10 Dating Apps Not Owned by Match Group to Use After a Ban

Is every single decent dating app owned by Match Group? The answer is shockingly a resounding no.

Many are seeking alternatives to the Match Group’s dating apps we know and love because being banned from either of them gets you banned everywhere.

I did some digging, though, and I found many dating apps you can use that offer a fun experience and multiple quality matches.

1. Bumble (Owned by Bumble Inc.)

Alternative to Hinge, Tinder, and Match

Bumble was created by Whitney Wolfe Herd to give women the power to make the first move. Now, men can respond to profile prompts instead of waiting for a message.

With 20+ million monthly users, you won’t struggle to find matches. Plus, despite its popularity, Bumble is not owned by Match Group.

👉 Want to sign up without using your real phone number or being banned before from Bumble then get back again using the DatingZest Bumblefone.

2. Grindr (Owned by San Vicente Acquisition LLC)

Alternative to Archer and Tinder

Grindr is the world’s leading LGBTQ+ dating app, primarily for gay and bisexual men. With over 10 million monthly users, it remains the go-to space for queer dating.

👉 Need to verify your account or get banned by Grindr? Use DatingZest Grindr phone verification.

3. Coffee Meets Bagel (Owned by the Kang Sisters)

Alternative to Hinge, Match, and OurTime

Founded by three sisters, CMB is designed for serious relationships. Matches can only chat after liking each other, making it a refreshing alternative to swipe-heavy apps.

It’s growing steadily, with about 300K monthly visitors—most of them men. Use DatingZest CMB service to open a new account, if you are banned from Coffee Meets Bagel.

4. Zoosk (Owned by Spark Networks)

• Alternative to Tinder, Match, Hinge, and OkCupid

Zoosk blends casual dating with long-term matchmaking. It’s like if Tinder and Hinge had a baby—one that actually learned from its parents' mistakes. With over 40 million users, it's a strong alternative to Match Group apps.

5. Ashley Madison (Owned by Ruby)

A Unique Experience

Ashley Madison is not your typical dating app. It’s designed for discreet encounters—encouraging users to step outside their relationships.

With 70 million members worldwide, its success speaks for itself. If you're looking for something wildly different, this is it.

6. Badoo (Owned by Bumble Inc.)

* Alternative to OkCupid.

• Alternative to OkCupid

Badoo is a mix of social networking and dating. Though its popularity has dipped, over 40 million people still use it annually.

It’s a flexible platform for both casual connections and serious dating.

7. eHarmony (Owned by NuCom Group)

Alternative to Hinge, Match, and Plenty of Fish

eHarmony has been around since 2000 and remains a powerhouse for serious relationships. It claims to use science to pair matches, and according to them, love happens on eHarmony every 14 minutes.

It still gets about 10 million monthly visitors. 

8. Facebook Dating (Owned by Meta)

Alternative to Tinder and OkCupid

Yes, Facebook has a dating feature! You can activate it in your account menu (not everyone has it yet).

It functions like a regular dating app but stays within Facebook’s ecosystem—no Match Group ties here.

9. Elite Singles (Owned by Spark Networks)

Alternative to The League

Elite Singles is for ambitious and educated professionals. It may sound a little elitist, but that’s the whole point.

Before matching, users must complete an in-depth questionnaire, which helps filter for serious relationships. Over 12.5 million people use it.

10. Feeld (Owned by Feeld Ltd.)

• A Unique Experience

Think Tinder, but way sexier. Feeld is designed for open-minded individuals looking to explore non-traditional relationships.

It’s been growing rapidly in the past few years, proving there’s a market for adventurous dating. If you want to sign up on Feeld without a phone number, use the DatingZest Feeld phone service.

Other (Underrated) Non-Match Apps to Explore

Beyond the big names, here are more apps outside Match Group’s network:

→ Christian Mingle (Spark Networks): Faith-based dating for Christians.

→ Boo (Boo Enterprises): Matches people based on personality types.

→ Happn (FTW & Co.): Connects you to people you’ve crossed paths with in real life.

→ HER (Robyn Exton): Queer women, non-binary, and trans communities.

→ WooPlus (Neil Raman): Focuses on plus-size singles.

→ Black Gentry (Zeel Tech LLC): A platform for ambitious Black singles.

→ Tantan (Momo): Huge in Asia and often called the “Tinder of China”.

Why Seek Match Group Apps Alternatives?

Match Group is a multi-billion-dollar brand, with huge dating apps that dominate the online dating scene…yet, there’s a lot to complain about.

• Aggressive monetization, pushing premium subscriptions for better visibility
  
• The tendency to be sneaky with users (such as in Tinder and Hinge shadowbanning), making profiles less visible without explanation
  
• High costs compared to free or lower-priced alternatives
  
• Reports of seeing recycled profiles repeatedly, which makes the apps feel stale
  
• A lack of transparency about how matches are shown or prioritized

Some people feel trapped paying for boosts and premium plans just to stay visible in the crowded market.

A key complaint is that a ban on one Match Group app often becomes a ban on all of them (e.g., if you’re banned on OkCupid, you’ll be banned on POF, too) because they track device IDs, IP addresses, shared photos, and reused info,

If you’re dealing with the same thing, your best shot is to reset your phone (or change your device completely), open a new Apple ID/Google Account, and install the app using a different internet connection or phone data.

Then, you’d need a new phone number to sign up with. DatingZest can help you with getting back after a ban or protecting your privacy online, regardless of which app we’re talking about!

Match Group Lawsuits and Legal Scrutiny

Match Group has faced significant legal challenges:

> Texas Attorney General Investigation (2024): Probing how Match handles bans and why users get little explanation.

> Class-action lawsuits: Allegations that Match Group withholds matches to push subscriptions, auto-renews billing without proper consent, and bans users without refunds.

> A 2019 NYU Law Review article labeled Match Group a “harmful monopoly,” citing the overwhelming influence it has over online dating.

European users sometimes leverage GDPR laws to demand explanations for bans, but few successfully regain access to banned accounts.

So, yeah! You’re definitely well within your rights to want to break free from the shackles of Match Group…and I am here to help you!

Liam.