7 BEST DATING APPS LIKE TINDER YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT


The ridiculously popular dating app Tinder has dominated the dating scene for quite some time now. The main reason for this is the uber easy and straightforward profile setup (you don’t have to agonize over a profile for a long period of time) and the way it’s used is pretty simple: swipe right for a like, swipe left for a dislike. The simple user interface and even easier way of using it made sure that Tinder has an insane number of users (over 50 million active ones). However, it’s been known for some time now that Tinder will start a paid subscription plan with Tinder Plus.

What are the new features of Tinder Plus? Well, it will expand your dating radius with its Passport feature so you don’t get limited by the area you live in and give you the Undo option on your swipes in case you change your mind. But let’s not focus on the new features of Tinder Plus, instead we will focus on the large number of pissed off users who either don’t want to pay for a subscription or are even more enraged by the supposed limitation of the number of swipes you will have available.

A lot of hardcore Tinder users are protesting these changes but it seems that it means little to the owners and developers as testing of Tinder Plus has been going on in some parts of Europe and payment plans have been disclosed. Users under 30 years of age will have to pay $9.99 and ones over 30 will have to pay $19.99. In the light of this new Tinder business strategy, we have decided to show you some alternative dating services, some of which have been on available for a long time and other, newer ones.

Skout

Skout

Skout has a good user interface

Although not particularly new, Skout is a very popular dating app. Skout Inc. was founded in 2007 and their dating app was one of the first dating apps available on the market. The philosophy behind Skout’s services is one of interconnecting people with similar interests, whether you are looking for someone to date or just friends to hang out with. But let’s face it, you aren’t going to use this app to look for a drinking buddy, you’re going straight for the matchmaking features. Available in over 100 countries, this app uses your location to find people who might interest you in your area, a method similar to most dating apps although it doesn’t show your precise location so you can protect your privacy. One important difference with Skout is the option of having two distinct communities for teens and adults in order to make the entire process safer. This app is available on Android and iOS devices and is free, but there are ways to spend money on it through in-app purchases. That’s right, Skout uses the freemium model of generating revenue. Spending money on this app can remove annoying ads and give you some other features like finding out who has been checking you out and sending virtual gifts. With it’s straightforward user interface and simple setup, checking this social networking/dating app out could be worth it. [via]

Skout is especially good if you’re looking for more of a relationship. Tinder has a reputation as being one of the best hookup apps out there but it’s been morphing into more of a general dating app lately. If you’re looking for a long-term relationship Tinder is becoming a legitimate option but Skout is even better than that.

Pros

  • Large number of users
  • Offers two distinct communities
  • Social networking/dating app

Cons

  • Annoying ad banners
  • Freemium business model
  • Occasional crash bug

Luxy

Luxy

Luxy is used in more or less the same way as Tinder

If a huge wad of cash, an expensive car and a luxurious apartment, for some unimaginable reason, aren’t getting you any action then you should turn to the services which Luxy offers. Luxy is a dating app designed for people with huge wads of cash, expensive cars and luxurious apartments and for them alone. If you don’t have a ridiculous amount of money in your pocket then you are not a welcome user. The idea behind Luxy is to provide matchmaking services to users who are CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors, millionaires, beauty queens, fitness models, Hollywood celebrities, pro athletes, doctors, lawyers etc. The setup of your profile is pretty simple and the way it’s used even more. Basically, Luxy is Tinder for obscenely rich people. Your profile setup starts with choosing five out of 100 luxury brands so you can connect with people with samilar interests. Luxy also incorporates the swiping gestures of Tinder when deciding if you like or dislike someone (left swipe for dislike, right swipe for like). If you are scheming in order to get on Luxy by making yourself look rich with your mad Photoshop skills, save yourself the trouble. There is a little thing called income verification which makes you provide a tax return or bank statement showing how much money you have, although there have been interesting attempts at using Luxy before this feature. The average income of a male user is estimated at $200.000. It even has its own version of Tinder’s “Moments” called “Luxury Moments” where you can show off your luxurious lifestyle. So, if you are looking to find someone in your high social class then go for Luxy, it has just the right kind of people for you. [via]

Pros

  • Meet people from the same high social class
  • Simple user interface

Cons

  • You can’t use it if you have low income
  • Elitist

Grouper

Grouper

Grouper’s concierge takes care of the organization, all you have to is get your wingmen

This app aims at making awkward texting and one-on-one meetings a thing of the past. In order to use Grouper you will need an iOS device, Android users currently can’t use this app. The idea behind Grouper is to match groups of 3 people for a night of fun. Basically a blind group date. You don’t have to look for a place or set the time of your Grouper as this app acts as concierge by doing all the work for you. In fact, there is no software or algorithm used for this app, an actual person sets up the details. The trick is that this organization does not come for free; each party member has to pay $20 for the service although the first round of drinks is on Grouper. So why would you use this app? Well, it started off slow but more and more people are starting to use it. And the idea behind it isn’t that bad actually. There are lots of people who find it awkward to go on blind dates or just text a complete stranger, so the idea of having your buddies act as wingmen is pretty decent. At first, this service was only available in New York City but has expanded to over 20 cities since its launch which is a testament to how popular and useful this app actually is. [via]

Pros

  • Group gatherings
  • Grouper takes care of the organization

Cons

  • Not available for Android devices
  • $20 fee per each group member

Match.com

Match.com

After two decades, Match.com is still one of the best dating services

If you aren’t into checking out new apps and experimenting with them, then go for a dating service which has been operational for a longer period of time like Match.com. With 20 years of experience in matchmaking, this dating service might be your safest bet. Why is that? Well, because of the 20 year long experience Match.com has a serious edge over their competitors. Their algorithm will make sure that you are matched with people that meet your standards. Although their service isn’t reminiscent of a game, like Tinder’s is, you will be able to meet interesting people in a short amount of time. In order to keep up with the rest of the market, Match.com has apps through which you can use their service, available for Android and iOS users. Your profile may include up to 26 photos along with your preferences regarding the people you would like to meet. What else is there to be said about this well known dating service? The expression: oldie but goodie has never been more true as 20 years in this line of work isn’t something you should neglect when looking for a new dating service. [via]

Pros

  • Years of experience in matchmaking
  • Guaranteed to match you with a suitable person

Cons

  • Setup takes longer than most dating apps
  • Essentially free, but the best features are available after subscribing

eHarmony

eHarmony

Some of many questions you will have to answer as you set up your profile

Here is another dating service you probably heard of and might have even tried. For good reason, as it is one of the top dating services in the world. eHarmony focuses on finding you a compatible partner with a long-term relationship in mind so don’t look for hook-ups here, fellas, only meaningful relationships. How does eHarmony manage to match people for long-term relationships? Well, they rely on a different system of operating than most other dating app/services use. Instead of matching people based on likes/dislikes and hobbies, eHarmony relies on a compatibility system which makes a match for you based on your core traits and vital attributes. If you think that this method is rubbish, the numbers don’t lie as eHarmony is responsible for 4% of new marriages in the US. Guys looking to settle down will appreciate what eHarmony has to offer, and with their featured apps, finding a match will be even easier. eHarmony has decided to show Windows Phone users some love as their app is available for them too. [via]

Pros

  • Available for Windows Phone
  • Encourages the search for long-term relationships

Cons

  • Longer profile setup
  • Services are not free

Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel co-founders

The co-founders of Coffee Meets Bagel: Soo, Arum and Dawoon Kang

Available for three years now, Coffee Meets Bagel is a free dating app which has a different take on the whole matchmaking process. This app, like many others, uses your Facebook info and connections to set up your profile. This means that the setup is quite easy and takes almost to time at all. Their different take on matchmaking comes from their limited matchmaking system: you are exposed to one match a day. After the match is made, you have 24 hours to show your interest. Of course, you can only contact the people which have liked you back. This gives the app a slow paced way of using it, unlike most dating apps today. Unfortunately, there is no version of the app available for Android users as it is currently only available for iOS. Some people might be disappointed in the whole “one match per day” system, especially the ones who are in this kind of thing solely for the hook-ups. For others, it might be the limited Facebook contact pool, especially if you have already tapped it out. Nevertheless, this app is quite popular and there is a good chance you might find someone of interest here. [via]

Pros

  • Simple setup
  • Free
  • Slow paced

Cons

  • Not available for Android
  • Limited matchmaking
  • Limited pool of matches

OkCupid

OkCupid

OkCupid is one of the more widely used dating services available

Another dating service which has been available for over 10 years, OKCupid features a slightly different approach to their matchmaking. This service features member-created quizzes and multiple choice questions and checks your activity for matchmaking. When answering a question, you indicate your answer, the answer you would accept from a potential partner and the level of importance to the question.  This data is later used to set you up with someone. OKCupid also supports different modes of communication; private messages or their chat function. Although essentially free, this app does offer certain benefits if you become an A-list user. You will have the ads removed from this app and will have additional filtering options in order to set your preferences more precisely. You also get placed in the A-List section of matches in search results and gain the option of visiting other people’s profiles and choosing whether or not your browsing will be open to them. In case you get high ratings on OKCupid, you will be notified that you are in the top half of the most attractive users and will be matched with the people from that group. Available for both Android and iOS users, check out OKCupid in case you’re tired of the ol’ swipe to like/dislike. [via]

Pros

  • Free
  • Easy and fun to use

Cons

  • Since it is essentially free, insincere profiles tend to pop up
  • The favoring of attractive people has met some criticism

Doulike

DoULike is a dating up that prioritizes love—tired of the casual hookups and far-off love? Well, this app has all you need to find a severe date within your vicinity. The app allows you to find the best matches in your area. It has people of all ages from the 20s to 40s. The app has a sophisticated logarithm, so its users trust it. 

The app focuses more on serious dating, and hence women are very much comfortable making the first move. What’s more? The app is not only limited to finding you the best match, but it also guides you through its dating and relationship tips. It has dedicated a whole section for the blogs related to every gender and age dating issue. The dating site DoULike has helped many people find their true love, and today many of them are married. The dating website provides the testimonies of all of its successful users. This app is free and available for Android and iOS. However, you can make in-app purchases to purchase additional features.

BONUS

Flingster

From adult dating to free sex chats, Flingster’s got you covered. You don’t even have to register before starting a random chat, although registering will give you access to a few additional features. Unlike most dating sites, you can interact with total anonymity – Flingster even provides all kinds of fun masks to protect your identity.
If you’re feeling shy, you can choose to talk via mic or text instead of video chatting. You can filter by location and gender (everyone’s welcome!), so you can get straight to the good stuff. Flingster makes it both easy and safe to meet people from around the world.

Pros
  • There are so many users that you are bound to meet up with someone you vibe with.
  • Can enter free chat rooms anonymously
  • All connections are looking for steamy chat
Cons
  • No email verification so there could be some fake users on the system

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