The day has come: Blendr is over. Founded in 2011 by Joel Simkhai, the dating application was intended to be the straight equivalent of Simkhai’s other app, Grindr. Though Blendr wasn’t exclusively a hookup app, its high secrecy, low profile, location data, and ties to Grindr made it appealing for straight and gay singles looking for a sexy encounter.
The Blendr app would link with your social media account to verify your identity, but would give no indication on your public profile that you were on the app. Blendr was also completely free. In the subscription-filled world of dating platforms, a truly free dating app is a rare find for singles. Naturally, many Blendr users are mourning its passing.
But don’t worry! While Blendr was unique and a fan favorite of some users, there are many Blendr alternatives that we believe can fill the Blendr-sized void on your phone screen. Whether you want a no-strings hookup app, a dating platform for finding true love, or something in between, we can help you get your dating life back on track now that Blendr is out of the picture.
Match
- Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
- Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
- Our Experts Say: Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
It’s hard to go wrong with the Match dating or app. Match has been around since 1995, and it’s as strong as ever with millions of members in 50 countries. You really don’t need to worry much about Match shutting down in the near future. It’s a reliable option for dating sites and a top choice on DatingAdvice.com.
While Match is famous for its high success rate in creating long-term relationships — the most of any dating platform, in fact — you can find any type of relationship on Match. A Match relationship is often serious, but it can take many forms. With so many members and such an elaborate matching system, Match is the place to find your person, no matter what kind of relationship you’re looking for.
On the site and app, you’re able to set criteria for your potential matches so you can narrow down the type of person or type of relationship you want. Match is great at helping you find partners who share common interests, so you can maximize your odds of falling in love. You can also message and video chat on the dating platform so you can keep your messages with your partners tucked safely away with Match if secrecy or privacy is a concern. Match is not explicitly a hookup app, but you can certainly use it for more casual dating if that’s what you want.
eharmony
- Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
- Match System: Personality test suggests matches
- Our Experts Say: Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony’s compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
eharmony is another dating platform that is fairly safe from leaving us anytime soon. Launched in 2000, this dating site has created matching tools based on the psychological principles of attraction so users consistently end up with people who check off all their boxes. Like Match, eharmony is a great option for anyone looking to find a long-term relationship. Singles on the site take a personality test before eharmony’s Compatibility Matching System pairs them with potential matches who share similar traits.
If you want to quickly create a profile and find partners through an app, eharmony may not be the best dating platform for you. It takes a bit more work than some of the trendier hookup apps, but it’s a great option for finding someone you truly connect with. That could mean finding a serious partner, or it could mean finding a new friend or casual hookup who you enjoy spending time with.
- Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
- Match System: Search by location, age, more
- Our Experts Say: BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Another strong contender for singles who want partners who share a similar background to theirs is BlackPeopleMeet, the premier dating platform for Black singles looking for relationships with other Black people. Like Blendr, singles can use BPM for a variety of different relationship goals. As a single on BPM, you can look for a new friend, a spouse, or a casual partner. It’s a fantastic app for Black singles to find other Black people in their area and see what happens.
BPM is easy to set up, with a few required fields to fill out before you get to matching. You can respond to personality questions, write an ‘About Me section, and add photos, but you only need to put in as much effort as you want. While you can get a monthly subscription for BPM, many people find it unnecessary and are happy with the free version.
The dating application is also very safe, with a team actively monitoring profiles for scams and fraud. You’ll seldom find a fake profile on the app. If you used Blendr for its safety and verification capabilities, you may find BPM to be a great alternative.
4. Grindr
Blendr’s more successful sister app is Grindr, your go-to gay hookup app. Grindr is best known for its effective GPS-matching feature that lets you know the exact distance to your potential match from your phone. Whether you just don’t feel like driving far for a date or need to get some action in quickly, the location software can make dates and hookups far more convenient. With Grindr, you can always find people nearby ready to meet up.
While you can pay for additional features, Grindr’s free version is comprehensive, with unlimited messaging and the ability to view up to 100 profiles. There aren’t hidden fees tucked away — you really can use it for free.
Grindr certainly has some drawbacks, though. Straight people will find little use in the app, an issue that Blendr was meant to address. Coming across a fake profile is common on Grindr, so make sure to stay vigilant. And while Grindr isn’t explicitly a hookup app, it is in practice. If you’re looking for a loving relationship, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. But for gay single men looking for some casual fun, Grindr is a very convenient option.
5. HER
HER is the best app exclusively for lesbian and queer women to find each other. Unlike Grindr, which has become a hookup app in practice, HER is great for finding any type of relationship with other women. You can use it to find your long-term partner, friends in a new city, or something more temporary.
HER does an outstanding job of helping queer women find a community. The app simplifies geosocial networking and also hosts in-person gatherings. These events, which include seasonal parties, festivals, and speed dating, offer opportunities for lesbian, bisexual, queer, and curious women to meet face-to-face.
The dating application is available through the App Store or Google Play for Android users, so you should be able to find HER no matter your device. This free dating app may be the way to find the woman of your dreams.
6. Hinge
Hinge has made waves in the past few years as one of the best Tinder alternatives, and this holds true for users coming from Blendr as well. The dating application is sleek, easy to use, and free for the standard version (which I was perfectly content with when I was on the dating app).
Hinge calls itself “the app designed to be deleted” because of how many singles meet a serious partner on the app. For the most part, Hinge users are interested in serious relationships, or at the very least, going on a G-rated coffee date before doing anything too sexual.
Casual dating on Hinge is perfectly acceptable, but it’s important to be upfront about your intentions. From what I’ve seen, most Hinge users were friendly, respectful, and genuinely interested in getting to know me.
If you’re looking for something casual, you may be able to find someone on Hinge, but I wouldn’t expect that to be what the majority of users want. Still, it’s a great app to find a partner, a new friend, or maybe something in between.
7. Badoo
With 60 million monthly active users, Badoo is the place to be for singles worldwide. Its massive user base, simple design, and easy sign-up make it a classic for anyone looking to swipe in search of local singles. Like many of the other dating apps we recommend, Badoo is mostly free, with paid options for supplemental features. But for the most part, you should be able to accomplish all that you want on Badoo with the free version. Badoo is also available for your iPhone or your Android.
One common complaint about Badoo is that it comes with a lot of fake profiles, so be on the lookout for anyone who seems off or too good to be true. Fake profiles can be an issue on any online dating app, but make sure to be extra cautious on sites known for having fakes.
No matter what you’re looking for, you should be able to find singles on Badoo who want the same thing. Like Match or Hinge, Badoo is a fairly all-encompassing dating option for all singles.
FAQs: What Happened to Blendr?
As of October 31, 2022, Blendr is completely shut down, and all app data has been deleted. The reasons for the company’s failure to catch on with users are not entirely clear. But they likely have to do with the difficulty of using a format similar to Grindr for straight dating.
While men may feel comfortable giving their GPS data to an app and revealing their physical proximity to strangers, most women are more vigilant on a dating app and may feel uncomfortable with that level of disclosure. As a woman, I would feel somewhat uneasy about my dating profile being accessible to any nearby users.
Blendr was not explicitly a hookup app, defining itself as more of a tool for geosocial networking. But with its lingering ties to Grindr, the point of the app was unclear to many users and may have led to mixed signals and miscommunication. Joel Simkhai’s dating application formula certainly worked for gay dating, but it didn’t translate well to straight dating.
Is Blendr a Good Hookup App?
Blendr no longer exists, so definitely not. If you’re looking for a classic hookup app, check out Ashley Madison. People of all stripes are welcome to browse this dating site and app anonymously.
- Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs
- Match System: Search by age, location, appearance, and more
- Our Experts Say: With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
The Ashley Madison dating platform specializes in affairs, but it works for any type of sexual arrangement you desire. Its high security makes it fairly safe and discreet if you’re concerned about your privacy.
Are Dating Sites & Apps Safe to Use?
Yes, they absolutely are. Just like dating through friends or acquaintances, romantic vulnerability always requires some risk-taking, both physically and emotionally. When you’re dating someone new, it’s important to take precautions, including meeting in a public place, sending a friend your location and your date’s information beforehand, and leaving if something feels off.
In addition, any dating platform can come with the risk of fake profiles and scams, which require an extra level of vigilance. Some sites are safer than others, especially those that use social media integration or background checks to verify users’ identities. If safety is a big concern for you, make sure to check out our list of the safest dating sites you can find right now.
Blendr May Be Done, But Your Dating Life Doesn’t Need to Be
If you were a loyal Blendr user, you’re probably pretty disappointed about the end of your Blendr era. But don’t worry — you’re sure to fall in love with one of the many online dating sites out there. Blendr was a great option but was hardly the only worthwhile dating application on the market.
No matter what you’re looking for, one of these eleven alternative sites is sure to work for you. And if you want to keep searching, be sure to check out one of our related articles for more dating platform options reviewed and vetted by our team of experts. Happy swiping!
