Known as a tool to find casual hookups, Tinder has a massive base of customers (75 million, in fact!) and comes with many useful features. From $7.99 per month, you can swipe through diverse profiles, video chat with matches, and find your perfect fit through in-app games. You can even select your own Tinder anthem!
But what if you don't find what you're looking for on Tinder? We rounded up alternatives to the swiping app to help you find more of the singles you're looking for, better matches, and even a broader range of options for your next casual fling.
Let's dive in!
A Quick Look at the Best Alternatives to Tinder:
- Match - Best matching algorithms
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BeNaughty - Best for finding adventurous singles
- Zoosk - Best for fun and innovative features
- SilverSingles - Best for finding casual hookups after 50
- eharmony - Best for finding highly compatible matches
» Want even more choices? Check out our top picks for the best dating apps and sites.
Our Top Picks for the Best Alternatives to Tinder for Casual Flings
1. Match
A tried-and-true dating site with a diverse user base
Best for: Intelligent matchmaking technology
Starting price: Free, subscription from $17.46 per month
With over 21 million subscribers and many positive reviews, Match is a great alternative to Tinder for casual flings or hookups.
During signup, you're asked in-depth questions about yourself and what you're looking for. This ensures you can find someone who shares your values. Match's search function lets you discover people with specific interests, making it easier to find a compatible partner for both long-term and casual relationships.
The app offers a variety of features like "Match Events" to help you meet other singles in person, and "Daily Matches", which serves up your most compatible potential partners once every day. Overall, If you're into the idea of Tinder but want a more personalized touch, Match.com could be exactly what you're looking for.
Pros:
- Large, diverse user base
- Great for LGBTQ+ singles
Cons:
- Limited free plan
- Non-refundable subscription
» Find LGBTQ-friendly alternatives in our article about dating apps like Grindr for LGBTQ singles.
2. BeNaughty
Adventurous dating for the open-minded
Best for: Finding hookups near you
Starting price: $1.00 per week
With a focus on casual hookups, BeNaughty is an exciting alternative to Tinder. The app is designed to connect people looking for new experiences. It focuses on finding you nearby matches who you find physically attractive, rather than a long-term partner.
BeNaughty comes with features like "Naughty Mode" which lets you view explicit photos and videos, as well as "FlirtCast", which lets you send a message to multiple people at once. With a large and active subscriber base, BeNaughty offers a fun and stimulating way to connect with like-minded individuals who're open to exploring their sexuality in a safe and discreet environment.
Pros:
- Fun and unique ways to initiate conversations
- Easy to filter potential matches
Cons:
- Non-members have limited access
- Completing your profile is not mandatory
» You'll know if your hookup buddy is ready to be exclusive, thanks to these 10 signs your casual relationship is getting serious
3. Zoosk
A fun, interactive dating app with games and varied types of messaging
Best for: Innovative features
Starting price: Free trial, membership from $8.33 per month
Zoosk takes the best aspects of Tinder and adds a social media twist, making it an excellent choice for casual flings. With over 40 million customers worldwide, Zoosk is used by singles for hookups, long-term relationships, and everything in between.
Zoosk's matching algorithm takes a more detailed approach to finding compatible partners, based on your interests and behavior on the app. Zoosk also incorporates elements of social media. That means more opportunities to share information about yourself and what you're looking for in a partner. You can create live streams, send virtual gifts, participate in virtual speed dating, and use traditional Tinder-style swiping.
Pros:
- Behavioral matchmaking technology
- Ethnically diverse and LGBTQ-friendly
Cons:
- No video chatting option
- Less user-friendly than other dating apps
» Learn more: See how Zoosk compares to EliteSingles
4. SilverSingles
A no-frills dating site to help over-50s find casual relationships
Best for: Dating over 50
Starting price: Free, subscription from $27.95 per month
Unlike Tinder, which tends to attract a younger demographic, SilverSingles is designed specifically for mature people wanting to build meaningful connections, either casual or long-term. The app uses a personality test to match you based on your compatibility and common interests, ensuring you're connecting with people who share your values and relationship goals.
Additionally, SilverSingles is a safe and secure platform for online dating, with a team of experts available to provide support and guidance through the process. And while it may seem more geared toward serious relationships, with 25,000 new singles every month, you can easily find casual relationships too.
Pros:
- Unique matchmaking process
- Receive 3-7 matches daily
Cons:
- No video chatting option
- More expensive than its competitors
» Looking for more apps for mature dating? Check out our top picks for the best senior dating apps and sites for singles over 50.
5. eharmony
A large dating site for singles of all ages looking for casual connections
Best for: Casual dating and long-term love
Starting price: Free, membership from $25.90 per month
Although eharmony is known for long-term relationships, it's also great for those wanting casual flings. With over 10 million customers, the app and site are easy to use. You can even send icebreaker questions to other users if you're stumped, or use "personality profiles" to get insight into others' characteristics.
Eharmony's matching algorithm uses a compatibility questionnaire to determine who you'd connect with best for a more casual connection. Overall it's a terrific choice for people who prefer a more structured approach, offering a nice balance between Tinder's spontaneous swiping and a more in-depth matching process.
Pros:
- Highly compatible matches
- Secure Video Date feature
Cons:
- Lengthy signup process
- No messaging on free plan
» Check out these Ashley Madison alternatives for flirty hookups.
Why Choose These Alternatives Over Tinder?
When it comes to dating apps for casual flings, Tinder is a fan favorite. However, it may not always tick all the boxes. Here are some reasons why these alternative dating apps to Tinder could be a better choice for you.
To Find Mature Singles
The majority of Tinder users are between the ages of 18 and 34, leaving limited options for the older crowd. That's where apps like OurTime and SilverSingles come in handy. Since they're specifically for people over 50, older users are more likely to find matches on these sites.
Better User Commitment
Choosing between paid and free dating sites may not make sense when you can just go with the free ones. After all, Tinder is free and nearly every single is on it. However, apps that require you to pay for a membership draw the attention of people who are serious about finding a partner.
It's hard to find someone you really click with, even in casual situations. Someone who pays to use an app is probably less likely to ghost you and more likely to want to meet in person.
» Explore all you can do on dating apps without paying in our review of 10 things for free on a dating app.
Fewer Bots
There are a lot of scams on Tinder involving bots disguised as computer-generated profiles. These bots usually try to get money or personal information from you.
Better Matching Algorithms
On Tinder, your ability to communicate with someone is based solely on whether you've each swiped right. This can lead to superficial or unsuitable connections.
Dating sites and apps like Match, Zoosk, and eharmony take the time to ask you questions about yourself and calculate your compatibility with other users based on their answers. These sites are more likely to help you find people you connect with on multiple levels and are not just match-based.
» Ready to take the plunge? Use these dating pickup lines to get the conversation started.
Bottom Line: The Best Alternatives to Tinder for Casual Flings
There are many popular dating platforms similar to Tinder to help you meet eligible singles. Being on multiple apps lets you cast a wider net and find exactly what you're looking for. Certain hookup apps have advantages over Tinder, such as serving specific demographics or being able to match you with people based on your personality.
Whatever app you're using, understand that it may take some time to form a connection, even if it's casual. The more effort you put into online dating, the more you'll get out of it.
» Looking for a long-term relationship? Try these alternatives to Bumble for meaningful connections.
