How to Make an App Like Tinder in 2024: (Features + Alternatives)

Do people still meet each other in a cafe or a bar, the old school way? Is dating strategy still the same? Well, the dating apps have definitely taken over. Actually, meeting someone online is not looked down upon anymore. It is the new norm, a conventional way. Strangers (at first) have a conversation, go on dates, fall in love and get into relationships after talking on popular dating apps all the time. Or they end up becoming friends like on Facebook. It is not uncommon to hear someone say, “Hey, I have got to go now. I have a date with a Tinder match”.

If you are planning on dating app development, this is the right time. Before you begin the process, you must be aware of the current situation, your competitors, the required features and how to make money from dating app development. You will find all the needed information in one place, right here.

The dating situation has been totally changed with the dawn of online dating apps like Tinder. People spend too much time on their smartphones every day, this is why they grow apart from one another. This makes people socially unavailable (unless it’s on a social networking site). Mobile dating apps drive on the opposite path than other social apps. Best dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Zoosk act like the one dating platform actually helping people even strangers to meet someone, go on dates and make relationships or friends.

Before learning about Tinder format and features that you must consider while creating the best dating app, let us now talk about how dating apps are doing in the market worldwide.

Some Interesting Stats About Online Dating

• The revenue by all alternatives in the Online Dating service segment amounts to US$1,667m in 2019, as reported by statista.com.
• This is estimated to show an annual growth rate of 4.2%, resulting in a market volume of US$1,968m by 2023.
• The average revenue per user currently amounts to US$4.90.
• According to Google trends, Canada is at number 12 among 57 countries that search the most for the keyword ‘online dating’.

As we all know that Tinder has become the go-to dating app to meet people and get into relationships. Let’s talk about Tinder as the top dating app and site in the world before moving on to features and its alternatives.

How Did Tinder Step-up to Become The Top Dating App

• Tinder was launched in 2012 by founders Sean Rad, Jonathan Badeen, Justin Mateen, Joe Munoz, Dinesh Moorjani and Whitney Wolfe.
• Whitney later decided to step down and started Bumble, a Tinder alternative.
• Tinder has over 100 million downloads on Playstore alone.
• There has been an exponential increase in the number of paid users of Tinder. As you can see in the image that it reached 4.4 million paid users until 2018.

Source: Statista

• The United States is first while Canada is fourth in the leading market of Tinder as seen in the image, in fact, Tinder generated over $1.7 million in the month of June 2019 in Canada alone.

These stats don’t mean that Tinder is ruling and there is no room for anyone else, actually, it is totally opposite. This is an ideal time to follow this path and invest in dating app development like Tinder.

Now, let’s talk about the features that can’t be missed out during dating app development

6 Features You Must Include in Dating App Development

• 

  Profile

• 

  Likes/Boosts

• 

  Places

• 

  In-app interaction

• 

  Personal security

• 

  Inclusivity

1. Profile

   Creating a dating profile should be very easy by putting information like a verified email address and one phone number in a small form. Every person using the app should be able to create a dating profile with profile pictures, profile headlines and an option of the short bio that is available even without opening the profile. A person should be able to add his/her interests, likes, dislikes and other things in the form that will help them to choose their match from plenty of fish in the sea.

2. Likes/Boosts

   Not only can you swipe right or left to like or pass a profile, but you can also super like. This one is a fun feature of Tinder made it people’s favourite dating app. If a person super likes a profile instead of just liking, the other person gets notified about it. While boosting your profile get your profile on the top of the list of potential matches. This increases views by 10 times.

   Super Boost does the same but at the optimum time and increases the views by 100 times which increases the probability of dates. This one is great for guys who are not getting enough matches.

   Features like this enhance user experience and hence you should put a similar feature or option in your dating app development to provide a better service and interesting things.

3. Places

   This feature using a GPS navigation system or GPS tracker system. This one helps to get location based potential matches and suggestions. When you create a dating app it is important that the people get location based suggestions, this is because why would any person from Canada like to get a match from a person in Australia. When you plan to make a dating app, do include this feature.

4. In-app interaction

   After one person gets a match from one of the people, the very next thing they would like to do is to get in touch with them. How would they do so? This is usually done by in-app chat, call, video call options. There are also options like voice chat. This is why it is necessary to have an option of in-app interaction. Apps like Tinder or Tinder alternatives allow singles to communicate and become a friend, without an email address or other details and find out more than just bio information.

5. Personal security

   Fun is important but the security of a person is the top priority of any popular dating app similar to Tinder. This is because a lot of cases of spam, catfishing, harassment, and sexual misappropriation are raised by dating app users. There should be a strict vetting process to avoid bots, spammers, catfishers and harassers. When you are building a dating app it is advised to keep a tight check on the personal security of every client. You can not afford to make mistakes like Facebook. All user data should be stored and encrypted properly. This data should never be shared with any third party for whatsoever reason.

6. Inclusivity

   We live in the 21st century and still face orthodox problems of racism, body shaming, classism, homophobism, among other problems. Love is not bound to anything and this is why dating experience should be inclusive, no need for a personality test. The most important part is that people of any race, age, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic status, body size should be able to create an account on a dating app like Tinder and enjoy all the features with equality.

We think you would like to know about:

5 Unique Features You Need Integrate to Develop the Best Dating App

Any business needs a good ROI to keep it going. How do dating apps like Tinder generate revenue? Let’s get a brief idea.

How Do Dating Apps Make Money?

A good or advanced feature set doesn’t mean that the app is going to be the next Tinder and be a hit and will be profitable. Dating apps utilize the following monetization strategies to become profitable.

1. Subscription: Most dating apps like Tinder are not free. Users need to become members by paying subscription fees on a monthly or yearly basis. Basically, they need to pay a fee for using an app like Tinder for a certain period of time.
2. Advertisements: Dating apps like Tinder and Coffee meets bagel generate revenue by selling space for adverts to third-party companies. There are three different types of advertising that can be used for monetization: video, display, and native ads.
3. In-app purchases/Premium plans: Certain features of the app are free, certain need to be unlocked by paying a certain amount for them this in-app purchase includes in-app currency, fun icons, smileys, additional features, etc. It is common to see guys buying premium plans.

Want to Develop a Dating App Like Tinder?

Let’s talk. Validate your idea with our experienced app consultants and get a complete roadmap from planning to deployment.

Book Your Free Consultation

Let’s talk about some apps similar to Tinder that have made their own place.

Apps Like Tinder (Tinder Alternatives): 5 Best Alternative Dating Apps for 2024

Name Of The App	Features	Play Store Link	App Store Link
OkCupid	Browse using filters to get a preferred match Set dating preferences and interests Unique messaging system
Bumble	Matches expire in 24 hours Can makes friends as well as business connections Share music with matches
Grindr	May put a search filter to get a preferred match with similar interest or interests Star someone or block unlimited profiles Users may check who viewed their profile Users may unsend messages and photos
Luxy	Browse using filters to get a preferred match The app allows in-app chat Browse and swipe, like or pass anonymously
WooPlus	Users can chat with matches for free App gives recommendations based on interests Location-based quality matches

1. OkCupid

   The first app on our list of Tinder alternatives has the name OkCupid. This matchmaking app similar to Tinder finds the best match based on what you really love, what your interest is and who you are. In fact, you don’t just find a match, you find someone with whom you can connect with a similar interest and be friends. This is one of the top and best dating apps like Tinder and has a unique messaging system. The singles can be in touch with each other through this. How does the app find such a perfect connection? Each person is supposed to answer a unique set of questions. These questions help it understand user preferences and or some thing they’re interested in.

   OkCupid offers a unique option to its users and the app allows them to stay anonymous if they want to. It gives access to the world of online dating experience while letting users protect their identities as women safety is an issue all over. The best part about this dating app like Tinder is that it allows people to select from 22 gender identities and 11 sexual orientations. This is something through which OkCupid aims to make sure that everyone on their dating platform feels safe and is able to choose the identity and sexuality that they belong to instead of having to conform to the usual men and women, guys and girls. OkCupid is a dating and hookup app that people use as a Tinder alternative as a way of making friends from any location, finding soulmates, relationships and also one night stands or hookups.

   Pros	Cons
   Free of cost to make a profile and browse Easy to navigate design and user interface	No charges lead to many fake profiles Not a large enough database Users can message anyone on the app, even if they haven’t matched. This fills up the mailbox with a lot of unnecessary and random texts.

2. Bumble

   Usually, men are expected to make the first move every time while the women wait, be it best dating apps like Tinder or traditional style dating. Bumble is here to change that, now women approach men. With the aim to fix common flaws in dating apps like Tinder or Tinder alternatives – like girls getting spammed by creepy messages and or a woman getting unsolicited photos, Bumble has a unique feature. There is an option that gives only women the chance to approach after getting a match from another profile. If a woman does not initiate the first move, the match will automatically expire after 24 hours. It’s a serious dating app made to meet people who know what they want not to flirt with everyone in another corner of the world. The users may also get instant icebreakers and conversation starters to say hello in a smart way.

   Coffee meets bagel is another app where the messages expire within 24 hours. Every day at noon, the person receives potential matches and they have only one day to like or pass the profile. This has made Coffee meets bagel an app to make a unique connection.

   According to founder Whitney Wolfe, it is not just a Tinder alternative, it is an app to make empowered connections. She wanted to create the top app for women to make friendship, relationship and career bonds with mentors.

   To make this possible, she has launched the Bumble dating app (for relationships), Bumble BFF (for friends), and Bumble Bizz (for business connections). Just like Facebook, women can make a lot of meaningful links on this app. It is not known for hookups.

   Pros	Cons
   Gives control to the women in the relationship Has icebreakers or conversation starters that users can use to initiate contact every time	Lack of diversity amongst the users in the dating pool Fewer options to select the gender and orientations Matches have a messaging window of 24 hours and then disappear

3. Grindr

   Grindr claims to be the top and largest mobile social networking app for gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people to connect and find casual hookups, meaningful relationships and or a life partner. Since launching in 2009, it has over 10 million downloads on Google Playstore. The regular app is free and lets users chat and try to meet people. Grindr XTRA, on the other hand, has more features, a bigger chance to connect and change the relationship status by finding a life partner.

   The best part is that Grindr runs wide-ranging initiatives and events under the mission Grindr for Equality to help LGBTQ people around the globe. It helps to mobilize, inform, and give power to communities on issues that matter to them the most: safety, sexual health, advocacy, and more. Men or women, people of all genders, any age group, any part of the world and sexualities are welcome here.

   The most important feature of this social media app is that it is a location-based geosocial networking app. The potential matches based on the zip code of the users makes meeting easy. This makes a better chance for singles to meet each other.

   Pros	Cons
   Wide and varied user base Has incognito mode Has a free version Informs about events	Audio doesn’t play Ads are intrusive Many fake profiles Safety issues

4. Luxy

   This is a unique dating app among other Tinder-like apps. How? Well, it’s a millionaire matching dating app similar to Tinder for the wealthy, successful, attractive and elite single people. Luxy also extends its luxurious service of millionaire match by hosting Elite Singles Parties. This is the perfect dating app for bigshots, the cream of the society who try to find love.

   The app was launched in 2014, till now, it claims it has matched over 1.5 million users. It is now the world’s leading dating app for millionaires and rich people. However, it has garnered positive as well as negative feedback from a lot of media outlets.

   The app has been targeted for being discriminatory in nature. While many people think it is a great way to weed out the low income level prospects as most rich people wouldn’t prefer to hang out or meet such people.

   Pros	Cons
   High profile exposure Only high calibre and quality matches Strict verification	Discriminatory in nature Only for the rich Expensive membership A long review process and a waiting list

5. WooPlus

   This is one of a kind of an online dating and relationship app available on Android as well as iOS platforms. It is for the curvy people and their admirers. WooPlus app is a big win for body positivity. It has over 2,500,000 members globally all curvy or their admirers. Unlike other dating apps like Tinder, it makes big beautiful women (BBW) and men feel confident about themselves. They are dating experts for plus-size people.

   The app has zero-tolerance for body-shaming and bans whoever violates this policy. This app is not for casual hookups to search true love. A unique feature is that one can receive voice messages from crushes, free gifts and free VIP trials.

   Pros	Cons
   Inclusive community Great for plus-size women and men Design is convenien	App freezes often Fake member profiles Message servers crash

Some of the other apps like Hinge dating app, Happn app, The League, Plenty of Fish, which have a success story of their own. Happn matches people that have crossed paths while Hinge helps meeting people via mutual friends of Facebook and gives a match percentage. The League dating app that matches people and professionals based on LinkedIn and Facebook contacts.

These were a few unique examples of dating apps like Tinder. These apps like Tinder have smart strategies for branding, something like affiliate marketing programs and thus doing great in business. Even you should have a unique dating app development idea, something that will help your dating service to expand. You could also go for an online dating site.

Develop Your Tinder-like App

We hope that we have solved most of your queries about dating app development. If there is still any confusion or doubts you can reach us. Why us? Well, we are an experienced application development services provider company in Canada.

We have developed apps of various categories for Android, Web and iOS platforms. We have a tendency to deliver the best app as per your expectations and needs, like a friend.. To share your expectations, feel free to contact our technical expert. You can avail the benefit of a 30-min free consultation, wherein you can get a rough estimate of dating app development cost, timeline and process.