Dating App Review | Grindr

The Grindr app is world-renowned but does Grindr work - and just how much BDSM can you expect to get for your bucks with a Grindr signup? In the spirit of serving our vision to be the most trusted BDSM and Fetish community, we asked writer, Sean Lucas to look closer at Grindr for us.

Grindr Overview

Grindr has been connecting the LGBT+ community since 2009 and today, Grindr bills itself as 'the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people.' But the vast majority of its users are men who have sex with men.

Then there’s the question of what Grindr means by 'social networking'. I asked several friends about what they thought of the Grindr app, and they all gave me a straight-forward answer - Grindr is for hook-ups! With a quick Grindr signup, you're in the McDonalds of sex - fast and readily available. But does Grindr fill you up? Particularly if your interests lie on the kinky spectrum?
 

Grindr Visual Appeal

Grindr’s logo, a yellow mask on a black background, is among the most recognizable in the gay world. The mask alone conjures up images of hot fetish scenarios and, dare we say, with its waspish color-scheme, slightly menacing. But then, most menacing things can be the most alluring. Visually, the Grindr app is bold and enticing; it's also uncluttered and uncomplicated. But can you find someone who's into the same kinky activities as you with a simple Grindr signup?
 

Grindr Navigation & User Experience

After getting myself a Grindr signup, and on opening up the app, you'll see a grid divided into two sections. There’s one row at the top showing 'fresh faces' – new users. But the main grid, which you scroll down to view, lists all those users who are 'nearby.'

The Grindr app is easy to navigate, and it is instinctive to use. Each square in the grid has the user’s name and a profile picture. A green circle in the bottom left-hand corner indicates whether the user is currently online. Tap your finger on the profile grid, and you’re directed to the user’s profile. If you need help, there’s a handy Grindr support section - more on that later.  

The Grindr app uses your mobile device’s geolocation. So you need to ensure that it is enabled in the settings area of your device. Without this, Grindr will not receive the vital data it needs to function. Click on any user’s profile, and it will show you how many meters they are away from you - this is why you will find droves of gay men glued to their phones everywhere from the bar to the supermarket checkout.

Is Grindr free to use?

It’s free to sign up to the Grindr app, and for a basic membership, you can list your vital statistics, your sexual position of choice and what you’re looking for.

A more recent addition to the Grindr app is the ‘identity’ section, which is a welcome nod to trans and non-binary people. Here is where it invites you to state your gender. You can also add the pronoun which you prefer – including customized options. I tried it out, and you’ll encounter a wide range of bizarre alternatives here: everything from ‘space alien’ to ‘ruler of the world.’ I found that this adds a refreshingly playful and very modern take on gender.

With a free Grindr signup, you can 'explore' who is online by setting filters. These are found in the 'edit my type' section. But as a free member, you have a minimal set on filters to select, like 'age' 'what you’re looking for' and 'tribes.'  However, Tribes is about as exciting as the Grindr app gets. These include categories ranging from 'twink' and 'bear' to 'daddy.'  The only tribe that gets anywhere near kinky is 'leather' - knock yourself out on that one!


A look under the bonnet of the Grindr app.
 

Does Grindr Xtra mean Xtra kinky?

Grindr Xtra is the premium version of the Grindr app. Grindr Xtra gives you access to 600 more profiles on the grid. Better still, having a Grindr Xtra membership at least stops the thoroughly infuriating interstitial adverts that are on the free version. Few things are more irritating than finding a hot Dominant only to click on his picture for a multi-colored ad for some puerile game to assault your senses.

Grindr Xtra also gives you access to a broader range of filters to apply to searches. But we’re not talking free pass to Kinksville here. Searching on Grindr Xtra via height, body type, and sexual position is as adventurous as it gets.
 

Grindr Support

If like me, you need to get in touch with Grindr support, there's no one you can directly go to. Instead, you move first through a FAQ section (which is full of various help topics) and is fine if you can resolve your issue there. But, if you need to contact the Grindr support team, you need to go through a dedicated Grindr support channel where you report your problem and wait for a response from the Grindr support team.  

Grindr Community Feel

The short answer is, yes. With Grindr being the world’s largest 'social networking' app, you’ll find people of every persuasion. But I found the problem is connecting with them. Without filters devoted to kinks and fetishes, you’re left with few options but to endlessly swipe through profiles searching for kinky tell-tale signs. Pray for a tantalizing glimpse of a harness. The good news is those looking for fetish fun are upfront about it.

Grindr Review | Final Thoughts

Grindr is global - it’s exclusive, vast, and it’s fast. But it’s not fast if you’re only looking for BDSM'ers or fetishists. You’d be better off going with a more niche site. It’ll cut the time you spend hacking through the vanilla.

In catering to everyone, the Grindr app inevitably sacrifices a tailored fetish-experience. But the sheer number of profiles does increase the probability of encountering a kinky surprise. But an easily accessible BDSM bonanza it ain’t!
 

Have a Grindr signup or Grindr Xtra membership? Do you agree with our review? Tell us in the comments below. Spanks for reading!

Cover image released from Shutterstock.com