Software · head to head
Coffee Meets Bagel vs HER
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Coffee Meets Bagel high volume of fake profiles and scammer accounts despite moderation; HER facebook or Instagram account required for signup, which excludes closeted users or those with safety concerns
- They diverge on capability: Coffee Meets Bagel covers Curated Daily Matches, HER covers Profile Matching.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Coffee Meets Bagel and HER actually diverge.
| Attribute | Coffee Meets Bagel | HER |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2013 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), platforms (iOS, Android), 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 HER
- Profile Matching
- Communities
- Events
- Feed
- Filter by Sexuality
- Spotify
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
HER
- Facebook or Instagram account required for signup, which excludes closeted users or those with safety concerns
- No web version available; mobile-only platform on iOS and Android
- Fake profiles and romance scams present on platform despite selfie verification
- Limited user base outside major cities; geographic areas without Pride events may have single-digit user pools
- Key features like Discover page and unlimited likes are behind paywall with 14-hour swiping limit unless paid
Pricing, plan by plan
Coffee Meets Bagel
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Coffee Meets Bagel review.
HER
Free- FreeFree
- Liking and matching
- Messaging
- Communities
- Premium$14.99/month
- Ad-free experience
- See who is online in real-time
- Additional search filters
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 HER if
- You need profile matching.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android.
- You also want communities.
Questions people ask
- Is Coffee Meets Bagel or HER better?
- Neither clearly leads. Coffee Meets Bagel starts at Free and HER at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Coffee Meets Bagel or HER?
- Coffee Meets Bagel starts at Free and HER at Free.
- Does Coffee Meets Bagel or HER run on more platforms?
- Both run on iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- 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 HER cannot?
- Coffee Meets Bagel covers Curated Daily Matches, Discover Section, Icebreakers, Activity Reports. HER covers Profile Matching, Communities, Events, Feed. 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.
SourceHER: Are all HER features free to use?
Yes. All core features are completely free including liking, matching, messaging, joining communities, and viewing events. HER Premium ($14.99/month or $7.50/month annually) removes ads and adds filters.
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.
SourceHER: What communities does HER offer?
HER features 30+ communities for queer women, lesbian, bi, nonbinary, trans, and gender nonconforming users. Users can add pronouns, pride pins, and gender identities to their profiles.
SourceCoffee Meets Bagel: How many matches has Coffee Meets Bagel facilitated?
Coffee Meets Bagel has made over 150 million matches for its users globally.
SourceHER: What platforms does HER support?
HER is available on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play).
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.
Source