Hidden Gems of Online Dating Apps

I'm a comfortable creature. I stick with a dating app when I find anything I enjoy about it. Shiny and new isn't always preferable. However, since sometimes the newest is better, I came out of my Tinder cave to give you an inside look at some of the most recent dating applications. I've broken down each experience here. To determine which is best for you, take the quiz and continue reading.

A little context about my dating apps

For almost ten years, I have intermittently used the free version of Tinder. I have been successful in finding hookups, dates (some great, some okay), and one really fantastic friendship using it to search for pretty much anything. Fun fact: I once discovered my husband on Tinder, but it wasn't until we were married that we were able to connect.

I've also made a few attempts to use HER as a queer lady. The inability to write a bio, in addition to the many solicitations for payment, annoyed me. Consequently, I decided to examine dating apps that let you use the free version to engage genuinely and include at least a small area for a bio.

Feeld – My favorite for consensual/ethical non-monogamy

This is one of the dating sites to try if you're interested in CNM/ENM, regardless of whether you're polyamorous, into swinging or opening up. The dating app Feeld bills itself as one for the inquisitive. You can date with your partner and choose from over 20 different sexual orientations and gender identities. It is queer-friendly, gender-inclusive, and straight.

Benefits

One of my favorite features is that, in addition to selecting yes or no, you can also decide not to choose a profile and instead wait to see it as you go through your list. I don't always know how I feel at the moment, so this relieves the need to know immediately. One of your many privacy settings allows only matches to view your photos. Additionally, you can choose to hide your profile so that only people you express interest in can see it. You have your profile if you're looking with someone else, but you can link it to your partner. In this manner, users can click on both individuals to find out more about them.

Drawbacks

This software has a lot of bugs. When I was frustrated, I would put my answers in notes, then restart the program and copy and paste them.

Although I'm aware that it happens on other applications, I've never had somebody unmatch me. It happened frequently here, and since you can't see their profile, you really do not indicate who wasn't matched unless you commit all the names to memory. This was startling.

#Open – Best app for clarity & consent

I adore this app since it goes beyond simple yes/no consent! People who are morally non-monogamous and their relationships can connect with this app. Rigid boundaries and preferences for who you want to see or be seen by have their place. Furthermore, if individuals have completed those sections, pronouns, relationship status, and relationship type (monogamous, polyamorous, etc.) are prominently displayed and noted at the bottom of each profile.

Benefits

Consent is at the center! Before starting, new users must agree to the app's community values, which you can always check within the app if you forget them. Additionally, you have the option to have two profiles: one with your partner and one as an individual. Both what you are open to and what you are searching for can be specified (I like to think of these as your maybe/possible yeses and your hell yeses). Everything is clear and generally well-labeled, which is the cherry on top.

Drawbacks

I kept getting prompted to enter a code that was texted to my phone. It was annoying, but it might have been a glitch. The quantity of buttons is another perplexing element. Getting acclimated to the app could take some time.