Sick of swiping endlessly but not getting quality matches? Upgrading to Hinge Plus could be the solution. With unlimited likes and seeing who already likes you, Hinge Plus gives you superpowers to cut through the noise.
But is it worth the monthly fee? Let’s weigh the pros and cons to determine if Hinge Plus really improves your dating game.
(Before we look at the specifics of Hinge Plus, if you’re new to Hinge or wondering about its basic features, check out our [comprehensive review of Hinge as a dating app] to get a full picture of the platform.)
What Exactly is Hinge Plus?
Before weighing the pros and cons, let’s start with the basics – what exactly is Hinge Plus?
Hinge Plus is the premium, paid version of the Hinge dating app which offers extra features to help users maximize their experience.
Essentially, Hinge Plus offers enhanced matching functionality, extra visibility tools, and no caps on expressing interest. It aims to help users cut through the noise to find potential partners who better fit their preferences and reciprocate interest.
But just how much does this premium functionality improve the experience, and is it worth paying for? Let’s explore further.
How Much Does Hinge Plus Cost?
Before determining if the features are worthwhile, let’s look at what it actually costs to upgrade to Hinge Plus:
- 1 Month – $29.99
- 3 Months – $59.99 ($19.99/month)
- 6 Months – $89.99 ($14.99/month)
The longer subscription durations offer savings in the range of $5-10 off the monthly price.
There are also often seasonal sales and discounts offered, especially around holidays. So optimal timing could score you 20-30% off.
How does Hinge Plus pricing compare to other popular dating apps’ premium tiers?
- Tinder Gold – $29.99/month
- Bumble Premium – $38.99/month
- OkCupid Premium – $39.99/month
Hinge Plus clocks in at the lower end of premium dating app subscriptions, feature-for-feature.
For less than $30/month, the question remains whether unlocking Hinge’s paid features can genuinely improve your dating success. Let’s analyze the key differences between free and paid.
Free vs Paid Hinge: Key Feature Comparison
To determine if the investment in Hinge Plus is justified, we need to understand what you gain by upgrading from the free version. Let’s break it down.
Features Included in Free Hinge
Let’s establish what you still get without paying by summarizing the key capabilities included in free Hinge:
- Build an in-depth dating profile with photos/prompts
- Send up to 8 Likes per day
- Set basic matching preferences (location, age, etc)
- Receive unlimited incoming Likes
- Match and chat with any users you’ve Liked
So with free Hinge, you retain the core functionality – creating a profile, expressing daily interest in potential matches, connecting via chat when interest is mutual.
A pretty solid foundation, but is it enough to find success? That depends on your goals.
What Extra Capabilities Come With Hinge Plus?
Here are the main features unlocked by upgrading to paid Hinge Plus:
Unlimited Outgoing Likes
Like more profiles every day, increasing your prospects. No rationing likes or running out too soon.
Advanced Match Preferences
Fine-tune your preferences for religion, family plans, vices, and more. Further, tailor your potential matches.
See Who Already Liked You
View people who have already liked your profile so you can review them first. Saves guessing who’s interested.
Unlimited “Roses”
Signal special interest by sending Roses. Stand out so popular users are more likely to Like you back.
These enhanced capabilities aim to amplify your prospects by expanding preferences, visibility, and outgoing interest expressions.
But in practice, do these features actually improve matching and dating success? Let’s explore user experiences.
Does Hinge Plus Really Work? [User Reviews]
Don’t just take Hinge’s word for it. Here’s what real Hinge Plus subscribers have reported about whether the paid version delivered results:
“Upgrading to unlimited likes was a game-changer. I went on so many more dates with people way more compatible than before.” – Mark, 29, Philadelphia
“The dealbreaker feature let me filter religion and family goals. I met my husband who wanted the same future as me within 2 months.” – Jenn, 32, Columbus
“I could never use up all my free daily likes as a guy. Seeing who already liked me and messaging those matches first led to way better conversations.” – Tim, 24, Seattle
The consensus seems to be that Hinge Plus can accelerate dating success by expanding options and optimizing matches. But success isn’t universally guaranteed.
“I felt overwhelmed by the influx of options. There’s just too much choice rather than quality matches.” – Aliyah, 26, Chicago
“I still barely got any likes even after paying. Seemed like a waste of money in a smaller town.” – James, 28, Santa Fe
(If you’ve been using Hinge for a while and aren’t seeing the results you want, even with Hinge Plus, you might consider resetting your Hinge algorithm for a fresh start before deciding whether to continue with the premium features.)
Satisfaction seems contingent on individual experience factors like location, goals, and conversation skills. The paid features amplify prospects but personal effort remains key.
So is gaining more potential matches and incoming interest worth the tradeoff of information overload? That depends on your priorities.
What Are the Top Benefits of Upgrading?
Let’s explore the standout benefits unlocked by Hinge Plus if you decide the investment could be worthwhile:
1. Eliminate Liking Limits
One major frustration with free Hinge is hitting your daily like limit, sometimes before even viewing all compatible profiles that day.
By upgrading, you gain unlimited daily likes, allowing you to freely engage with potential matches. No more rationing interest.
With more freedom to express interest, you significantly expand your dating pool. Increased outgoing likes mean increased incoming mutual matches.
2. Attract Reciprocal Interest
Ever wonder who’s already liked your profile but hasn’t appeared as a match yet? Hinge Plus lets you see users who already like you.
That insight allows you to review those admirers first and like them back with priority, rather than waiting for a mutual match pop-up down the road.
Proactively matching with existing fans can kickstart conversations sooner with people excited to talk to you. No need to hope the stars will eventually align.
3. Stand Out with Unlimited Roses
Have your eye on someone extraordinary but worried you may get lost in their sea of admirers? Roses help you stand out.
Send as many Roses as you want with Hinge Plus. When popular users receive your Rose, they often prioritize liking you back.
Roses signal special interest, grasp attention, and cut through the noise. Make your move before other hopefuls beat you to it.
(Want to learn more about sending roses on Hinge? Read this article: What is a Rose on Hinge and is Sending One Weird?)
4. Refine Compatibility Filters
Want your matches to better align with your worldviews and relationship goals?
Hinge Plus offers expanded advanced preferences so you can filter matches on religion, family plans, vices and more. Exclude dealbreakers upfront.
Narrowing criteria means less time wasted on mismatches and incompatible profiles. See only highly suitable prospects.
What Are the Drawbacks of Hinge Plus?
Despite glowing reviews from many Hinge Plus users, the paid tier isn’t perfect. Before subscribing, consider a few potential pitfalls:
Information and Choice Overload
With unlimited likes, expanded preferences, and more incoming interest, dating suddenly becomes much more complex. Too many options can paralyze people from making decisions.
If sifting through numerous matches already feels overwhelming, more volume could stress you out further.
Confusing Your Options
When you receive interest from people outside your usual preferences thanks to broader discovery from unlimited likes, resisting the temptation to engage with incompatible matches becomes vital.
Without proper discernment, you risk confusing your options and having misaligned priorities. Stay intentional about fit.
No Guaranteed Return on Investment
While Hinge Plus may expand your opportunities for connection through increased exposure and incoming interest, matching success ultimately depends on how selectively you engage.
There’s no guarantee more matches will become dates. You get out of it based directly on the effort you put in.
Recurring Subscription Costs
While Hinge Plus pricing remains competitive for premium dating app tiers, the monthly costs can accumulate, especially if you renew for long periods hoping for a certain outcome.
Make sure you carefully consider whether the cost provides sufficient ongoing value after an initial trial period before you commit to a long subscription.
Tips for Using Hinge Plus Effectively
Ready to give Hinge Plus a try but want to maximize your return on investment? Follow these pro tips:
Refine Your Discovery Preferences
Set thoughtful advanced preferences aligned with your core priorities instead of being overly rigid. Cast a wide net that still filters underlying compatibility.
Personalize Conversation Openers
Ask engaging questions tailored to profile details with each match instead of basic openers. Build rapport quicker through shared interests.
While Hinge Plus gives you more opportunities to match, starting meaningful conversations is key to success. For some inspiration, take a look at our guide on how to start engaging conversations on Hinge.
Focus on Fit Over Volume
Resist the urge to like everyone. Thoughtfully assess alignment. Prioritize quality connections aligned with what you seek over amassing matches.
Proactively Message Users Who Like You
Check your “Likes You” feed regularly. Initiate chats with interested users sooner rather than waiting. Strike while their interest is fresh.
Watch for Patterned Dealbreakers
Note any alignment gaps that repeatedly appear across promising matches. Adjust preferences accordingly to spotlight better-suited profiles.
By avoiding common pitfalls and being intentional in how you leverage Hinge Plus’s features, you’re poised for better results in meeting relationship-ready matches.
The Bottom Line: Is Hinge Plus Worth It?
So when all the costs, benefits, drawbacks, and best practices are weighed – should you upgrade to Hinge Plus?
Ask yourself:
- Are you seriously searching for a substantive relationship?
- Do you have the bandwidth to sustain more incoming interest?
- Will time-saving efficiency features accelerate your progress?
If you answered “yes” to those self-reflective questions, Hinge Plus may be a worthwhile investment into expanding your dating pool of quality prospects. Increased opportunities for reciprocal interest and facetime with potential compatible partners can certainly maximize your chances of forging meaningful connections.
However, even the most powerful matching algorithms and visibility tools can’t replace personal effort. The onus remains on you to filter effectively, converse genuinely, and put your best self forward attracting the right fit. No premium feature unlocks guaranteed chemistry. A small monthly fee only gets you so far.
That said, for relationship-minded singles seeking to turn slow-burn luck into enhanced active discovery, Hinge Plus tilts the odds in your favor. Optimize your journey towards meeting “the one” with more power to connect.
