eharmony vs Bumble: Which App Is Better?

Updated:

Dating through apps has become THE way to meet new people, and eharmony and Bumble are two big names that are popular platforms for those looking for connections! eharmony is known for helping people find serious, long-lasting relationships by using an extensive questionnaire to figure out what you’re into and what kind of person you’d be most compatible with. That app is all about finding love that will last and matches that are truly meant for you—people who choose eharmony are usually pretty serious about finding the right one.

On the other hand, Bumble is a bit different and has a younger, more fun vibe. It’s known for letting women make the first move, so it’s all about empowering women to take charge. But Bumble isn’t just for dating—it’s also for making friends or business networking if that’s what you’re looking for—it’s a triple threat app! Those who flock to Bumble might be looking for different kinds of connections: Love, friendship, or even a new job or business partner.

Both apps have one goal in mind, and that’s to help people connect with others, but they do it in their own way. eharmony is more about slow and steady, looking for serious connections and committed relationships, while Bumble gives you more options and is a bit more fast-paced and modern, with a variety of relationship and networking options. Your choice between the two dating apps will land on what you’re looking for and how you want to find it!

Side to Side Comparison

Okay, let’s begin our comprehensive comparison when it comes to eharmony and Bumble! We’re going to talk a blue streak about how each app works and what makes them different from (or similar to) each other. Both apps support meeting dates or a potential future partner, but they have their own style of going about it. Our comparison will help you figure out which one might be the right pick for you by comparing how they work, who uses them, and how much they cost if you upgrade to a premium membership.

  • We’ll explore what features (like messaging or swiping) each app has and how they use them to help you meet people.
  • We’ll also talk about who uses each app, like age demos, and what most people are looking for—whether it’s true love or something else.
  • And we’re going to check out the free trial offers to see if they’re any good for trying out the platforms!

If there is anything you want to know about these platforms, we’ll tell you when it comes to eharmony and Bumble. We want to give you the best advice so you can pick the right one to start online dating by examining every little detail of how each app works. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

eharmonyBumble

Purpose

Mainly aimed at helping people find long-term relationships.

Known for dating and making friends (Bumble BFF) and business networking (Bumble Bizz).

Sign-Up

Involves a comprehensive personality test to help find compatible matches.

Quick and easy, usually linking to a Facebook account or phone number for verification.

Demographics

Attracts a wide age range but is popular among people looking for serious, committed relationships.

Popular among a younger crowd and appeals to those who appreciate women making the first move.

Communication

Allows various communication methods, including messaging and video dates.

Women message first in heterosexual matches, and either party can initiate in same-sex matches.

Pricing

Offers different subscription plans and occasionally provides free communication weekends.

Free to use, with premium features available through a paid subscription (Bumble Boost or Bumble Premium).

User Demographics

Demographic Graph

Choosing a dating app is so much easier when you know who else is using it! eharmony and Bumble are both popular, but they have different kinds of singles using them, so let’s take a gander at who you might find on these apps to help you decide where to start looking for connections.

  • eharmony:
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Age Range: Broad but tends to be favored by individuals 25 and older.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Intent: Users generally seek serious, long-term relationships.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ User Base: Large international user base, with millions of users worldwide.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Popularity: Particularly popular in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
  • Bumble:
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Age Range: Popular among younger adults, largely between 20-35.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Intent: Varied intentions, including casual dating, friendships, and business networking.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ User Base: Millions of global users with a significant presence in the United States.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Popularity: Widely used in urban areas and internationally.

User Interface and Experience

User Interface Icon

Trying out a new app can be anxiety-inducing if you’re not sure how it works—how exactly do eharmony and Bumble fare in the areas of signing up and navigating the app? Each one has its own way of helping you connect with potential partners.

  • eharmony:
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Dating Profile Setup: There’s a lengthy personality assessment/questionnaire to take at the start to help find your matches.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Messaging: Once you’re matched, you can send messages and smiles to get chatting.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Look and Feel: It’s neat and easy to see your matches and messages.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Special Features: There’s a feature called Video Date for virtual meetups.
  • Bumble:
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Dating Profile Setup: Sign-up is pretty quick, and you can start swiping right away.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Messaging: Women message first for straight matches; anyone can message first for same-sex matches.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Look and Feel: It’s modern and simple, with easy navigation to find matches and messages.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Special Features: There’s a video call and voice chat feature within the app.

Features

features graphic

Using a dating app should be fun and simple, right? Right! So, we’re gonna go over the features of eharmony and Bumble. What exactly are the features of a dating app? They’re the functions and tools that each app integrates so users can connect, like sending messages or seeing who likes you. Here’s a breakdown of some of the basics!

  • eharmony:
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Matching System: They use your quiz answers to help find people who think like you.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Send Smiles: A cute, easy way to say hi to someone new.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Video Date: You can have a video call with your matches through the app.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ What If: A feature that lets you see more people outside your usual matches.
  • Bumble:
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Swipe Right: Swipe to say you’re interested, and if they swipe back, it’s a match!
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Women Message First: In straight matches, women make the first move.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Bumble BFF: A way to make new friends instead of dates.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ SuperSwipe: Buy a SuperSwipe to let someone know you really like them.

Pricing

Price Tag Graph

Okay, now let’s talk dollars and cents. When using a dating app, it’s important to know if you’ll need to pay to use it and what you get for your money. What do you get at eharmony and Bumble? What’s free, and what might cost extra?

  • eharmony:
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Free: You can sign up, take the quiz, and see your matches without paying.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Paid Subscriptions: If you upgrade to a premium membership, you can send messages, see who likes you, and browse anonymously.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Prices: They have different plans, including Premium Light, a 6-month membership, $65.90; Premium Plus, a 12-month membership, $45.90; and Premium EXTRA, a 24-month membership, $35.90 per month.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Trials: Occasionally, they have free weekends where you can message people without paying.
  • Bumble:
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Free: You can swipe, match, and chat without paying anything.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Bumble Boost: If you purchase this in-app, you can see who likes you, rematch with expired connections, and extend matches for $9.99/month.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Bumble Premium: $29.99 for a one-month membership, $19.99 monthly for 3 months, and $16.99 per month for 6 months.
    • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ One-Time Purchases: You can also buy additional features like SuperSwipes.
eharmony vs. Bumble Banner

Background and History: eharmony vs Bumble

eharmony and Bumble both bring something different to the online dating arena, born from distinct visions and evolving in different directions. Let’s take a look at the history and background of both apps to understand better their evolution and how they try to connect people.

eharmony app icon

eharmony

  • Founded: Launched back in 2000 by Dr. Neil Clark Warren, a clinical psychologist.
  • Origin: Started in the United States.
  • Mission: Originally created to help people find long-term relationships using a scientific approach.
  • Evolution: Grew steadily, using its detailed personality test to generate compatible matches.
Bumble Icon

Bumble

  • Founded: Launched in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, a co-founder of Tinder.
  • Origin: Started in the United States.
  • Mission: Aimed to flip traditional dating dynamics by letting women make the first move.
  • Evolution: Expanded to include friendship and business networking with Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz.

Free Trial Comparisons: eharmony vs Bumble

A free trial on a dating app lets you get behind the wheel for a test drive before deciding if you want to upgrade to a paid subscription. eharmony and Bumble both offer ways to utilize their platforms for free, but they do it a bit differently. Let’s see what you can do without reaching for your wallet on both apps!

eharmony app icon

eharmony Free Trial

  • Free Basics: You can make a profile, take the personality test, and get matches without paying.
  • Communication: They occasionally offer “Free Communication Weekends,” where you can message your matches without a subscription.
  • See Photos: Without a paid account, you can’t see your matches’ photos.
Bumble Icon

Bumble Free Trial

  • Free Swiping: You can swipe, match, and chat for free!
  • Paid Perks: Paying lets you do extra things, like extending time on matches or seeing who liked you, but isn’t needed to use the app.
  • No Free Trials: Bumble doesn’t usually have free trials for their paid features, but sometimes they have special offers or discounts.

Success Rates: eharmony vs Bumble

Finding “the one” or making a new friend on dating apps does happen, and eharmony and Bumble have the stories and testimonials to prove it! Let’s check out some numbers and happy stories from these apps to see how well they’ve worked for people trying to make a match or a serious connection.

eharmony app icon

eharmony

  • Marriages: Claims that someone finds love on their platform every 14 minutes.
  • Survey Says: A survey suggested that over 2 million people have found marriage through the site.
  • Focused Matches: The thorough questionnaire aims to create meaningful matches, which could lead to lasting relationships.
Bumble Icon

Bumble

  • Bumble Babies: There are stories of couples meeting on Bumble and starting families.
  • Women in Control: As women make the first move, it gives them more control over their matches, which can potentially lead to more meaningful connections.
  • Diverse Relationships: Offers various types of relationships – romantic, friendly, or professional, giving various ways to find success on the platform.

Signing Up: eharmony vs Bumble

Getting started with a new app means signing up and making a profile. eharmony and Bumble have their own ways of getting you going, so let’s talk about the first few steps you’ll take and what you need to know to get started on these platforms.

eharmony app icon

eharmony

  • Time-Consuming: eharmony has a detailed questionnaire that takes about 20 minutes to complete
  • Details, Details: You’ll answer lots of questions about yourself and your ideal match.
  • Verification: They might ask you to verify your profile to help keep things safe and secure.
  • Photos: You are able to upload pictures of yourself for your dating profile.
Bumble Icon

Bumble

  • Quick Start: Bumble’s sign-up is pretty fast and easy.
  • Verify: You’ll take a selfie to prove you’re you.
  • Details: Add some profile photos and write a little bit about yourself—you can also add icebreakers and pre-written questions to your dating profile!
  • Start Swiping: You can start looking at profiles and matching right away.

Dedicated Mobile Apps: eharmony vs Bumble

Do you want to be able to use eharmony and Bumble away for your desktop computer? You can! Both have dedicated mobile apps that you can download to your device. Users can send messages, see profiles, and more, all while you’re out and about. Here is what each app offers when you’re using them on your phone instead of a while at your desk.

eharmony app icon

eharmony

  • User-Friendly: Designed to be straightforward and easy to navigate.
  • Features: Access to all major features like messaging, viewing profiles, and seeing match photos.
  • Notifications: Alerts for new matches and messages.
  • Video Date: This lets you have virtual dates directly through the app.
  • Compatibility: Available for iOS and Android devices.
Bumble Icon

Bumble

  • Slick Design: Modern and simple interface that’s easy to use.
  • Mode Switching: Swap between Bumble Date, BFF, and Bizz for different connection types.
  • Swipe Life: Easy swipe function to like or pass on profiles.
  • Video and Voice Calls: You can call your matches directly within the app.
  • Compatibility: Available on iOS and Android platforms.
eharmony app on an iphone

What’s eharmony Best For?

eharmony positions itself as a platform for individuals who are on a quest to discover a significant, enduring relationship. With its science-backed matching system, the platform endeavors to connect users based on numerous aspects of their personality and relationship goals. Here are a few more details:

  • In-Depth Profiles: Through an extensive questionnaire, eharmony creates detailed profiles to make meaningful matches.
  • Compatibility Matching: The system suggests matches based on compatibility, such as emotional temperament and values.
  • Advisory Content: Provides articles and advice on relationships and dating to guide users.
  • Secured Communication: Offers secure ways to communicate and get to know matches before meeting in person.
  • Varied Demographics: Although it’s known for serious relationships, it caters to various age demographics.
  • Subscription Plans: Offers different subscription plans tailored to user needs and preferences.
  • Success Stories: Numerous success stories of couples who found love and marriage.

eharmony’s primary focus remains on creating serious connections that have the potential to grow into love and marriage, guiding its users through the dating journey with detailed profiles and thoughtful match recommendations. The platform emphasizes creating a space where meaningful chats can thrive, aiming to foster genuine connections between its users.

Bumble Mobile

What’s Bumble Best For?

Bumble buzzes (sorry, we had to) with a vibrant dating scene and is known for empowering women by letting them make the first move. Unlike traditional platforms, it allows people to form various types of connections—whether romantic, friendly, or professional. Here’s a little more detail about what Bumble offers:

  • Women First: In heterosexual matches, women message first to shift old-fashioned power dynamics.
  • Diverse Connections: Provides platforms for making friends (Bumble BFF) and networking (Bumble Bizz), not just dating.
  • Inclusivity: Open to all sexual orientations and gender identities.
  • Easy Start: Quick profile setup and user-friendly interface.
  • Location-Based: Helps you find people nearby to connect with.
  • Video and Voice Chat: Users can communicate through video and voice calls within the app.
  • Security Measures: Offers features like photo verification to keep users safe.

Bumble serves as a multipurpose platform, not strictly limited to dating, by facilitating friendships and business networking as well. It champions egalitarian relationships and supports diverse user experiences, appealing to a broad demographic with its varied features and inclusive approach. So whether it’s love, friends, or business connections you’re after, Bumble caters to them all.

Takeaways

In the end, both eharmony and Bumble offer unique dating experiences, focusing on social interaction and relationship-building aspects. eharmony hones in on deep connections, looking to foster long-term relationships and marriages with a scientifically-backed matching system. Meanwhile, Bumble offers a fresh, feminist approach to dating, networking, and friend-finding by empowering women and encouraging varied types of connections.

Your choice between eharmony and Bumble might come down to what you’re looking for: a platform centered on finding long-lasting love or a more versatile space where different types of relationships can bloom. Both platforms bring something valuable to the table, promising possibilities of connection, communication, and companionship in their own unique ways. Ultimately, your personal goals, preferences, and desired user experience will guide your choice in selecting the platform that aligns best with your journey.

woman sitting on couch with laptop and smart phone

Dating App Trends to Watch in the Second Half of 2024

Let’s talk about dating app trends. It’s not exactly a secret that dating apps are now the most popular (and best) way to find a ...
woman listening to music

20 Love Songs to Add to Your Dating Playlist

Look, love songs aren’t always the deepest and most dramatic tunes that make you weep and think about calling an ex (don’t you do it).  ...
Happy Couple Having Fun Together Taking Selfie

The Importance of Honesty in Dating: Building a Relationship on Trust and Transparency

Jack Nicholson once famously said, “There’s only two people in your life you should lie to… the police and your girlfriend.” While this quote is ...