Best for: A big, well-moderated swipe app
- Big pool, with 100M+ Google Play downloads
- Photo verification required in the US
- Free in-app voice and video calls
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $2.99 for Boost (US App Store)
Comparison
Facebook Dating vs Tinder: Which Is Better? (2026)
Facebook Dating is completely free and lives inside the Facebook app; Tinder is a dedicated dating app with a bigger young crowd and optional paid tiers.
Quick verdict
It depends on what you want. Choose Facebook Dating if you never want to pay and already use Facebook. Choose Tinder if you want a busier, dating-only app with more features.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Facebook Dating | Tinder |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 3.7 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Best for | Trying online dating without paying anything | Meeting lots of people fast |
| Audience | 18+, broad ages; uses your Facebook account | 18+, mostly under 35, large user base in most cities |
| Typical goal | Dating and relationships | Casual dating to open-ended relationships |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| Paid from | No paid plans | ≈ $9.99 (US App Store) |
| Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web |
| Paid plans | None | Plus, Gold, Platinum |
| Account needed | Facebook account | Phone number or email |
| Unique feature | Secret Crush with friends | Passport to swipe elsewhere (paid) |
Scores
Facebook Dating
- Match quality
- 3.8
- Features
- 3.5
- Value for money
- 4.8
- Safety
- 3.6
- Ease of use
- 3.9
Tinder
- Match quality
- 3.6
- Features
- 4.3
- Value for money
- 3.6
- Safety
- 3.9
- Ease of use
- 4.8
Facebook Dating: pros and cons
Pros
- Completely free
- Huge potential audience
- Profiles separate from your main Facebook
- Secret Crush
Cons
- Requires a Facebook account
- Fewer features than dedicated apps
- Mixed activity by area
- Privacy concerns for some
Read our full Facebook Dating review →
Tinder: pros and cons
Pros
- Huge, active user base almost everywhere
- Free version lets you match and chat
- Very fast and easy to use
- Photo verification and safety tools
Cons
- Profiles are often thin — matching is photo-led
- Many users want something casual
- Best features sit behind pricey tiers
- Pricing can vary by age and location
Pricing compared
Facebook Dating has no paid plans; Tinder paid plans start at ≈ $9.99 (US App Store). Prices vary by country and plan length — see Facebook Dating pricing and Tinder pricing.
Neither feels right? Consider these
Best for: Finding a relationship in your 20s and 30s
- Detailed, conversation-friendly profiles
- Strong focus on real relationships
- Free version is usable, with free faith and ethnicity filters
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $16.99 (US App Store)
Frequently asked questions
Is Facebook Dating better than Tinder?
It is better value — it is free — but Tinder is busier, especially among under-30s.
Will my friends see me on Facebook Dating?
No, unless you both add each other as a Secret Crush.