Name: Tinder
Rating: 3.5

LAST UPDATED: March 1st, 2025

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
Email
Phone number or Facebook verification

report_problem

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.

Next, as with all dating apps, you need to provide more information about yourself and who you want to meet: men, women, or everyone. There are over 30 pre-set, inclusive options to identify your gender.

Examples include the following:

Man
Woman
Agender
Androgyne
Androgynous
Bigender
Female to male
FTM
Gender fluid
Gender nonconforming
Gender questioning
Gender variant
Genderqueer
Male to female
MTF
Neither
Neutrois
Non-binary
Other
Pangender

Trans
Trans man
Trans person
Trans woman
Transfeminine
Transgender
Transgender female
Transgender male
Transgender man
Transgender person
Transgender woman
Transmasculine
Transsexual
Transsexual female
Transsexual male
Transsexual man
Transsexual person
Transexual woman
Two-spirit

You have the option to choose up to three sexual orientations to express your interests:

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:

Facebook
Google
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.

Free Tinder

Tinder Plus

Tinder Gold

Ads

Ads

Ad-Free

Likes

100 per 12 Hours

Unlimited

Rewind

✔

Super Like

5 per Day

Boost

1 per Month

Passport

✔

Likes You

✔

Top Picks

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.

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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."

gavel

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

3.5

343 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

25%

4 grade

29%

3 grade

24%

2 grade

12%

1 grade

10%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

Quality

Service

Trustworthiness

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Dave Fortin Kingston, PA

I'm actually a fan of Tinder. They try to match you up based on what you're looking for. Sometimes they miss the mark and you get a gender you're not interested in or a location that's not within your range that you preset. Other than that, it's an app that I've found to be more personable and people really do want to chat to get to know one another. It's refreshing!

3 years ago

Kaylee Gay Columbia, MO

I love how easy Tinder is to use to find another partner. All you have to do is create an account and then swipe left or right if you are interested in someone. As well as you get certain matches based on your profile. I love easy it is to find someone because meeting someone in person can be so much harder than normal these days. I like that Tinder matches someone to what I say I wanted, so basically I just get to choose what one best matches with me. It is so easy to use.

derin Williams

was actually a bit confusing when I first started but it's pretty easy to use you get matched with people that match your preference and you can always look for more options that suit your taste.

9 months ago

Cassidy Gundersen Orem, UT

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.

7 years ago

Caloway Salt Lake City, UT

Tinder can be a good way of finding dates and a significant other. However, it is becoming more of a hookup site. The layout is easy enough to understand. However, the super like button is in an inconvenient spot that can be easily pressed which has caused me to super-like someone more than once without meaning to. The free version is good enough that I don't see a need to get the paid version, but to each their own.

4 years ago

MaKayla Christiansen Provo, UT

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.

6 years ago

Morgan Tennant Rexburg, ID

One of the only dating websites I've ever used. It was easy to operate, though I deleted my account because online dating isn't my thing. Very useful for those who favor it, though.

Aybree McBride Ogden, UT

I really had fun using Tinder, there was a few guys on there that I had to block because they were being super creapy but the controls make it easy to understand so I learned quickly how to block people, the super like option was nice once it was added

aserbacher Tallahassee, FL

I am currently using Tinder in my town of Tallahassee and I think that it is a great way to meet people you never would have met before. Whether it be for just meeting friends or finding a romantic partner, I think Tinder is a pretty good app. Personally, I do not use the app for romantic partners, but more just for fun to look at people.

r vido Orem, UT

I never found any long term relationships from Tinder, but I always had fun and felt safe with everyone I met. The interface is good and has improved over the years. I never participated in the paid side and never was tempted to. I have found that lately there are more bots or fake accounts ://

Simone Harris Tallahassee, FL

In my experience, the platform was user-friendly and did not require a lot of time to set up. However, I found that it glitched frequently and would spontaneously close. Overall, I would use this product again but I wish there were more prompts to use when making a profile.

Mona-Lissa Tallahassee, FL

I like the ease of navigation when it comes to Tinder. The platform is pretty self explanatory and easy to use for anyone who has not used it before. I feel as though the verification of accounts needs to be emphasized more as a lot of the profiles are spam or just people trying to be funny on the app.

Jade Knowles Tallahassee, FL

Tinder started out as a fun app for me and friends to meet new people in college, but I have a met great people who are not only looking for a relationship but friendships also. Tinder is a free app that lets you discover new people in close areas to your specific location. Tinder is a great way to meet new people from all walks of life.

Zharia A Tallahassee, FL

It's an addicting site, as intended. I like that it's so easy to match with someone by simply swiping right. I also like the new features, such as vibes or the explore tab. I wish there was some way to look at all of my previous matches, including from a long time ago or somehow reset my matches without having to create a new account.

4 years ago Edited October 28, 2021

Janet Burton Knoxville, TN

Tinder probably isn’t for you if you’re a complete introvert. I was skeptical at first, but I ended up meeting some pretty cool people. I didn’t end up with any of them, and I only went out with one for awhile, but still made some friends! It’s worth a shot!

Karen Torino Tallahassee, FL

Tinder is not the place to truly find relationships but it can be used for other reasons. The app is fairly simple to use, I just dont like the premium prices to essentially find someone for a little time. Overall it is an app I see growing, especially in this time and age.

5 years ago

Benjamin LeBlanc Dallas, TX

Tinder is by far the most streamlined online dating experience on the market. It is extremely easy to use on mobile devices and the Swipe to match system creates mashes with other people quickly. The only problem at hand is, yes, it is online dating and catfishes are sadly part of the Internet.

Janie Dennis Tallahassee, FL

Its great to meet new friends and causal arrangements! I loved it for those reasons only. I found my best friend on there! Many people use it so that means that its a great app! As for dating, it is not good. People don’t want anything serious like dating so I haven’t been successful in that aspect.

Jennifer Donnelly Tallahassee, FL

I always go back to this app because it is entertaining. You might find some men not worth your time but there are also countless number of men that are sweet. Sometimes you can just meet someone on there and you can become friends.

Sarah Marfo Tallahassee, FL

whether your looking for a relationship or a quick hookup Tinder has it both. I found my boyfriend on here after weeding out some individuals out. All the men i met on here were very respectful and was straight to the point on what they wanted

Megan A McEvoy Tallahassee, FL

I have been on Tinder for this past semester in college and it has definitely lead to some wild memories. It’s a great app that gives you the ability to meet new people and have some crazy college stories. I would definitely recommend it for all single college students!

Garrett Mingus Provo, UT

The user interface is great, I don't have a lot of experience with other dating apps, but making a profile is very easy and the whole experience is pretty user friendly. Tinder is really popular with my friends too, a lot of them interact with it and like it

Brandon La'ie, HI

So I’ve used tinder a few times and the interface is super simple and it all just depends how much you want to use it. You can get access to a large amount of the product without having to pay at all but some services require you to pay

Benjamin Walbrecht Provo, UT

It helps that tinder is a very popular dating app. It provides a lot of people to potentially match with. However, it has a reputation for being a “hookup” app and doesn’t often match people who are looking for a serious relationship

Avery Fowler Pleasant Grove, UT

I love using this dating website! I already have dated a couple guys I met on there, and all of them have gone well. It's super easy to use and to find people with similar interests to mine. I would definitely recommend this!

Katie Young Charlottesville, VA

Hannah Thompson South Jordan, UT

On tinder there can be several catfish so you need to be aware of who you are talking to on the internet. The app layout is great and has few glitches. The app also is great at finding people that you are interested in based on your profile. Overall is a great app to find people you are interested in.

Brinly Harward American Fork, UT

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.

Nicole Mondares Bogalusa, LA

Very affective for online dating. You meet a lot of new people. It won’t make you feel single and will make you feel like you have company with different people.

Anoushka Ahuja Tallahassee, FL

Tinder is a great dating app! I always recommend it to my friends when they are looking to connect with someone. Be wary of some people on there but overall Tinder is a great way to meet new people.

Ellie Giardino Tallahassee, FL

I love the easiness that Tinder brings all I need to do to find someone is to swipe. It is hard to put yourself out there so having an online dating platform is extremely useful. I hope to find my soulmate on Tinder.

Stephanie Nwaobi Tallahassee, FL

In my experience of using Tinder, it was pretty interesting to say the least. I personally don't think it is for me because of the users that are there. The company itself and their algorithm is pretty good to be fair.

Kori Travis FL

Tinder is great for finding people that live in your area and that fit the type of person you are looking for. There are times where i would get a person again that I had already rejected

jaci finch Corpus Christi, TX

I didn't find anyone special on tinder, but the platform was well made. I think that during my time on tinder I had fun. I think it was made for fun not serious relationships.

Ashleigh Layer Columbia, MO

I like how Tinder is a like a game! The swiping makes it a quick and easy tool, and the best part is when you get a match! That means that you both think the other is somewhat attractive.

Lyssa Eagle Mountain, UT

Tinder is intended to be a great program but I think it's not the best of the dating apps because of how the users utilize it. It's free for the basic so that's really the best perk

Breanne Stanko Logan, UT

Good dating site, however it can get very scary depending on the guy. But a lot are just for good quick hook ups. So if that’s what you are wanting then go for it. The site is easy to understand and work as well.

Rylie Crandall

I love Tinder because it’s an easy app to use and it’s fun to use. It’s easy to navigate and it makes it easy to connect with people, but I don’t love how the app focuses on peoples’ appearances.

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

Kassandra Cedar City, UT

It's actually a pretty great app. I just came to realize what I needed was a friend finding app, not a hook up app. I wasn't looking for something quite so serious quite so fast!

Katie Marz Orem, UT

I really liked using this dating site since there is such a wide variety of people that use this. However it still isn't my favorite because a lot of the people on here aren't necessarily looking for long term relationships.

Magaly De Avila Provo, UT

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/

Shawn American Fork, UT

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.

Eric San Diego, CA

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!

Teresa Bills Mayflower, AR

I like tinder, I've met some nice men, but I've also met some that are just jerks. It's a good place to meet new people.

1 year ago

Who Knows Baltimore, MD

I have been with Tinder for years. Tinder is my favorite because the matches are perfect. There are a lot of great potential days everyday.

2 years ago

David Stickles West Jordan, UT

It’s a lot of hit or miss but the interface as a whole seems to work well. Obviously your success depends on how you present yourself.

Yolanda Queer Shelley, ID

Though I'm not into hook-up culture, which is basically what tinder is used for, it was easy to chat with people and figure out who was a good match.

Tom Pleasant Grove, UT

Tinder is a great way to meet people in the modern way. Easy way to find someone that you might have a connection with.

Ryan M. Mabelvale, AR

I enjoyed the fact that I met my wife through the app. It was also a good feature to only allow people to speak to each other when they mutually liked each other's profiles.

Tinder is great for finding new people whether they be local or a bit further away. There just needs to be a bit more regulation to weed out the sketchy people.