Better Hookup Site That Tinder

When it comes to size, Tinder has an ENORMOUS audience, but men also outnumber women by 9 to 1. In comparison, Bumble has far fewer users, but the male to female ratio is almost equal. To conclude: Tinder has a bigger younger audience who mostly want casual hookups. Best hookup site overall – Adult Friend Finder. Online dating site for married people (controversially) – Ashley Madison. More female users than male users (that’s rare!) – Seeking. Ridiculously popular free hookup app – Tinder. Women take back control – Bumble. Top hookup app for cishet & LGBTQ+ users – Hinge. Dec 01, 2021 People use hookup sites, well, to hook up! Hookup sites and apps come with many perks, with more and more people turning to them for a variety of reasons, such as: Everyone’s on the same page – As we mentioned before, on a hookup app, most members are looking for the same thing, which is usually a one night stand. Is there a better app for hookups than Tinder? Hinge is.officially. geared more toward relationships, but if you're upfront with your intentions, it's as useful of a hookup app as Tinder — especially in more populated areas. Hinge marries the modern, instantaneous feel of swiping apps with the relationship atmosphere that sites like eharmony. Many Tinder alternatives have caught our eye as well. Sure, it’s impressive that Tinder has fostered over 43 billion matches since its launch in 2012. However, not all those potential matches lead to real-life dates. The app inspires about 1.5 million dates each week — and not all those dates lead to hookups or relationships.

Tinder is easily one of the biggest names in the online and mobile dating space, but it isn’t the only name. Many Tinder alternatives have caught our eye as well.

Sure, it’s impressive that Tinder has fostered over 43 billion matches since its launch in 2012. However, not all those potential matches lead to real-life dates. The app inspires about 1.5 million dates each week — and not all those dates lead to hookups or relationships. So, there’s no guarantee that Tinder will work for you.

Maybe you’ve already concluded that Tinder isn’t right for you. Maybe you’ve been swiping to no avail for too long, and you’re ready to try something new.

If you’re looking for the best alternative to Tinder, we’ve got a lot of good options for you. The following dating sites and apps can offer a fresh start and a world of date possibilities for singles who are totally burnt out on Tinder.

1. Zoosk

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Fun Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search and get match recommendations

Our Experts Say:“Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...” Full Review»

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Zoosk is a great alternative to Tinder because it offers a similar signup process with Facebook profile verification, and it has a similar swiping system (it’s called the Carousel), yet it has more than a few additional features to delight singles.

For one thing, Zoosk offers advanced search filters that allow you to find potential dates within a given age range and location, and you can further identify dating preferences in terms of height, ethnicity, religion, education, and body type.

Zoosk also has an abundance of free and paid communication features. You don’t need to match with someone to send them a message, a like, or a smile. Over 35 million singles have joined Zoosk — either by creating an account on the site or downloading the app — and its online dating network currently reaches 80 countries.

2. Match.com

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System:Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say:“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review»

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Match can help serious daters get off the swiping carousel and land quality first dates in no time. The dating site’s profiles put more emphasis on personality than photos, so it can be a breath of fresh air for singles who dislike reducing their stories and experiences to a brief photo caption.

On Match, dating profiles are rich with insights into the other person. Free members can view profiles, send likes, and search for dates for as long as they want, and they can upgrade to read and reply to messages. Match offers limited communication for free members, and you’re not going to get the full experience unless you subscribe.

While Match may require more investment (both in time and money) than Tinder, singles can also get more value out of their experience on Match. Only serious and mature daters will commit to a paid subscription package on Match, and that basically means almost everyone you talk to on Match is ready to meet a special person and build a serious relationship. Swipe right on Match if you’re done with flaky dates and want to find the real thing.

3. EliteSingles

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Serious Relationships

Match System:Search, Receive Partner Suggestions

Our Experts Say:“EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review»

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Elite Singles attracts a totally different dating crowd than Tinder. About 60% of Tinder users are under 35, whereas over 90% of EliteSingles members are over 30. Tinder appeals to students, while Elite Singles appeals to working professionals who are too busy to search for dates on their own.

According to an internal survey, 85% of Elite Singles members have graduated from college, and some have even gone on to earn post-graduate degrees. This elite dating pool connects the ambitious and well-educated through an intelligent algorithm.

Elite Singles recommends compatible dating profiles in the Matches section, and it also offers search filters to help local singles find what they’re looking for that much faster.

4. eharmony

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Casual Dates, Deep Relationships

Match System:Personality test suggests matches

Our Experts Say:“Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...” Full Review»

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Launched in 2000, eharmony distinguished itself in the dating scene long before Tinder came along. The dating site’s mission is diametrically opposed to swipe culture. Instead of offering up dating profiles seemingly at random, eharmony curates a list of viable date candidates and offers compatibility ratings to guide singles to the right match.

How exactly does eharmony know who’s right for you? It asks you. The dating site has a lengthy signup process that includes a 32-dimension personality test on your likes, habits, goals, values, and personality quirks. Once you’ve given your answers, eharmony will compare them with others in your area and highlight the profiles that share similar sensibilities.

If you see the green word “compatible” on a profile, that means you scored over 90% in the compatibility ratings, and you guys have a lot in common. Singles can get to know one another on a deeper level thanks to eharmony’s personality-driven matchmaking.

5. BlackPeopleMeet

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates

Match System:Search by location, age, more

Our Experts Say:“BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review»

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If you’re bored to tears by white-bread mainstream dating, then you may want to give BlackPeopleMeet a try. This niche dating site caters to black singles in the U.S. and Canada, and people of all racial backgrounds are welcome to join in the fun.

BlackPeopleMeet offers a diverse dating network where African-American singles are in the majority and dark skin is a definite turn on. As a free member, you can search for dates on your own and send flirts to the ones who catch your eye, or you can go to the Matches section to see who BlackPeopleMeet recommends for you.

Tinder doesn’t publish any of its success stories, but BlackPeopleMeet does. These testimonials speak to the life-changing impact the dating site can have in people’s lives.

6. BeNaughty

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Chats

Match System:Search by encounter, location, and more

Our Experts Say:“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...” Full Review»

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Not finding that many fast dates on Tinder? Then join BeNaughty, the top hookup site for singles over 18. There’s no pretense or playing hard to get on BeNaughty. Everyone is here for one reason and one reason only: to have sex.

BeNaughty uses a Tinder-like swiping system in its Like Gallery where users see a profile photo (no bio or extraneous details) and answer the question “Cute or Not?” The hookup site also has search filters that allow hot singles to find one another more quickly. After a little hassle-free browsing, you’ll find yourself surrounded by date prospects eager to get steamy in the bedroom.

7. ChristianMingle

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by gender, age, education, more

Our Experts Say:“ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...” Full Review»

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ChristianMingle is a faith-driven dating network where Christians can tout their beliefs as a way of attracting dates. Mainstream dating sites and apps don’t have as large a Christian following, and ChristianMingle is among the leading platforms that put faith front and center.

ChristianMingle helps singles find partners who line up with their values and share similar dreams for the future. You can sort your matches by distance or match percentage, or you can browse the newest and most active profiles by using the search filters.

The closest thing ChristianMingle has to swiping is the LookBook, which shows you one profile at a time and asks you to heart or X them. The profile includes a name, age, occupation, bio, and religious affiliation. Not all ChristianMingle members are Christian, but they’re all hoping to land a Christian date.

8. OurTime.com

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Relationships

Match System:Search by profiles by zip and more

Our Experts Say:“OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review»

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Tinder is a notoriously young dating app, and seniors may not have the best luck here. That’s what niche dating communities like OurTime are for. OurTime caters to singles over 50 and fosters real friendships and relationships.

The OurTime matching system is slow-paced, values-driven, and easy to understand. Members receive Daily Match Recommendations based on their dating preferences and like history. They can also sort through Community Updates, Who Viewed Me, New Members in the Area, and other Notifications to discover profiles worth sending a flirt or message.

Members can also use Tokens to promote their profiles, send virtual gifts, and get placed in someone’s Daily Matches. Only premium members can send messages on OurTime, so that means you can enjoy a high-caliber conversation without worrying about getting spammed. OurTime’s commitment to keeping members safe has helped it grow its community around the globe.

9. Adult Friend Finder

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about short-term 'hookups' and affairs only. Note that a basic account costs $14.95/month, but it's well worth it if casual sex is your goal...”

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AdultFriendFinder is a hookup app with over 97 million profiles to its name. The sex-positive database has been around since 1996 — which is 16 years longer than Tinder — and it has attracted attention by offering adults a space where they can let go of their inhibitions.

If you want a one-night stand, threesome, or hookup, you can mingle with a sexy crowd on AFF and see what happens. The public dating forums, erotic blogs, live video strip teases, and private messaging all serve to get people into the mood and help them discover their sexuality.

You can cut right to the chase on AdultFriendFinder and use the search tab to find the hottest local singles and swingers. And, the best part is, you don’t have to be a mutual match to send a message.

10. PlentyOfFish

PlentyOfFish can offer a large dating pool to singles seeking love and romance. It’s free to create a profile, browse matches, and chat on the POF website and app, and over 4 million active users log in every day to have an online conversation and arrange an IRL date.

As a free dating platform, PlentyOfFish can offer a world of dating opportunities to singles on a budget. As long as you follow the POF community guidelines, you’re welcome to flirt in this friendly community.

PlentyOfFish creates over 57 million new connections every week.

Since it was founded in Vancouver in 2003, PlentyOfFish has approached the dating scene with the motto “There are plenty of fish in the sea.” How many fish exactly? Over 150 million are in the POF database alone. The POF site reaches 20 countries and has been translated into 11 languages, so you can search far and wide to find the perfect match.

11. OkCupid

OkCupid is one of Tinder’s biggest competitors, taking up 10% of the online dating market, according to a 2016 study. The dating site and app offer completely free and unlimited communication to all users, and its intelligent match algorithm shepherds compatible people together so those conversations yield quality dates.

Every week, OkCupid members land over 50,000 dates on the platform. Many of these first dates lead to second dates because users have compatibility ratings to help them find common ground more quickly.

The OkCupid matching system goes beyond just a photo and provides detailed profiles.

Since 2004, OkCupid has taken a data-driven approach to matchmaking, and its in-depth profiles, Q&A section, and advanced search tools encourage singles to get to know one another online before agreeing to meet up offline. You can express your personality and highlight your hobbies, fandoms, pet peeves, and passions on your OkCupid profile and thus attract someone who likes you for you.

12. Grindr

Grindr is often called the gay Tinder, but it actually launched three years before Tinder, so it’d probably be more accurate to call Tinder “straight Grindr.” The names may sound similar, but these two dating apps couldn’t be more different.

For one thing, Grindr supports an all-male membership base. It does not have features for straight or lesbian singles. Another difference is in the way Grindr recommends dating profiles to its users. The dating app prioritizes location above all other factors. The dating profiles geographically closest to you will always rank at the top of its list, and you can see approximately where that person is — which means you can ask him out immediately.

“No other popular dating app is so deliberately streamlined towards meeting immediately,” according to a review by The Face.

Grindr has approximately 3.8 million users spread across 234 countries and territories.

Better Hookup Site That Tinder Men

With nearly 4 million members, Grindr boasts being the largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer guys. It’s got the gay dating market cornered, and it’s a great alternative to Tinder if you’re a man seeking men.

Tinder may claim to be gay-friendly, but we’re not really buying it. Today’s gay and bi singles are better off on a niche dating app like Grindr where their interests come first. In our estimation, Grindr has a greater capacity to satisfy gay and bi singles and connect them to the hottest men in town.

13. Badoo

Badoo is a fast-growing dating app with a massive membership base. Over 448 million users in 180 countries have joined the network and embraced Badoo’s fun approach to online dating. In total, over 350 million messages are sent every day on Badoo.

Singles can browse the Encounters tab to view top-rated profiles and generate mutual matches. If swiping really isn’t your thing, then you can search People Nearby by gender, age, location, and other important factors. Members also have to specify whether they’re online to make new friends, chat, or date, so Badoo can find folks who are looking for the same things.

Badoo connects singles in 47 languages and across 180 countries.

Badoo was one of the first dating apps to integrate videos into its messaging and profile setup, and that feature has led to increased engagement and flirtation on the platform.

In the words of the Badoo team, “We believe there is someone for everyone. We have become the largest social discovery network in the world because we have created the best tools to connect people.”

14. Happn

Happn is a dating app powered by serendipity. The app uses location data from your smartphone to match you with people you cross once, twice, or several times in your daily routine — but you may not have noticed that person standing behind you in line or sitting beside you at the coffee shop. Well, thanks to Happn, singles can get a second chance at winning over local sweethearts.

The Happn Timeline helps singles discover opportunities in their neighborhoods.

Happn notifies you when you’re in close proximity to a match, and you can choose to send a like to get that person’s attention. If the person likes you back, then it’s a Crush, and you can start chatting.

Many singles enjoy the organic way Happn introduces people, and the app has a 4.1 star rating on Google Play. “I’ve literally only been on this app for 20 seconds, and it’s already everything I’ve been looking for,” said Angela R.

15. Bumble

If Tinder had an arch-nemesis, it’d probably be Bumble. These two dating apps have a well-known rivalry that began in 2014 when Tinder Co-Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd left the company and launched what she characterized as a female-friendly alternative to swipe culture. Around that same time, she sued Tinder for sexual harassment, robbing her of her rightful title as a co-founder, and creating a hostile work environment.

Bumble is Whitney’s answer to gender-based issues in the online dating scene. She saw women overwhelmed with creepy messages and men failing to get responses to their pickup lines, and she decided to institute a system that would empower women to be the gatekeepers in their online matches. Once a mutual match is formed, the woman has to send a message within 24 hours, or the chat will disappear.

Women can feel comfortable matching thanks to Bumble’s women-first setup.

On Bumble, women make the first move, and that sets the tone for the conversation going forward. This progressive dating app has appealed to online daters who consider themselves feminists and want more quality control in their inboxes.

How To Have A Successful Tinder Hookup

Tinder has since copied Bumble’s ladies-first feature and sued Bumble for being a “Tinder-clone,” so it’s safe to say the bad blood between these two dating companies is alive and well.

16. Skout

You can easily scout the dating scene with Skout downloaded on your phone. The top-rated dating app has won people over with its social media-like setup and live chat features. The dating app encourages singles to socialize and make connections with people around the corner or around the globe.

One of Skout’s stand-out features is called Go Live. With this feature, members can broadcast their stories to a live audience and wrack up the likes and hearts while they’re at it.

Millions of flirtatious messages are sent every day on Skout.

Since 2007, Skout has brought singles around the world together. The dating network is active in 180 countries, and it has inspired countless friendships, romances, and relationships.

“I am so relieved to have found this app,” said Isaac B. in a review. “This app is by far the best!”

17. Hinge

Hinge is more than a dating app — it’s a relationship app. From the beginning, Hinge’s founders have endeavored to stake out a middle ground between old-school pay-to-chat dating sites and new-school casual-swiping dating apps. The result is a free, quality-driven dating app that’s “designed to be deleted,” meaning you find a romantic match and get off the app for good.

The Hinge matchmaking process is much more about who you are and what you want, and that makes it worlds better than Tinder’s looks-based system.

Hinge is a high-caliber dating app where singles can get to know one another on a deeper level.

The goal on Hinge is to inspire compatible matches, and the app uses a unique chatting system to make that happen. You don’t just send likes here. You have to like or comment on a specific photo or prompt to express your interest in someone else. If the interest is mutual, you’ll be invited to chat. Hinge profiles offer six photos and three prompts (things like “What’s your favorite Disney movie?” and “What are your dealbreakers?”) to get the conversation started.

I’m biased toward Hinge because I met my boyfriend there, but I’m not the only one who’s had success with its personality-driven matching. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg met his husband on Hinge, saying they felt fireworks on their first date. There are a lot of Hinge couples out there, and many of their love stories are rather touching.

Is Tinder Only a Hookup App?

No, Tinder is much more than just a hookup app. While the swiping system can encourage superficial and even flaky dating behavior, it can also help serious daters land awesome dates. Believe it or not, plenty of long-term relationships have started on Tinder.

If you need more convincing, you can hear it straight from the users themselves. In a survey of 300,000 singles on Tinder, over 80% of users said they’re looking for a long-term relationship on the app. Some wouldn’t say no to a hookup though.

A 25-year-old single named Dan said he’s up for anything. “Hookup, long-term relationship, short-term relationship,” he said. “As long as I have a good time. I don’t want to limit myself.” You do you, Dan.

How Can I Be Successful On Tinder?

If you want to be successful on Tinder, you’ve got to do the work. Whether you’re looking for a hookup or a relationship, your success in the online dating scene is entirely dependent on the effort you put into the search and the quality you bring to every match. Tinder’s match algorithm can’t deliver a hot date to your door. It’s on you to set up an attractive profile, send flirtatious messages, and attract attention from the types of singles you want to date.

Tinder encourages singles to explore the dating scene to the fullest.

Tinder is a competitive dating environment, so you’ll have to be proactive and responsive to capture dates here. If you treat online dating like a side hustle and put in the hours, you’re bound to develop a dating strategy that works for you.

I’ve known single guys and gals who use Tinder on a regular basis to pick up dates on the weekend, and I think the biggest key to success with Tinder is going into it with low expectations and low-ish standards because you can’t control the quality of people you meet in the swiping scene.

Do You Get More Matches With Tinder Gold?

Tinder Hookup Site

Tinder Gold perks include the ability to see who’s liked you, the ability to rewind your last swipe, up to five Super Likes a day, unlimited likes, one Boost per month, and the ability to swipe with people around the world. Plus, an ad-free experience. What more could you ask for? How about more matches in your inbox.

Well, unfortunately, all the perks in the world can’t make more people choose to swipe right on you. Paid subscribers enjoy more privileges on the dating app, and sometimes that yields good results. Tinder can highlight your profile, and you can Super Like people to up your odds of getting positive attention, but it’s never guaranteed that you’ll have more matches as a result.

Tinder Isn’t Your Only Alternative in the Dating Scene

Tinder is an undeniably impressive dating app. It sees over 2 billion views a day, and it leads to over 1.5 million dates per week. That doesn’t mean it’s working for everyone, though. If you’re interested in a particular type of date or you’re not into the swiping scene, then you’ll probably enjoy other dating apps more than Tinder.

We’ve listed several trustworthy alternatives to Tinder to help singles explore their options and get a feel for what’s out there. It’s free to sign up to any or all of these apps, and we recommend giving a few a try before settling on your favorite.

While Tinder may have the reputation, the stats, and the features on its side, it’s not the end-all be-all of online dating. You can meet your perfect match on one of many Tinder alternatives, so seek out dating sites and apps that cater more toward your interests. Happy swiping!

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