Bumble

Image from Bumble

PRICE  $ - FREE (WITH PAID ADD-ONS AND UPGRADES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE)

The Bumble dating app allows access to matching and messaging for no cost but gives you the option to upgrade your experience with Bumble Boost or Bumble Coins. 

EASE OF USE

You can download the Trandr app and create a profile for free.

NUMBER OF USERS   ​

We gave Bumble a five out of five for ease of use. This dating app requires nothing fancy for a new sign-up other than a valid phone number and a few questions to give other users an idea about you. The Bumble dating app allows you to upload six pictures and has room for a short paragraph about you. You can explain your personality in emojis or list your favorite things to do on a first date. 

OPTIONS FOR FREE USERS

We gave the Bumble dating app another five out of five stars for its free user options. Because users have an unlimited number of “swipes,” there is no need to purchase anything to start a conversation or generate a match. There is no cost to download or use the app. There is nothing needed other than a desire for a respectful and female-friendly dating environment. 

OPTIONS FOR PAID USERS

The Bumble dating app gets a five out of five for paid user options because it offers a number of nice perks. While you can still match and chat with other Bumble members for free, the add-ins are a big bonus. For about $9 a week, you can upgrade to “Bumble Boost,” which gives you the use of three main features: BeeLine, ReMatch, and Busy Bee. 

BeeLine streamlines the process by allowing you to swipe only on users who have already liked you, which guarantees a match for those not wanting to waste any time. ReMatch gives you the choice of “re-matching” with a user for an extra 24 hours. BusyBee helps those who forget to check the app frequently by extending the time frame by another 24 hours so you don’t miss a match by accident. You can also purchase “Super Swipes” with Bumble coins, the in-app currency. Each coin is about $2 and buys you a “Super Swipe” that grants you the ability to be more easily noticed by a potential match.

Tinder

Image from Tinder

One creator of Tinder branched out to form what is now the Bumble dating app, but how does Bumble compare to its parent app? Tinder is another swipe-oriented style of matching. Conversations can be initiated by men or women, sometimes leading to quantity connections rather than quality matches. You can access the app and set up a profile for free, or you can unlock the full experience with “super likes” and “back swipes” for a cost, much like Bumble.

PRICE                $ - FREE (WITH PAID ADD-ONS AND UPGRADES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE)

Comparable to the Bumble dating app, Tinder provides access to its users for free but offers boosts and upgrades for a monthly price. You can buy “in bulk” for several months to get discounts and take your chances of a match to the next level 

EASE OF USE

Tinder is incredibly easy to use, earning it a five out of five stars. Simply swipe left for “no” and right for a match. You get notified right away if you are matched with someone and the conversation can start right away. There is nothing complicated there! 

NUMBER OF USERS  

We gave Tinder a three out of five stars due to its reputation of more male users with a lack of respect for women. It might not be for someone just starting the online dating game as it can be overwhelming. While there have been many success stories come from Tinder, there have also been countless horror stories that circulate on social media and even the news. 

OPTIONS FOR FREE USERS

We awarded Tinder another four out of five stars for the free options simply because they do not give full access unless you purchase the upgrade. However, do not be deterred, because there is every possibility of finding meaningful connections without the bells and whistles of the boost. 

OPTIONS FOR PAID USERS

Tinder gets a five out of five for its paid options due to the fact that the boost gives you a higher chance of being noticed or reconnecting with a lost potential match. 

Match

Image from Match

Stepping away from the swiping found on the Tinder and Bumble dating apps, Match, as the name implies, takes finding the perfect connection very seriously. To start out, setting up a Match account if free, but that is where it ends. Users must purchase a plan to chat with other members, and the website even blocks the picture of who messaged you if you have not upgraded to a paid account. The upside to this is that the vast majority of individuals on the site are serious about looking for love, so there is a much higher chance that your connections will be more meaningful than most Tinder matches. 

PRICE     $$$  PLANS START AT ABOUT $20 A MONTH

There is no free option for Match other than making a profile. If you want access to chat and actually connect with another user, you must purchase a plan. You do get a discount if you subscribe for several months instead of paying month-to-month. 

EASE OF USE

To create a complete profile on Match, you must answer an onslaught of questions about your likes, dislikes, and personality quirks, as well as questions about your ideal mate. This site is geared towards forming connections based on spiritual, intellectual, and emotional qualities instead of looks, so there is a focus on text over pictures. 

NUMBER OF USERS  

We gave Match a four out of five stars for number of users. It lost a star due to the lower number of users. Rather than a large quantity of individuals looking for a more casual connection, Match boasts users who have long-term commitment in mind. 

OPTIONS FOR FREE USERS

Match earned one out of five stars for free options. They only allow a person to make a profile for free. Beyond that, Match users are required to purchase a plan to receive full access to members and messaging. 

OPTIONS FOR PAID USERS

The plans for Match are based on the number of months you purchase at one time instead of different add-ons and boosts. Plans start at one month for about $20 and go up from there.  

OKCupid

Image from OKCupid

An older dating site, OKCupid has been around for a while and has gone through some upgrades that not all users like. OKCupid requires full names and Facebook verification, making it difficult to stay anonymous. It uses a more detailed approach to creating a profile than the Tinder or Bumble dating apps, but it is not as in depth as Match. It is a solid all around choice for those who live in bigger cities, although new signups have decreased significantly with the new changes. This makes it more difficult to match with someone if you live in a smaller city or rural area. 

PRICE     $$ FREE, WITH A 1 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION PRICED AT ABOUT $10 A MONTH

While not as expensive as Match, OKCupid users will have a better experience by subscribing for at least a month. You can use the site or app for free and still make matches and contact others.

EASE OF USE

Knocked down by two stars due to the newer upgrades that haven’t been well received, OKCupid still maintains an easy-to-use approach that anyone can work out quickly.

NUMBER OF USERS  

OKCupid has fallen off the radar as many users have moved on to newer and easier dating apps. While you can still find matches on the site, those who live in larger cities will have more options.

OPTIONS FOR FREE USERS

While it is still possible to use OKCupid with a free account, paid subscribers have access to features such as saving messages and invisible browsing.

OPTIONS FOR PAID USERS

As with the other dating sites and apps, users will experience full access of the app with a paid membership. Paid accounts can unlock features such as QuickMatch to streamline the dating process.