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Software · head to head

Grindr vs Mastodon

Grindr logo

Grindr

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mastodon logo

Mastodon

Software

Social networking that's not for sale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Grindr poor account appeal process with frequent wrongful bans and unresponsive customer service; Mastodon the App Store listing (publisher Mastodon gGmbH) states the official app is free with no subscription tier; as a federated non-profit network there is no vendor-hosted enterprise plan or SLA available to purchase.
  • They diverge on capability: Grindr covers Location-Based Discovery, Mastodon covers Decentralization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Grindr and Mastodon actually diverge.

Attributes where Grindr and Mastodon differ
AttributeGrindrMastodon
Pricing modelUnknownfree
Founded20092016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (iOS, Android, Web), 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 Grindr

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

Only in Mastodon

  • Decentralization
  • Custom Servers
  • No Ads
  • Chronological Feed
  • Content Warnings
  • Federation
  • ActivityPub
  • Fediverse

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.

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

Mastodon

  • The App Store listing (publisher Mastodon gGmbH) states the official app is free with no subscription tier; as a federated non-profit network there is no vendor-hosted enterprise plan or SLA available to purchase.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Mastodon

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Toots
    • Federation
    • Custom Instances

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Mastodon if

  • You need decentralization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want custom servers.
Mastodon review

Questions people ask

Is Grindr or Mastodon better?
Neither clearly leads. Grindr starts at Free and Mastodon at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Grindr or Mastodon?
Grindr starts at Free and Mastodon at Free.
Does Grindr or Mastodon run on more platforms?
Grindr runs on iOS, Android, Web. Mastodon runs on Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Grindr for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Grindr do that Mastodon cannot?
Grindr covers Location-Based Discovery, Chat, Explore Tab, Tags and Tribes. Mastodon covers Decentralization, Custom Servers, No Ads, Chronological Feed. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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

More on Grindr

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