Hingefor Android

Hinge bills itself as both a ‘relationship app’ and one that’s ‘designed to be deleted.’ It focuses on encouraging subsequent contact between users, so they don’t need to use the app anymore. The app can be used for free, but also offers subscription plans.

Meaningful interactions

With rival dating apps like Tinder putting a focus on surface-level interaction, Hinge is closer to established dating sites like OKCupid. Hinge encourages users to fill out detailed information about themselves and answer prompts. 

The information is used to generate matches. Others can also ‘like’ or comment on specific parts of your profile, thereby using them as talking points. Everything about Hinge is geared towards generating relationships between people, not necessarily just for dating.

The price of love

One factor of many dating apps and sites is the cost. There’s this idea that if you’re paying for something, you should get your money’s worth, which doesn’t always work in the world of online dating.

Hinge is free, and as such, you can see who’s liked your profile only if you’ve also liked that user’s profile. If you want to have access to detailed search filters like ‘height’, ‘drug use’, and whether someone has or wants children, you’ll need to pay for a Preferred membership. 

Paying for Hinge also gives you unlimited likes to use and the option to see everyone who likes you, not just mutual likes. The cost varies, too, and can get quite pricey. 

Delete the app

It’s certainly unusual to encounter a dating app that wants you to get rid of it, which begs the question, ‘Why pay for it in the first place?’ At least Hinge follows through on its mission statement: representatives from the app contact users who’ve been on dates to see how it’s going. 

The idea is you’ll meet someone you like so that you won’t need the app anymore. If your dates regularly crash and burn, Hinge staff will improve match recommendations based on your experiences.

Our take

The ‘follow up with personal contact’ angle is a novel idea, although whether this is what sells you on the app is another matter. The app has its heart in the right place as a company, but as a dating app, it’s very similar to its main rivals. 

Should you download it?

No. With established dating sites, like OKCupid, offering much the same features but with a better reputation, there’s no real need to bother with Hinge.