OkCupid vs Tinder: Which One is Better?
by John Santana
Online dating is more successful in getting you a match than the good ol’ fashion pickup in pubs. Your profile is seen by girls on the platform and you are matched with those interested in you. You do not have to waste time trying your luck with every girl who looks your way in a bar.
Dating apps have changed the game. OkCupid and Tinder are considerably the two biggest giants in the field. They both have millions of users with similar features at first glimpse. There is something fundamentally different about the two apps and you should read carefully before signing up for the one that suits you the most.
OkCupid Vs Tinder: At a Glance
OkCupid Advantages:
- Main features for free
- Lower price premium package
- More comprehensive features
- Large user base
- Better for finding a long term match
OkCupid Disadvantages:
- More males than females
- Young user base
- Site speed can be slow
Tinder Advantages:
- Main features for free
- Inclusive to diverse members
- Huge global user base
- Better for hookups
- Connects with external apps
Tinder Disadvantages:
- Can have fake profiles
- Matches based on physical attraction
- Heavily weighted towards young males
Winner: Don’t want to read the full article? The editor’s choice is that while both sites have some decent features, both are mediocre. We think there are better options out there to find dates and hookups fast. Check out our full review of both sites as well as alternative recommendations down below.
OkCupid Vs Tinder Comparison
1. User Base
- OkCupid has 50 million registered members worldwide
- Tinder has 6+ million users worldwide
OkCupid
According to OkCupid, it has over 50 million registered members worldwide. This number is certainly impressive. OkCupid stands out further from its competitors as the majority of its registered members remain active.
Tinder
According to Tinder, it has more than 6 million users worldwide and 55 billion matches to date, a stunning number that draws users to sign up. Tinder covers most parts of the world with the majority of its members in the US.
It is safe to say that no matter where you are in this world, you will find quality matches in your region because of the large user base in the system.
You can search users by their geographical location and customize the radius search. Tinder is famous for its strong geographical search, a feature only a handful of dating platforms can master like Bang Locals.
Winner: OkCupid has a bigger reach and member base
2. Matchmaking effectiveness
- OkCupid filter through your specific search requirement
- Tinder bases matches on looks and bio
OkCupid
OkCupid is more than a platform for sex and lust. Among all the trending sites, OkCupid is the rare one that spreads the idea of finding your soulmate and building a deeper bond. Users can set their specific filters to find girls that fit their requirements.
From hair colors to hobbies and life goals, you can find anyone that resonates with you. It gives you great flexibility in searching for the special one.
Tinder
On Tinder you can only skim through a few photos to decide if you like a profile. Tinder does not bulk display profiles, so users have to decide one by one. It is unlikely that you will spend time studying each profile and there is not really much to study about.
You only get the user’s name, photos, and age on the cover. It is a rather superficial way to connect with someone and Tinder does not seem to encourage a deeper bond. If you are looking for something casual, Tinder is your go-to app.
The whole app is designed for instant matches according to users’ physical attributes. If you want something more serious, you have a better chance on OkCupid, which puts more emphasis on building a deeper bond. You will have a decent understanding of your date before you meet. The profile builder allows you to show more personality.
Winner: While Tinder is the winner of the hookup world, OkCupid is better if you want a deeper connection or to settle down.
3. Unique features
- On OkCupid uses a personality test to find matches
- Tinder connects with apps like Spotify to show your personality
OkCupid
OkCupid understands your type by the answers you give when you sign up. The system asks you a list of random questions on your initial registration. Your search result will be based on the answers you provide. The system can accurately predict how compatible you will be with other users by comparing your answers together.
As you spend more time on the platform, its algorithm automatically updates your preference by studying your current matches and what kind of profiles you have been spending the most time on. After taking some personality tests, you can display the personality traits on your profile which draws attention to you more easily.
Tinder
Just a plain profile does not elaborate much on your personality. So Tinder takes it one step further by displaying your playlist. You can connect it with Spotify or Snapchat to give it a more personal touch. Now, members will not only be reading your text, they will be listening to your taste.
Winner: OkCupid wins with a personality test that leads you to more compatible matches
4. User Demographic
- For OkCupid nearly half of the users fall into the young mid-20s age group and has a significantly higher proportion of male members than females
- Tinder caters well to the LGBT+ community, great for MILFs and cougars but most members are also young males
OkCupid
When it comes to diversity, OkCupid might not win this category. Most of the users are between 20-35, and as expected, they are looking for someone their age as well. For the mature ones, they might find OkCupid dull since the system does not even give you a chance to display your profile if you do not fall into other users’ search range.
The gender distribution on OkCupid is hardly 50/50. Male members comprise a striking 65% of all users. So you are against a sea of competition, fighting for the 35% of girls.
There are certainly more options out there on the market where the gender balance is better, together with the age range as well. Going on OkCupid as a guy can be frustrating at times. Girls have a lot more options than you, so sometimes you will end up getting ghosted because it is easy for the girls to find someone else.
Tinder
Tinder does make an effort to make the platform available and accepting to all. Society is evolving. Dating sites are adapting to become more inclusive to include all sorts of people. Tinder is doing an excellent job in this aspect. Its profile builder caters well to the LGBT+ community and allows you to choose the type of profiles on your display.
You do not have to be shy about what you are looking for. If you are a young man looking for a cougar, put that in your search requirement and your desire will be reciprocated.
However, based on its actual user count, most members are young males in their mid-20s. Only 40% of users are females. This imbalance would impact your chance at connecting with girls as they have more options.
Winner: Tinder wins with a more diverse user base however both platforms are heavily weighted to young males
5. Security
- On OkCupid there are very few fake or inactive profiles
- On Tinder there is no security measure in combating fake profiles
OkCupid
It is common for dating apps, particularly those that have been around for a long time, to have inactive profiles. Those profiles have been left idle for years but the system fails to freeze or remove them, creating a fake illusion that the app has a lot of users when in fact.
The good thing is, members on OkCupid are active and genuine. You don’t have to worry about coming across a profile that left the online dating game 10 years ago. The system also automatically freezes idle accounts to prevent scams and bots from disturbing users.
Tinder
Everyone can create a profile with just their email and several photos. Tinder lacks a proper authentication process to verify the identity of each user. You will stumble across a lot of people pretending to be the opposite sex or using someone else’s photos to catfish. This is a serious security issue and Tinder has not addressed it for years.
Winner: OkCupid wins with far fewer fake and inactive profiles
6. Value for Money
- More feature-rich platform with better free features
- Great free features but pricier premium package
OkCupid
Granted, you can enjoy the premium features like ad-free, read receipts, and advanced search filter with their paid membership plans. But all the basic and essential features are readily available to free members, which is a big plus.
All members can match and chat with other members. It does not limit the number of matches which is common for other dating sites. You have access to almost all the features.
If you want to upgrade to the premium features, packages start at a rate of $4.95. The free version of OkCupid would be sufficient for most.
Tinder
Tinder is also very generous with their free features, allowing you to swipe, match and message away for free.
To further unlock the full experience, both apps have different packages to choose from. Tinder starts at $9.99 for the monthly renewal.
Their premium features include “who has viewed your profile”, advanced searches, compatibility analysis, etc. These features do not necessarily elevate the user experience but could increase your chance of getting a match.
Winner: While both have generous free features, OkCupid offers premium ones at a more affordable rate
Bottom line
OkCupid is a more affordable, feature-rich option if you are looking for a long-term relationship. Tinder, on the other hand, is better for a casual hookup.
However, we say neither OkCupid nor Tinder offer anything special or unique. While you will eventually be able to score a date on both platforms we much prefer some other sites.
Also Read: 15 Apps Like Tinder You May Not Know About
What are some alternatives to Tinder and OkCupid?
Bang Locals
Pros
- Simple and no fuss
- Easy and clean interface
- Powerful search
Cons
- The site can be slow at times
Bang Locals is a great hook-up site that is much more effective for a fast, easy hookup than OkCupid. If you are looking for a convenient rendezvous with someone irresistible nearby, the powerful search engine feature is one of the most effective around. You can even find someone on the same street.
The interface is clean and easy to use without too many ads. Bang Locals keep an eye on fake profiles so you won’t find as many as you might do on Tinder. Sometimes pages can take a while to load on the site, but Bang Locals is still our personal favorite for a dating site.
Adult FriendFinder
Pros
- Big base of users
- Meet like-minded communities of people
- Unique features
Cons
- The interface takes getting used to
Adult FriendFinder is one of the most highly recommended alternatives to the commercial Tinder and OkCupid. Whether you are looking for a no-strings fling or a long-term relationship, this platform has you covered. With over 90 million users you will be spoilt for choice. If you have any specific tastes, especially in the bedroom, you don’t need to be shy.
There are special communities, chats and streams dedicated to any interest under the sun where you can find people that share your likes and desires. It can take a minute to get used to how the interface works with all the different features but it is well worth it once you nail this.
Ashley Madison
Pros
- Perfect place to discover a discreet affair
- Encrypted messages
- Open-minded and non-judgmental
Cons
- Pop-up ads
Ashley Madison is a welcoming site that is built especially for anyone looking for an affair. There are many reasons why people might look for love or sex outside a relationship or marriage, and the Ashley Madison community is not here to judge.
Profiles are kept discreet and private and messages are encrypted. This means you are much less likely to be discovered than on Tinder or OkCupid. The site does have some pop-up ads which can detract from your experience, but this won’t get in the way of finding your next fling.
Final Thoughts
It is undeniable that both apps are alluring and offer a genuine experience for users. They both have their own merits and disadvantages. Tinder is made for quick matching while OkCupid is built to get to know someone.
Which platform is better for you highly depends on what you are looking for. But feature-wise, we don’t think either site is that special. There are very few dating sites out there that offer everything but we prefer popular sites Bang Locals, Adult FriendFinder and Ashley Madison.
Also Read:
- Xmatch Review: Is This Dating Site Worth Trying in 2024? - April 1, 2024
- 7 Best Hookup Apps & Sites in San Francisco: 2024’s Ultimate Guide - March 8, 2024
- GetItOn Review: What to Expect from This Unique Adult Dating Site - February 24, 2024
