Read our full review of Grindr XTRA.
Grindr is the app for gay, bi, trans, and queer men. Hookups, dates, friends, something serious — whatever you’re looking for, Grindr connects you with other guys in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s great for exploring the local scene, especially when you’re traveling. Bottom line: If you’re a guy into guys, Grindr’s where it’s at. It’s a place to be yourself and find what you’re looking for (no matter what that might be).
One important note: While Grindr used to be one of our favorite free dating apps, the free version is becoming more annoying to use as Grindr pushes users toward paid plans.
You know what you’re getting with Grindr: some serious attention, some pushy messages, and plenty of dick pics. But finding and meeting up with men on Tinder or OkCupid isn’t always easy, especially if you’re in a small town with a meager queer community. Whether it’s your first time with a guy and you want someone experienced, or you’re the experienced guy, it’s nice to have Grindr in your back pocket.
And it’s not just for hookups. Plenty of couples meet on Grindr. One survey even found that over half of Grindr users believe they can find love on the app. Grindr for Equality also advocates for sexual health and LGBTQ+ safety. The company has also been working to make the app safer, using AI and a dedicated moderation team to crack down on underage users.
The app is also leaning heavily into new tech. In September, Grindr announced it’s becoming an “AI-first company” with its new proprietary AI — gAI™ (pronounced “gay-eye”). The first feature, “A-List,” is already rolling out to paid users and offers chat summaries and personalized recommendations. The company has also updated its privacy policy to give users explicit control over how their data is used for AI features. For in-the-moment meetups, the “Right Now” feature was recently upgraded with a Sniffies-style “Map View,” a live map of guys nearby who are ready to connect, though it’s only available in select cities for now.
Of course, new features sometimes mean new bugs and paywalls. Bisexual men have also reported mixed experiences on the app, including biphobia. This thread of Reddit users has experienced it in some way, describing the disappointment they feel from not being supported by their LGBTQ+ community and getting messages like “vaginas are gross” at the first mention of being bisexual. This is part of a larger challenge the platform faces with its content moderation. The app has struggled with inconsistent policies, as seen in its brief ban (and subsequent reversal) of the phrase “no Zionists” in user profiles in late July 2025.
