Known as a tool to find casual hookups, Tinder has a massive base of customers (75 million, in fact!) and comes with many useful features. From $7.99 per month, you can swipe through diverse profiles, video chat with matches, and find your perfect fit through in-app games.
But what if you don't find what you're looking for on Tinder? We rounded up apps like Tinder to help you find more of the singles you're looking for, better matches, and even a broader range of options for your next casual fling.
Let's dive in!
Our 5 Best Dating Apps and Sites Like Tinder:
- Zoosk - Best Tinder alternative overall
- eharmony - Best for finding highly compatible matches
- SilverSingles - Best for finding casual hookups after 50
- Match - Best matching algorithms
- BeNaughty - Best for finding adventurous singles
» Want even more choices? Check out our top picks for the best dating sites.
Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Alternatives to Tinder - Reviews:
1. Zoosk
Best for - Innovative features
Starting price - Free trial, membership from $8.33 per month
Zoosk takes the best aspects of Tinder and adds a social media twist, making it an excellent choice for casual flings. That means more opportunities to share information about yourself and what you're looking for. With over 40 million customers worldwide, Zoosk is used by singles for hookups, long-term relationships, and everything in between.
Beyond Zoosk's matching algorithm, it also incorporates elements of social media. You can create live streams, send virtual gifts, participate in virtual speed dating, and use traditional Tinder-style swiping.
The sign up process involves filling in basic details, and then a profile can be built in-depth for more serious matchmaking. Sign up is free and a free trial account allows you to browse and send likes, but there are no premium features available without a paid subscription.
What Makes Zoosk a Good Alternative to Tinder?
Zoosk offers a fresh take on dating compared to Tinder. It focuses on compatibility and even shows you shared social media interests. The standout feature is SmartPick, which learns your preferences as you interact with profiles, resulting in quicker and more accurate matches.
Pros:
- Behavioral matchmaking technology
- Ethnically diverse and LGBTQ-friendly
Cons:
- No video chatting option
- Less user-friendly than other dating apps
2. eharmony
Best for - Casual dating and long-term love
Starting price - Free, membership from $25.90 per month
Though eharmony is known for long-term relationships, it's also great for those wanting casual flings. You can even send icebreaker questions to other users or use "personality profiles" to get insight into others' characteristics. eharmony's matching algorithm uses a compatibility questionnaire to determine who you'd connect with best.
Unlike Tinder, eharmony takes a more scientific approach to matchmaking and it leverages patented algorithms that consider factors ranging from personality traits to daily living habits. This comprehensive approach enhances the chances of connecting compatible singles and cultivates potential for long-term relationships.
Our personal experience with eharmony further attests to its value. The ability to specify factors like faith and morals allowed us to seek matches on multiple levels - physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. This resulted in a holistic matching process, giving us a deep understanding of other members even before initiating conversation. This depth transcends the superficiality commonly found in modern dating apps.
What Makes eharmony a Good Alternative to Tinder?
eharmony is a terrific choice for people who prefer a more structured approach, offering a nice balance between Tinder's spontaneous swiping and a more in-depth matching process. Furthermore, eharmony's smaller user base allows you to gauge compatibility easily through its dedicated Compatibility section, simplifying connections with those seeking casual hookups.
Pros:
- Highly compatible matches
- Secure Video Date feature
Cons:
- Lengthy signup process
- No messaging on free plan
» Check out these Ashley Madison alternatives for flirty hookups.
3. SilverSingles
Best for - Dating over 50
Starting price - Free, subscription from $27.95 per month
Unlike Tinder, which tends to attract a younger demographic, SilverSingles is designed specifically for mature people wanting to build meaningful connections, either casual or long-term.
The app uses a personality test to match you based on compatibility, connecting you with people who are also looking for flings. If you're not adept at crafting dating profiles, the service also offers assistance for an additional fee, adding to its value.
Although you have limited control over who you can connect with, the curated nature of the matches provides a tailored experience, enhancing the likelihood of compatible connections.
Additionally, SilverSingles is a safe and secure platform for online dating, with a team of experts available to provide support and guidance throughout the process.
What Makes SilverSingles a Good Alternative to Tinder?
SilverSingles is a compelling alternative to Tinder for individuals aged 50 and above who may find it challenging to meet compatible partners. It caters to the unique needs of this demographic, while Tinder is geared toward a younger audience.
Pros:
- Unique matchmaking process
- Receive 3-7 matches daily
Cons:
- No video chatting option
- More expensive than its competitors
» Looking for more apps for mature dating? Check out our top picks for the best senior dating apps and sites for singles over 50.
4. Match
Best for - Intelligent matchmaking technology
Starting price - Free, subscription from $17.46 per month
With over 21 million subscribers, Match is a great alternative to Tinder. During signup, you're asked in-depth questions about yourself and what you're looking for. Match is a good option if you're ready to look for a serious relationship and settle down, which makes a little different from Tinder.
The entire signup process should take between 20-30 minutes; not a huge commitment in the grand scheme of things. You can also save your progress and continue later to make the process more palatable.
Match's search function lets you discover people with specific interests, making it easier to find a compatible partner for both long-term and casual relationships.
The app offers a variety of features like "Match Events" to help you meet other singles in person, and "Daily Matches", which serves up your most compatible potential partners once every day.
What Makes Match a Good Alternative to Tinder?
Match is special for its advanced matching algorithm that takes the pressure off you. Match is the perfect choice if you've outgrown Tinder but are not quite ready for SilverSingles. It's the sweet spot for those who still want to enjoy the dating scene without the overwhelming options.
Pros:
- Large, diverse user base
- Great for LGBTQ+ singles
Cons:
- Limited free plan
- Non-refundable subscription
» Find LGBTQ-friendly alternatives in our article about dating apps like Grindr for LGBTQ singles.
5. BeNaughty
Best for - Finding hookups near you
Starting price - From $1.00 per week
With a focus on casual hookups, BeNaughty is an exciting alternative to Tinder. The app is designed to connect people looking for new experiences.
BeNaughty comes with features like "Naughty Mode" which lets you view explicit photos and videos, as well as "FlirtCast," which lets you send a message to multiple people at once.
With a large and active subscriber base, BeNaughty offers a fun and stimulating way to connect with like-minded individuals who are open to exploring their sexuality in a safe and discreet environment.
What Makes BeNaughty a Good Alternative to Tinder?
BeNaughty isn't your run-of-the-mill dating app – it's a Tinder alternative that knows how to turn up the heat! Unlike Tinder, BeNaughty throws in some bonus goodies. You've got chat rooms, icebreakers, and forums, adding more flavor to your dating game.
Pros
- Fun and unique ways to initiate conversations
- Easy to filter potential matches
Cons
- Non-members have limited access
- Completing your profile is not mandatory
» You'll know if your hookup buddy is ready to be exclusive, thanks to these 10 signs your casual relationship is getting serious
Our Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Tinder Alternatives
We looked at over 25 online dating sites and apps to find the best alternatives to Tinder. We used our industry knowledge and did thorough research. We looked at several important features and examined what makes each alternative unique.
Evaluation Criteria:
Pricing: We checked the cost of each service, focusing on how affordable they are and the value they offer.
Free Version Quality: We looked at the free features each service offers and how useful they are.
Membership Base: We checked how many people are using each service to see how popular it is,
User Demographics: We looked at the ages of users to see who can benefit the most from each platform.
Communication Tools: We reviewed the various communication methods that each service provides.
Why Choose These Alternatives Over Tinder?
When it comes to dating apps for casual flings, Tinder is a fan favorite. However, it may not always tick all the boxes. Here are some reasons why these alternative apps like Tinder could be a better choice for you.
To Find Mature Singles
The majority of Tinder users are between the ages of 18 and 34, leaving limited options for the older crowd. That's where apps like OurTime and SilverSingles come in handy. Since they're specifically for people over 50, older users are more likely to find matches on these sites.
Better User Commitment
Choosing between paid and free dating sites may not make sense when you can just go with the free ones. After all, Tinder is free, and nearly every single is on it. However, apps that require you to pay for a membership draw the attention of people who are serious about finding a partner.
It's hard to find someone you really click with, even in casual situations. Someone who pays to use an app is probably less likely to ghost you and more likely to want to meet in person.
» Explore all you can do on dating apps without paying in our review of 10 things for free on a dating app.
Better Matching Algorithms
On Tinder, your ability to communicate with someone is based solely on whether you've each swiped right. This can lead to superficial or unsuitable connections.
Dating sites and apps like Match, Zoosk, and eharmony take the time to ask you questions about yourself and calculate your compatibility with other users based on their answers. These sites are more likely to help you find people you connect with on multiple levels and are not just match-based.
» Ready to take the plunge? Use these dating pickup lines to get the conversation started.
Bottom Line: The Best Alternatives to Tinder for Casual Flings
There are many popular dating platforms similar to Tinder to help you meet eligible singles. Being on multiple apps lets you cast a wider net and find exactly what you're looking for. Certain hookup apps have advantages over Tinder, such as serving specific demographics or being able to match you with people based on your personality.
Whatever app you're using, understand that it may take some time to form a connection, even if it's casual. The more effort you put into online dating, the more you'll get out of it.
» Looking for a long-term relationship? Try these alternatives to Bumble for meaningful connections.