People often think of Bumble as the best dating app to make lasting connections, compared to apps like Tinder which may be used more for short-term flings or hookups. However, there are a number of other apps like Bumble that can also lead to meaningful relationships. Here are some dating apps to check out if you're looking for a serious partner.
July 11, 2024
If you're familiar with dating apps, you've probably heard of Bumble. This app is well-known for giving women the power to make the first move, encouraging better conversations, and allowing users to create in-depth profiles. Other popular features that set Bumble apart include SuperSwipes, question games, voice note chatting, and many more.
If you're looking for an alternative to Bumble, we've rounded up the perfect alternatives to help you make deep and meaningful connections. Whether you want less restrictive messaging, better matching, or simply a change of pace, we're here to help you find the best alternative to Bumble to meet your needs.
» Looking for even more options? Take a look at our top picks for the best dating sites and apps.
A general-interest app that gamifies the dating process
Best for: Unique features
Starting price: Free trial, membership from $12.49 per month
Connection type: Casual or long-term
Zoosk allows its over 40 million users can connect using a "Carousel" activity that lets you categorize other users as "yes," "no," or "maybe." You also have access to a "NextDate" virtual speed-dating game.
Zoosk's unique behavioral matchmaking technology shows you profiles based on which users have caught your eye in the past, making for better quality matches. The app contains a mix of users seeking casual and serious relationships. Among the best online dating sites, Zoosk stands out for its innovative matching technology and flexible approach.
Zoosk presents itself as a strong alternative to Bumble by offering a more versatile approach to online dating. Unlike Bumble, where interactions are initiated by women making the first move, Zoosk provides a more traditional platform where anyone can initiate contact, offering flexibility for different communication styles. Additionally, Zoosk's Behavioral Matchmaking™ technology differentiates it from Bumble's swipe-based mechanism.
If you're seeking a broader and more dynamic dating experience, Zoosk's inclusive and user-friendly platform may offer a preferable alternative to Bumble's gender-specific communication model.
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A dating site made for lasting love
Best for: Advanced matching
Starting price: Free basic plan, membership from $25.90 per month
Connection type: Long-term
eharmony has been around since 2000, matching over 10 million people using a compatibility questionnaire, detailed profiles, icebreaker questions, and more.
When browsing other profiles, you can see a score showing how compatible you are according to their patented algorithm, allowing you to meet people with similar interests and values.
eharmony sets itself apart from Bumble by focusing on deep compatibility and long-term relationships. Unlike Bumble's quick-swipe approach to match-making, eharmony uses a comprehensive personality assessment to create matches based on key dimensions of compatibility.
Also, eharmony curates matches for users, eliminating the need to sift through profiles endlessly. This feature contrasts with Bumble's user-driven discovery process, offering a more guided and less overwhelming experience for those dedicated to finding a life partner.
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A robust app primarily used by university graduates
Best for: Finding fellow intellectuals
Starting price: Free trial, membership from $31.95 per month
Connection type: Long-term
EliteSingles is used primarily by 30-50-year-olds who are highly educated and searching for a serious relationship with someone who can be a romantic and intellectual match.
Available as a website and a mobile app used by 13 million people, it matches users using an evidence-based personality test similar to the Myers-Briggs and presents 3-7 compatible singles to them per day. They can then "like" parts of other users' profiles and send them messages, smiles, or icebreaker questions.
EliteSingles distinguishes itself from Bumble by catering specifically to the needs of educated professionals seeking long-term relationships. Unlike Bumble's broader appeal, EliteSingles focuses on connecting singles who value intellectual compatibility and are looking for partners with similar educational backgrounds and life goals.
Additionally, EliteSingles employs a comprehensive personality test to match users based on their compatibility, going beyond the superficial swiping feature of Bumble. This makes EliteSingles an ideal platform for those who prioritize depth and quality in their relationships.
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A site for singles over 50 to find love
Best for: Meeting people later in life
Starting price: Free basic plan, premium subscription from $27.95 per month
Connection type: Long-term
SilverSingles, as its name suggests, is a dating site and mobile app for people looking for love later in life, whether they're divorced, widowed, or simply have yet to find love.
With 25,000 new members each month who are matched using a personality test and questionnaire, there are plenty of people to get to know using SilverSingles' secure messaging platform.
SilverSingles offers a specialized dating experience tailored to singles over the age of 50, distinguishing itself from Bumble's broader, younger audience. This focus on a mature demographic ensures that users find matches who share similar life experiences, values, and relationship goals.
Unlike Bumble, which emphasizes the fast-paced decision-making of swiping, SilverSingles uses an in-depth personality test to match members based on compatibility, fostering deeper connections from the outset. It's designed for those seeking meaningful, long-term relationships, providing a platform where mature singles can feel understood and valued.
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A dedicated platform for single parents
Best for: Single parents looking for meaningful connections
Starting price: Free to sign up, premium features available with subscription
Connection type: Long-term, friendships
Stir is a dating app designed with single parents in mind, providing a space where they can connect with others who understand the unique challenges of parenting solo. It emphasizes meaningful connections and offers features tailored to accommodate the busy schedules of single parents.
The app offers flexibility in dating, with options to display when you're free to chat or meet, making it easier to find someone who respects your time and priorities as a parent. It also includes community forums and articles relevant to single parenting, offering support and advice alongside the dating experience.
Stir is different to Bumble because it specifically targets single parents looking for meaningful connections. Unlike Bumble, where the user base is more general, Stir understands the complexities and challenges of dating as a single parent. It provides a platform where individuals with similar life experiences can connect, ensuring a level of empathy and understanding right from the start.
Stir also incorporates features tailored to the needs of single parents, such as scheduling options that accommodate busy family lives, making it easier to plan dates and interactions.
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» Struggling to find the perfect LGBTQ-friendly dating app? Check out our roundup of the best gay dating apps and sites.
Bumble is one of the better dating apps out there, but it leaves something to be desired in a few areas. Here are some reasons an alternative to Bumble might be a better choice.
Bumble's main gimmick is that only women can send the first message in conversations between women and men. This aims to make the app feel safer for women.
However, it may not be ideal for men who like to initiate or women who want to feel pursued. Some of the above apps, like Zoosk, allow users to message one another without needing to match first, making connections less superficial.
Since Bumble relies on the "swipe right for yes and left for no" format, matches are made based on people's impressions of one another's appearances and profiles.
Some apps above, including eharmony and EliteSingles, have quizzes and questionnaires that detect how compatible users are on a deeper level. That way, less time is wasted going through the talking stage with people you don't have much in common with.
While Bumble may be more relationship-oriented than Tinder, many people who use it are still seeking casual hookups or short-term dating. While Bumble may be free and easy to set up, dating sites and apps that require people to pay and fill out surveys (like EliteSingles) tend to attract more people who are looking to settle down.
While Bumble is marketed to everybody, those who are interested in a particular age group or type of person are more likely to find what they're looking for on special-interest apps like EliteSingles, DateMyAge, and SilverSingles.
The best dating app for you will depend on who you are, what you're looking for, and how much money and time you're willing to invest in finding love. The best strategy, of course, is to utilize multiple services so that you can be exposed to as many people as possible. If you're interested in a long-term partnership and meaningful relationship, try one (or all!) of the above apps.
» Related posts: Grindr Alternatives: Dating Apps Like Grindr for LGBTQ Singles
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Read MoreSuzannah Weiss is a feminist writer, certified sex educator, and Brown University graduate in Cognitive Neuroscience and Gender and Sexuality Studies. In addition to writing for Top10.com, Suzannah written for major publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. Weiss' writing about feminist issues and sexuality has also been discussed on The Today Show, The View, and C-SPAN.
