I actually prefer Hinge over most other apps because of the prompts. It feels less like a 'hot or not' game and more like you’re actually getting a glimpse into someone’s personality. I love that I can comment on a specific photo or answer rather than just sending a generic 'Hey

 It attracts people who are generally more willing to put in effort. Most of my dates from here have been high-quality. The Con: The 'Most Compatible' feature can be a hit or miss, and the limited daily likes on the free version can feel a bit restrictive, but it does force you to be intentional

I love the concept of women making the first move—it definitely cuts down on the weird, unsolicited openers I used to get on other sites. It feels a bit safer and more controlled

It puts me in the driver's seat. If I’m not feeling it after reading the profile again, I just don't message, and the match expires. The Con: The 24-hour timer is stressful! If I have a busy workday and forget to check the app, I lose a potentially great connection. Also, some guys seem to use the 'women message first' rule as an excuse to be passive in the actual conversation

Tinder is basically a rite of passage. It’s the easiest to use and has the most people by far. I used it mostly when I moved to a new city just to meet people and get out of the house

The sheer volume of users. You will never run out of profiles to look at. It’s great for something casual or just a confidence boost. The Con: You have to filter through a lot of low-effort profiles and 'hey' messages. It’s definitely more of a visual-first app, so it can feel a bit superficial after a while

After being married for 15 years, jumping back into dating was terrifying. I tried the swipe apps but felt totally out of place. eHarmony felt much more my speed. The personality quiz is long, but it’s worth it

Everyone here is paying for a subscription, so they are actually serious about finding a partner. No one is here to play games. The Con: It’s expensive compared to others, and the interface feels a little bit dated, but the quality of matches is significantly higher if you're looking for long-term compatibility

After fifteen years of marriage, I didn’t want a 'hookup' app. Hinge feels more intentional. The prompts allowed me to show my personality—like my love for vintage records and my stance on co-parenting—before a single message was sent. I met a few men here who were also divorced, which made the 'baggage' conversation much easier since we both understood the weight of it