Every major Tinder alternative has a free version, so start free: Hinge for relationship-minded dating, Bumble for a large swipe app run by a different company, and OkCupid for detailed profiles. Match and eharmony suit people who want a paid service built around serious relationships. Free in-person events and clubs avoid fake profiles entirely.
Tinder still has the biggest pool in most cities, with 8.5 million paying users in mid-2026, but its paying base is shrinking. Common complaints are fake profiles and scammers, paid features that do not lead to more matches, unexplained bans and prices that vary from person to person.
We compared six dating apps a Tinder user would consider, on the lowest paid plan shown in the US App Store, what the free version does, who owns the app and its App Store rating, all checked October 2026. Dating apps do not publish fixed price lists, so the price in your app may differ.
Note that Hinge, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish and Match are owned by Match Group, the same company as Tinder.
Free ways to meet people
You do not have to pay to leave Tinder. Hinge, Bumble, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish and Match all let you create a profile and message matches for free, with limits. Try two free apps at once before paying for any of them.
Offline options cost little or nothing and avoid fake profiles entirely: run clubs, classes, volunteer groups, community events and singles events. Match runs in-person singles events, and Tinder itself now hosts events in some cities.
Why people look for Tinder alternatives
- Fake profiles and bots. No app is free of them. Use apps with photo or selfie verification, video chat before meeting, and never send money, per the FTC.
- Paid features that don’t lead to more matches. Stay on free plans until an app works for you. Hinge, Bumble and OkCupid all let you match and message free.
- Bans with little explanation. A Tinder ban can extend to other Match Group apps. Bumble and eharmony are run by other companies.
- High or uneven prices. Tinder sets prices by region, plan length, past purchases and account activity. OkCupid’s paid plan starts at $7.99 in the App Store and Bumble Boost at $2.99.
- Glitches and lost matches. Keep conversations you care about moving to a phone number or another channel once you trust the person.
How to choose a Tinder alternative
- Decide what you want. Casual dating points to Bumble or Plenty of Fish; a relationship points to Hinge, Match or eharmony.
- Check the pool where you live. Use the free version for a week and see how many active profiles appear.
- Look for verification. Selfie and photo checks cut down on fake profiles.
- Compare the renewal price, not the intro price. Discounted subscriptions on most apps renew at full price.
- Know the owner. If you were banned from Tinder, a Match Group app may block you too.
Staying safe on any dating app
- Video chat before you meet, and meet in a public place.
- Tell a friend where you are going.
- Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you met online. Report anyone who asks.
- Be wary of matches who quickly ask to move to another app or talk about investments.
How to cancel Tinder
Deleting the app or your profile does not cancel a subscription. Cancel where you paid:
- iPhone (Apple): Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Tinder, Cancel Subscription.
- Android (Google Play): Play Store, Payments and subscriptions, Subscriptions, Tinder, Cancel.
- Card on tinder.com: sign in, open your Account settings and manage your payment account.
Purchases are generally non-refundable, but residents of 12 states, including California and New York, can cancel for a refund before midnight of the third business day after subscribing. Apple handles refunds for Apple purchases.
Terms to know
- Swipe app
- A dating app where you like or pass on profiles one at a time, usually by swiping.
- Boost
- A paid feature that shows your profile to more people for a short time.
- Verification
- A photo or video selfie check that confirms you match your profile pictures.
- Romance scam
- A fraud where someone fakes a relationship online to ask for money.
- Auto-renewal
- A subscription that renews at full price until you cancel it.
