Our Verdict
Bumble is a swipe-based app with three modes of use: Bumble BFF (designed for making friendships), Bumble Bizz (designed for networking and making professional connections) and Bumble Date (designed for dating).
For the purpose of this review, we explored the app’s Bumble Date option, which aims to break dating norms, according to the company, by requiring women to make the first move and initiate conversations.
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eHarmony, Your Journey to Lasting Love
- Provides users with a curated selection of matches based on their compatibility
- Have complete confidence that all of your compatible matches are looking for the same thing you are, love that lasts
- Align with individuals who desire deeper and more meaningful relationships
- Millions of couples have found lasting love
On eHarmony's Website
Key Features
- Compliments: This feature indicates you’re particularly interested in someone, allowing you to comment directly on part of their profile in a fun and thoughtful way. Free compliments are limited, however you can purchase more if you’d like.
- Best Bees: Best Bees is a daily set of compatible profiles Bumble users receive, based on their preferences and past matches. All members can like one of these profiles per week. Premium members may swipe on all of their Best Bees each week.
- Travel Mode: Travel Mode can come in handy whenever you’re away from home, as it allows you to make meaningful connections before you even arrive at your next destination. This Bumble Premium feature allows you to change your location before or during your trip to let locals know you’re just in town for a short stretch. If you want to keep searching for your perfect match while you’re traveling, you can always set your location back home.
Founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014, Bumble is known as the first social networking and dating app in which women are required to make the first move, notes the company. According to Bumble’s blog, The Buzz, Bumble counts 94,000 new users daily, with 23 million new matches made each week[1]These Stats Will Make You Feel Optimistic About Online Dating. The Buzz - Bumble. Accessed 1/3/2024. .
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Bumble at a Glance
- Users: About 50 million people have used Bumble, according to the app’s description in the Apple App Store[2]Bumble: Dating & Friends App. App Store. Accessed 1/3/2024. . It is currently rated 4.3-out-of-5 stars on the App Store with 1.5 million ratings, as well as 3.8-out-of-5 stars on the Google Play Store with 944,000 reviews.
- Matching algorithm: Bumble utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to learn your preferences based on your swiping activity and past matches, according to a company spokesperson. The latest iteration of this algorithm is one of Bumble’s newest features, Best Bees, which is a daily, personalized list of four top profiles that the platform deems most compatible with you.
- Features: Bumble offers a long list of free and paid features, such as the Question Game, video calls, audio calls, advanced search, Incognito Mode and Backtrack.
How Does Bumble Work?
The Bumble app is free to download in the App Store and Google Play. After you download it, you’re prompted to agree to the Bumble Pledge, which holds you accountable for your behavior on the app and states you’ll be respectful to other members.
Then, you can create a profile and personalize it with your basic information, up to six photos, interests and more. From there, you can swipe left or right on potential matches. While a left swipe shows you’re not interested, a right swipe does indicate interest.
In heterosexual matches on Bumble, women are required to make the first move. Once a match is made, the woman has 24 hours to message the other user, or the connection expires. In same-gender matches, matches involving two non-binary people or matches between non-binary people and men, either person has the power to make the first move, explains the company.
In addition to regular swipes, Bumble also offers SuperSwipes, which let you tell a match you’re particularly interested in them. There’s also a Backtrack feature you can use to swipe right on some you swiped left on by accident. If you prefer to meet people in person, the platform also hosts Bumble IRL events, which take place in several major cities, including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Miami and Houston.
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services
Elite Singles
- 381,000+ new monthly members
- Intelligent matchmaking for quality connections
- Time well spent with tailored matches in 25 minutes
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- Daily profile quality checks to ensure safe dating experience with real people
On Elite Single's Website
How Much Does Bumble Cost?
Bumble allows you to swipe through members’ profiles, make matches and send messages all for free. All users also have the opportunity to use the Extend feature on one match per day (this gives users 24 extra hours to start a conversation) and take advantage of features such as profile Badges (that show basic info about yourself, like location, hometown, and work) specific search preferences (such as exercise level, education and politics), video calls, voice notes and audio calls, the Question Game (a conversation starter where you and a match answer pre-written questions) and more.
If you’re looking to take your Bumble experience to the next level, you can pay for Bumble Boost, Bumble Premium and Bumble Premium+ subscriptions, which both include additional features to enhance your experience.
Bumble Boost, which starts at $19.99 per month, includes additional features, like:
- Backtrack
- Unlimited swipes
- One Spotlight per week to put your profile at the top so more users can see it
- Five SuperSwipes per week
- Unlimited Extends
Bumble Premium, the most robust option, starts at $34.99 per month and offers everything included with Bumble Boost, as well as:
- Access to unlimited advanced filters such as height, star sign, habits and education
- Access to Beeline, which shows users who have swiped right on you
- Travel mode, which allows you to change your location to another city
- Incognito Mode, which hides your profile so you can swipe privately and are only seen by people you swipe right on
Bumble Premium+ starts at $49.99 per month and includes everything offered through Boost and Premium, plus:
- The ability to fast-track your likes or make sure they see you sooner
- Have your profile prioritized in others’ feeds at the most optimal time of day
- Find other users who are trending
What Experts Say
“In the ever-evolving landscape of online dating, Bumble stands out as a platform with unique dynamics that can be used in a number of ways,” explains Kimberly Mayes (“Dr. Kim”), a licensed clinical social worker and Houston-based psychotherapist with more than 15 years of experience. “As a therapist, I find that Bumble can be a valuable tool for individuals who approach it with a healthy mindset and clear intentions.”
“Bumble’s focus on women initiating conversations empowers women to confidently communicate their interests and preferences,” she adds. “This departure from conventional gender roles fosters more equal communication and sets the tone for mutual respect and interest.”
According to Dr. Kim, Bumble is a good option for those who are open to exploring new connections, clear in their communication and ready to embrace the potential for meaningful relationships. She encourages people to use Bumble to make new connections and supplement their social lives, complementing real-world interactions, rather than replacing them entirely.
We Specialize In Compatibility
At eharmony we offer the opportunity to experience real love through our Compatibility Matching System. We give each of our members the ability to find compatibility and connection through our unique features.
The Experience
Bumble is currently rated 1.3-out-of-5 stars on TrustPilot based on 1,311 reviews. The majority of reviews are negative from current and former Bumble users, which describe fake profiles, payment issues and poor customer service. “Had a subscription and it ended early before the subscription was up. Tried to contact customer service twice and sent in proof, no one responded,” wrote one 1-star review.
Many of the positive reviews are from women who are happy to have more control of the dating experience. “I met my boyfriend of almost two years using the app. It was great fun, however I refused to pay the subscription fee. Because of this, you are limited on what you can do. However, it was nice to have the ball in your own court unlike other apps,” voiced one 5-star review. “Great app if you wanna get in touch with new people. Bunch of members, easy to use. Most women are actually looking for a relationship, so if that is what you want, it is [a] good app,” wrote another 4-star reviewer.
Intelligent Matchmaking For Quality Connections
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Bumble for hookups or dating?
Just like all dating apps and sites, Bumble can be used to find casual flings or long-term relationships, such as marriage.
What age range is Bumble for?
To join Bumble, you must be 18 years of age or older. According to 2022 online dating survey results from Pew Research Center, 51% of U.S. online dating users between the ages of 18 and 29 reported ever using Bumble, followed by 24% of those between the ages of 30 and 49.
Is Bumble better than Tinder?
Bumble is similar to Tinder in that both function as dating apps. However, Bumble operates on the basis of requiring a woman to make the first move and initiate a conversation in heterosexual relationships, while Tinder allows anyone to message their match first.
