Head-to-head · LGBTQ+ Dating Apps
Hornet vs Hinge
Hornet leads on 2 checks, Hinge on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreHornet · 9.1/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresHornet · 2 of 4
Hornet scores higher on our rubric for lgbtq+ dating apps: 9.1 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.
Hornet offers identity verification; Hinge doesn't publish it. Hornet offers in-app video calls; Hinge doesn't publish it.
Hornet is the better fit for gay men wanting social and dating features. Hinge is the better fit for prompt-driven dating with inclusive profiles.
- Hornet fits best
Gay men wanting social and dating features
- Hinge fits best
Prompt-driven dating with inclusive profiles
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Side by side
| Feature | Hornet 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | Hinge 8.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 8.4 |
| Ranking | #2 in LGBTQ+ Dating Apps | #6 in LGBTQ+ Dating Apps |
| Best for | Gay men wanting social and dating features | Prompt-driven dating with inclusive profiles |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs · 24/7 | Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo |
| Features Hornet 2/4 · Hinge 0/4 | ||
| Gender identity options | Not published | Not published |
| Orientation options | Not published | Not published |
| Identity verification | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| In-app video calls | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Specs | ||
| Matching method | Mixed | Not published |
| Platforms | Multiple | Not published |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Hornet is a mobile and web social-dating service for gay, bisexual, transgender and queer men. It combines nearby and worldwide profile discovery with hashtags, advanced filters, text and audio messaging, one-to-one video chat, video… Read the review → |
Hinge is a mobile dating app for people seeking connections that can lead to in-person dates. Members build profiles with photos, prompts, and personal details, then browse a Discover feed of recommended profiles. Compatibility-based… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Hornet — where it wins
- Nearby and worldwide discovery with hashtags and advanced filters
- Text, audio and video messaging plus one-to-one video chat
- Feeds, stories, livestreams and verification extend beyond dating
Where it doesn't
- App Store pricing varies by region
- Some privacy, discovery, visibility and communication tools require membership
- Its focus on gay, bi, trans and queer men is not for every dater
Hinge — where it wins
- Adaptive recommendations use interactions and date feedback
- Profiles include prompts, personal details, gender, sexuality, and pronouns
- Like or comment on specific profile content to start conversations
Where it doesn't
- Available only on iOS and Android mobile apps
- Free members have a limited number of daily likes
- No voice or video calling; LGBTQ+ dating is not its sole focus
- Hornet9.1/10 · Free plan
A broad gay social-dating app combining discovery, messaging, video and community feeds.
Visit HornetFull verdict → - Hinge8.4/10 · Free plan
Prompt-led profiles and adaptive matching suit inclusive, mobile-only dating.
Visit HingeFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- Hornet vs OkCupid
- Hornet vs Tinder
- ROMEO vs Hinge
- Taimi vs Hinge
All LGBTQ+ dating apps comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update