Both Tinder and Dating.com focus on connecting people who have things in common and aim to facilitate quick hookups between users. However, they function in different ways and target very different types of users. While Dating.com is more geared toward people looking to date others, while Tinder is more focused on the swiping experience. Which is better?
Let’s take a look at some key differences between the two apps:
Tinder: A unique swipe experience
Swiping has become a ubiquitous part of the dating experience. It lets you see who else is also interested in the person you’re interested in. And, it lets you avoid people you’re not interested in. If you swipe right on someone, you’re showing that you’re interested in them.
If you swipe left on someone, you’re telling them that you’re not interested. Tinder lets you swipe right on who you want to see again, swiping left to let them know you’re not interested. It also lets you swipe right on someone to add them to your “friends” list. Then, when you’re both online at the same time, you can see who your friends are right next to your name in their profile.
Dating.com: An established platform for online dating
Dating.com is one of the most established online dating platforms. It was created over 20 years ago in 1996! Dating.com has an amazing variety of interests and demographics, so you’re sure to find someone who matches you. You’re able to search for people by age, location, relationship status, and interest—all from the comfort of your couch.
Dating.com also has great tools for making your online dating experience as efficient as possible. You can search for people based on location, interests, and distance. You can send “boosts” to people you’re interested in, boosting their profile for 24 hours, and you can blacklist people so you don’t accidentally match with them.

Which is best for new users?
If you’re just getting started with online dating, Tinder might be the better option. Tinder is more focused on the swiping experience than dating.com. As such, the app is best suited to people who want a more “casual” experience.
If you’re looking to date someone in real life, Tinder is best used to get to know someone while staying away from commitments. While Tinder is best suited to casual relationships, it’s also an effective way to get out of the house and meet new people.
Pros and cons of tinder and dating.com
Now that you know the differences between Tinder and Dating.com, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each app.
Pros of Tinder
- You only need to download the app once to use it on multiple devices
- No need to create an account or provide your personal information
- Decent match percentage
- Easy to connect with people
- You can send “in-app” messages
- You can “like” pictures
- Very easy to access
- No need to make plans or make reservations
- You can meet up with people easily
- You can easily “bump” someone else’s match
- You can easily “ignore” people
- Plenty of options to keep things interesting

Cons of Tinder
- Limited options for location
- Some users might find the app frustrating
- It’s easy to get carried away swiping
- “Missed connection” because you didn’t notice someone
- Limited options to find dates in real life
- Some users might find the swiping experience to be too casual
- It’s easy to get bored with “cutesy” pictures
- Limited options for those looking for dates in real life
- Dating.com has a higher cost than Tinder
Why is Dating.com for Relationships?
Over the years, dating apps have been accused of helping people cheat. Indeed, there have been several studies that have found Tinder to be associated with cheating. However, a new study aims to debunk these myths and show that Tinder leads to more commitment.
In this study, researchers from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo set up a fake Tinder account with a selection of photos and asked participants to write a bio. The researchers then used the data to predict which accounts would become long-term partners.
The results showed that Tinder users were 40% more likely to keep the person they were dating than those who weren’t on Tinder. What’s more, people who were cheating on their partners with a fake account were 31% more likely to break up with their partners than those who weren’t cheating.
Final Words
Ultimately, the best way to decide which app is best for you is to give each one a try for a few months. Give each a fair shot and see which you prefer. Once you find the app that works best for you, make sure to take advantage of the many tools and features each app has to offer.
These will make your online dating experience more efficient and enjoyable. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to meeting new people and finding someone new to date in real life!