Bumble Gains on Tinder in U.S. Dating App Market

The U.S. dating app landscape is seeing a major shakeup as Bumble apparently closes in on Tinder’s long-standing dominance. According to recent data, both apps now command nearly equal shares of the market – 25% for Tinder and 24% for Bumble – while Hinge follows in third place with an 18% share.

Tinder’s swipe-based model, centered on physical proximity and quick interactions, remains popular, especially among younger users – 60% of whom are under 35. However, competition has intensified as rivals offer differentiated experiences. Bumble, which allows women to initiate conversations in heterosexual matches, has grown steadily since launch and is closing in on Tinder’s top spot. Hinge, with its emphasis on relationship-oriented prompts and user profiles, is also gaining traction simply for being a more focused dating experience.

The shift comes amid broader growth in the dating app industry, which reached a market size of over $6 billion in 2024, a 15.7% year-over-year increase. Much of this revenue is generated by iOS users, who account for roughly 80% of in-app purchases across the sector.

Globally, around 360 million people were using dating apps in 2024, up from approximately 345 million the previous year. Tinder remains the most-used platform worldwide, with around 90 million users. However, it has seen a decline in paying subscribers since its 2022 peak. In Q3 2022, Tinder reached 11.1 million paid users, but by Q4 2024, that number had fallen to 9.4 million – a 15% drop.

Other notable players in the U.S. market include Plenty of Fish, Grindr, and Hily, each with 7% market share, followed by Badoo at 4%. Despite the rise of competitors, Tinder still leads globally – but the U.S. market is increasingly becoming a more competitive space. Notably, Badoo has the top spot in many countries, often those where Tinder hasn’t already dominated.