Softwr

Dating & Social · head to head

Badoo vs Grindr

Badoo logo

Badoo

Dating & Social

Make the first move

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Grindr logo

Grindr

Dating & Social

The world's largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Badoo less popular than Tinder in developed Western markets; Grindr poor account appeal process with frequent wrongful bans and unresponsive customer service
  • They diverge on capability: Badoo covers Encounters, Grindr covers Location-Based Discovery.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Badoo and Grindr actually diverge.

Attributes where Badoo and Grindr differ
AttributeBadooGrindr
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Founded20062009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (iOS, Android, Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Dating & Social).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Badoo

  • Encounters
  • People Nearby
  • Live Video
  • Photo Verification
  • Spotlight
  • Super Powers
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Only in Grindr

  • Location-Based Discovery
  • Chat
  • Explore Tab
  • Tags and Tribes
  • Incognito Mode
  • Video Chat

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Web support

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Badoo

  • Less popular than Tinder in developed Western markets
  • Profile verification process is weaker than competitors, leading to more fake profiles

Grindr

  • Poor account appeal process with frequent wrongful bans and unresponsive customer service
  • Incomplete age verification globally, with inconsistent enforcement across regions
  • History of privacy violations, including 5.8 million euro fine from Norwegian Consumer Council for sharing user data with advertisers
  • Rising subscription costs with aggressive monetization strategy

Pricing, plan by plan

Badoo

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Encounters
    • Messaging
    • People Nearby
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • See Who Likes You
    • Invisible Browsing
    • Popularity Boost

Grindr

Free
  • XTRA$19.99/month
    • No ads
    • View 600+ profiles
    • Unlimited blocks and favorites
  • Unlimited$39.99/month
    • All XTRA features
    • See who viewed your profile
    • Incognito mode

Which should you pick?

Choose Badoo if

  • You need encounters.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want people nearby.
Badoo review

Choose Grindr if

  • You need location-based discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want chat.
Grindr review

Questions people ask

Is Badoo or Grindr better?
Neither clearly leads. Badoo starts at Free and Grindr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Badoo or Grindr?
Badoo starts at Free and Grindr at Free.
Does Badoo or Grindr run on more platforms?
Both run on iOS, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Badoo for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Badoo do that Grindr cannot?
Badoo covers Encounters, People Nearby, Live Video, Photo Verification. Grindr covers Location-Based Discovery, Chat, Explore Tab, Tags and Tribes. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Badoo: When was Badoo founded?

Badoo was founded in April 2006 in London by Russian entrepreneur Andrey Andreev and is available in 190 countries in 47 languages.

Source
Grindr: Is Grindr free to use?

Yes, Grindr offers a freemium model with basic profile browsing and unlimited messaging at no cost. Two paid tiers provide additional features: XTRA ($19.99/month) removes ads and expands visible profiles to 600, while Unlimited ($39.99/month) adds viewing who viewed your profile and incognito mode.

Source
Grindr: How do I export my personal data from Grindr?

Open the app, tap your profile image, then Settings. Scroll down and tap Download My Data under Security and Privacy. Re-enter your password, choose an email address, and your data report will include chats, images, and messages you sent (not received).

Source
Grindr: Can I use Grindr on my computer?

Yes, Grindr offers a web version for subscribers at grindr.com, though it requires a paid subscription. Alternatively, you can run the Android app on desktop using emulators like BlueStacks or NoxPlayer.

Source
Grindr: What privacy features does Grindr offer?

Grindr allows you to share photos that expire after one view and last 10 seconds. You can also opt out of having your location shared publicly, and premium subscribers can enable incognito mode to browse anonymously.

Source
Grindr: Is my account deletion permanent?

Yes, deleting your profile through Settings is permanent and non-recoverable. Grindr will remove all your personal data within their stated timeframe according to their Privacy Policy.

Source
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Related pages

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