It’s fall 2022, your friends are all in relationships, you checked, and ‘yup’ your ex still left you on read. You feel like it might be time to do another deep dive into the dating pool (hopefully no one peed in it this time).
It’s time to download the apps…
Navigating dating apps in 2022 can feel like choosing an avocado at a grocery store- there are so many, and they all appear the same yet feel so different.
It’s easy to feel lost and confused, given all the different options.
You deserve to know what you’re getting into, so we narrowed it down for you! Here are our Top 3 dating app choices: Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge
#1. Tinder
Whether you’re looking for love or a quick ego boost while waiting in line at the grocery store, Tinder is the way to go. It’s the easiest to use and the most popular worldwide (dude-hack 2022).
Tinder believes that ‘anything can happen’ and they’re definitely not wrong. You could find your soulmate, or you could end up going on a date with an Italian guy who offers to pay for the meal, and then Venmo requests you in the parking lot (true story).
Pros
The possibilities (and swipes) are endless. It’s great for music festivals, meeting people abroad, or exploring the new city you just moved to. Plus, when you’re visiting your parents, it’s great for finding that guy you had a crush on in high school.
Cons
A lot of people use Tinder for hookups, so keep your expectations low. If they say they’re going to wine and dine you, don’t be surprised if that wine is from a box. Since ‘anything goes’ on Tinder, it never hurts to ask what your date’s intentions are.
Tinder doesn’t give you a lot of information about your date beside their name, age, and distance (emotional distance not included).
Sometimes, it feels too easy to get a match, which makes it less special.
It may not be perfect but it’s fun and easily accessible, and it can lead to a relationship- or at the very least- a funny story.
#2 Hinge
Hinge’s slogan is ‘designed to be deleted,’ It’s more relationship-oriented than Tinder. The Nobel Prize-winning algorithm is programmed to connect you with people who are your type (Hinge).
Pros
What’s cool about Hinge is that user profiles are highly detailed, including question prompts and voice recordings. A limited number of likes per day also forces you to be pickier than on Tinder.
Hinge dates can be fun- you could end up going to classy bars with a software engineer who gets you into his favorite EDM clubs for free.
Cons
The algorithm doesn’t always get it right. It can be surprising to see who’s listed as your ‘perfect match.’ Really? That guy in the beret?
Hinge also has a type. It’s known to have a more white-collar, college-educated demographic, (Vox 2015). Less variety than on Tinder.
From my experience, some of these dudes are super boring, even if they’re willing to buy fancy dinners and drinks. I once looked so bored on a hinge date that I received a ‘keep your head up’ text, afterward.
You’ll love Hinge if you like preppy guys and classy establishments, but if you’re looking for a rugged dude with dirt under his fingernails, you might want to stick to Tinder.
#3 Bumble
Bumble’s slogan is: make the first move, and it gives power to women to message first. For LQBTQ users, either can message, it’s up to them!
Pros
Bumble is full of young, attractive people, and it’s more selective. You can filter based on height, race, religion, and lifestyle preferences. It also has options for finding friends or professional networking with Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz.
Cons
Some people on Bumble are so good-looking that it’s intimidating, and sometimes making the first move is hard! We’ve all made fun of at least one bad pick-up line we’ve received, but it turns out pick-up lines aren’t that easy.
For whatever reason, getting ghosted by hot people is what my experience with Bumble has been. It’s also time-sensitive. Conversations fade after 24 hours if you haven’t responded.
Summary
Each of the dating apps is unique in its own way. With Tinder you never know what you’ll get, with Hinge they’ll probably be in real estate, and with Bumble…you’ll at least learn how to come up with better pickup lines.
Don’t worry about which app is the right one. Honestly, you’ll probably cross paths with some of the same people on all three platforms.
Just make sure to ask yourself who you are and what you’re looking for. Good luck and Happy swiping!
Let us know how you’d rank the apps in the comments below!