6 Creative Dating Apps That Go Beyond the Swipe
Feb 17, 2017
We know you’re always on the hunt for your next great love story, so we’re always on the hunt for the most interesting apps out there to help you get it! These finds will be a nice change of pace from the better-known Tinders and Hinges of the world, and they’ll give you a chance to meet new singles based on different criteria (you can look at it as one more way to be more creative in 2017, right?). Keep scrolling to learn more about six dating apps that caught our eye.
Hater
It can be fun to connect with potential love interests online over things that you both love, but do you know what’s even more fun? Connecting with potential love interests online over things that you both HATE. This app, which just launched on February 8, prompts users with a range of topics (they currently have 2,000 topics including Donald Trump and gluten-free lifestyles) on which they must either swipe up (for “I love this!”), swipe down (for “I like this!”) or swipe to the right for (“I hate this!”). Matches are made accordingly, ensuring that if you meet a fellow Hater user IRL, you can easily break the ice by venting about the things you both loathe.
Cheekd
This app uses the same bluetooth technology that powers your wireless speakers and puts it to work to help you make connections with other singles that live in your area. Any time that someone who meets your dating criteria is within a 30-foot radius of you, the app sends you a notification, giving you the opportunity to flirt face-to-face with someone you already know could be a great fit for you.
Sapio
If you’re nervous to get involved with dating apps because you worry that it’s all about taking sexy profile pics and making snap judgements (for the record, we beg to differ!), this might be the right app to get you started. Sapio tries to make online dating a more meaningful experience by allowing you to build a profile around your responses to thought-provoking questions, such as “What genuinely terrifies you?” and “What do you take pride in?” You can select which questions you are more interested in seeing answers for, and you’ll be able to review which users “like” your responses too.
The Grade
The Grade seeks to take some of the stress out of online dating by holding its users accountable for bad app etiquette. You’ll have to worry less about creepy, non-responsive and otherwise offensive potential baes thanks to The Grade’s algorithm, which assigns a letter grade (yup, just like high school) to each person based on profile quality, level of responsiveness and peer reviews. Users with a grade of “D” or “F” are given a warning and then kicked to the curb if they don’t improve their rep.
Glimmer
Glimmer’s goal is to encourage transparency among its user base and to create a platform where people with physical and emotional challenges can comfortably seek their OTP. The app has a straightforward interface that allows you to identify (or not) the disabilities that may make you feel insecure on other apps. No need to hide ’em here!
The Catch
If you’ve ever found yourself accidentally binging The Dating Game, you’re going to love The Catch. The app’s format is reminiscent of the old-school game show — and it puts us ladies in control of the questions! It’s a fun twist on the dating app world and will be a welcome, playful break from hours of simply swiping, swiping, swiping.