While we still believe that meeting in real life gives a much better
chance of finding someone that you are attracted to, dating apps are popular and can help to supplement the search. We have a list of some of the most popular apps below and some of their main features.
EliteSingles
– EliteSingles caters to professionals and uses a personality test using the “5 Factor Model” openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. They promote the fact that over 80% of their users have at least a bachelor’s degree.
The basic account is free to see your matches, but you will need a membership to be able to send and receive messages, other than (likes and smiles) and have access to premium features. Prices are less expensive if paid by the year, from $31.95 to $59.95 per month. Look out for specials.
Hinge
–Hinge recently changed by adding more information and photos for their users. When Hinge started it used Facebook friends of friends matching, now Facebook login and info will be optional. Match.com recently bought a controlling stake in Hinge and changes are coming with the platform.
Users rated this most relationship-oriented dating app, 70% of them are now saying they want something even further in that direction. Users are generally millennials.
A new free feature just rolled out called “My Compatible” which uses your previous actions and interests on the app to give you a daily ”most compatible.” Hinge basic is free and includes 10 daily matches, but you will need a subscription to filter by politics, drinking or if they would like children which costs $7 per month.
Happn
Happn is GPS based meaning that you can see on the app all the people that you have crossed paths with throughout your day. Perhaps someone at your local market that you smiled at but didn’t talk to or saw at the bus station.
Just check the app and communicate if you both are interested. This app works best in cities or when many people are around. Happn is free although special perks are extra.
You can purchase “credits” to play a game called “Crush time” or mention an activity you would like to do. People within a close proximity can see the activity for 6 hours and connect if they would like to meet up.
Eharmony
Eharmony is known for being a more serious dating app because of their extensive ‘29 Dimensions Personality Assessment” which takes about 40 minutes to fill out.
Since joining is more pricey, you will find that people are looking more for a relationship than simply to keep dating. Eharmony has been around a long time and its membership includes a large mix of users. Membership is 59.99 per month with the price being less if joining for a longer time.
Coffee meets Bagel
Coffee meets Bagel uses friends of friends from Facebook to send only a certain amount of daily matches. Matches are urged to communicate & comment. Their new redesign & interface puts more emphasis on user profiles — showcasing more of the text, and giving users the option to “heart” the profile or now, even comment.
Men have 24 hours to either” pass” or ” like” on the women. This app is best used in areas with many people. Free but as with most apps, you need to upgrade to communicate. Premium membership is $35.00 per month or $20 for 6 months. The majority of users are under 30.
Bumble
Bumble doesn’t need to use your Facebook account to sign up anymore. Bumble is basically Tinder but women make the first contact. You are given 24 hours if you both swipe right for the ladies to make the first move and message your match or they expire. Bumble is free but for bonus perks, the cost is $24.99 per month.
Belinked
Belinked pulls your information from Linkedin but the concept is basically Tinder. The same swipe left and right features that when you both swipe right, you can message each other. The app does not have extensive questions to answer and presumably, people have a more established career.
They will not post anything from you on Linkedin. Free to download but to filter by city or job you will have to pay $6.99 a month or invite 3 friends to download the app
League
The League uses Facebook and Linkedin to verify your information. There is a waitlist while you are vetted.. According to the site, this keeps the community well balanced and high quality. You can be as picky as you wish when filling out your profile. The League is availale in 36 Cities at this time.
The League makes sure that you are not matched with co-workers, eliminating awkward setups. Matches expire in 21 days if no one has messaged. The guest membership is free with limited matches and perks. Paid membership starts at $29.00 per month.
Ok cupid
Ok Cupid has been around for quite a while and will have a good selection of matches. They have a fun site with a brand new redesign that falls somewhere in between Tinder and Eharmony. You can get as in-depth as you like or just put in the basics and start searching. Ok Cupid is very LGBT friendly and has many different ways to identify.
They offer a lot of different optional questions about quirks and preferences that can make the process fun and hopefully knock out those with your deal breakers. The site is free with optional perks that cost extra. Paid membership $9.99 per month.
Match
Match has been around for a long time and has many members from all locations. Some of the newer apps may not have as many subscribers. Since it is a paid subscription, people tend to be more serious about a relationship, but there are always exceptions.
Match has added some extra features with games and quizzes to update its offerings.
You are able to see the entire available matches, not just limited curated matches that many of the other apps in this list promote.
They have a “deal breaker” option that can save you time by not matching you with anyone that you have marked. 3 months for $19.99 each.
What do you think?
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