on your location and age. The exception is the state of California, where the company agreed to a 2019 settlement.
User Motives
When it comes to online dating companies, many reviews mention poor intentions of other members, scammers, fake profiles, and bots. Tinder doesn't escape this criticism.
Customer Review: Remington from Pleasant Grove, Utah
"This app is an absolute joke. Too many people don't take this seriously they don't try to match they just try to hook up. I'm honestly disappointed just a waste of my time."
However, as with many dating apps, a serious relationship is possible, but you may have to kiss a few frogs. With over 190 reviews collected, only a few people mention meeting a wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner.
Customer Review: Mckinsey from Logan, Utah
"This is how I met my husband! The service and people on the app can be sketchy but that doesn’t have anything to do with the company."
The Bottom Line
Tinder is a very popular and easy to use online dating service. Interested consumers can download the app from iTunes or Google Play or access the site with their browser.
This watershed online dating app lets users swipe through photos and profiles of local singles based on your device's location data. Once a mutual match is made, members can message each other for free. Paid subscriptions are available for those who want more options, but Tinder Gold and Tinder Plus pricing is not set in stone and users in their thirties will be paying more than younger users.
Although Tinder has a reputation for facilitating hookup dates over long-term relationships, results vary based on what you are looking for and the intentions of other users. Some members have started successful relationships from the app.
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User Reviews
Star Rating
197 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
McKenzie Christiansen
Tinder is great. It’s so hard to meet people in today’s society but Tinder makes it easy. Really polished platform, and really knows how to find people that tinder thinks will work well with you.
Annie Orr
I think tinder has innocent motives but there are some creeps! I think if you’re looking to seriously date someone tinder is not your friend.
Chloe Magleby
Tinder is for sketchy people to meet other sketchy people. I have had way too many encounters with people who are not on the app for the right reasons. I would not recommend this dating app to anyone!
Kymberlee Yack
tinder has been a HUGE help to me. dating has always been so hard because i’m so introverted, but tinder made it so easy because all I have to do is swipe and start a conversation! definitely had good luck with this!
Autumn Kallunki
It seems like each time I've met with people from Tinder I've had a bad experience and they are creeps. I don't usually recommend
Magaly De Avila
I downloaded this once just to see who I'd match with and it showed a lot of people that I know and that live around my area, they do a very good job with that. Probably won't use it personally/
Dasha Directo
Tinder honestly scares me a little. It's fun at first looking at people's profiles, but after a while, it gets weird. I've never met someone from Tinder in real life and I don't know if I ever will because it sketches me out, but I know a lot of people who have been on decent dates through Tinder.
MaKayla Christiansen
For the most part I had a great experience on tinder. I like how you can see people’s profiles which gives you more information than just a picture of who you want to connect with. The only thing I didn’t necessarily enjoy about this site, was the fact that you had to pay money to “super like” someone as well as “rewind” if you accidentally swipe no on someone you wanted to swipe yes on. But over all it was a nice place to meet new people.
Tanner Cook
Tinder isn’t really the place that you go to if you’re looking for a meaningful, committed relationship. I didn’t find a huge use for this app, but some people may.
Darius Williams
very easy app to use and it works without any problems. always able to find a quick date
Erin
very easy app to use. it doesn’t take too much of your time, to find a great date, a great app for someone in need of love
TyGuy
It's easy to use and there are lots of users. Probably one of the best sites to use to meet people at the moment.
Matthew Carbaugh
I get it, if Tinder didn't lead the way for these instant gratification dating apps someone else would. But I absolutely hate what Tinder represents and has done for dating culture in my age range (26). I'm sure they have helped the spread of STDs by making quick mindless hookups so effortless. All that being said I do know some mutual friends who have been in a long term relation ship from tinder so not all bad I guess.
Dru Scott
I found smoking hot wife on this site. She is the love of my life and we just made a baby.
Shawn
Friendly app easy to navigate personally. And I have had so many good friends and acquaintances use this app to find their loved one. Nothing but positive things to say about it.
Spencer Scoville
If you are looking for a long term partner this app is not for you. You will hardly find the one swiping back and forth basing each person only on their looks.
Eric
Tinder Tinder Tinder. I'll make this short and sweet. Tinder you rule. Keep doing what you do. Great for hook ups and more. I actually have two friends who met on Tinder and actually are married as of last year!
Kathie Bowman
when i was single i had tinder. i didn't use it much but when i did i felt like most of the guys were catfish and just wanted to get it
Mitch Krull
Fun fun fun. It's a fun app too pass time. Meet some good friends, don't know if I'd get anything serious tho.
Cody Enslow
Tinder is the most popular and therefore the most viable option as a guy. I think that they’ve continually improved. Still not the ideal place to meet someone new.
Abigail scoville
Honestly, If you are looking to just meet people in your area this isn't the app for you. There can be a few awesome people among the swiping but the majority of people on the site are there for hookups. If you are looking for a long term relationship this could work for you but I wouldn't count on it personally.
Mckinsey Harward
This is how I met my husband! The service and people on the app can be sketchy but that doesn’t have anything to do with the company.
Brandy
Besides the face that 90% of the people on tinder are just looking for a hook up. I haven’t been dissatisfied with their service or set up of the app. They provide what is needed and asked for.
cami harward
I didn't really like tinder. The guys on there were terrible and I didn't find anyone that I wanted to date.
Brinly Harward
It's a very efficient app, and easy to work. You can meet a lot of new people. I like the feature where you can choose the possible distance of the people you meet. Customer service has been very helpful when needed. It's nice when you don't want to pay because most of the features work with a time limit.
David Mallory Hays
I met my wife on here, but I have also been on like 100 garbage dates through it. So it's like a 1/100, sooo infer how you wish
Cayla Koga
Tinder is cool if you're just looking for a hookup. I have yet to meet someone on there that is looking to actually go on dates and get to know someone. Pretty self guided when it comes to set up and deletion of your account though.
Joshua Clement
It's good for getting a date with someone you would normally never meet, but this doesn't guarantee anything more
Tom
Tinder is a great way to meet people in the modern way. Easy way to find someone that you might have a connection with.
Adam Crawley
Tinder has a good and easy access to quick dating; however, there are many rontchy people on the app and so users have to be careful before setting up a date. I've had some sketchy dates using this app. The app doesn't attract the best people.
Shelby Jackson
Some people think Tinder is a shallow place to meet people as you are basing your decision off of looks. But let’s be honest here, you do have to be physically attracted to someone and that’s not a bad thing. The pros: -Once you match you can start chatting away and possibly score a date. -You don’t ever see who dislikes you. -The busy student or workaholic can meet people they might actually go out with. The cons: -People don’t post the most recent pictures. -The little biography’s May be skewed to seem cooler than they really are. Tinder was a great way to meet people outside of my circle of friends. I was lucky enough that I met my husband through it!
Jacinda E
Used this for a while before I got married. Really neat way to meet people. I have had 5 friends that met through the app and got married.
Patrick
I am giving it a 2 because there is a little entertainment factor but beside that it is a crap app. This app provides no value to society. I lost my girlfriend to this stupid app.
Sarah Coats
Waste of time. Has a lot of weirdos on there
William
I was on this sight for about two days. Nothing good can come from a tinder.
Cassidy Gundersen
My husband says that we met on Tinder, but that is not true! He didn’t ask for my number when we met, but then we matched on Tinder so he got a second shot. I honestly didn’t even like using the app, but it worked out for me in the end.
Scott Rasmussen
When I used tinder there seemed to be a lot of fake profiles and sicko robots leaving nasty links, so I uninstalled the app. When I had the app for about a year, I think it produced 2-3 dates. Not worth installing.
Pete
Tinder is fun to meet new people. I've never had anything serious come from it, just new friends. The biggest complaint i have is that there are a lot of fake accounts on there trying to get you to go to random websites and stuff. If that was fixed it would be a lot better.
Katelyn Empey
There were a lot of hiccups and errors with the app in general. The idea was fine, but I felt like it was a poorly made app in general.
Hyrum
I used Tinder a little bit before I got married. I ended up only meeting up with one person. While it's a potentially a good way to meet people, I don't think it's a good time investment. There are a lot of weirdos on it.
Erin St Pierre
I can't stand tinder. There should be some sort of system to monitor reports of bullying/abuse, because as far as I can tell, whatever system they have in place at the moment doesn't work at all. The customer service will take days if not weeks to contact you when you have a problem. I would suggest staying far, far away from tinder.
Laura Marshall
People are creepy and the app is mainly for hooking up and not actually meeting genuine people.
Michael Lyman
Oh where do I start? Tinder.....Could be one of the most thoughtful time wasters ever. Not only do you usually not get anywhere as a guy, you are either stood up or ghosted pretty frequently by the other users. If you do happen to meet someone on there, they turn out to be more along the trashy type. I'm sure there are people that succeed on there, but the product is not very successful. Tinder has a lot of issues with the app, and not being able to see who has liked you really can be a huge downfall of the app.
Kenneth Okerlund
No matchmaking system other than people near you and photos which means that everyone is going off of a photo and maybe a one liner. Other users didn't add to the experience either as it seems more like a one night stand than a dating app.
Di
I paid just over £70 for a full years membership on Tinder. Started off ok, then photos all disappeared (my own and of the men). None would show up on screen.All i get is the wording! I have re-downloaded the app again and again, its still the same. I have complained. . . .nothings been done. . . . .total waste of money! NOT RECOMMENDED! ! !
2Jonathan Montufar
i cant Check my "Whose interested in me" section or my moments section all i can do on my phone is Like or pass women. How the hell does this work??
Canio Costanzo
Many of the women I swiped left popped up weeks later. Happens all the time. And the app freezes up all the time. Plus the women lie all the time, but that's beside the point.