Rank #3 in the USA · Best relationship app
Hinge review
Hinge is the best app for younger American singles who want a relationship without filling out a 40-minute survey. It is our top pick in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, and Seattle.
Pros
- ✓ Highest-quality conversations in big U.S. cities
- ✓ Profiles show personality, not just photos
- ✓ Usable for free if you are patient
Cons
- – Weaker in some small towns versus Match
- – Hinge+ is tempting once likes run out
Hinge’s slogan — designed to be deleted — still matches how U.S. millennials and younger Gen X talk about the app. People screenshot prompts. They comment on a specific photo. That tiny bit of effort is why first dates from Hinge feel less like interviews and more like you already know a joke together.
We tested it as a primary app in four metros. Response quality was consistently higher than Tinder and on par with Bumble, with a clearer “looking for a relationship” tilt. LGBTQ+ users also reported a more comfortable mix than on older web-first sites, though dedicated queer apps still win for some niches.
The free tier is real: you can match and message without paying. Limited likes force you to choose. That is good for dating. It is bad for dopamine. Hinge+ unlocks more likes and extra filters (including height, which many U.S. users care about whether we like it or not).
Choose Hinge if you are under 40 and live in or near a metro. Choose Match or eharmony if you are older, dating with kids, or you need search tools that apps still do not match.