Gone are the days when we used to greet new and interesting people on the streets and café. Social platforms like Facebook and Instagram have changed the way we interact with unfamiliar faces. While these platforms are more geared towards friends and family, recent times have seen a new wave of lifestyle apps aimed at dating and hookups.
Both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are filled with such apps to find interesting matches around the area. But, be aware, you shouldn’t download a random or unknown app. Most are personal data grabbers with fake profiles and unnecessary high subscription prices.
We have hand-picked top five dating and hookups apps for iPhone users. We will mention the best one with some capable alternatives to it. We will list out features, their prime selling point, and our experience with the pros and cons of each service.
The Best iPhone App for Dating and Hookup
Tinder
This shouldn’t be a surprise. Tinder, with its huge userbase, is one of the popular and most-used dating app out there. Founded back in 2012, the app quickly gained the traction due to its unique swiping left and right for potential matches and a simplified dating process.
Tinder has two major advantages to its side. First, a huge userbase means there are more chances of potential matches in your neighborhood and second, its algorithms are superior to rivals apps to find a perfect match in the near area.
Pros
- Huge Community
- Ease to use gesture-based navigation
- One of the best on-boarding experience
Cons
- Chat Function needs improvement
- No way to see last seen of a user
Cross-platform Availability
Tinder is available on both Android and iOS
Price
Tinder is free for basic functions. But you can pay $10 per month for Tinder Plus which lets you undo swipes, gives five super likes to get user’s attention and boost your profile visibility. There is another subscription package called Tinder Gold that unlocks top picks and the ability to see who likes you to start chatting.
➤ Download
Alternative Dating and Hookup Apps for iPhone
If you had a sour experience with Tinder in the past, then you can choose from the alternatives below to start dating. These apps do come with superior privacy functions and unique concepts to get started. So, do give them a try.
Bumble
Badoo is quite similar to Tinder with a couple of privacy-focused functions. Even after a match, boys can’t send the first message to the match. It’s up to the girl to start the conversation. It’s a relief for the most girls out there. Badoo also comes with Spotify and Instagram integration to personalize the profiles.
Bumble pitches itself as the perfect platform to make new friends and create new business opportunities. Just swipe left to from the profile to access Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF for that.
Pros
- The app is strict with removing fake profiles that contains random images
- Favors girls and women to message first
- Automatically removes unwanted matches in 24 hours
- Shake to backtrack
- Instagram and Spotify integration
Cons
- On-boarding experience is average compared to Tinder
- Boys might find it tough as they can’t initiate the conversation even after a match
Cross-platform Availability
Bumble is accessible on both iOS and Android
Price
Bumble is free to use for the main functions. However, you can purchase the Bumble boost for $10 a month and increase your chances for a match.
➤ Download
Happn
Happn comes with a unique concept to find dates. It’s a location-based matching service that notifies you about a potential match when you cross paths with her. It tracks your location throughout the day and shows the suggestions based on your path.
Pros
- Personalized and unique questions to get started
- Online status for matches
- The ability to get notified on your crush’s phone when you cross path him/her
Cons
- The community is small
- The app is location-based, the success ratio will be low for those mostly sitting in one location
- The aggressive approach to buying the premium version
Cross-platform Availability
You can download Happn on both iOS and Android
Price
As usual, the basic functions remain free to use. At $25 per month, you can see the list of all people that liked you, get 10 hellos a day and remain private while crossing paths.
➤ Download
Badoo
Badoo pitches itself as a hub for dating app with live video streaming and messaging function. The app uses your preference to suggest a match and even lets you start live video streaming. Badoo claims that on an average 13,000 users delete the app as they find a perfect match within the service.
Pros
- Huge community
- Facebook and Instagram add-on
- Filter menu right from the home
- One can send a message without the match
- Live video streaming support
Cons
- Many fake profiles
- No way to control the members from joining the stream
Cross-platform Availability
Accessible on both iOS and Android
Price
The usual functions remain free. Badoo premium at $15 per month lets you revert the rejections, identify who liked your profile and even get your messages to read first.
➤ Download
Best Gay Dating and Hookup App for iPhone
Grindr
Grindr is specifically aimed at gays, bi, and trans people to connect. I like how it displays up to 16 people in a single screen, no need to swipe continuously to look for a match. As always, it suggests the matches based on location and even lets you chat with others in the app.
Pros
- App for gays and trans
- Spotify, Instagram, and Facebook add-on
- The ability to block users
Cons
- Buggy app performance
- Too many ads
- Grindr extra is on a stepper side
Cross-platform Availability
Available on both iOS and Android
Price
Grindr XTRA costs $15 per month and lets you view unlimited profiles, undo messages and photos sent, enable typing status, and more.
➤ Download
Your Favorite iPhone Dating App?
The internet is full of wonderful people. And hey, who knows your next perfect date might be living around the blocks near you. Use these apps above, and start your dating journey. And if you are already using an app or service for date or hookup, then do share your experience in the comments section below.
