Younger Daters Are Swiping to Exhaustion

Tinder dominates the game with younger people. Almost 80% of its users are between 18 and 29. It's the app where swiping left and right comes with muscle memory. For those aged 30 to 49, interest drops nearly in half. If you're over 50, odds are you've never even considered Tinder. Being the most downloaded dating app, its place in the dating app hierarchy isn't up for debate. But success? That's a more complicated stat.

The app saw a nearly 5% dip in reported success stories over the last year. Finding love through Tinder isn't impossible, but you might need patience—and an endless reserve of witty opening lines. 

Bumble: Where Women Take the Lead

As the second most downloaded app, Bumble flips the predictable script—women make the first move. Reports suggest 94,000 new users join daily, and 23 million matches spark weekly. But the heightened user count hasn't always equated to stellar results. Around 12.9% of users, when surveyed, say their Bumble matches have reached engagement or marriage territory. It's not the highest stat on the block, but compared to many apps swimming in casual dating culture, Bumble holds its ground as approachable for those seeking something steady. 

A Place for Older Daters: Match.com

Match.com caters to those who've outgrown the chaos of Tinder and Bumble. About 48.6% of Match's users sit between 30 and 49 years old, and a growing chunk—26.5%—are 50 or older. If you're tired of being ghosted by people who don't know what they want, this platform's structured, profile-heavy format might help. Success rates lean more toward people looking for substantial connections rather than swipe culture. 

Niche Platforms: Catering to Specific Connections

Not every dating app is built on swiping frenzies or vague compatibility scores. People with specific relationship goals often turn to platforms tailored for their needs. Apps like eHarmony focus on creating long-term connections through detailed questionnaires, while Hinge markets itself as the app "designed to be deleted," aiming for genuine relationships. 

For those exploring nontraditional arrangements, people might use options like, for example, a sugar dating app. These platforms cater to users looking for unique connections, often involving transparency about expectations and goals. Success on these apps depends on honesty and clarity, setting them apart from more mainstream options. 

Long-Term vs. Casual: Who's Searching for What?

Around 44% of online daters in the United States say their primary goal is meeting a long-term partner. Casual dating comes in only slightly behind at 40%, with 24% candidly listing more short-lived intentions like casual hookups. Friendship seekers make up 22% of the user base, proving that even dating apps cater to platonic connections now. 

Tinder leads among those who are casually dating or looking for short-term sparks. Bumble follows closely but has a somewhat distinct vibe with its format. Platforms like Match.com and eHarmony lean heavily into helping users find long-term relationships. Those looking for niche setups or no monogamous situations often align with OkCupid's openness to various lifestyles. 

Gender and Orientation Disparities

A higher percentage of men (34%) use dating platforms than women (27%). Meanwhile, more people who are part of the LGB community (51%) report being on dating apps compared to 28% of straight U.S. adults. What's different? Positive experiences appear more frequently among LGB users (61%) than their straight counterparts (53%). 

The apps that work for LGB users? Several surveys point to Tinder and OkCupid being go-to choices for their inclusivity and purpose-driven matches. While not perfect, these platforms outperform others in fostering connections that LGBTQ users value. 

Peaks and Valleys in User Activity

The first Sunday in January, known as Dating Sunday, sends swiping numbers through the roof. People emerge from the holidays clutching their phones, hoping 486 updated bios per minute or 298 million more likes than usual might finally deliver a decent match. January to Valentine's Day becomes a heavy-use window across platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. Beyond this, engagement slows down, and casual interest tends to fizzle post-February. 

Safety Is Still a Major Concern

Online dating safety concerns remain frustratingly high. Barely 48% of U.S. adults feel somewhat confident in online dating safety. Unwanted explicit images disproportionately plague women under 50, with over half reporting these violations. Add issues like rejection fears, ghosting, and harassment, and it's no wonder the general enthusiasm for online dating comes with hesitations. 

Success Isn't Cheap

Dating apps pull in billions annually. Tinder leads the pack, generating nearly $1 billion globally in 2024 alone. The market size of online dating reached $9.65 billion in 2022 and is set to almost double by 2030. While the platforms grow richer, users are left sorting through thousands of profiles, spending around eight months on these apps on average before finding a potential partner.