If you’re in search of a dating app, Bumble and Tinder are two options you might consider. While both apps involve “swiping,” each has its unique benefits and drawbacks. To help you figure out which app makes the most sense for your unique situation, we’ve compiled this handy comparison of Bumble versus Tinder.
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER 
Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services
eHarmony, Where Compatibility Meets Connection
- Millions of registered users
- Compatibility Quiz produces a Compatibility Score that breaks down what you’re looking for in a partner
- Personality Profile helps you understand how you and your matches matches connect
- Members represent individuals of all ages and demographics
- Access to dating advice articles, videos & blog posts created by experts
On eHarmony's Website
How Does Bumble Work?
Offered for free or through a subscription with extra features, Bumble Date, which has been around since 2014, is designed to empower women throughout the dating process and “challenge outdated heterosexual norms,” according to the company. After two users swipe “right” on each other, the woman is required to make the first move and initiate a conversation. In same-sex or nonbinary matches, however, either user can send the first message.
Bumble: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
How Does Tinder Work?
Founded in 2012, Tinder offers a free version or paid subscription options, including Tinder Platinum, Tinder Gold and Tinder Plus. With Tinder, you swipe “right” if you’re interested in someone and “left” if you’re not. Once you and another user swipe right on each other, either of you can send a message and begin the conversation.
Tinder: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Bumble and Tinder Similarities
“Bumble and Tinder work in the same way. They are swiping apps that allow for quick matching. You create a profile with pictures and a bio, set your search preferences by age and location, and let the algorithms get to work and show you potential matches,” says Haifa Barbari, an author, human behavior strategist and founder of the self-coaching app, Be What Matters, who’s based in New York City.
In both apps, a right swipe means that you’re interested, and a left swipe means you’re not interested. If both users swipe right on each other, a match is made. These apps each offer a free version, which allows you to communicate through text messages, video chats and GIFs.
The paid plans each include extras like unlimited swipes, Rewinds (Tinder) or Backtracks (Bumble) you can use to swipe right on users you accidentally disliked and Super Likes (Tinder) or SuperSwipes (Bumble), which can help you stand out among users you’re particularly interested in.
Meet. Date. Fall In Love.
eharmony uses a proprietary matching system developed to match you with highly compatible singles. Discover why millions have used their platform.
Bumble and Tinder Differences
The biggest difference between Tinder and Bumble is in the way that each app approaches how users send the first message when a match is made. With Tinder, either user can get the conversation going, while Bumble leaves sending the first message up to women (in heterosexual matches). However, Bumble does allow either user to send the first message in same-sex or non-binary matches.
While Tinder has no chat expiration periods, so everyone can take their time messaging users, Bumble only gives women 24 hours to message or the match will expire (in heterosexual matches). Also, while Tinder offers one type of platform for dating, Bumble also offers Bumble BFF for friendships and Bumble Bizz for professional networking.
In addition, Tinder has Top Picks, a premium feature that will point out potential matches that are most “swipe-worthy.” Bumble, on the other hand, offers Spotlight, a premium feature that will put your profile at the top of the stack so that more users can instantly view it.
Choosing Between Bumble and Tinder
For those looking for a more casual way of dating and appreciate the ability for either user to send the first message within a match, Tinder may be your best bet. On the other hand, if you’re excited by the idea of an app that breaks age-old dating norms and puts the power of sending the first message in the hands of women (in heterosexual matches), you may be most pleased with Bumble.
If you’re seeking an LGBTQ+ relationship, Tinder may be a better option— 60% of lesbian, gay and bisexual women, as well as 42% of lesbian, gay and bisexual men, report having used it, according to one Pew Research Center survey. Because the platform is so commonly utilized by LGBTQ+ users, “…you’re less likely to run out of prospective dates,” explains Adam D. Blum, a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of the Gay Therapy Center in San Francisco. There are fewer gay male users on Bumble[1]About half of lesbian, gay and bisexual adults have used online dating. Pew Research Center. Accessed 1/30/2024. , even in large markets like the San Francisco area, claims Blum. “On any given day you’ll only be able to review a handful of potential daters,” he explains.
Bumble and Tinder are two popular dating apps that can help you find love. If you’re looking for a heterosexual relationship and like the idea of the woman taking initiative, Bumble may be your best bet. However, if you’re a heterosexual single and want the flexibility to make the first move or wait for your match to do so, Tinder may be a more fitting choice.
Get Who Gets You
We understand it can be difficult to find a match with whom you share a similar background, goals, or beliefs, and regardless of who you may be looking for, eHarmony wants to help you find the love of your life.
On eHarmony's Website
