Hinge vs Coffee Meets Bagel: Which Dating Site Should You Choose?

The First Impression

Hinge has been in the dating scene since 2012. Match Group that runs the popular Match.com, later acquired it. The site is committed to offering its users a conducive environment to find serious partners for long-term relationships. It is also committed to ensuring that your relationship works by encouraging you to delete the app once you find a match. The members on the app are looking for serious relationships, and you can access communication features for free. Moreover, the site has minimal fake accounts, and member profiles are detailed. You can only access the service on the app.

On the other hand, Coffee Meets Bagel went live in 2012. The app also seeks to save users from the hustle of swiping profile pictures endlessly. Through a unique feature referred to as #LadiesChoice, you will have a better online dating experience. The site provides men with matches called “Bagels” and gives them up to 24 hours to like or pass. The app then selects from the men who expressed their interest the best matches for the ladies. This model ensures that you don’t waste a lot of time on the app swiping through profiles.

From the two apps’ first impressions, it is evident that both apps seek to facilitate their users to find serious relationships. However, both used different approaches to run their operations. Read below a detailed comparison of the two.

Functional Differences: Hinge Features vs Coffee Meets Bagel Features

To get started on Hinge, new users must create a user account. You can use your Facebook account or phone number to register a user account. The app guides through the signup process, which takes longer compared to other dating platforms. The app also verifies the email and phone number you use for registration.

On the other hand, Coffee Meets Bagel also guides new users in the registration process. You can sign up using your Facebook account, and the app requires you to fill in several details about yourself.

Hinge uses a roulette-style matchmaking feature. Users get recommendations of potential matches, and they either like or pass. If you like a profile and the user likes you back, the app will notify you that you like each other.

Coffee Meets Bagel’s matching system is almost similar to Hinge’s but with a slight twist. The service presents men with potential matches and gives them 24 hours to like or pass. The app then uses a feature called “#LadiesChoice offers ladies six-match suggestions every day. If the men that liked a lady’s photo did not reach, the app looks for other suitable matches to fill the number. If a lady likes you back, then that is a match.

In matters of communication, Hinge allows all users to send messages for free. However, there is a catch! Members can only send messages to their mutual matches. Hinge does not allow users to send each other photos.

Similarly, sending messages on Coffee Meets Bagel is also free. However, it also has its restrictions when it comes to chatting. You can chat with your mutual match for seven days before that offer expires. The app also offers “icebreakers” to help newly connected new members to chat easily.

Both sites also offer their members free and premium accounts, as explained later in this guide. Otherwise, you can see that the two are not worlds apart in their functionality. Both seem to have crafted their features to help their members find their matches as soon as possible.

Biggest Advantages

Biggest Shortcomings

Interface Differences: Which Is More User-Friendly?

Match Group made wholesale changes to the Hinge App after acquiring it. The changes made the app outlook clutter-free making it more appealing to younger users. The app now has more lively colors and an easy-to-use interface. The app design presents users with straightforward communicating features to encourage users to utilize them. You can access all the main functionalities of the app from the main page.

On the other hand, Coffee Meets Bagel uses a minimalist design and functionality. The homepage was designed for larger screens, and users can enjoy enlarged videos and pictures. Overall, the app design makes it easier for users to find what they are looking for.

Who Has Better Design/Overall Aesthetics?

When you compare the two, Hinge comes out on top in this section. The app designers continually update it, making it more attractive to its users. Moreover, it is not just pleasing to the eye; its functionality is also impeccable.

Availability

Hinge User Base: Demography and Popularity

Hinge boasts of a membership of over 5 million users globally. The majority of the members on the site are from the US. Moreover, the site claims it records up to 90000 logins daily. Hinge’s spokespersons revealed that most of the members are young professionals aged between 24 and 35 who are seeking serious relationships.

On the flip side, Coffee Meets Bagel’s founders are very secretive concerning their membership. However, reports suggest that the app was targeting around 300000 from Sydney during the Australian launch. Other reports also indicate that there are up to 60000 members from New Zealand. The majority of the users on the app are aged between 21 and 35 years. Just like Hinge, the app seems to target youthful professionals looking for serious relationships.

From the demographic analysis of the two sites, it is apparent that both seem to attract the same audience. However, Hinge is more popular and has a more global outlook than Coffee Meets Bagel.

Men and Women Proportion

On Hinge, there is almost an equal number of ladies and gentlemen. Numbers from the site suggest that 55% of the app’s population is men while the rest are women. On the other hand, Coffee Meets Bagel has more women than men. According to the numbers, 60% are women, while 40% are women.

Profile Details and Settings

On both apps, user profiles play a crucial role in determining the accuracy of your matches. Therefore, they encourage and guide their users in the profile-creating process.

If you are in Hinge, your profile will only show the details you agreed to be made public in the signup process. Every member’s profile shows their personal information, written answers, and photos. Most of the profiles on the dating app are filled in completely. If you want to read more about the user, you can click on the “About Me” section. User profiles are also scattered throughout the profile, and you will have to scroll down to the bottom to see every photo.

On Coffee Meets Bagel, you cannot see other users’ names until you connect with them. Just like on Hinge, the user profiles here are also detailed. But, you cannot manually search profiles; you only have access to the profiles of possible matches presented by the app. Users can only upload up to 9 photos. Members can also view other members’ photos for free.

It is clear that the profiles on the two apps are very detailed. Both apps encourage users to fill all their profile information making their matches information-based.

Hinge vs Coffee Meets Bagel: Searching and Matching System Differences

The two apps are both relationship-oriented. As a result, they allow users to go through the user profiles before settling on their best match.

As mentioned earlier, Hinge uses a roulette-style. It uses the information you provide on your profile to offer users match suggestions. You can like or pass on a profile depending on how you like it. If you like a profile and the user likes you back, you will be a match. You can also view users who liked you, and a premium account will give you a better view.

Coffee Meets Bagel uses a different approach in their matchmaking. The app seems to give the women power over who can send them messages. It sends “Bagels” or potential matches to men and gives them 24 hours to like the suggestions or pass on them. After that, the app presents ladies with six possible matches every day. The lady can choose the person they like from the suggestions.

When you compare the two apps, they both use user details to find potential matches. However, Coffee Meets Bagel limits the number of matches you can interact with. Some experts argue that the limitation is a disadvantage for the app.

Chances to Find Serious Relationship

You will have a higher chance of finding a serious relationship on both apps. Their systems are specially designed to help users find serious relationships. Hinge even encourages users to delete the app once they find a perfect match. Users have a better chance of finding a match on Hinge than on Coffee Meets Bagel.

Chances to Find Casual Relationship

You will have minimal chances of getting a casual relationship. Both dating apps have a membership that is keen on finding a lifetime partner. Therefore, while there could be the odd case of finding a casual relationship, the probability is very low.

User Safety and Fake Profiles

Both sites take the security of their users seriously. Here is how they take care of user security on the apps.

Hinge encrypts data submitted by users to keep it away from intruders. Moreover, it also reveals that it restricts employee access to user data. The app also uses third parties to assess its system’s security. The site also encourages its users to take care of their own security. The registration process also involves verification of emails and phone numbers which reduces the number of fake profiles.

Coffee Meets Bagel state that they do not perform background checks on new users. Apart from also using encryption technology, the app’s matchmaking also helps keep the site secure. For instance, you can only message someone you have matched with.

When you compare the two apps, Hinge seems to understand better how to take care of its user safety.

User Verification Process

Coffee Meets Bagel explicitly states that they do not perform any background checks, and there are no strict verification processes. However, Hinge has a better user verification process as it verifies the email and phone numbers members use to register accounts.

Moderation Process: Reporting Fakes and Scam

For users on Hinge, if you feel someone is breaking the code of conduct, click on the ellipses at the top-right corner on their profile and click the “Report” button. The app also expects you to provide reasons why you are reporting that member. When you report a member, the app automatically blocks them from reaching out to you.

Also, Coffee Meets Bagel allows its users to block users that have displayed unbecoming behavior. Once you block a user, you will not access their profiles while they also wouldn’t be able to access your profile.

Pricing and Upgrades

Members of Hinge and Coffee Meets Bagel can access services for free and upgrade to a premium account to access better services. Here are the premium plan account plans.

Hinge:

Hinge Premium features:

• Premium members can send unlimited likes.
• You can view all members that like you from one place.
• The app allows you to set more advanced preferences.

Coffee Meets Bagel:

Coffee Meets Bagel premium features:

• You can see other members’ activities on the site.
• Paying members get notifications on who read their messages.
• They also get 6000 beans monthly.
• They can access unrestricted Woos.
• They can also see mutual friends for all their matches.

Free Version: Features Available

Before you go for the premium account on both apps, you can access some of the services for free. Here are the services you can access for free on the apps:

Hinge:

• You can view the complete profile of members.
• You can also send messages to mutual matches.
• Members can also see who sent them likes.

Coffee Meets:

• Free members can create profiles.
• They can also browse potential match profiles.
• They can send messages to connected members.
• They can also receive free beans.

Final Verdict: The Prize Goes to…. Hinge

Based on the findings of this comparison, Hinge is the better of the two dating apps. It has a bigger user base, and the site users are also very active. Unlike Coffee Meets Bagel, Hinge members are spread across the world. Moreover, the app also allows users more freedom in choosing their matches.

Read full Hinge Review
Read full Coffee Meets Bagel Review