Bumble vs Tinder: Which is Better for You?

bumble versus tinder

Bumble vs Tinder: Want to know which is better for you? Vanilla versus chocolate. Star Wars versus Star Trek. Dark meat versus white meat. Bumble vs Tinder.

When it comes to the great online dating app debate, are you more of a Bumble or Tinder person?

Bumble and Tinder are two of the arguably most popular dating apps. And although Tinder is the first dating app to make swiping right and left mainstream, Bumble has definitely made a major name for itself. But when it comes to finding romantic success via app, which is better for you?

In this article, I’ll provide you with everything you need to know when it comes to making an informed decision. But first, a bit more about Bumble and Tinder.

What is Bumble?

Bumble is a free dating app. If you want to download Bumble, all you need to do is go to the App store and download it to access it on your phone. You can swipe through different profiles to get matches and — once matched — you can start conversations with different singles.

One thing that sets Bumble apart from its competitors is that it takes on a “ladies first” approach. With Bumble, your female matches are required to make the first move. A woman must initiate a conversation via Bumble’s messaging system to allow the two of you to interact.

What is Tinder?

Like Bumble, Tinder is free and can be easily downloaded via the App store. It’s the first dating app that brought dating apps for heterosexual singles into the mainstream.

With Tinder, you simply swipe right on the profiles of singles you’re interested in or left if you’re not interested. When there’s a mutual right swipe, you or your match can choose to start a conversation via Tinder’s messaging system.

Hookups versus Relationship-oriented Singles

So when it comes to Bumble versus Tinder, which is better for you?

Well, in a way, it depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want a hookup or a casual dating partner? Or, are you a relationship-oriented person who wants to find a long term girlfriend?

If you just want something casual, Tinder may be the better bet. Although it is not explicitly geared toward noncommittal folks, Tinder has garnered a reputation as being more hookup-friendly than some of its competitors.

Bumble’s founder originally marketed Bumble as being a more female-friendly app that staves off creepers and offers women a higher quality selection of men. For that reason, you may be more likely to find other relationship-minded singles on Bumble.

Is Tinder All Sleaze?

No. If you’re a relationship-oriented person, you don’t necessarily need to scratch Tinder off your list of dating apps to use. But because Tinder is pretty much “anything goes” when it comes to who can create a profile and what people are looking for, there tends to be a higher percentage of sleaze. And for that reason, women may be a bit hesitant about the app.

However, if you’re looking for a relationship, you can actually use this to your advantage. When a woman is exhausted from swiping left on tons of creepy (albeit, hilarious) Tinder profiles, seeing a nice, normal guy is refreshing. This can actually set you apart more easily than apps like Bumble, where a high percentage of guys are of quality.

If you want to optimize your success and avoid unintentional sleaze, check out my article, 17 Tinder Profiles for Guys to Help You Look Less Sleazy.

Bumble vs Tinder: Breaking the Ice

As far as breaking the ice, the rules differ when it comes to Bumble and Tinder. In a way, a conversation can be much easier on Tinder.

If you’re a guy who is armed with great Tinder icebreakers, it can be easy to initiate conversation. Anyone can start a conversation once they match on Tinder, but women tend to prefer the man make the first move. And for that reason, I always suggest that you reach out to a woman with a great, witty opening line after matching with her on Tinder.

But with Bumble, women make the first move. Although this relieves a little pressure for guys, it can also make things a bit awkward.

Because women are not socialized to make the first move, they tend to have way less experience when it comes to a good dating approach. For this reason, you’ll often be left with a boring “Hi,” “Hey,” or “How are you?” as an opening message on Bumble. It can be hard to build rapport if you simply respond with an equally boring response. So what do you do?

How to Respond to a Woman’s First Message on Bumble

Remember that a lack of personality during an initial message doesn’t mean that the woman in question is actually boring; she simply hasn’t garnered the experience (and hasn’t been required to make certain efforts) that guys have.

If a woman sends something boring like “Hi,” you can challenge her playfully by saying something like “Try again ;)” or “You seem like way too much fun to start off a convo with little more than a ‘hello.’ Wanna give that opener another shot? ;)” When you’re playful â€” as opposed to sarcastic or pushy â€” it builds chemistry and encourages flirtation. Here’s an article for more great ideas on how to respond to a woman’s first message on Bumble.

Bumble versus Tinder: Expectations for Dates

Just as Bumble and Tinder have garnered slightly different reputations (Bumble is more relationship-oriented and Tinder is more hookup-oriented), the expectations for dates can be different. Women on Tinder may expect little more than an invitation to “hang out” or “grab a drink,” while women on Bumble have higher standards when it comes to the date invitation.

But here’s the thing. No matter what the expectation is, if you want to attract women and find a long-term compatible partner, your dating approach should be the same regardless of which app you’re using. How?

Hone in on Shared Interests

Whether you’re using Bumble or Tinder, make sure that you check out your matches’ profiles to figure out her interests. And if her profile is sparse, use the first few lines of conversation to figure out what she likes to do for fun and what you may have in common.

Once you’ve figured that out, you can knock her socks off with a wonderful date idea that uses a TDL.

What is a TDL?

A TDL is an acronym we here at EmLovz use to describe a date’s call-to-action.

It stands for time, date, and location.

When you ask a girl out, you want to have a clear schedule in mind in order to take the guesswork out of when, where and how. Women will appreciate your initiative and great planning. Moreover, the fact that you took time to create a specific date plan shows that you are considerate of her and have paid attention to her interests.

Craft a Compelling Date Idea

Craft your TDL around a compelling date idea. A compelling date idea is something that adheres to shared interests while also introducing someone to a new experience.

For example, let’s say that your date loves cats and coffee. Take her to a cat cafe and enjoy bonding over some cool, adoptable kitties.

Make Sure Your Online Dating Profile is Stellar

Whether you choose to use Bumble or Tinder, you need to make sure that your profile stands out. For all their pros, online dating apps tend to encourage a limited attention span. Women want to get in as many swipes as possible and don’t feel like ruminating over a single profile.

For that reason, make sure that your photos are on point. No, photos aren’t the only thing that matter when it comes to your profile on Bumble or Tinder, but they are the first thing a user sees. You want to knock it out of the park when it comes to your first impression, so make sure your photos are attractive, intriguing and current.

For in-depth tips on knocking it out of the part with the perfect pics, check out my article, Top 5 Online Dating Photo Tips for Men Who Want More Matches.

But you don’t want to stop at your photos. To optimize your online dating success, make sure you do the following:

  • Craft a compelling, concise bio that mentions your passions and nerdy interests; things that make you unique; positivity and humor. For some examples, check out my other article on the best Bumble bios for guys
  • Think about your preferred distance and increase that by 10-15 miles if you live in a city and 30-40 miles if you live in a county or rural environment. This will increase your number and quality of matches.
  • If you don’t have a preferred age range â€” or haven’t had a lot of experience dating women younger or older than you — get outside of your comfort zone by widening your age preferences on your profile. There can be a lot of benefits of dating both younger or older women, as well as those your age. Basically, keep your options open so you can get as many matches and enjoy as many informative dating experiences as possible.
  • Connect your Instagram and Spotify accounts to your profile. This gives women a broader picture of who you are and shows that you have nothing to hide

Bumble versus Tinder: Which is Better for You?

So now that you understand the differences between Bumble and Tinder, which is better for you? Which one should you choose?

Well, honestly, I recommend you download both apps to maximize your success. Even if you end up liking one more than the other, putting yourself out there in multiple ways gives you more opportunities to meet quality, attractive singles.

Along with Bumble and Tinder, consider downloading apps like Coffee Meets Bagel, Hinge, The Tonight Dating app and more.

But you should also look for love away from your smartphone screen. Want some ideas? Check out my article, What’s the Best Way to Meet Women in Real Life?

When you tackle the dating landscape from a variety of angles, it’s easier to date multiple people at the same time. And dating people concurrently is one of the best strategies when it comes to avoiding the friendzone and ultimately finding a long-term, compatible partner. This dating process is known as MegaDating.

Why is MegaDating Effective?

During my 100-date experiment, I used MegaDating as my main strategy. By the end of my experiment, I had increased my confidence and found lasting love with a compatible partner. Years later, we’re still going strong. MegaDating worked for me and it can work for you too!

So why is MegaDating effective? MegaDating allows you to see firsthand that there are plenty of fish in the sea. This encourages an abundance mindset, where the world is your oyster. When you MegaDate and see the dating landscape as one of abundance, you avoid settling for the mediocre and chasing after women who ultimately put you in the friendzone.

MegaDating also increases confidence and decreases anxiety. When you MegaDate, you’re constantly approaching women and practicing your dating approach. Because practice makes perfect, MegaDating allows you to become really good at asking women out and going on dates. And because you’ll be hanging out with multiple women at the same time the pain of things like rejection is lessened.

Ready to get started?

Turn Dating Stress Into Dating Success

Tired of the stress that comes with online dating and beyond? Want to stop stressing and start having fun? Are you ready to find a long-term relationship with the woman of your dreams?

If so, head over to my calendar and book a new client 1-on-1 Skype session with me today. During our session, we’ll discuss your questions related to dating apps, uncover any dating roadblocks you may have, create an action plan, and see if my 3 month coaching program could help you reach your goals.

I’ve spent years helping men all over the world find lasting love. I’d like to do the same for you.