Dozens of perfectly working dating apps out there, yet there still isn't one to "rule them all". What should the perfect dating app look like? Is it appearance-centered like Tinder, or fun and light-hearted like Hater? Should it only cater to those looking for romance, or include people who want to make friends as well?
It seems like Bumble is on a path to achieve it all. With its many functions and modes, the app caters to people interested in dating, meeting friends, and even networking. We've tested every mode of Bumble available to find out what's good, bad, and whether you should ditch whichever alternative app you're using right now for Bumble.
What Is Bumble Dating?
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At this point, Bumble has made its reputation of the best dating app for women. They rolled out its first mode announcing that the rules of online dating will have to change. Now women are the ones initiating the first contact and conversation on the app.
The concept was fresh and timely. As a result, it worked quite well, making not just women flock to the Bumble dating app. But is it the best dating app for you?
One big point is that Bumble would probably be a good fit for someone who still enjoys the game of swiping, but is somewhat fed up with the way Tinder does it. Bumble is a direct Tinder rival, and they did manage to learn from some of the mistakes Tinder made and improve on it.
Cool Perks of Bumble
Women Command the Conversation
As a woman, you'll get to experience making the first step yourself. Unfortunately, in the majority of modern dating apps that's normally not the case. And as a guy, you get to relax and wait for her to start a conversation. No more thinking of effective pickup lines or trying to be funny.
"Ghosting" Ban
An online dating phenomena, "ghosting" is when a person drops the conversation for no reason at all. According to Bumble, "every chat that is started now requires a reply within the following 24 hours, or that chat expires". No ghosting allowed!
Fewer Spam Bots
You know those profiles of people that link you to a third-party site instead of having a conversation? On Bumble, you won't see as many of those as you will, for example, while swiping right on Tinder.
Disappointing Let-Downs of Bumble
Facebook Authentification
You can't use Bumble without a Facebook account. The app claims that this is their way of proving you're a real person. However, if you came here looking for a dating app that doesn't require your Facebook login to use it, you're out of luck.
Time Limit on Everything
While the 24-hour rule is refreshing and makes online dating more dynamic, it can also be a pain if you don't check the app on daily basis. For instance, messages from new matches will disappear if you don't make a move within the timeframe.
Expired Matches
For some reason, on Bumble even if your match has expired, you keep seeing it in your queue. There is no option to delete it either. So if you're not a fan of things getting cluttered, this might annoy you quite a bit.
Bumble's Mode Switching
Not here to look for a date? Well, the Bumble app has a few more things to offer. All you gotta do is switch to a different mode.
Before we jump on to discussing Bizzness, let's make sure we've got all the basics covered. Next up is a tricky one---a dating app that claims it will find friends for you: Bumble BFF.
What Is Bumble BFF?
Many dating apps have tried and failed to deliver on the promise of making a mode for finding friends online. And among all the alternatives, Bumble BFF seems to be doing rather well.
When you switch into BFF mode, you'll see your potential dates replaced by people if the same sex that Bumble thinks you would want to be friends with.
If you're curious to let a dating app's algorithm try and find local people that you could have fun with and potentially become friends---Bumble BFF is the place for you.
Cool Perks of Bumble BFF
Everyone Can Start a Conversation
While the 24-hour rule still applies, in Bumble BFF it makes no difference as to which one of you starts the conversation.
Confusion-Free Division
Different modes for dating and finding friends makes it very clear to you which chats belong where. On top of that, all things Bumble BFF will be color-coded. In order to avoid confusion, remember that yellow is for dates and mint-green---for friends.
Disappointing Let-Downs of Bumble BFF
Time Limit Stays
While some of you might say that there's no need to wait longer than 24 hours to start a conversation with someone, the time frame might still be an issue for others. Don't want to miss a chance to meet a cool person just because you were too busy that one day to check the app? You might want to look into Bumble's paid subscription options.
What Is Bumble Boost?
While the Bumble app is free to use, there are certain premium features that you can get for paying a little extra.
Bumble Boost gives you access to a list of everyone who has swiped right on you, allows you to rematch with expired connections, and extend your matches by another 24 hours. Deciding whether this is worth the money or not is up to you. However, when the feature was first introduced it received quite a lot of negative feedback, like users stating they haven't gotten more matches out of their paid subscription.
Bumble Coins will buy you SuperSwipes---a function that designed to let you tell a potential match you're really into them before they even swipe left or right on you.
In-app purchases start at $2 for Bumble Coins and $12 for Bumble Boost.
What Is Bumble Bizz?
It's true that busy people might prefer online dating due to it being less time-consuming than the real-life alternative. But what about online networking? You can now keep your personal and professional life both separate and on the same app using Bumble Bizz.
Bizz mode will match you with other professionals in your location. Its main purpose is to make networking more fun and less intimidating. However, keep in mind that unlike LinkedIn, Bumble Bizz isn't designed for job searching.
If you're looking to exchange or learn new skills but don't have time to attend official meetings and seminars, give Bizz a go.
Cool Perks of Bumble Bizz
It's Simple to Join
You don't need to write a giant "about me" essay, state all the places you've worked at, or include professional references to get started with Bumble Bizz. All that's required are your professional-looking pictures and a digital CV. But if you really want to go the extra mile to showcase your skills, you can also attach samples of your work.
It's Free
You might not realize it, but this is a great opportunity to meet professionals from different spheres without having to attend (and pay for) numerous workshops and conferences.
Disappointing Let-Downs of Bumble Bizz
Not Available Everywhere
Even though it's in the company's plans to launch Bizz globally, at the moment it's still only available in certain countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
What Is Bumble Next?
Speaking of future prospects, Bumble already has plans for introducing a new mode (yes, another one of these). Admittedly, this one could be an actual game changer, as a video dating a hot topic in online dating right now.
Whether adding video stories will make dating easier or harder for all of us is difficult to say. Though it's certainly something worth waiting for.
Ready to Buzz Around on Bumble?
It looks like the Bumble app has it all covered, and everyone can find their own mode that caters to their needs. At the same time, the app has been getting a lot of mixed feedback lately. Of course, the ultimate choice is up to you. So what's it gonna be, yea or nay?