Facebook Dating vs. Hinge – A Brutally Honest Review

Let’s face it: the world of online dating is a wild jungle. Whether you’re looking for “the one” or just someone who shares your obsession with sushi and true crime podcasts, there’s no shortage of apps promising love at first swipe. Two contenders that stand out in 2025 are Facebook Dating (a.k.a. FB Dating) and Hinge. But which one actually delivers?

We spent weeks diving into both apps, swiping, chatting, and going on real-life dates to bring you this brutally honest, side-by-side review. Here’s what we found out.

Meet the Contenders: Facebook Dating vs. Hinge

What Is Facebook Dating?

Facebook Dating is a free dating service built into the main Facebook app. It’s aimed at helping people make romantic connections based on shared interests, events, groups, and mutual friends. What makes it unique? It leverages the vast social data Facebook already has on you – but don’t worry, your friends won’t know you’re on it.

What Is Hinge?

Hinge is a dating app that brands itself as “the dating app designed to be deleted.” Instead of endless swiping, Hinge focuses on meaningful conversations and connections. Users fill out detailed profiles with prompts like “The one thing I’d love to know about you is…” to spark deeper engagement.

Setup and User Experience

Facebook Dating

Getting started with FB Dating is almost frictionless if you already use Facebook. You opt-in through your app, build a separate dating profile, and you’re ready to go.

Pros:

• Seamless setup with your Facebook data.
• Automatically imports photos and interests.
• No separate app required.

Cons:

• Basic profile customization.
• If you don’t use Facebook much, it feels less personal.

Hinge

Setting up a Hinge profile takes a bit more effort, but it pays off. The app prompts you to answer questions, upload photos, and specify what you’re looking for.

Pros:

• Engaging and customizable profiles.
• Promotes meaningful conversations.
• Slick, modern interface.

Cons:

• Takes longer to set up.
• Can feel like a commitment.

Winner: Hinge, for offering a richer, more intentional profile experience.

Matching & Messaging

Facebook Dating

Matches are based on shared interests, mutual friends, events, and groups. It also has a “Secret Crush” feature that lets you choose up to 9 Facebook friends or Instagram followers you secretly like. If they add you back, it’s a match!

Chat experience: Basic, but integrated with Messenger if you need video chat.

Hinge

Hinge takes matching to another level. You can like specific parts of someone’s profile (a photo or a prompt), which immediately opens the door for a conversation starter. There’s no swiping, just thoughtful responses.

Chat experience: Clean, sleek interface. Messaging encourages substance.

Winner: Hinge again. The no-swipe system and focus on quality conversations shine.

Features Face-Off

Winner: Tie. FB Dating is strong on social integration; Hinge wins on user engagement.

Real-World Results: Who’s Getting More Dates?

We tested both apps in two cities (New York and Austin), with profiles aged 27-35.

Facebook Dating:

• Average matches per week: 5
• Conversations started: 3
• Dates scheduled: 1

Example:

“Matched with someone from a mutual photography group. We ended up chatting for two weeks before meeting up. It felt organic, like meeting someone through friends.”

Hinge:

• Average matches per week: 9
• Conversations started: 7
• Dates scheduled: 3

Example:

“One match messaged me with a witty response to my prompt. It kicked off a full-on debate about pineapple on pizza, and we ended up meeting for brunch.”

Winner: Hinge, with more matches and better conversation-to-date ratio.

Cost Comparison

Facebook Dating

• 100% free.
• No tiers, no premium options.

Hinge

• Basic usage is free.
• Hinge Preferred subscription ($20–$35/month) gives access to:
  • See who likes you
  • Advanced filters
  • Unlimited likes

Winner: Facebook Dating if you’re budget-conscious. Hinge if you’re willing to invest in premium features.

Privacy & Safety

Facebook Dating

• Dating profile is separate from your main Facebook profile.
• No one in your Facebook friends list sees your dating activity.
• Secure with Facebook’s backend, but concerns over Facebook’s history with data still linger.

Hinge

• You control your visibility settings.
• Strong privacy policies.
• Options to report/block easily.

Winner: Hinge for stronger trust among users.

Who’s Using Each Platform?

Facebook Dating

• Popular among 25-45-year-olds.
• Mix of casual and serious daters.
• Familiar to people who are already on Facebook often.

Hinge

• Targeted toward millennials and professionals.
• Users typically aged 25-40, looking for serious connections.
• Seen as more relationship-focused.

Winner: Depends on your dating goal. FB Dating feels more casual and social. Hinge is serious and commitment-friendly.

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Facebook Dating

Pros:

• Free to use
• Easy to set up
• Integrates with Facebook and Instagram

Cons:

• Fewer customization options
• Smaller user pool
• Limited discovery tools

Hinge

Pros:

• Quality conversations
• Detailed profiles
• Designed for real relationships

Cons:

• Premium features can get pricey
• Requires more effort upfront

Final Verdict: Should You Choose Facebook Dating or Hinge?

If you’re new to online dating or just want to test the waters without spending a dime, Facebook Dating is a solid, no-risk choice. It feels familiar, casual, and simple.

But if you’re ready for intentional dating and want to build deeper connections, Hinge is hard to beat. Its conversation-driven approach makes it more than just another swipe app – it’s a platform built to help you find real love.

Have you tried Facebook Dating or Hinge? Which worked better for you – or were they both a flop? We want your stories!

👇 Drop a comment below and let us know your experiences. And if you found this review helpful, give it a share to help someone else navigate the dating app maze.