Exploring the Best 10 Hinge Alternatives for Modern Dating in 2025
It calls itself “the dating app designed to be deleted.” But if you’ve had bad luck on Hinge, you might be logging out not because you found the love of your life, but because you’re fed up! Don’t worry. We’ve got the Hinge alternatives to rekindle your dating life!
Here are 10 Hinge alternatives to try in 2025.
1: Bumble
You’ll remember seeing Bumble on our list of Hinge alternatives last year, and the truth is, this dating app has only become more established and trusted over the last 12 months. The core idea is still the same: women make the first move (or, in the case of same-sex matches, either person can make the first move). It’s a strategy that is meant to allow women more control over their DMs (i.e., less unwanted attention from guys).
And now that the app is more popular, the development team has continued to roll out new features to make this easier for women who may have felt overwhelmed by getting the conversations going. For example, Bumble conducts its own research into dating trends to help them create conversation prompts that they feel will be most useful to modern users. The most popular prompt they found recently was, “The way to my heart is…”
Compared to other dating apps like Tinder and Hinge, Bumble continues to have a reputation as being one of the best for long-term, monogamous romantic relationships.
How to make it work for you
Bumble focuses more on personality and connection than many other dating apps. So, you’ll need to be able to keep the conversation going. That means that, if you’re a man or on the receiving end of an initial message, you’ll want to think of interesting and unique answers to the conversation prompts that potential matches send you. And, if you’re a woman, you’ll need to stay engaged and proactively seek out matches.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
- You’re looking for more casual hook-ups or short-term connections.
- You’re too busy to be able to dedicate time daily to answering messages (remember that initial messages expire after 24 hours).
- You get overwhelmed by online chatting.
2: OkCupid
OkCupid is one of those dating apps that you might have overlooked in the past. And then suddenly, it seems like everyone you know has either found their spouse on OkCupid or attended a wedding for a couple who met on this platform.
The reason for this is that this company took modernization seriously. Since it first launched in 2004 (truly one of the OG dating websites). OkCupid has become more open to alternative dating styles, genders, and dating preferences, and made modern upgrades that make it relevant to a range of different generations.
In general, this Hinge alternative is most popular with users in their 30s and 40s who want a long-term, committed romantic relationship. As such, it’s got a good reputation for attracting respectful, kind, and well-intentioned people.
How to make it work for you
- Take time building your profile. One of the OkCupid features that has been left over from the early days of online dating is the personality questionnaire. Not only will you want to be thoughtful with your answers to the intro quiz, but you’ll also want to make sure that all of the fields on your profile are filled out, as well. You can also use personality badges to highlight values that are most important to you.
- Some previous users have claimed that their accounts were deleted without any explanation or the possibility of reinstating their profiles. So be very conscientious about knowing and following the community guidelines.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
- One common complaint against OkCupid is that it doesn’t have the best interface or user experience when compared to other dating apps.
3: Running Clubs
In 2025, there will be plenty of people who are quitting online dating altogether. But, as jaded as you might feel about the apps, you might be worried about how to meet people without them. It seems that your local running club has the answer.
Over the last few months, thanks to funny (and kind of serious) TikTok’s and IG reels, running clubs have become socially known as the place to meet other singles in your area. There are a couple of reasons why they’re a good Hinge alternative:
- You and a potential match already have a shared interest.
- You don’t have to feel obligated to talk the whole time.
- It’s a group activity, so the pressure is off to have an instant connection.
- Exercise is a natural way to release feel-good chemicals in the brain, so everyone is in good spirits.
- There’s often a social activity planned afterwards, like grabbing a coffee or having lunch.
How to make it work for you
- Find a group that is open and friendly.
- Focus on friendships first and then see if romance is on the table after you’ve established a good rapport.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
- If you don’t enjoy running or group exercise, then forcing yourself to join a running club as an alternative to dating might not be for you!
4: Feeld
Year over year, alternative dating styles and non-traditional forms of romantic expression have become more widely accepted. And that’s why Feeld is even more popular now than it was when we highlighted it in our list of Hinge alternatives last year. Although this dating app started as a way to find a third person for open relationships, it has expanded to become known as the online dating home for kinks, furries, ethical non-monogamy, play parties, and the LGBTQ community.
Users on the app trend younger, typically between 25 and 35 years old, although it is, of course, open to all ages. And, you’ll find that people tend to be very straightforward and open in their bios and conversations on the app.
How to make it work for you
- Think ahead of time about what kind of connection you might enjoy exploring through Feeld.
- Be proactive about meeting people, as this is one of the faster-paced dating apps out there.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
- In order to have success on Feeld, you have to be open to the kind of connections that the site is known for. So, if you’re not looking for hook-ups, physical connections, or polyamorous relationships, this might not be the app for you
5: Tinder
A list of online dating apps wouldn’t be complete without Tinder, as it continues to be the dating app with the most users and recognition. Because of its giant user base and paid-for features, it can afford to create one of the best interfaces of any of the apps on the market. It also offers a range of special features, such as a college version called Tinder U and an exclusive version for the ultra-wealthy.
But there are a few things to keep in mind when using the app in 2025. For one thing, it’s never quite lost its reputation as a purely hook-up app, and this only seems to have ramped up as other dating apps have proven more successful for long-term dating. That means that people who are looking for long-term commitment may have a hard time on Tinder. The other problem is that even though there are more users on Tinder than on any other site, they’ve also started limiting the number of free swipes they allow.
How to make it work for you
- If you really want to maximize your chances of success on Tinder, you’ll want to opt for a paid version. There are various tiers with different features available for each.
- Make the most of your profile pictures. Unlike some other dating apps that may prioritize conversation or compatibility ratings, Tinder is more of a visual app. So, take the time to curate a range of profile pictures that showcase your best features.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
- If you’re looking for genuine connection and long-term commitment, you might not find it here. While there are certainly success stories from Tinder, the current reality in 2025 is that it’s not a great place to meet your forever person.
6: Raya
Although Raya started out as a celebrity app, it wasn’t long before the general public wanted to find a way into this niche online dating community. And Raya ultimately complied, allowing non-famous people in, as long as they could pass their rigorous vetting process.
Now, some users were unhappy with the change, claiming that the app had lost its exclusivity and pushed out the most sought-after accounts (you know, the real big-name celebrities). But, because there’s still a thorough application and acceptance process, this remains one of the most exclusive online dating apps out there. So, it’s still considered to be one of the superior Hinge alternatives for anyone interested in dating well-connected creatives and successful go-getters.
How to make it work for you
- Well, first of all, you’ve got to be accepted, and this can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to over a year. You can increase your chances significantly by getting a referral from someone who already has an account.
- Make sure that your other social media platforms are active. Raya tends to check your Instagram or TikTok to see if you have a carefully curated or popular account.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
- Raya is most active in areas where there are a lot of creatives. So, this probably won’t be a good Hinge alternative for you if you don’t live in or near a big city.
- You’re looking for more down-to-earth or traditional people. Creatives, famous people, and start-up entrepreneurs might not be your vibe, and that’s okay! There are other dating apps and alternatives for you to try.
7: Facebook Dating
You might think of Facebook only as a place to sell your old clothes, remember your aunt’s birthday, or check in on that one person from high school. But actually, Facebook is putting a huge effort into creating a dating platform with widespread appeal.
As you might have already guessed, Facebook Dating is most successful for users over 30 who are already familiar with the site and have a Facebook account. And, it seems to attract people who want long-term relationships, who have spilled over after having grown tired of Hinge.
How to make it work for you
- Take the extra time to build your Facebook Dating profile separate from your Facebook profile. Unless you toggle the option to match with Facebook friends, the people you meet on Facebook Dating won’t have access to your main account. So, make sure that you put some time into filling out your bio.
- Familiarize yourself with the additional features, such as “second look” and “secret crush” to boost your chances of finding a quality match.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
One of the more common complaints against Facebook Dating is that you might get matches with people outside of your dating radius. So, if you’re in a very small town or isolated area, you might have trouble finding someone who is within a reasonable distance.
8: SugarDaddy
Like some of the other options we’ve listed here, SugarDaddy offers daters the chance to try an entirely new dating style. Of course, sugaring itself is very old—it’s been around for centuries! But now that non-traditional dating styles are being more widely accepted and there are online dating sites that allow users to explore them with anonymity, sugar relationships are having a resurgence.
How to make it work for you
- Look further into the different kinds of sugar relationships available so that you can get a clear idea of what you want to get out of sugaring.
- Fill out your profile with key phrases that will help you find your perfect match.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
If you’re looking for a more traditional relationship, you might find the forwardness and efficiency of sugaring to be off-putting.
9: Old School Speed Dating
Invented in the dating days before the internet, speed dating has a long history of allowing singles to meet up and swipe right in real life. It consists of short conversations, ice breakers, and games intended to help you feel comfortable chatting up not only one but multiple strangers in a night. And, while it may come in different styles these days—singles mixers, singles trivia tournaments, singles paint & sip nights—it appears that the speed dating idea is alive and well in 2025.
The nice thing about this style of dating is that it can help you make an in-person first impression, which is good if you feel like you struggle with the online format. It will also introduce you to people who are serious about dating—after all, only very motivated people opt to get dressed and travel to a third location instead of swiping on their phone—and who live in your area.
How to make it work for you
- Make sure you’re comfortable. If you show up with the jitters about talking to strangers or with the idea that you have to meet someone because you went through all the effort to show up, you’ll have a hard time connecting. So, think of it as a fun night of potentially meeting new friends so that you can relax and focus on enjoying the conversation.
- Make a plan to follow up. If you connect with someone at an in-person event, don’t wait to get their contact info! Be bold and ask for their social media or phone number before leaving for the night.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
In-person singles events can be overwhelming and tiring for anyone who doesn’t enjoy interacting with new people. And indeed, many of these events can get crowded. So, consider going with a single friend to make the experience more enjoyable, or opt for a different Hinge alternative if you are too shy or introverted to enjoy it.
10: Instagram
Even though singles are getting tired of dating apps, that doesn’t mean that they’re getting tired of being online altogether! And Instagram, like other social media apps, can actually act as great stand-ins for your online dating game for a number of reasons:
- You can focus on friend-first interactions. Dating apps put a lot of pressure on the fact that you’re both there looking for love or a hook-up, or anything in between. But on Instagram, you get to showcase your life and connect with people with similar interests.
- The use of location features, tags, and hashtags can help you create a more local community. When you’re out at your favorite bookstore or bar, you can tag the location in your stories. Then, when the establishment shares your story on their account, your content will be shown to other people who follow that account!
How to make it work for you
- You probably guessed this already, but you have to be pretty active in order to use Instagram as a dating app. This means creating content and actively seeking out other people who are interesting to you and in your vicinity.
- In order to find potential people to date on Instagram, you also have to be patient. Focus on building an online following (you don’t have to be an influencer, but having more than a couple of hundred followers is helpful).
- You’ll need an open account. Having a private account will make it very difficult to meet new people on this platform.
Reasons why it might not be your best Hinge alternative
If you want to start meeting people right away or you don’t feel comfortable having an open Instagram account, this Hinge alternative is probably not right for you!
Final pieces of advice for finding Hinge alternatives in 2025
Whatever your dating goals for 2025, the good news is, you don’t have to feel obligated to stay on Hinge in order to have fun, meet new people, and upgrade your love life! In this article, we’ve thrown some creative and exciting ideas your way so that you can take charge of your dating game this year. Here are some final words of advice for happier, healthier dating in 2025:
- Stop comparing yourself to other singles or couples. There’s no rule book for dating, and what works for someone might not work for you! So, stop thinking about your single friend who has dates lined up every night of the week or your other married friend who keeps telling you you’re being too picky. Follow your own rules and stop comparing!
- Work on your wellbeing and confidence outside of dating. Things like finding an exercise routine that you love, hobbies, therapy, friends, and other activities will help you to stay positive and weather the inevitable ups and downs of dating.
- Find people who can support you. It’s nice to have another person that you can call after a particularly bad first date or ask for advice when your crush is acting weird. This might be a friend, family member, dating coach, or therapist.
- Take breaks. Dating burnout is real, and if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or generally negative about dating, it might be time to take a break.
- Have fun. Sometimes we forget that the first stages of getting to know someone are actually the most exciting and exhilarating! That’s not to say that you should let yourself get swept away, but rather that it’s a good thing to stay connected to the fun part of dating!
So, what Hinge alternative are you going to try first in 2025?