Still the biggest name in dating — but is it still the best? We spent a month finding out.
Try Tinder Free →Tinder invented the swipe in 2012 and hasn't looked back. With over 75 million active users worldwide, it remains the most downloaded dating app on the planet. The concept is simple: swipe right if you're interested, left if you're not.
In recent years Tinder has significantly restricted its free tier, pushing users toward paid plans. This has caused some user frustration, but the sheer volume of people on the platform means it's still hard to ignore.
Tinder works best for people aged 18–30 who want a large pool of potential matches fast. It's great for casual dating, hookups, and meeting new people while traveling. If you're looking for a serious long-term relationship, Hinge or EliteSingles are better suited.
Tinder is still the king of volume, but quality has declined as its free tier shrunk. It remains a solid starting point — especially in cities — but serious daters will likely migrate to Hinge or Bumble after a few weeks. Worth downloading for free; think twice before paying for Gold.
The free version allows a limited number of daily likes. Tinder Plus (~5/mo) adds unlimited likes. Tinder Gold (~0/mo) lets you see who liked you. Tinder Platinum (~0/mo) adds priority messaging. Prices vary by age and location.