Tinder · Alternatives

Dating Sites and Apps Like Tinder to Try Instead

Tinder isn’t for everyone. Here are the best dating sites to try instead, depending on what you want.

By Swoonwise Editorial Team Updated November 1, 2026

When to look for a Tinder alternative

Tinder has the biggest pool in most places, so a lot of people add an app rather than replace it. The usual reasons to look at sites like Tinder are chats that go nowhere, too few people in your age group, or paying for Likes that lead nowhere. If you’re getting dates and enjoying it, stay.

If you want something serious

Hinge is the first app to try. You like a specific photo or prompt, so conversations have somewhere to start. See Tinder vs Hinge. If you’d like a site to do the matching for you, eHarmony is built on compatibility.

If you want another swipe app

Bumble is the closest match. Since August 2026 either person can send the first message, so it now works much like Tinder. See Tinder vs Bumble. Hily and happn are smaller, and happn shows you people you’ve crossed paths with.

If you want free dating apps like Tinder

Plenty of Fish lets you search and message for free. Facebook Dating has no paid plans at all; see Facebook Dating vs Tinder. Badoo has free browsing and nearby search; see Tinder vs Badoo. Our free dating sites ranking compares them all.

If you want a specific community

Grindr is built for gay and bisexual men, and HER for queer women. See Grindr vs Tinder. Chispa is for Latino singles.

If you’re over 50

Pew’s 2022 survey found that only 17% of online daters aged 50 to 64 had used Tinder. OurTime and Match have far more people your age, and our over-50 dating sites ranking has the full list.

Comparison table

Site	Rating	Best for	Free version	Paid from	Link
Hinge	4.5	Finding a relationship in your 20s and 30s	Yes	≈ $16.99 (US App Store)	Visit
Bumble	4.2	A big, well-moderated swipe app	Yes	≈ $2.99 for Boost (US App Store)	Visit
Badoo	3.7	Meeting people nearby on a budget	Yes	≈ $13.99/week for Premium (US)	Visit
Plenty of Fish	3.6	Free messaging and searching a big pool yourself	Yes	≈ $19.99 (US App Store)	Visit
Facebook Dating	3.7	Trying online dating without paying anything	Yes	No paid plans	Visit
eHarmony	4.4	Serious relationships and marriage	Limited	shown after you sign up	Visit
Match	4.2	Serious daters who like to search	Yes	≈ $19.99 (US App Store)	Visit
EliteSingles	3.5	Busy professionals who want something serious	Limited	≈ $64.99 for 1 month	Visit