Hinge is taking over. Slowly but surely Hinge has built massive popularity over the last few years, and throughout 2022 it looks like it will continue to establish itself as one of the best dating apps in the world.
You might be new to the whole online dating game, or perhaps youve checked out other dating apps and are yet to jump on the Hinge bandwagon.
Hinge is free to download and use. You are able to view profiles, send likes, match with users and message them with the free version of Hinge. But there is a paid subscription model that unlocks extra features.
Do I Have To Pay For Hinge?
No, you definitely dont have to pay for Hinge. Its certainly not a requirement, nor is using the free version a “trial.” You can use Hinge as much as you would like without spending a cent. But, there are limitations.
Dating apps have all made big bucks by offering paid upgrades. The reason these work so well is the limitations you face while using the app.
For example, on Hinge, you only have a minimal number of profiles you can like per day. Enough times of facing that frustrating message that youre out of likes can push people to pay.
So the question isnt whether you have to pay or not, its whether you want to. So, lets break down exactly what you get in the paid version of Hinge and you can decide for yourself.
What Do I Get If I Pay For Hinge?
If you have used other paid dating app upgrades before like Tinder Plus/Gold/Platinum or Bumble Boost, the Preferred membership isnt anything too unique.
The fact of the matter is that a lot of these dating apps will have similar features that unlock with a paid version, the reason for this is that they work.
Also, as far as paid features are concerned, even my most creative side cant come up with too many other features that could convince me to spend money.
See Who Likes You
If youve used Tinder Gold or the Bumble Beeline, you would know how this works. On Hinge, you are limited to only seeing the most recent person who has liked your profile. All the other profiles will be blurred.
In order to reveal these profiles, you will have to purchase the Preferred membership. With the membership, you will be able to view and like/dislike every single profile that has already liked you.
Preferred Preferences
Hinge includes different filters of profiles you can match with based on your own preferences. With the paid preferred membership you can unlock some preferences that are a little more in-depth. You will be able to filter people based on their height or based on how 
many children they want.
Unlimited Likes
As I mentioned earlier, on Hinge you only have 10 likes a day to play with, but if you upgrade to the preferred membership you will have unlimited likes. The more likes, the more matches, right?
How To Set Up Preferred Membership
Towards the bottom of your settings page within the app, you will see a small box advertising the preferred membership, if you click on this you will be able to see your current pricing in your location.
Alternatively, if you run out of your daily limit of 10 likes, you will see a box appear a the top of your screen asking you to upgrade, this will also work.
Below the prices are shown in Australian Dollars, so check out your own app store to see pricing in your location.
Can You Get Matches On Hinge Without Paying?
Yes, you definitely can. I have been using Hinge myself for the last year and can honestly say, that I have really enjoyed using it, and have seen great engagement with users, without paying a cent.
Although with any other dating app out there, Hinge obviously wants to make money, so the point is that you will see some sort of improvements once you pay for Hinge.
Maybe just the fact that you can like more profiles really makes a difference to you, or perhaps you have incredibly strict preferences and thats the main drawing card.
Hinge Free Trial
You may even be able to get yourself on a free trial. I have heard from some users that they have been offered a 3-month free trial to become a preferred member, it depends on your location and timing.
Whatever the reason, paying money on any dating app has to be right for you. If youve got some spare money to throw around and are exceptionally serious about finding a serious partner, go for it.
If you want to take your whole online dating game to the next level, check out my eBook Tinder guide: Tinder Hacked.
Even if it is focused on Tinder, many of the lessons will translate to Hinge. Give it a go if you are just starting your journey, or frustrated with how youve gone in the past.
