Software · head to head
Coffee Meets Bagel vs Grindr
Grindr
Software
The world's largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Coffee Meets Bagel high volume of fake profiles and scammer accounts despite moderation; Grindr poor account appeal process with frequent wrongful bans and unresponsive customer service
- They diverge on capability: Coffee Meets Bagel covers Curated Daily Matches, Grindr covers Location-Based Discovery.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Coffee Meets Bagel and Grindr actually diverge.
| Attribute | Coffee Meets Bagel | Grindr |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2012 | 2009 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Coffee Meets Bagel
- Curated Daily Matches
- Discover Section
- Icebreakers
- Activity Reports
- Photo Lab
Only in Grindr
- Location-Based Discovery
- Chat
- Explore Tab
- Tags and Tribes
- Incognito Mode
- Web support
Both cover
- Video Chat
- Ios support
- Android support
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Coffee Meets Bagel
- High volume of fake profiles and scammer accounts despite moderation
- Weak matching algorithm compared to competitors like eharmony and OkCupid
- Limited free features with most features requiring premium subscription
- Frequent app bugs, glitches, and technical issues affecting usability
- Slow and unresponsive customer service with rude representatives
- Billing errors and overcharging issues with difficult refund processes
- Limited user base in smaller cities and non-urban areas
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
Coffee Meets Bagel
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Coffee Meets Bagel review.
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 Coffee Meets Bagel if
- You need curated daily matches.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android.
- You also want discover section.
Choose Grindr if
- You need location-based discovery.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want chat.
Questions people ask
- Is Coffee Meets Bagel or Grindr better?
- Neither clearly leads. Coffee Meets Bagel 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, Coffee Meets Bagel or Grindr?
- Coffee Meets Bagel starts at Free and Grindr at Free.
- Does Coffee Meets Bagel or Grindr run on more platforms?
- Coffee Meets Bagel runs on iOS, Android. Grindr runs on iOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Coffee Meets Bagel for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What can Coffee Meets Bagel do that Grindr cannot?
- Coffee Meets Bagel covers Curated Daily Matches, Discover Section, Icebreakers, Activity Reports. Grindr covers Location-Based Discovery, Chat, Explore Tab, Tags and Tribes. Both handle Video Chat, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Coffee Meets Bagel: What is Coffee Meets Bagel's pricing?
Coffee Meets Bagel offers a free tier with daily bagels and premium plans starting at $14.99/month (Mini plan) and $35/month (Premium). In-app currency called Beans can be purchased for additional features.
SourceGrindr: 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.
SourceCoffee Meets Bagel: What are Coffee Meets Bagel's main features?
The app sends users a limited set of daily matches called bagels based on preferences and behavior. If both users like each other, a chat opens that expires in seven days. 91% of users on CMB seek serious relationships.
SourceGrindr: 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).
SourceCoffee Meets Bagel: How many matches has Coffee Meets Bagel facilitated?
Coffee Meets Bagel has made over 150 million matches for its users globally.
SourceGrindr: 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.
SourceCoffee Meets Bagel: How did Coffee Meets Bagel turn down a Shark Tank offer?
In Shark Tank Season 6 (2015), Mark Cuban offered $30 million to buy the company outright. The founders rejected the offer, believing the company could grow as large as Match.com and reach a billion-dollar valuation.
SourceGrindr: 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.
SourceGrindr: 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