The age old question, Bumble or Tinder.
Both apps are great tools for online dating and have their pros and cons.
In this guide, I will be shining a light upon the similarities and differences between them.
SIMILARITIES
Let’s take a look at the similarities between the two apps.
PICTURE BASED PROFILES
Pictures are the reason why someone swipes right or left.
Both apps feature profiles with a heavy focus on pictures.
It’s today’s version of hot or not
In fact many users don’t even look at the bios of individuals when they swipe right or left.
So it’s crucial that a profile has great pictures
If you don’t….
Well you aren’t going on many dates.
If you want to optimize your profile for matches, get my free tinder profile guide.
This guide will double your matches in 1 week
SPOTIFY SHOWCASE
Both apps allow for users to showcase up to 10 of their favorite artists.
Tinder also allows for users to be able to choose an anthem where as Bumble allows for a go to karaoke song.
Don’t completely write this section off though.
I’ve landed a few dates from matching with girls with similar music tastes.
And being able to play songs they like on guitar
Let’s say they came back to my place for a concert.
INSTAGRAM SHOWCASE
Both Tinder and Bumble allow for users to connect their Instagram accounts.
This allows users to have even more pictures on their profile.
Adding an Instagram also helps show that they are not a catfish.
Pro Tip: Don’t have any controversial pictures on your Instagram.
They are going to show on your profile
So a bad picture can lead to left swipes.
CREATING AN ACCOUNT
On both platforms, users can create an account with either a phone number or Facebook account.
I’d recommend using a phone number as it’s super easy to login with.
If you ever have to deal with a ban or want a 2nd account, you can go with the other option.
RIGHT VS. LEFT SWIPE
Both use a system where users swipe right and left on profiles.
If you like someone, swipe right if not, swipe left. Pretty straight forward
UNDO LAST LEFT SWIPE
Both have the options to undo an accidental left swipe.
On Bumble, users shake their phones or press a button.
On Tinder, you press a button.
Bumble used to have this as a free feature with the app, but took it away.
So now you have to upgrade your profile to undo an accidental left swipe.
SUPER LIKES & SWIPES
Tinder allows you to have one super like each day.
Whereas paid users can have up to 5.
On Bumble, you have to buy each Super Swipe.
Free users have no free superswipes.
BOOSTS
In both apps, new profiles tend to get a noob boost.
This allows for users to get more initial matches and for the apps to collect data on a profile.
Once a profile has been around for a while, users have the option to buy a one off boost.
With Tinder, paid users can get one free boost each month.
Which can come in handy if you need a lot of matches.
WORK & EDUCATION
Both also have users showcase where they went to school & where they currently work.
This is a minor part of a profile, but it does help show you are real.
And something that you can have in common with a potential match.
DISTANCE FILTERING
Both allow users to filter individual profiles based on the distance from a user.
This can be anywhere from 1 to 99 miles.
When you login, the apps set the distance at 50 miles.
This is a bit too far, but if you stay under 40, you should be good.
BIO
The last similarity between the apps is the bio.
This is the 2nd most important aspect of a profile.
This allows you to add more information that isn’t showcased in a profile.
It’s a great way to add your height, hobbies, and interests.
Having a great bio can be right swipe worthy if a girl thinks your pictures are average.
Click here if you want to learn how to write a tinder bio.
SEE WHO LIKES YOU
Both apps have extra paid features where you can see the users who have swiped right on you.
This can be great if you want to save time swiping.
All you need to do is swipe on the accounts that have already liked you.
And boom you get a new match.
On Bumble this is boost while on Tinder this is Gold.
DIFFERENCES
While there are a lot of similarities between the apps, there are quite a lot of differences.
VIEWING A PROFILE
When viewing a profile on Tinder, users either tap left or right to see the next or previous pictures.
On Bumble, users swipe up and down.
It can be confusing if switching back and forth between apps
It’s even caused me to superlike profiles.
PROFILE PROMPTS
To showcase even more information, Bumble allows users to fill out profile prompts. These prompts include questions like:
My dream dinner guest is…..
Beach or mountains…..
If you could teleport to anywhere this weekend it would be….
This feature is also on Tinder, but it shows up as a picture.
It’s better to have a high quality picture instead of this.
If you don’t have 9 pictures, add this to your profile.
AMOUNT OF PROFILE PICTURES
Tinder currently allows users to have 9 pictures while Bumble limits users to 6.
So if you have less pictures, your Bumble profile is going to be ok
Whereas your Tinder might be lacking.
VERIFICATION
Bumble has in place a verification system to stop catfishing.
To do this, a user must take a picture with a certain hand gesture.
Once authenticated, the profile gets a checkmark.
Tinder is currently developing a verification system.
It’s in a few countries so far
But it’s not live everywhere yet.
AMOUNT OF RIGHT SWIPES
Tinder currently limits users to 100 right swipes each day.
Bumble also limits it’s users, but doesn’t have a definite number.
In the past Bumble users could swipe right as much as possible, but they got rid of the feature.
TOP PICKS
Top Picks is a Tinder exclusive feature.
Tinder shows individuals a selection of top picks each day.
These show users who align your swiping habits.
Each user gets 1 free top pick per day, while paid users have the option to like more.
There are no features on Bumble like this.
MESSAGING
Tinder allows for the guy or girl to message first.
On Bumble, only girls can start the conversation.
If you need a message to open the conversation with on Tinder
They get responses and will get you one step closer to a date
EXPIRING MATCHES
Unlike Tinder, Bumble matches expire.
This happens when the girl doesn’t start the conversation within 24 hours of a match.
Or when the guy doesn’t respond to the first message within 24 hours.
After the initial 1st messages, the match will not expire.
EXTENDING MATCHES
If you like someone and want to have an extra 24 hours, you can extend the match.
Each user has 1 available to use daily. Paid users have unlimited extends.
So it’s not the end of the world if you forget to send a message if you’re busy.
REMATCH
If your match expires, you also have the option to rematch.
It’s another paid only feature that revives the match/conversation.
MORE PROFILE INFORMATION
Bumble allows users to add more information to their profile.
The full list is below:
- Height
- Exercise
- Education Level
- Drinking
- Smoking
- Pets
- Looking For
- Kids
- Star Sign
- Politics
- Religion
On Tinder, you can add this info to your bio.
But it might come off as spammy.
FILTERS
On Bumble, you can filter potential matches based on their profile information.
This is a great way to cut out individuals if they don’t fit into your type.
Tinder has no filtering system (Except for the basic distance & age)
AMOUNT OF USERS
Tinder vastly outnumbers the amount of users Bumble has.
While Bumble continues to increase its market share, Tinder is currently king.
Tinder has approximately double the amount of users as Tinder.
DEMOGRAPHICS OF USERS
Bumble has a much higher percentage of girls on the platform(46%) compared to Tinder(38%).
While they are still the minority, it’s much closer to 50-50.
Guys are always going to outnumber girls on dating apps.
CULTURE
There is currently a belief that Tinder is more of a hookup app while Bumble is more of a relationship app.
While this is true, users can date or hookup on both apps.
You can find relationships and hookups on both apps.
They aren’t exclusive.
If you are looking for more of a relationship, checkout Hinge.
You can read my comparison of Hinge Vs Tinder here.
PASSPORT
This is a paid Tinder exclusive feature.
Passport allows users to swipe in other locations.
This is perfect for someone who is going on vacation to get matches before they arrive.
You can get matches and set up dates from another country or state.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you are getting into online dating, I would recommend that you download both apps.
Some users are only on one app, so having a profile on both will lead to more opportunities.
Don’t limit yourself to one platform.
If you need any help, join the Pickup Pros Facebook group.
A member will assist you.
