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Monday, July 15th
2024 Dating Site Reviews
Tinder
- In business more than 10 years
- Free version with limited features
- 1, 6, and 12-month subscription options
- Prices range from $17.99/month to $35.99/month
Tinder was started in 2012 as a different way to find a match. From the beginning there was a desire to gamify online dating. Rather than taking the time to read through profiles, the point is to decide if you want to get to know a person based on not much more information about them than their looks. You swipe right if you are interested and swipe left if you're not.
Reputation for short-term relationships
If you're looking for a serious relationship, Tinder may not be the site for you. While there are apparently plenty of people that have met their soulmate via the service, there are quite a few people on there just looking for a quick hook-up. While the site says you can add passions to your profile to help you connect with people that share the same interests, other reviews talk about how that's not really a thing.
Lots of users - for better or worse
One plus is that there are lots of users, so your likelihood of finding someone nearby is higher. However, you may have to wade through a number of fake profiles and those wanting something more - or less - than you're looking for in order to find them. They do have a video date feature that lets you meet online before you take the step to meet in person.
Three different membership plans available
The free version of Tinder lets you match, chat, and meet - and that's about it. To do pretty much anything else you'll need to buy into one of their subscription tiers. There are three options for that: Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum. Each one increases the features you get.
- Tinder Plus lets you remove ads, gives you unlimited likes and rewinds, and lets you meet up with others from a different location if you're on vacation. The cost for Tinder Plus is $17.99/month, $9/month for 6 months, and $6/month for 12 months.
- Move up to Gold and you'll also get 5 super likes/week, 1 free boost/month, see who likes you, and new top picks daily. The cost for Gold membership is $26.99/month, $13.50/month for 6 months, and $9/month for 12 months.
- Platinum gives you the ability to message before matching, get prioritized likes, and see the likes you've sent in the previous 7 days. The cost for Platinum membership is $35.99/month, $18/month for 6 months, and $11.25/month for 12 months.
With any plan you can also buy boosts in increments of 1 for $6.99, 5 for $6.30 per credit, and 10 for $5.40 per credit. These will allow you to be one of the top profiles in your area for 30 minutes.
Not the best reputation we found
Tinder doesn't have the best reputation. Most of the complaints we came across - and there were quite a few - had to do with the vast amounts of fake profiles and customers being randomly booted from their accounts for seemingly no reason. There was no way to appeal either. Not only are people frustrated at being kicked off the platform, but they obviously don't get any money left on their subscription refunded either.
Lots of complaints from customers
Tinder wasn't one of our favorites due to their higher than usual complaint rate and the fact that you're matching based only on looks. While it does take time to read through someone's profile, it also takes time to start up a conversation with a person only to find out you have nothing in common and/or a number of deal breakers, sending you right back to swiping and having it happen all over again. For quick one-night connections, Tinder works - but use a different dating site if you want more than that.
More Dating Site Reviews
The 13 Best Dating Sites
Match
Coffee Meets Bagel
Plenty of Fish
E Harmony
OkCupid
It's Just Lunch
Chemistry
Elite Singles
Friend Finder
Hinge
Tinder
Bumble
What is the Best Online Dating Site?
If you're interested in online dating, you're not alone. Online dating is getting more and more popular as time goes by. In a recent survey it was found that 39% of heterosexual couples first met their spouse online. That's a 17% increase from what the numbers were in 2009. For good or bad, online dating is a common and oft-used way to meet new people.
For better or worse, the days of randomly meeting someone and falling in love at a party, in a bar, or at the supermarket are going by the wayside. Many people find that meeting someone online gives them more control over who they meet as well as an overall safer experience. After all, if you meet online you can actually do some research on a potential date before ever meeting up with them in person.
Continue reading below
Dating Site FAQ
Dating can be a struggle sometimes, thank goodness for online dating! Here's a few tips that experts recommend boosting your online dating experience. After selecting a dating site, take time to create a quality profile for yourself. When creating your profile be honest, pick a photo that puts your best impression of yourself and who you are, make sure to include information that makes you stand out. Also, don't reveal any personal information that you would not want to share with a stranger. When it comes to first meeting or chatting with someone, be open minded and keep conversations short but not generic. Saying "Hi, what's up?" is generic. Instead, try saying: "Hey (insert name here), how are you today?" Having a non-generic approach is more likely to grab their attention.
Yes! But, when it comes to online dating, there are precautions you should take. Never give out your personal information, like phone number, snapchat, email, and online media profiles until you really know the person. Do your research before any potential dates. Video chat or talk on the phone before meeting in person. Once you're ready to meet in-person choose a public space, drive yourself, carry pepper spray, and stay sober.
Everyone is different, so this will be your own best judgement. If you feel comfortable, and know that the person's intentions are similar to yours, then it's the right time to cautiously meet in person. If you aren't sure, try video chatting before meeting to help ease your nerves. Please keep in mind, it may take others longer to feel comfortable.
Communication comes in various methods depending on the site you choose. Some sites have safe and secure messaging options with the ability to send pictures or video chat. We recommend using secure communication methods before giving out your personal information to a potential date.
On average, a person has an online dating profile for 2 to 4 months. However, you can start sending messages and communicate right away. Of coiurse, everyone's experience is different. Some may find their match quickly, while others may keep looking longer.
Online dating typically costs $24 to $60 per month with a monthly subscription. For a lower price, some sites offer bundle purchase contracts for a period of time that reduces the per month price.
You can discontinue your service at any time. When you cancel your membership make sure that your payment method has been removed and your profile has been deleted. Some companies offer a trial period to try out the service before making any commitment.
Most online dating sites allow great customizable search options. Typically, you can filter your search from preferences that can include: age, level of education, height, body type, religion, political views, activity level, location, do they drink, do they smoke, intentions, star signs and more. Make sure to look at the details before choosing a dating site.
Continued from above...
Some online dating services have been around for almost 30 years, while others are still fairly new. With so many options out there - and as many price ranges to go with them - it can be daunting to try and figure out which one is the best fit for your personality and budget. There are a number of features that you should consider as you compare:
- Relationship. What is it you are looking for in a match? Do you want a long-term relationship? A casual affair? A friendship? Some sites cater more toward one than another.
- Safety features. What does the site have in place to keep you safe? Do they use anonymous email communication? Do you ever see full names of matches before you are ready to disclose that yourself? Does the site offer sound advice on how to keep yourself safe from predators? Never give out private information that could be used to search you up outside of the site.
- Profile information. There needs to be a good balance of not taking weeks to set up, but also giving enough choices that you feel like someone gets a good feel for you - and you for them. Or do you prefer to go 100% on physical attraction and your gut feeling about a picture? There are options for all kinds.
- Cost. What is your budget? Some sites are very affordable while others can cost thousands by the time you're done. Also make sure to note how the payments are collected. Do they auto renew? If you're doing more than a month, is the full amount for the time period due at once?
- Platform. Most have web versions as well as an app that you can use, but there are a couple that only have an app. One popular online dating site has neither, relying on live interaction.
- Support. How much does customer service matter to you? Do you feel you're likely to need it? If so, what is the company's reputation for being easy to work with?
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and rated the best online dating services available today. We hope this information puts you on the right path to finding the relationship you are looking for!
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