Two apps that regularly get pitted against each other are Tinder and OkCupid. I guess because they share a similar user demographic and both are in the top 5 most used dating apps.
But, inevitably the question arises, which of the two apps is the best?
Let’s look deep into each app and see if we can find the answer to this question.
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Get To Know Your Apps
The first step is to learn more about the two apps and see whether they fit your preferences or not.
Tinder
Founded in 2012, Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps on the globe. Accessible in 190 countries in 34 different languages, the app has attracted a wide variety of individuals, both young and old.
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Okcupid
On the other hand, OKCupid, being founded in 2005, has been in the market for a longer period. Available in more than 100 countries, this app is quite inclusive as it not only caters to straight people but also to people from the LGBTQI+ community.
Moreover, as this app is available for free, it’s more popular in comparison. Young people, in particular, are more attracted to this app.
If you’re experimenting and looking for short-term dates or hook-ups, this app is the perfect option for you.
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Tinder vs. OkCupid – Which Dating App Is Better For Me?
The best way to answer this question is to figure out what exactly you’re looking for in a relationship.
Before you decide to download the app, think about what you want. Here are some factors you can take into consideration:
Type of Relationship
The type of relationship you’re looking for is also an important factor when it comes to choosing the right app.
Both Tinder and OkCupid tend to lean more to the casual, hook-up side of things, but I would personally say OkCupid has the edge when it comes to something a little more serious.
Both apps include a wide variety of users looking for different things.
Age
Age may be a number to some, to others it’s not.
If you have a specific age preference, I suggest you choose your app accordingly.
As most of OkCupid’s features are free and even the membership packages are quite cheap, the app tends to attract a younger audience with a limited budget.
Tinder, on the other hand, offers more paid features at an expensive price, which may attract older users.
Sexual Orientation
Again, this is an important aspect to consider before you install the dating app of your choice.
Does the app cater to your sexual orientation?
As mentioned earlier, OkCupid offers more diversity as it caters to the LGBTQI+ community. People can find matches easily regardless of their sexual orientation.
How Are Tinder And OkCupid Different?
Now that you know a little about the two apps, it’s time to look into how the two apps differ from each other.
Tinder vs. OkCupid: Accessibility
In terms of popularity, both dating platforms attract a good number of individuals worldwide. The terms and conditions might vary depending on your country of origin, so be sure to check if the app is easily accessible in your region.
As mentioned earlier, OkCupid is available in more than 100 countries, including but limited to Europe, Asia, North, and South America. However, in countries that legally ban the US from running a business, OkCupid is not accessible.
Tinder, on the other hand, is accessible in over 190 countries and the site continues to expand its reach globally. From this information we can establish that Tinder has a wider reach in terms of audience, clearly gaining an upper hand over its rival.
Winner: Tinder
Tinder vs. OkCupid: Setting Up An Account
As with most digital platforms, setting up a profile is the first thing you need to do before you can use the apps. Both apps have a different setup process to help you find the perfect match.
The initial sign-up process on OkCupid is short and quick. All you need is an email and a password.
Once the initial sign-up is done, you need to start setting up your profile, the time for which varies from person to person.
The first step is to include a bio, while this isn’t compulsory, I recommend doing this as it helps you find better matches. You may customize your bio according to your preferences. But if you’re unsure of where to start, my free collection of 50 bio examples for you to copy may help.
Next, OkCupid gives you a bunch of prompts to answer regarding your interests and personality, such as “I’m really good at” and “You should message me if”. In addition, the site also allows you to clearly state your sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, relationship preferences, etc.
All of these features make a huge difference in helping you find the perfect partner.
Similar to OkCupid, the initial sign-up process for Tinder is quite simple. You can set an account using Facebook, your Google ID, or your phone number.
Once your account has been established, creating a profile is a quick process. All you need is a bio, a little bit of personal info, and a couple of photos and you’re set to go.
OkCupid lets you add more information to the profile, which makes it easier to find a good match. In terms of profiles, OkCupid takes the points for this round.
Winner: OkCupid
Tinder vs. OkCupid: Features And Matching
I’ve talked about finding the perfect match for quite a while now, but how exactly do the two apps help you find the best match for you?
This is where the specific features of both apps come in. Finding a compatible match on OkCupid is quite easy as the app allows you to set your search parameters.
For instance, one of these parameters allows you to select the type of relationship you’re looking for such as hook-ups, long-term, or even friendships.
Say you’re looking for a long-term relationship. When another person searches this parameter, your profile will show up.
Another interesting feature of this app is the hot-or-not game, which is a fun way to find compatible matches. The matches are made based on how you answer the question.
In contrast, Tinder does not have as many features. It’s quite simple, the matches are made based on preferences.
You probably already know how that goes; swipe left if you’re not interested and swipe right if you are. If the other person also swipes right, congrats, you’ve found your match!
However, this does not guarantee a compatible match. Honestly, it can be a hit or a miss.
Compatibility is key in any good relationship–whether it is long-term or short-term. The features on OkCupid allow users to find this compatibility, which is why I’d go with this app for features and matching.
Winner: OkCupid
Tinder vs. OkCupid: Messaging
On OkCupid, as soon as you find a profile that fits your preferences, you can simply leave them a message.
However, there’s no guarantee that the other person will respond.
If you don’t get responses, don’t let it discourage you. It’s actually quite normal to get a response from 1 of the 10 people you message. I suggest answering some of the questions as it helps refine your profile, attracting more users.
In contrast, on Tinder, unless the other person swipes right on your profile, you can’t chat with them. When you do get access to chat it’s because the other person is also interested, making the conversation flow more naturally.
Winner: Tinder
Tinder vs. OkCupid: Paid Membership
Both apps offer premium memberships that allow users to access special features.
A-List Basic, the membership on OkCupid, lets you refine your searches, see who likes your profile, and see if your messages have been read. Besides this, you can also get rid of bothersome ads.
OkCupid offers a monthly A-List Basic membership for $9.95 per month. Alternatively, you may go for a six-month membership plan for as low as $10 total.
Other than A-List Basic, the app also offers an A-List Premium package. In addition to the features included in the Basic Package, the Premium package also boosts your profile so your profile shows up in more searches. This, of course, comes at a higher price.
| Pricing | Upfront Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ||
| Basic: | ||
| 1 Month | $9.95 | $9.95 |
| 3 Months | $23.85 | $7.95 |
| 6 Months | $29.70 | $4.95 |
| Premium: | ||
| 1 Month | $24.90 | $24.90 |
| 3 Months | $68.70 | $22.90 |
| 6 Months | $119.40 | $19.90 |
Up until recently Tinder only offered two membership tiers, Tinder Plus, and Tinder Gold. But in early 2020 Tinder announced the release of Tinder Platinum. All of these memberships give you access to the following features:
- Unlimited likes
- Rewinds on the last swipes
- Five Super Likes
- A free boost
- A passport to swipe a profile from any location on the globe
Other than the above-mentioned features, Tinder Gold also allows you to look at who likes your profile before you swipe. Tinder Platinum allows you to send messages to profiles prior to matching.
| Pricing | Total Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Plus | ||
| 1 Month | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| 6 Months | $34.99 | $5.83 |
| 12 Months | $54.99 | $4.58 |
| Pricing | Total Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | ||
| 1 Month | $29.99 | $29.99 |
| 6 Months | $112.99 | $18.83 |
| 12 Months | $149.99 | $12.50 |
| Pricing | Total Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | ||
| 1 Month | $32.94 | $32.94 |
| 6 Months | $134.04 | $22.34 |
| 12 Months | $178.68 | $14.89 |
I think I prefer the membership package offered by OkCupid as it not only offers great features at a cheaper price, but it also gets rid of all the annoying ads!
Winner: OKCupid
Tinder vs. OkCupid: User Interface
Given the advancement in technology and design, a user-friendly and aesthetic interface is essential to increase user interactions on an app.
The interface on both apps is simple and easy to use. The interface on OkCupid functions exceptionally well, however, the graphics are rather dull and basic.
On the other hand, Tinder is not only aesthetically pleasing but the app is also quite simple to navigate through, making it an instant favorite for many users.
The easy and eye-catching interface of Tinder earns it another point in my books.
Winner: Tinder
Tinder vs. OkCupid: Popularity
Which one of the two apps is more popular? Tinder or OkCupid?
According to statistics, Tinder has an astounding amount of 1.4 million swipes a day. Being one of the most popular dating apps in the world, it receives around ten million visits per month. However, the number of members on this app is quite low in comparison to OkCupid.
In contrast, around a hundred million users visit OKCupid per month. This may be because the app is free.
Is popularity really that important?
Yes, it is. There’s no point in installing an app where you can barely find users to match your preferences.
Winner: OKCupid
Tinder vs. OkCupid: Success Rate
So, how successful are the matches on each app?
Honestly speaking, the success rate of relationships can’t be tied to an app. It depends on compatibility and communication.
Research shows that dating apps or online dating offer more stability to relationships. A study showed that 15% of Americans acknowledged having tried online dating, while 30% of marriages start on digital platforms.
Moreover, with the growth of online dating sites, more people are getting more comfortable with dating on digital platforms. Research has shown that people who meet through online dating sites are happier with their relationships than couples who have met offline.
Winner: Both
Tinder vs. OkCupid: User Reviews
How do the users feel about Tinder and OkCupid?
The reviews on both apps have been quite positive, as users express their satisfaction with the dating platform.
Generally, most OkCupid users expressed their satisfaction with the app, stating that the profiles are very ‘detailed and easy to use”.
The questions and parameters set by the app really helped users find compatible matches. One user stated that they preferred OKCupid’s “algorithm better than any other app”.
Another user said:
“The best dating app. Limited likes to mean that you want to be selective. The matching is pretty relevant. Messages are free and no need to match as you can send an intro to anyone… the details in the profile give you the tools to spark conversations.”
Tinder users have generally been quite happy with the app, stating that it’s ‘straightforward’ and ‘fun’ to use. Some users pointed out that in comparison to other dating apps, the flow of conversation on Tinder is smoother. The customer stated:
“Good dating app. Easy to use, You know if you get a match the person is already interested so it’s easier to start a conversation.”
One user also expressed their satisfaction with the customer care service. Stating that their issues were resolved quickly and that upon cancellation of membership, they got their refund immediately
In terms of reviews, users from both apps seemed quite satisfied making this a tie.
Winner: Both
Tinder vs. OkCupid: Overall
Now that we’ve discussed all of the features in detail, let’s do a quick overview to figure out which app is the best of the two.
While both apps have some really great features, this overall comparison gives us insight into which app provides users with the best dating experience. Based on the comparisons made in different categories, the final score for Tinder and OkCupid is 3-4, which makes it apparent that our winner for this post is OkCupid.
The detailed profiles on the app help create more compatible matches, that too at a cheaper price than Tinder. In terms of popularity as well, OkCupid has more users, giving you more potential matches. Moreover, the app is inclusive and offers diversity in terms of types of relationships and sexual orientation.
This, however, does not mean that Tinder doesn’t have anything to offer to its users. It is simple to use and allows for the conversation to flow more easily. The app is still quite remarkable and if you feel like it suits your preferences more, who am I to say otherwise?
Final Thoughts
I’ve done a thorough run through the features of both apps and while both apps are amazing platforms for users, this comparison has shown that OkCupid holds the upper hand.
But it is not like my words are set in stone. I suggest you take into account your preferences and see which app suits your needs more. Better yet, try downloading both apps as a test to see which one you’re more comfortable using.
I hope by now you have a better understanding of how both apps work and will have no trouble entering the dating arena.
