With its core mission to place ladies in charge of their on-line relationship expertise, Bumble has change into one of the fashionable relationship apps — boasting 100 million customers throughout six continents.

Till not too long ago, solely ladies have been allowed to message first on Bumble. Nonetheless, in an effort to be extra inclusive, the app now permits anybody in a same-gender match to message first, in addition to non-binary individuals who match with different non-binary folks and males.

Bumble is certainly one of my favourite relationship apps on the market — it is user-friendly and has nice prompts that will help you exhibit your character. Nonetheless, I’ll be the primary to confess the app may use some enhancements.

These are some issues I do not love about Bumble:

  1. It’s not obligatory to fill out the prompts (I’ve seen loads of profiles with simply pictures).
  2. 24-hour window to message others is usually not sufficient. There have been many occasions I’ve matched with somebody and utterly forgot to message in time.

Nonetheless, I’ve had many constructive experiences with males on Bumble. They’ve for probably the most half have been open and clear on what they’re searching for.

Bumble has a free model, 1week membership trial, and a fast and simple enroll course of. Strive Bumble now without spending a dime >>

Right here’s what it’s essential to learn about Bumble:

Is Bumble legit? 

Sure — Bumble is a legit publicly traded firm based in 2014 in Austin, Texas, by Tinder co-founder Whitney Wolfe Herd.

In 2019, the holding firm for Bumble and its sister web site Badoo was acquired by funding agency Blackstone for $3 billion.

How Bumble works

Bumble has three completely different modes:

  • Bumble (for relationship)
  • Bumble BFF (for friendships)
  • Bumble Bizz (for skilled connections)

Every of those modes is accessible throughout the similar app, and you’ll simply change backwards and forwards between them.

Here is how every of those modes of Bumble work:

How Bumble for relationship works

Bumble is, at the beginning, a relationship app, initially constructed with ladies in thoughts — although, as I’ve stated, it is taken steps to be extra inclusive.

The Bumble app will be downloaded from each the Apple Retailer and on Google Play, or you possibly can go to Bumble.com from an online browser.

When you obtain the app, you’ll sync your profile in certainly one of these methods:

  1. Along with your Fb account
  2. Telephone quantity
  3. Apple ID

This verification helps to solidify that you’re really you — and that the folks you swipe throughout are legit people, as a substitute of a bot.

Right here’s how the method for organising a profile works: 

  1. Present your title and an preliminary photograph. You may add as much as 5 extra pictures to your profile, however Bumble means that you can full this step later in case you desire. 
  2. Add your birthday. It’s vital to notice that, in case you didn’t sync your profile to your Fb account, you possibly can, theoretically, select any age you favor.
  3. Affirm your identification. Bumble now options 75 completely different gender choices — together with male, feminine, and nonbinary — and also you even have the choice to submit a brand new gender if you cannot discover one that matches. 
  4. Choose matching preferences. You’ll be requested to pick which genders you are open to relationship. In the event you establish as a lady, you may all the time be allowed to message first. Nonbinary people can message first in all instances besides after they match with a lady.
  5. Present your e mail deal with for account restoration. 

In the event you maintain the ability to message first, you solely have 24 hours to take action, or the match will expire completely. 

When you’re within the app, matches seem instantly. You may filter matches by these specs, however you possibly can solely select two standards at a time within the free model, along with age and distance:

  • Top
  • Excercise
  • Star signal
  • Schooling stage
  • Ingesting
  • Smoking
  • Searching for
  • Youngsters
  • Faith
  • Politics

You may also restrict your matches to “verified” profiles solely. This implies, in accordance with the app, that somebody who works at Bumble has verified that the individual is who they are saying they’re by way of a photograph taken in actual time. You are able to do this, too. 

The final step earlier than you begin swiping? Organising your profile.

Bumble permits customers so as to add as much as six pictures of themselves (with the choice of verifying their profile by way of a photograph) in addition to a brief bio, pursuits, work and schooling, and varied convo-starting prompts (i.e. what an ideal first date may appear to be, or what you may do in a zombie apocalypse). 

Date filters on Bumble review.
Example profile on Bumble review.

Be aware that Bumble works for guys the identical means it really works for ladies, besides that solely ladies can provoke a chat.

Which means that each a person and a lady can “swipe proper” on one another, but when the lady doesn’t message inside 24 hours after the mutual connection is made, the match received’t go anyplace.

How Bumble BFF works

Bumble BFF makes use of the identical framework as its relationship counterpart, besides that matches are wanting strictly for friendship.

You would not have to obtain a separate app to make use of Bumble BFF, simply change modes within the app settings. (You’ll know you’re in Bumble BFF when the app switches over to a inexperienced shade scheme). 

Till not too long ago, solely same-sex matches might be made on Bumble BFF. Nonetheless, customers now have the choice to decide on whether or not they’re open to feminine, male, and/or non-binary pals. Nonetheless, males and non-binary people can’t message ladies first on Bumble BFF.

How Bumble Bizz works 

As its title suggests, Bumble Bizz is designed for making skilled enterprise connections.

You may write a headline to explain your self/what you’re hoping to perform on the app, embrace a brief schooling and work historical past, and select industries of curiosity to make connections.

How a lot does Bumble value? 

Though Bumble is free to obtain and use, you possibly can pay further for a premium membership, which lets you add a vast variety of filters to your match search. You may also:

  • See everybody who swiped proper on you with Beeline
  • Rematch with expired matches
  • Lengthen your matches by 24 hours
  • Undo unintended left swipes
  • Get limitless swipes
  • Put your self within the Highlight so extra folks see your profile
  • Use 5 SuperSwipes per week (which exhibits somebody you are further )

Premium membership prices as of September 2023, which incorporates all variations of Bumble (relationship, BFF, and Bizz):

  • $16.99 for one week
  • $34.99 for one month
  • $59.99 for 3 months
  • $99.99 for six months
  • $199.99 for a lifetime

A Bumble Enhance membership prices:

  • $9.99 for one week
  • $21.99 for one month
  • $39.99 for 3 months
  • $69.99 for six months

You may also spotlight your profile to make it stand out with Bumble Highlight for $6.99 for at some point.

You may present somebody you have an interest with a SuperSwipe. SuperSwipes value:

  • $4.99 for 2
  • $9.99 for 5
  • $19.99 for 15
  • $34.99 for 30

Professionals and cons of Bumble

Do you have to obtain Bumble? Right here’s a rundown of among the main professionals and cons related to the app, together with suggestions from consultants we interviewed: 

Professionals of Bumble

  1. For heterosexual matches, the management is in a lady’s hand, eliminating an inundation of (probably) undesirable messages.
  2. You have got the choice of matching with solely verified profiles (and verifying your individual profile), resulting in extra genuine matches.
  3. You may customise your profile with enjoyable, distinctive prompts and sync your Spotify and/or Instagram for a extra private contact (and probably stronger matches). 

How to decide on the fitting pics in your relationship profile

Cons of Bumble

  1. You don’t technically need to confirm your profile, opening up your swiping journey to probably pretend matches. 
  2. Though this may be framed as a constructive, the onus is on ladies to make the primary transfer on the app, which may really feel overwhelming or one-sided in case you’re not ready to place within the work. “The largest con with Bumble is that many males who perceive how Bumble works simply swipe proper on each lady and do not trouble studying their profiles till you ship them a message,” says Eric Resnick, a relationship coach and founding father of ProfileHelper.com. “Because of this, there is not any relationship app with a better rejection price for ladies daters than Bumble.”
  3. Matches expire inside 24 hours in case you don’t message the individual. 
  4. Nonbinary people can’t make the primary transfer in a match with ladies, which has disgruntled members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

Are there any Bumble risks?

There are all the time risks with regards to on-line relationship, however Bumble takes steps to make sure the protection of its customers. 

Whenever you be part of Bumble, you possibly can decide to submit a selfie photograph following a particular course so Bumble can confirm that you simply’re an actual individual (and that you’re who you say you might be). You may filter out matches to solely see different verified profiles.

Bumble additionally has a block and report function for members to make use of as wanted. 

Whereas one of the frequent Bumble complaints is that males can’t message first in matches with females, that is one other step Bumble takes to guard its feminine customers. 

Try our ideas for relationship safely on-line.

Bumble evaluations

Bumble score with the BBB

Regardless of having a trove of customers, Bumble has closed greater than 350 complaints on the Higher Enterprise Bureau’s web site, with the overwhelming majority of grievances associated to billing points. The BBB offers Bumble an F score.

Bumble’s Trustpilot score

Bumble solely has 1.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Most complaints accuse Bumble of getting too many pretend profiles and say the app is just too fast to dam paying members when one other member stories them.

Whereas most evaluations are unfavorable, there are a couple of random five-star evaluations of people that say they met their present companion via Bumble.

Bumble evaluations on Reddit from males

Listed here are some prime Bumble evaluations on Reddit: 

Bumble evaluations on Reddit from ladies

That is what the women of Bumble need to say on Reddit:

Bumble options

These are another fashionable relationship apps and the way they stack up towards Bumble:

Bumble vs. Tinder

Bumble and Tinder have been really based by the identical millennial feminine entrepreneur, Whitney Wolfe. They’re each among the many hottest relationship apps, have nice tech, are mobile-friendly and are nice for assembly new folks.

Is it higher to be on Bumble or Tinder? Which is healthier? And what is the distinction?

From my expertise, Bumble is lots higher than Tinder. Not solely do I’ve a number of pals who’ve met their SOs on this app, however I additionally discover the standard of males on this app to be higher.

After I used Tinder, it typically felt like I used to be enjoying “What number of likes can I get in a day.” I used to be left with numerous likes however no conversations.

On Bumble, (as a lot as I want the window to make the primary transfer is longer), I like that it weeds like all the fellows who have been simply liking to love. I’ll admit, the 24-hour window is useful once you do go on a liking spree and understand later that you simply’re not all in favour of a profile.

One more reason why I feel Bumble is healthier than Tinder is its straightforwardness each with the precise app and the folks. The app’s interface is clear and user-friendly — utilizing it feels very second nature. I additionally like that there are prompts to assist customers fill out their profiles.

Tinder’s interface over time has gotten clunky. There’s simply an excessive amount of occurring and there have been many situations the place I’ve Tremendous Favored somebody too many occasions.

Tinder would not have prompts; you possibly can simply listing a bunch of pursuits and your Spotify profile, however that doesn’t do a lot for me.

Example match on Bumble.

Try our Tinder evaluate.

Bumble vs. eharmony

Bumble, much like Tinder and Hinge, is completely a swiping app. Its relationship algorithm is essentially based mostly in your Fb profile, which you might be requested to attach upon signup (although you may also use your Apple ID or telephone quantity). Bumble is for all sorts of relationships — critical, informal, and hookups.

eharmony, then again, is a web site devoted completely to critical, dedicated partnerships. Whenever you be part of eharmony, you’ll reply an in depth questionnaire — about 150 questions — about your self and your required match, which takes about 20 minutes to finish. eharmony then exhibits you matches based mostly on an in depth algorithm. 

One piece of recommendation: Every relationship web site attracts several types of folks in numerous geographic areas, so ask your single pals which websites they like greatest in your metropolis.

Additionally, eharmony’s free model is an efficient method to test it out with out dedication — even when romantic dedication is your final purpose.

Try our eharmony evaluate.

Bumble vs Hinge

Hinge is certainly one of my favourite relationship apps, and for good motive — it’s really the place I met my present companion. 

Like eharmony, Hinge is extra geared towards critical relationships than Bumble, which is for all types of daters, together with these simply searching for a hookup. 

Each apps have in depth free variations that help you message different customers with out paying for a subscription. They each additionally use inventive prompts to assist daters type a connection.

Try our Hinge evaluate.

Bumble FAQs

What number of free swipes do you get on Bumble?

Though Bumble doesn’t publicly say what number of free swipes you get, on my profile, I moved via 105 swipes earlier than the app knowledgeable me I wanted to improve to a premium membership earlier than I may purchase extra.

What age is Bumble good for?

Though ladies of any age can use Bumble, licensed relationship coach Melissa M. Snow believes that the app is positioned completely for ladies who’re searching for one thing critical.

Going towards fashionable person opinion, Snow loves the 24-hour restrict on returned messaging as a result of it weeds out the fellows who solely test their relationship apps on Friday nights after they need to hook up. 

“I discover that lots of my purchasers who’re ladies, particularly profitable, emotionally clever, mature ladies, like Bumble higher than the opposite relationship apps,” Snow explains. “It was created with the intention of leveling the enjoying area and empowering ladies.”

“I desire a boyfriend however a very good man is difficult to search out.”

Is Bumble full of faux profiles?

As famous earlier, though the choice exists to confirm your profile, you don’t technically have to supply your true identification whereas utilizing the app. After I created a pretend profile for this text to higher perceive the swiping course of, I used to be capable of construct a profile with out my actual photograph or age.

Pretend profiles are one of many prime complaints for Bumble throughout fashionable evaluate websites like Trustpilot and the BBB.

Ought to I exploit my actual title on Bumble? 

If you wish to foster authentic connections, each the consultants we interviewed say that utilizing your actual first title (minus your final title, after all) is vital. 

How profitable is Bumble for relationship?

Whereas there isn’t a revealed knowledge to point out Bumble’s success price, it continues to be one of the fashionable relationship apps, with 100 million customers. 

Nonetheless, quite a few evaluations lately present customers are more and more annoyed with the app’s overabundance of faux profiles and restrictive messaging insurance policies. Bumble has low rankings from the Higher Enterprise Bureau (F) and Trustpilot (1.4/5 stars). 

Many customers additionally complain about being banned from the positioning for seemingly no motive, (Oddly sufficient, Hinge evaluations typically have the identical criticism). 

Backside line: Is Bumble value it?

In the event you’re trying to date or meet pals in your space, Bumble is value making an attempt out.

Although ladies maintain the ability on Bumble, Bumble is value it for guys who’re bored with making the primary transfer and being ignored or rejected.

Though it’s possible you’ll not be capable to message with as many ladies as you’ll on an app like Tinder, the ladies who really join with it’s possible you’ll be extra more likely to need to have interaction and finally meet in individual.

Different relationship app evaluations from Bianca:

Is Bumble legit?

Based in 2014 in Austin, Texas by Whitney Wolfe, Tinder founder, who on the time was 26 years previous. Bumble is backed by entrepreneur Andrey Andreev, and Bumble is immediately valued at $8 billion.

How a lot does Bumble value?

Though Bumble is free to obtain and use, you possibly can add two further filters to your match search (in addition to distance and age) earlier than it’s important to pay further for a premium membership, which begins at $16.99 for one week.

What number of free swipes do you get on Bumble?

Though Bumble doesn’t publicly say what number of free swipes you get, on my profile, I moved via 105 swipes earlier than the app knowledgeable me that I wanted to improve to a premium membership earlier than I may purchase extra.

Is the Bumble relationship app any good?

Regardless of having a trove of customers, Bumble has closed 344 complaints on the Higher Enterprise Bureau’s web site, with the overwhelming majority of grievances associated to billing points. The BBB offers Bumble an F score.

Is Bumble value it?

In the event you’re trying to date or meet pals in your space, Bumble is value making an attempt out, nevertheless it’s not one of the best relationship app for critical relationships in our opinion.

Our Bumble rankings:

  • Member’s expertise

  • Matches

  • Price

  • Customer support