Why Trust NCOA

Key Takeaways 

• Bumble has an easy-to-use app with built-in features to help users make the first move.  
• With the Bumble free plan, you can match with other users and send messages. Paid plans start at $25 for a week or $48 for a month, depending on your plan (Premium or Premium+).
• Bumble has three modes—Date, BFF, and Biz—for finding romance, friends, or work connections.
• Adults in their 50s may have better luck on Bumble than people 60 and over. 
• In our June 2024 Online Dating survey, 52% of Bumble users were seeking a long-term relationship.

In-person places for social connection—like senior centers, city parks, and libraries—are important to all communities. In recent years, online meeting places—like social media and online dating sites—have also helped people find community, make new friends, and feel less isolated.

Online dating sites may be a good way to find romance, and our research shows they may enrich the lives of older adults in other ways as well. “I’ve made great new friends, and it opened me up to new hobbies that I never would’ve experienced before in my life,” one of our Online Dating focus group participants shared.
Bumble is an online dating site and app known for helping users make the first move. To learn more about Bumble, our Reviews Team signed up for the platform, explored its features, learned about its user experience, and compared it to other online dating sites we tested.

Our Bumble experience

“I love that this app has so many different modes to connect with people in multiple areas of your social circle. It is so important to have strong connections and support from your intimate relationships, friendships, and professional network, and Bumble does a great job creating a platform that allows for all of this. You can also turn your profile on or off in Date mode. This allows you to just use BFF or Biz depending on your preferences.”

— From our tester

Signing up for Bumble and creating a profile is simple, and the app offers easy ways to make the first move when you see someone you like. In Bumble Date mode, users must set an “opening move.” This is a question or message your matches can reply to, such as “What do you want to achieve this year?” or “In what TV show would you be a main character?” Our tester said, “I love this idea because it takes the guesswork out of starting a conversation.”

Our recommendation

Who may like Bumble 

• People who appreciate help with making the first move 
• Those who want a quick sign-up process instead of a detailed questionnaire
• People who are interested in various types of connections, including romance and friendship

Who may want to avoid Bumble

• People who don’t want to make the first move
• Those who don’t want to use a swipe-based app
• People over the age of 60 who are primarily seeking a long-term relationship

Signing up for Bumble

Signing up for Bumble took about five to 10 minutes for our testers. You can sign up and use the platform on either mobile devices or a desktop, though Bumble recommends using the app for the best experience. First, you’ll add your basic information, including your name, age, gender identity, and who you would like to meet (men, women, nonbinary people, or “I’m open to dating everyone”). You’ll also be asked about your lifestyle habits (smoking and drinking), children and family, and “things you’re really into,” such as baking, hiking, country music, tennis, or wine. 

Here are a few more unique aspects of the Bumble sign-up process: 

• You can create profiles in each of the Bumble modes (Date, BFF, or Biz) for no extra charge. You can easily switch back and forth between profiles, though all of your messages will go to the same inbox, no matter which profile mode they come from. 
• To help you better connect with potential matches, Bumble lets you connect your other social accounts, like Instagram or Spotify, to your profile. This allows you to share posts or songs with your matches. 
• Bumble requires you to upload at least four photos of yourself. Our testers noted that your profile photos must clearly show your face. 

Our testers liked that they had so many options to personalize their Bumble profiles with songs, details from their life, and things they care about, like politics, religion, or lifestyle choices. 

“Approach online dating with enthusiasm and friendliness and you’re much more likely to notice and meet the right people. Complete your profile, avoid generic statements and cliches, and include specifics. You want your profile to stand out to the people who are right for you!”

— Mairi Macleod, behavioral scientist and founder of Dating Evolved

How Bumble works

Bumble is a swipe-based app. This means you keep swiping on the screen—swipe left to decline a profile or swipe right to like it—until there’s a mutual match (when someone likes you, too). In addition to swiping right to like a profile, you can also compliment someone’s profile by adding a comment, ask a question, or respond to the question prompts included in their profile. Sending a compliment doesn’t guarantee a match, but our testers thought it was a helpful way to stand out and break the ice. 

For a match to be made, two people must each swipe right on each other. Then, you have 24 hours to send your match a message or respond to a message from them. You can extend the match if you need more time. Once the match has been made, you can send written, audio, or video messages to each other. 

The Bumble app has five sections, which are laid out in the following way: 

• Profile: Here, you can see your subscription plan and access the Safety & Wellbeing center (which offers articles and information about romance scams). From your profile, you can also switch between the app’s Date, BFF, and Biz modes. Our testers loved that the profile section includes a “move-making impact” feature, which lets you donate to a cause each time you make the first move. Causes included Save the Bees, Equity for Women, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
• For You: Here, you can see people the app recommends for you. With the free version, you get a limited number of likes on recommended profiles. 
• People: This is where you see other people’s profiles. In addition to swiping left or right, this section lets you adjust the filters for who you’re seeking and recommend a profile to a friend.
• Liked You: Here, Premium and Premium+ members can see all the people who liked them, including “new” and “nearby” likes. On the free version, the app shows you a few people who liked your profile (our tester could see three).
• Chats: This is where all your messages live, whether from your Date, BFF, or Biz profile. 

Safety and privacy on Bumble

As with any online dating app, Bumble users may encounter fake profiles or people trying to scam them. In our June 2024 Online Dating survey, 38% of Bumble users encountered a fake profile or potential scam (on senior-only dating sites, this percentage ranged from 47%–67%). 

Safety features are built into the Bumble Safety & Wellbeing center (which you can find by tapping on the profile icon and selecting “Safety & Wellbeing”). Here are a few ways Bumble helps users stay safe: 

• Photo verification, which helps guard against fake profiles (you can go through the steps to verify your photo and choose only to see other verified profiles)
• An explicit photo detector that will automatically blur out any explicit images it encounters 
• Option to block and report any profile making you feel unsafe or uncomfortable
• Access to articles on topics like setting boundaries when dating and asking for digital consent 

“Online dating can come with its own set of challenges, such as scams, misrepresentation, emotional risks, and privacy concerns. It’s important to be cautious of anyone who asks for money or personal information too soon—and always verify the identity of the person you’re talking to. Be aware that profiles may not always be honest, with photos that can be outdated or digitally altered. Also, always be mindful of what you share on your profile and during conversations, using the privacy settings available on dating platforms..”

— Joel Frank, clinical neuropsychologist

The Bumble privacy policy details which data it collects from users and why. For example, in some cases, Bumble may sometimes share your data with third-party services. Our Reviews Team recommends reading the Bumble data privacy policy in full before using the app. 

For more information, read the Bumble privacy policy and community guidelines.

Online dating safety

Romance or sweetheart scams

It’s important to be aware of romance scams when using online dating platforms. Romance scams, or “sweetheart scams,” are when someone creates a fake online persona to build a romantic relationship with a victim, with the goal of tricking them into sending money or personal information.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. government, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warn online dating platform users about romance scams and their impact. In 2022, almost 70,000 people lost $1.3 billion collectively.

People using online dating platforms can report suspicious profiles and activity to the platform, the FTC, or the FBI.

Fraud-monitoring technology platforms can help keep you, or an older adult you care about, safe from romance scams, identity theft, and other predatory online activity. NCOA readers can get a free trial and 20% off for EverSafe.

Learn more about how to stay safe from sweetheart or romance scams when using online dating platforms.

Tips for connecting with others online safely

Connecting with someone online can be a easy way to engage in meaningful social relationships. But people online can also be vulnerable to scams, fraud, or harassment. Here are a few essential tips on how to stay safe when messaging online, based on advice from our NCOA experts and our Reviews Team’s testing experience:

1. Limit the personal information you share online. Scammers may use details they find about you from your user profile or other social media sites you use to target you.
2. Never share details of your finances online.
3. Never send money to anyone you meet online or by phone.
4. If you suspect a scam or a fake profile, stop communication and report your suspicions via the app or support team.

Resources to get support

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, here are some resources to get help:

• Your state’s Adult Protective Services (APS). Learn more from this article.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)

For some, dating and the risk (and reality) of rejection or exploitation can make symptoms of anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma worse. Treatment is available for any mental health concern. See these resources to get the support you need:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 800-622-HELP (4357)

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call or text 988

Call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room if you are in immediate danger.

Bumble premium subscription options

The free version of Bumble lets you swipe through other users’ profiles, make matches, and send messages. You can only like a limited number of profiles with the free version, but our testers felt they were given enough likes to find good matches. Video or audio calls through the Bumble app are also included in the free plan, as are a limited number of filters to help search for suitable matches. You can filter for the gender and age range you want to date, how far away matches can be, and what language they speak. You can also choose to see only verified profiles, a helpful safety feature. 

Bumble also offers premium subscription plans with access to more features.

Here’s a breakdown of fees and features for Bumble Boost, Bumble Premium, and Bumble Premium+. 

Bumble Boost

Fees: 

• $9 for one week 
• $17 for one month 
• $34 for three months
• $55 for six months
• $249 for lifetime membership

Bumble Boost features include:

• Unlimited swipes
• Ability to add extra time to your matches
• Unlimited backtracks (ability to correct a mistake if you accidentally swiped left)
• A weekly spotlight (which makes your profile more visible to others for a limited time)

Bumble Premium

Fees: 

• $25 for one week 
• $48 for one month 
• $94 for three months
• $140 for six months
• $249 for lifetime membership 

Premium features include: 

• All of the features included in Bumble Boost
• Unlimited advanced filters for things like height, political views, and educational level
• Ability to search privately in incognito mode

Bumble Premium+

Fees: 

• $35 for one week 
• $66 for one month 
• $131 for three months 

Premium+ features include: 

• All of the features included in Bumble Premium 
• Access to profile insights (see how your profile is performing)
• Two spotlights per week (places your profile at the top of the stack to be viewed by more people)

Bumble contact and payment information

Bumble customer service 

Bumble customer service does not have a phone number, which could be frustrating for some users. In the app’s Settings section, you can tap Contact & FAQ to submit general questions, issues, and concerns. 

Bumble also has a help center with answers to frequently asked questions, privacy and safety guidelines, and guides to troubleshooting issues within the app.

Payment options 

If you choose to upgrade your Bumble subscription to a paid plan, the site accepts payment via all major credit cards, PayPal, Google Play, and Apple iTunes. 
If you upgrade but then decide you no longer want to pay for a membership, here’s a guide for how to cancel your subscription.

How we test online dating sites

Our Reviews Team researched more than 20 online dating sites and personally tested 11 and their accompanying apps. We don’t go on dates with our matches, but we can evaluate the online experiences that lead up to a date or connection. Based on independent research and consultation with experts, we determined the following factors to be the most important when evaluating online dating sites: 

• Ease of creating an account and setting up a profile
• Quality and length of intake questionnaire or personality test
• Number of filters available to help people find suitable matches
• The success of the matching process based on stated preferences
• Affordability, including features available in paid versus free plans 
• User-friendliness of technology and platform interface  
• Built-in safety features and privacy policies 

To better understand the online dating landscape for older adults, we hosted focus groups, conducted surveys, and spoke to experts. 

Online Dating for Seniors Survey 

Our June 2024 Online Dating for Seniors Survey asked 500 adults age 50-85 which online dating sites they prefer, what motivated them to use an online dating app in the first place, and more.

We learned that 40% of older adults used online dating sites to find a long-term romantic partner. The top motivators for pursuing online dating instead of in-person dating were the following:

• Greater variety of potential partners (45%) 
• Ability to get to know someone before meeting in person (43%) 
• Convenience and accessibility (42%)

While 67% of respondents have met in person with someone they connected with through an online dating site, 38% of respondents report encountering fake profiles or someone trying to scam them. This prompted us to pay close attention to each site’s safety guidelines and privacy policies. 

Online Dating for Older Adults Focus Group 

In July 2024, we sat down with nine older adults (ages 51–77) to talk about their experiences with online dating sites. We gathered helpful insights to inform our testing, including the following: 

• Recent divorces, not having a wide social circle for meeting new people, and seeking companionship were the top reasons participants signed up for online dating sites. 
• Many participants are still friends with people they met through online dating, even if they never pursued a romantic relationship with that person.  
• Most participants continued using online dating sites despite frustrations about scams and fake profiles. 
• Overall, participants feel that online dating has positively impacted their lives. 

From our July 2024 Online Dating for Older Adults Focus Group participants: 

“I don’t hang out at clubs anymore. I don’t go to bars. So, it’s hard to meet people, you know, just walking around the street and everything. You don’t know if someone’s married or not or engaged. So it’s just difficult to meet people my age.”

— Female focus group participant, age 61

“I’ve had nothing but positive benefits from online dating as far as meeting people that I would’ve never met otherwise. And whether it was a new friendship or a new relationship, it’s definitely been a good experience.”

— Female focus group participant, age 53

Experts on online dating 

We spoke with 12 different experts about online dating, including a licensed sexologistⓘ A specialist who studies human sexual behavior , a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), and a neuropsychologist. We asked about the value of connectedness for older adults, the benefits and drawbacks of online dating, and how people can choose an online dating site that’s right for them. We used expert insights to inform our recommendations for the top online dating sites for older adults. 

“Online dating can increase self-esteem, build social circles, and lead to intimate relationships. The quality of one’s relationships directly impacts one’s mental and physical health outcomes, so even if dating only leads to more quality friendships, it’s worthwhile. And, of course, dating could lead to an incredible romantic relationship, perhaps the best of your life!”

— Jessican Ann Engle, LMFT, dating coach, and founder of The Relationship Center

Table 1, Compare Bumble against competitors, as of November 2024

Paid plans on Bumble are expensive compared to other online dating sites we’ve researched, though its free version also has plenty of options. Like Match, Tinder, and eHarmony, Bumble offers online dating for people 18 and older. SeniorMatch only allows people 50 and older to use its online dating services.  

Bottom line

Bumble is an online dating site for adults 18 and older. You can access Bumble through its website or mobile app, though the mobile app is recommended. Bumble has built-in features to help users make the first move, and the free basic membership offers enough features for a complete online dating experience. 

All online dating sites come with the risk of possible scams or fake profiles. If you decide to use Bumble, protect yourself by using the app’s safety features and being cautious about sharing personal information. See our section above for online dating safety tips.
Dating after the age of 50 can be both exciting and challenging. Bumble can help you get more comfortable making the first move.

Frequently asked questions

What are the negatives of Bumble?

The free Bumble plan offers limited likes and filters, and its Premium and Premium+ plans can be expensive. Bumble may also be less ideal for people over the age of 60.

How much does Bumble cost per month?

Bumble Boost monthly plans start at $17 when paid month-to-month and decrease in cost with longer membership plans. They also offer a week-to-week plan for $9.

Is Bumble good for people dating over 50?

Yes, people in their 50s may enjoy using Bumble and have success in finding suitable matches, though there may be fewer options for people 60 and over.

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Sources

1. NCOA Adviser. Online Dating for Seniors. 500 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched June 2024
2. Sidoti, O. & Faverio, M.  Dating at 50 and up: Older Americans’ experiences with online dating. Pew Research Center. July 17, 2023. .https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/17/dating-at-50-and-up-older-americans-experiences-with-online-dating/
3. What to know about Romance Scams. Consumer Advice. August 2022. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams
4. USAGov. (n.d.). Dating or defrauding? Protect yourself against romance scams with help from the government. https://connect.usa.gov/dating-or-defrauding
5. Romance scams. Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/romance-scams
6. Romance scammers’ favorite lies exposed. Federal Trade Commission. Feb. 9, 2023. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2023/02/romance-scammers-favorite-lies-exposed