Dating in Singapore is tough enough with the small dating pool here. Throw swiping fatigue into the mix and you’ll get bored of being on only one dating app. Why not shake things up by going onto another dating app in Singapore? Sure, the profiles may be the same, but this might boost your chances of meeting Mr or Ms Right as dating apps use different mechanics.
Check out our list of the unique selling points of these 10 dating apps in Singapore.
1. Tinder
Tinder, the most popular dating app in Singapore, is your best bet if you desire a simple, rapid way to browse potential matches nearby. It is renowned for its intuitive mechanic of swiping left to pass and right to indicate interest, which encourages fast decision-making.
Alas, you don’t have to worry about feeling awkward for passing another user as they won’t know when someone swipes left on them. The app limits the number of Super Likes (which are 3 times more likely to get a match), making you think about which profiles to prioritise.
Tinder has a “Relationship Goals” functionality that allows users to find compatible dates, by stating whether they are searching for a “long-term partner,” “short-term partner”, or others.
2. Coffee Meets Bagel
Unlike Tinder, Coffee Meets Bagel is geared towards those seeking committed relationships. Users receive a few matches (“Bagels”) each day, encouraging thoughtful consideration.
Profiles also require more information, enabling users to showcase their personalities. If you are too shy to initiate a conversation, the app offers suggested conversation starters.
3. OkCupid
Like Tinder, OkCupid has multiple relationship-type options, including short-term dating, non-monogamistic (a relationship with more than one partner), hookups and friendships.
To help users find matches, it asks questions such as: “Would you rather have a child or your own place first?” and “Are you more kiasu (afraid to lose) or kiasi (afraid to die)?”
OkCupid has more ‘inclusive’ identification options for LGBTQ users, such as gender-fluid, non-binary, and ‘two-spirit’ identities.
4. Bumble
Bumble is unique as it empowers women by requiring them to initiate the first message in matches, essentially subverting the traditional dating dynamics. Matches expire after 24 hours if the female does not message first, encouraging her to strike while the iron is hot.
Besides love, users can use this dating app in Singapore to find friends or work connections.
5. Hinge
With its “designed to be deleted” tagline, Hinge emphasises long-term relationships rather than casual hookups. Users answer 3 prompts that enable them to exhibit their personality.
Like other dating apps, Hinge shows you one user at a time. You can then choose to like or reject them by tapping the heart icon or the ‘X’ icon. Unlike Tinder, users can “like” specific photos or prompts instead of the entire profile, allowing for more thoughtful engagement.
If you are tired of being ghosted on dating apps, Hinge has a “Your Turn” functionality that serves as a reminder to keep the conversation going, like the “poke” feature on Facebook.
Like OkCupid, Hinge uses an algorithm to recommend highly compatible matches. But these are restricted to only one a day, making it somewhat like Coffee Meets Bagel.
6. Lunch Actually
Lunch Actually is the brainchild of co-founder Violet Lim, who was inspired to help singles find love over lunch dates. She and her husband founded the dating company here in 2004.
Getting catfished is the least of your worries on Lunch Actually. This is because all profiles are verified by their dating consultants, making your dating experience safe and efficient.
If you require assistance, their matchmakers are there to chat at the click of a button. They will also help you keep up to date on the newest dating trends and offer customised advice.
7. Paktor
Paktor, which got its name from the Cantonese word for dating, was started here in 2013.
Like Tinder, Paktor is a location-based dating app in Singapore. Users swipe right to indicate interest, but neither user knows if the other swiped right until they both do.
It differentiates itself via its auto-translation functionality, enabling users to chat with each other despite language barriers. This is ideal for a multiracial country such as ours.
If you want to take things off the app, Paktor has an offline dating service called GaiGai.
8. Happn
Similar to Paktor and Tinder, Happn shows users profiles of other people who are nearby.
Unlike Tinder, which updates your location only when the app is in use to produce more accurate matches, Happn’s location-based feature works even when the app is not being used.
Happn also has an interactive map for users to find out where they have crossed paths with users over the past 2 weeks. For example, you may have crossed paths with a user who caught your eye at a concert 3 days ago. You can then find this person on the map.
9. Grindr
Grindr is a dating app that connects people who are gay, bisexual, trans, or queer. Like Tinder, it uses the GPS (Global Positioning System) to show the profiles of nearby people.
But unlike Tinder, which also has an LGBTQ option enabling users to specify their sexual orientation as gay to match with other similar individuals, Grindr displays profiles in a grid, instead of having to swipe them one by one.
Grindr users don’t have to indicate interest and they can initiate conversations by tapping on a profile. But catfishes are (reportedly) plenty and many on the app (apparently) are just searching for hookups.
10. eHarmony
eHarmony focuses on finding serious, long-term relationships. It showcases couples who met on the platform, highlighting its record of facilitating lasting, committed relationships.
It uses a comprehensive personality compatibility quiz to match users based on their values, communication styles and emotional temperament, making it similar to OkCupid.
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