With such a large user base and high levels of public recognition, it can safely be said that Tinder is the hottest dating app currently on the market. In order to get a better grasp of what Tinder is and how it functions — especially for those who are curious about using it — we conducted a review of its performance.

Watch Our Tinder review on video or scroll down to continue reading.

— Pros and Cons —

Pros

• Free version is very powerful
• Registration is fast and easy
• Large number of active users

Cons

• Must link your Facebook account
• Premium version is more expensive for those 30 and older
• Does not use matchmaking algorithms

— In-Depth Tinder Review —

Tinder was first launched in a limited release in 2012 — and to the public at large in 2014. Since then, it has become a worldwide sensation. Designed as an app available for iPhone and Android devices, it popularized the “swiping-style” phenomenon that many other dating apps and sites now try to emulate.

The usage statistics behind Tinder are impressive. Over 60 million people use the app every month. These users generate over 15 million monthly matches. It is estimated that the monthly volume of swipes on Tinder exceeds one billion. Its popularity has made it the top downloaded app in both the Apple and Google Play Stores in the “lifestyle” category. Usage metrics indicate that on average, Tinder users spend 35 minutes on the app every day.

— What Differentiates Tinder From the Rest? —

Other dating sites are precisely that, sites with mobile apps to augment their accessibility. Tinder is a stand-alone app — there is no way to access Tinder via a web browser. This means that the user experience is designed entirely to be used on a smartphone or tablet.

The registration process for Tinder is also different. It requires new members to register by linking their Facebook account to their new Tinder account. This allows Tinder to import the required personal information of the user — such as name, age, and geographic location — as well as contact and image data. Tinder uses this information to populate your profile. Afterwards, you can modify the image that it selected to be your profile picture. You can also add up to five additional pictures from your Facebook account to your Tinder profile.

You can also extend your profile by adding a 500-word bio. We found that whimsical bios produced better results than the stale, traditionally structured ones. The bio is not mandatory, but in conjunction with your profile pic, it will be what other members will rely on when deciding whether to swipe left or right.

Tinder has added Instagram integration to its set of features. This allows members the option of linking their Instagram account to Tinder, thereby allowing other Tinder members to view their Instagram account.

— Main Functionality —

After you have registered, each time that you open the app you will be greeted by the profile pictures of suggested matches. You are then prompted to swipe left to “pass” on the match, or swipe right to “like” the match. Tinder serves 200 such potential matches to its members every 12 hours.

When two members independently swipe each other right, the communication functions of Tinder engage. This allows the “matched” members to open a message thread with each other. It is the only way that communication between members can be established.

Tinder Social is a new feature that elevates Tinder from just being a dating app to being a social group extender. It allows you to a form a group of friends on Tinder, and then — as a group — find another Tinder group with similar interests to go out with or engage socially.

— Who Is Tinder Geared For? —

The answer to this question would depend on what it is that you seek in a dating app. The common image held by the public of Tinder is that it is the quintessential casual hookup app. While casual hookups make up the majority of the interactions on Tinder, casual friendships, long-term relationships and social circle expansion are other uses for the app as well.

During our time evaluating the app, we found that roughly three-quarters of our matches were interested in hookups or casual dating. The remainder were evenly split among those seeking something serious and those seeking solely platonic friendship.

One aspect of Tinder that we did find peculiar was that it relies solely on location and the swiping decision of its members to establish potential matches. Unlike other dating sites and applications, Tinder does not have a matchmaking algorithm.

— Cost —

Tinder is supported by displaying advertisements on the app. All of its functions are free to use. Unlike other dating apps that use a similar monetization model, the ads that are shown are not too obtrusive and do not deter from the over user experience.

A premium version of Tinder — called Tinder Plus — is available. This has a monthly membership fee that varies by the age of the member. Those under 30 are charged $9.99 per month. Those 30 and older are charged $19.99 per month.

— What You Get With Tinder Plus —

Tinder Plus removes all of the display advertising on the app. It also adds some additional features. “Around the World” allows members to choose a location different to their present location to start swiping for matches. This is convenient if you travel a lot and want to setup some meetups in advance.

“Super Likes” are a way to right swipe someone with fervor.

Free users only get one a day, paid members get five per day. Super Liking someone will give you preferential positioning in their list of matches. Tinder Plus also gives your profile one free boost per week. This means that for a 30-minute time period each week, your profile will be set as the main profile for your geographic area.

In the free version of Tinder, once you “swipe left” on a profile, it’s gone forever — you cannot go back to it later. “Rewind Left Swipes” — another feature given to Tinder Plus members — allows members to go back if they changed their minds after left swiping.

In our opinion, the added features obtained from Tinder Plus are not worth the cost involved unless you are a Tinder power user. For the average user, the free version should work just fine.