Dating apps have become an increasingly popular way to meet people both for dating and hookups.
There seems to be a ridiculous number of dating apps and websites available, making it hard to choose which one is right for you.
Today we will review the Bumble dating app, will find out how it works, and will compare it to Tinder.
First of all, if you are not familiar with Bumble it is a dating app similar to Tinder with the main difference being that on Bumble only women can initiate the conversation.
That’s one of the reasons why some people think that Bumble is a feminist app.
That’s also the reason why Bumble is quite popular among women who are tired of receiving thousands of generic messages from guys.
If you’re a guy, this might be a nice change, because you don’t have to send the first message.
How to Start Using Bumble?
The first step is linking your Facebook account, much like you would on Tinder. All your images are added through the app.
Bumble uses your age and photos but doesn’t share anything with Facebook.
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How to Make a Bumble Profile?
You set up a profile as you would on Tinder. This includes adding photos of yourself and a bio describing your hobbies and interests.
Other users decide whether they like or dislike you based on your profile.
Start Swiping
This part is also similar to Tinder. You’re presented with all the matches in your area that fit your criteria, and you have the option to like or pass on them.
If both of you “like” each other, you have a match.
Don’t Miss: Can Tinder be Used for Dating or Just Hooking up?
Are you just looking for friends on Bumble?
Bumble has a unique “BFF” feature for those who just want to make friends. Finding friends can be hard, especially if you just moved to a new location.
Bumble makes finding platonic connections easier.
Matches only last 24 hours
Unlike Tinder, the matches on Bumble only last 24 hours before disappearing.
If the woman doesn’t start a conversation before the time is up, you lose the match forever.
This encourages women to initiate the conversation more quickly.
If the woman doesn’t make a move, the guy has the option to extend his “like” for another 24 hours. He can only do this once a day.
This way you can let a girl know you’re super interested and really want to get to know her.
One problem with Bumble is that many women are too shy to send the first message and since guys are not allowed to initiate the conversation many matches simply expire.
That’s why if you are a woman you should act proactively and send messages to guys if you want to get any dates from Bumble.
Read more: 12 Reasons Why Your Matches Never Respond to You
Fewer Hookups On Bumble Than on Tinder
If you’re only looking for hookups, Tinder might be a better way to go.
Bumble is less of a hookup app than Tinder because the guys who wait for the girl to message first are probably interested in more than a one-night stand.
If you’re looking for a relationship as a guy and you’re tired of making the first move, Bumble might be a good option.
Read Next: Should I Try Online Dating? 8 Reasons to Give It a Try!
What Dating App Should You Join: Tinder vs. Bumble?
Tinder is a more well-known dating app and the number of users on Tinder is also much larger.
If you are new to online dating I would suggest starting with Tinder and then experimenting with Bumble.
How Does Tinder Work?
Tinder is a rather simple dating app that has inspired countless others—including Bumble.
Singles simply create a dating profile consisting of photos, information about themselves (name, age, location, etc.), and a short biography.
Tinder users can look through suggested profiles based on what they’re looking for and choose to swipe left for no or right for yes.
Costs & Upgrades for Tinder and Bumble
Both apps are free for standard usage but also have paid premium versions.
For Tinder, free usage limits users to 100 swipes at a time and one super like per day. You are then unable to swipe for 12 hours before it resets your swipe count.
The premium version of Tinder offers users unlimited swipes—so no more waiting—and four more additional super likes, plus the ability to change your location to increase your potential matches.
The pricing is set at $9.99 USD a month for users under 30 years of age and $19.99 USD a month for those who are 31 years and older.
Bumble’s free version does not have a limit on swipes or potential matches, which does give it a bit of an advantage over Tinder.
However, its paid premium—called “Bumble Boost” at $9.99 USD for all users—comes with the ability to “rematch” or reconnect with expired matches for an additional 24 hours.
There is also the “Busybee” feature, which extends the existing 24 hours, and the “BeeLine” option that allows you to see only users who’ve already liked your profile.
If you are serious about finding a girlfriend or boyfriend online and don’t mind paying a small fee, you might be better off with regular dating sites instead of spending money to upgrade your Tinder or Bumble account.
The Benefits of Tinder vs Bumble
Tinder is the most popular dating app in the US—which means it has a MASSIVE variety of users.
Many of its users are not necessarily looking for serious relationships and marriage so it works better for those who are looking for something more on the casual side.
Its popularity also means that its developers are able to spend the time and money to make sure that it’s staying up-to-date in performance and quality.
For Bumble, its biggest perk is that it’s a friendlier and less toxic environment for users.
Incidents of inappropriate behavior are easier to report and are handled quickly. It’s also viewed as a more “mature” environment.
The Downsides of Bumble and Tinder
Tinder has quickly become known as a hookup app.
It’s also prone to catfishing—fake accounts designed to scam or lure users—and inappropriate behavior by some singles.
The app also estimates that the majority of its users are located in urban areas, which can be problematic for someone not living in a major city.
For Bumble, it’s a much smaller pool of users, which means there’s less variety and it may be harder to match with someone.
Its female-centric setup can also be an issue for male users and make it even harder for them to match.
The 24-hour limit has proven to be one of the biggest complaints with users who are too busy to frequently check for messages or who feel like it’s too much pressure to message first.
Read next: 13 Ways to Tell If Someone is Real or Not on a Dating Site
